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CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products
CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products
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Other Skin Cleansing Products: CDSCO Certification & Regulatory Approval
While the skin cleansing product may appear to be a regular cosmetic or personal care product, bringing the product to India would mean much more than formulating and packaging it well.
The cleanser, cleansing gel, micellar, cleansing foam, body cleanser, or any other skin cleansing product will come under the regulatory ambit of cosmetics if the product has been formulated for use in cleaning, beautifying, enhancing attractiveness, or altering the appearance. As per the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 in India, the “Other skin cleansing products” have been designated as a separate category under the scope of cosmetic import registration.
Thus, the process of regulatory classification, product documentation, formulation review, testing, labeling, and licensing becomes an important factor for the business intending to manufacture the products in India.
UMSPCS helps businesses to navigate the regulatory process for CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products.
What Are “Other Skin Cleansing Products” Under CDSCO?
The Fourth Schedule to the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 provides classifications of cosmetics imported into the country. The category, “Other skin cleansing products,” has been mentioned therein.
Some examples of the categories identified independently in the Fourth Schedule include:
- Face care products (other than face masks)
- Face masks
- Eye contour products
- Lip care products
- Hand care products
- Foot care products
- Body care products
- External intimate care products
- Chemical exfoliation products
- Mechanical exfoliation products
- Skin lightening products
- Other skin care products
- Soap products
- Bath/shower products
- Make-up remover products
- External intimate hygiene products
- Other skin cleansing products
- Chemical depilatories
- Physical epilation products
- Other body hair removal products
Hence, the classification of any product must be based on formulation, usage, claims made