Important Rules for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products in India

Cosmetics and personal care products in India are regulated through a layered legal framework to protect consumer safety, ensure quality, and prevent misleading claims. The system combines product-control laws with labelling and packaging requirements, so manufacturers, importers, and distributors must comply with both health and consumer-protection standards.

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 is the basic law governing the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics in India. Its core purpose is to keep unsafe, substandard, misbranded, adulterated, or spurious products out of the market. For prelims, this Act remains the starting point for understanding cosmetic regulation.

• Definition of cosmetic: Under Section 3(aaa), a cosmetic is any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, sprayed on, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance.
• Includes components: The definition also covers any article intended for use as a component of a cosmetic.
• Misbranded cosmetic: A cosmetic is misbranded if it contains a colour not prescribed by rules, is improperly labelled, or carries any false or misleading statement or claim on the package.
• Prohibited products: The Act bars the manufacture, sale, or distribution of cosmetics that are not of standard quality, misbranded, adulterated, or spurious.

Cosmetics Rules, 2020: Dedicated Regulatory Framework

The Cosmetics Rules, 2020 created a standalone framework for cosmetics and replaced the earlier cosmetic provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Published on December 15, 2020, these rules brought together provisions relating to manufacturing, import, testing, labelling, distribution, and sale.

• Structure: The rules comprise 72 rules, 13 schedules, and 24 appendices.
• Import registration: All cosmetics imported into India must be registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) before import.
• New cosmetic: The rules introduced the concept of a “new cosmetic”, meaning a cosmetic containing a novel ingredient not previously used globally or not recognised for cosmetic use in national or international literature.
• Permission requirement: Prior permission from the Central Licensing Authority is needed to manufacture or import a new cosmetic.
• GMP compliance: Good Manufacturing Practices are self-declared by the applicant for registration.
• Animal testing: Import of any cosmetic whose manufacture or development involved animal testing after November 12, 2014, is prohibited.

CDSCO and Licensing System

The CDSCO, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is the national authority for approving and regulating the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of cosmetics in India. It works with state authorities for domestic licensing and with customs and port authorities for import control.

• Import licences: CDSCO issues import-related approvals for cosmetics.
• Manufacturing licence: Domestic cosmetic manufacturers must obtain a manufacturing licence from the State Drug Control Authority.
• SUGAM portal: Importers register as users on the CDSCO SUGAM portal, classify products, and submit documents such as PAN, IEC, and GST registration.
• Form 43: An import registration certificate in Form 43 is issued by the Central Licensing Authority.
• Restricted ingredients: Cosmetics containing hexachlorophene, mercury compounds, or compounds of lead and arsenic used for colouring cannot be imported into India.
• Enforcement: CDSCO monitors adverse reactions, inspects ports of entry, and can seize or ban non-compliant products.

Labelling and Packaging Requirements

Labelling is a key safety and compliance tool because it allows consumers to identify product identity, composition, use instructions, and warnings. The Cosmetics Rules, 2020 require clear and specific declarations on both primary and secondary packaging.

• Mandatory particulars: Labels must show the product name, batch number, manufacturing date, expiry or “use before” date, ingredient list in descending order of concentration, manufacturer or importer name and address, country of origin for imported products, net weight or volume, directions for use, and necessary cautions or warnings.
• Language: Mandatory information must be in English; Hindi or other regional languages may also be used.
• Legibility: Labels should be clear, readable, in appropriate font size, and printed in contrasting colours.
• Small package exemptions: Very small packs may have limited exemptions, including simplified address details and, in some cases, exemption from batch number requirements where the net quantity is very small.
• False claims: Cosmetics with false or misleading claims are not permitted for import.

Legal Metrology Rules and Principal Display Panel

Cosmetic packaging is also governed by the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. These rules are administered by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and apply to pre-packaged goods, including personal care products. They are important for consumer information, fair trade, and uniform labelling.

• Statutory basis: The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 provides the legal basis for packaged commodity labelling in India.
• Declarations: The 2011 rules require declarations such as net quantity, manufacturer details, and consumer-facing information.
• Principal display panel: This is the main visible surface of the package meant for consumer information.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Primary law: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• Dedicated cosmetic rules: Cosmetics Rules, 2020, in force from December 15, 2020.
• Main regulator: CDSCO under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Import control: Import registration certificate in Form 43 through the CDSCO system is required.
• Domestic manufacture: Manufacturing licence is issued by State Drug Control Authorities.
• Prohibited categories: Misbranded, adulterated, spurious, and non-standard quality cosmetics are barred.
• Key labelling law: Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
• Administering ministry for legal metrology: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Recent Context

In 2026, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules introduced origin-based symbols for selected personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics, and toiletries. Notified on September 21, 2026, the change requires a green dot for vegetarian origin and a red or brown dot for non-vegetarian origin at the top of the principal display panel.