Who Needs Cosmetic Product Certification in India & How to Get Certified

The beauty and personal care business is growing at a rapid pace in India, and consumers are now more aware of the ingredients, safety of products, quality of the manufacturing process, and regulatory compliance. When it comes to cosmetics companies, having a pretty product is just half the battle. The product must also meet the regulatory requirements for its manufacturing and distribution.

This is where cosmetic product certification becomes important.

But there is no universal pathway for cosmetic certification in India for all businesses. The requirement is applicable as per the manufacturing of the Cosmetic in India or another country. Imported cosmetics are subject to control by the Central Licensing Authority, and domestic manufacture of cosmetics is subject to control by the State Licensing Authority.

The knowledge about the meaning behind the cosmetic product certification, its requirements, its target groups, its scope, and the process of getting a certification or license will help cosmetic product manufacturers, importers, private-label and international cosmetic companies to plan their entry into the Indian market correctly.

UMSPCS assists businesses to evaluate cosmetic products, determine the applicable registration route, complete documentation, and manage the process of registering or licensing.

What Is Cosmetic Product Certification in India?

The term cosmetic product certification is a generic term used to refer to the regulatory process of approval, registration, licensing and compliance requirements applicable to cosmetic products in India.

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Cosmetics Rules, 2020, regulate cosmetics to ensure that they do not fail to comply with prescribed standards for quality and safety.

The regulatory route is largely dependent upon the manufacturing location of the product:

For Imported Cosmetics

Preparation of cosmetics outside India should be registered with the Central Licensing Authority before bringing it into India. The registration includes the cosmetic and pack sizes, variants, and manufacturing premises.

For Cosmetics Manufactured in India

India’s cosmetics are regulated under a licensing regime under the State Licensing Authority. Hence, a manufacturing licence should be treated as a manufacturing licence, and applicable requirements should be met by businesses that manufacture cosmetic products locally.

Many companies talk about cosmetic certification, and they mean something different by it, which is why it is important to make this distinction.

Why Is Cosmetic Product Certification Required?

The principal purpose of cosmetic regulations is to help ensure that cosmetics marketed in India conform to the requirements that apply to them with respect to their quality, safety, ingredients, manufacturing, labelling and claims.

For businesses, correct compliance with the regulations may allow them to:

• Allow access to the legal market. Facilitate entry to the legal market.
• Minimize regulatory and import risks
• Build consumer confidence
• Improve product credibility
• Provide assistance to distributors and retailers
• Minimize disruption due to compliance
• Establish a more solid base for sustained growth in the marketplace

CDSCO also says cosmetics need to meet the relevant quality and safety requirements, while cosmetic claims should be neither misleading nor false.

Who Needs Cosmetic Product Certification?

The regulatory requirement may impact various kinds of businesses such as:

• Indian Cosmetic Manufacturers
• Foreign Cosmetic Manufacturers
• Indian Importers
• Private-Label Cosmetic Brands
• International Beauty Brands

What Cosmetic Products Need to Comply?

Cosmetics may include any product used for cleansing, beautification, attractiveness or changing the appearance. Common categories include:

• Apply eye creams and moisturize.
• Cleansers and lotions
• Sunscreen and skin care products.
• Shampoos and conditioners
• Hair oils and hair styling products
• Lipsticks and lip balms
• Face makeup and color cosmetics.
• Perfumes and fragrances
• Deodorants
• Nail products
• Baby-care cosmetics
• Personal-care products

The names of a product do not reflect its regulatory status.

The selection of the proper regulatory pathway should be based on the ingredients, intended use, formulation, mode of application, and product claims.

This is particularly important where a cosmetic product makes therapeutic or medicinal claims, as such claims may change the regulatory assessment.

How to Get Cosmetic Product Certification in India?

The process is dependent upon the product is imported or locally manufactured.

Step 1: Product Classification

Determine if the product comes under the classification of cosmetics according to CDSCO regulations. 

This step involves:

• Ingredients used in the product
• Intended use
• Product claims
• Labeling information
• Mode of application

Step 2: Preparing Documentation for the CDSCO Application

Gather all the relevant documentation required for the CDSCO application. 

The documentation usually consists of:

• Free Sale Certificate
• Manufacturing License
• Product formula
• List of ingredients with INCI nomenclature
• Labels
• Pack Size information
• Product specifications
• Safety and Stability data
• Authorization Documents

Step 3: Appointment of Indian Authorized Agent (For Foreign Manufacturers)

A foreign manufacturer needs to appoint an Indian Authorized Agent (IAA) or importer for representation in India.

 IAA/Importer’s role is:

• To make the CDSCO application
• To communicate with CDSCO
• To respond to queries raised by CDSCO

Step 4: Preparing the CDSCO Registration Application

Prepare the CDSCO registration application with comprehensive information regarding the product and the company. 

This application will include:

• Category and varieties of products
• Brand Information
• Information regarding manufacturing facilities
• Composition of the product
• Packaging details
• Compliance Documents

Step 5: Submitting Online Application

Submit the online application through CDSCO’s web portal with:

• Application forms
• Required documents
• Product information
• Government-prescribed fees

Step 6: CDSCO Review

CDSCO evaluates the received application for:

• Classification of the product
• Compliance of ingredients used
• Production details
• Product labeling
• Safety data
• Documents

Step 7: Resolution of Queries

In case any additional information is asked for by CDSCO, it is the duty of the applicant to provide:

• Additional documents
• Revised labeling (in case needed)
• Explanation for the product or the application

Step 8: Approval and Cosmetic Registration Certificate

Once the application is approved, the CDSCO will issue the Cosmetic Registration Certificate for importing, distributing, and selling the lip care products in India.

Step 9: Compliance After Approval

The following steps must be taken by companies after approval for compliance with regulations:

• Compliant labeling of product
• Production/quality/maintenance of records
• Documentation of import
• Updating and reporting product changes
• Modification/renewal application, if applicable

Compliance post-approval ensures continued legal marketing and distribution of lip care products in India.

Documents Required for CDSCO Cosmetic Product Certification

As per the different categories of applicants, some of the usually required documents might be as follows:

• Letter of Introduction
• Applications Forms
• License to Manufacture
• List of Ingredients
• Formulations Data
• Free Sale Certificate (In case of Imported Products)
• Power of Attorney (In case of need)
• Labeling of Products and Packing Material
• Process of Manufacturing
• Product Specification
• Reports of Tests
• Declaration of Animal Testing (If any)
• Authorization Documents
• Proof of Identification & Address
• Registration of Business Entity

Estimated Timeline for CDSCO Certification

The timeline depends upon the quality of documentation and regulation review; however, the time frame required for the process is as follows:

What Are the Important Cosmetic Labeling Requirements?

Labeling is a key component of cosmetics regulation.

Businesses must check information like:

• Product name
• Manufacturer details
• Net contents
• Batch/Lot Number
• Manufacturing details
• Expiry date/use-before information (where applicable)
• Ingredient declaration
• Directions for use
• Warnings or precautions
• Details for products that are imported.
• All other information that must be included pursuant to applicable labelling regulations

Claims must be scrutinized as well. The Cosmetics Rules provide that a cosmetic may not make a claim that is false or misleading.

Common Challenges in Cosmetic Product Certification

The industry has experienced many compliance challenges, including:

• Incorrect product classification
• Incomplete documentation
• Ingredient-related issues
• Non-compliant labeling
• Incorrect product claims
• Manufacturer-detail inconsistencies
• Missing authorization documents
• Variations that existed between variants and pack size
• Regulatory queries
• Late reactions to observations of authority

Using a pre-submission review may help address many of these questions before the application goes to regulatory review.

How Can a Cosmetic Product Certification Consultant Help?

The compliance process may include manufacturers, authorised agents, testing facilities and regulatory bodies.

The following are some of the areas businesses can seek professional assistance with:

• Product classification
• Regulatory pathway assessment
• The evaluation of ingredients and formulations.
• Documentation preparation
• Review of labels and artwork
• Manufacturer document verification
• Application filing
• Regulatory query handling
• Help in getting registered or licensed.
• Post-approval compliance

This is particularly beneficial for international brands and businesses when they are entering the Indian cosmetics market for the first time. 

Why Choose UMSPCS for Cosmetic Product Certification?

UMSPCS offers regulatory assistance to cosmetic manufacturers, importers, private brands, and overseas cosmetic companies looking for compliance in the Indian market.

Our services include:

• Product applicability assessment
• Regulatory classification
• Documentation review
• Guidance for formulation and compliance with ingredients.
• Labeling review
• Interpretation and preparation of applications and filing
• Regulatory query assistance
• Registration/licensing support
• Post-registration compliance assistance

UMSPCS has 600+ product compliance success stories and has 6+ years of regulatory compliance experience, and assists businesses in understanding their applicable regulatory requirements and ensuring a more efficient certification/registration process.

Conclusion

There is no single certificate available for cosmetic product certification in India, and it is not applicable to every cosmetic business. There are two cases: If the product is made in India, the regulatory route is followed; if the product comes from another country, then the regulatory route is not applicable.

Imported cosmetics must be registered prior to import by the Central Licensing Authority, and the domestic production of cosmetics is licensed under the State Licensing system.

However, cosmetic companies can address unnecessary delays and lay a firm groundwork for penetration and expansion into the Indian market with proper compliance approach.

Looking for Cosmetic Product Certification Support in India?

UMSPCS can help you evaluate the product, create documentation, apply for regulatory approvals, and help you to comply.

Read more also: Get BIS Certification for Steel Products India: Process & Require

FAQs

• What is cosmetic product certification in India?

The term cosmetic product certification is used to refer to the registration, licensing, and compliance requirements of cosmetic products in India.

• Is CDSCO registration mandatory for cosmetics?

For cosmetics imported into India, Registration with the Central Licensing Authority is mandatory, if applicable. Domestic cosmetic production complies with the State Licensing Authority licensing requirements.

• Who is responsible for the certification of cosmetics?

Depending on their business model, cosmetic companies in India that are either manufacturers, importers, private label, and/or international brands may be subject to cosmetic regulatory requirements.

• What documents are necessary in order to certify cosmetic products?

Manufacturer information, formulation, ingredient list, product specifications, manufacturing authorization, labels and supporting documents such as the Free Sale Certificate for applicable imports can be put in a document.

• Does every cosmetic product require CDSCO registration?

Not all cosmetics have to go through the same route for CDSCO registration. Cosmetics imported into the country are registered with the Central Licensing Authority, and cosmetics made in India are regulated by the State Licensing Authority.

6. Can UMSPCS help with cosmetic product certification?

Yes. UMSPCS can help with product classification and documentation, labelling review, regulatory applications, query handling, and relevant cosmetic registration/licensing.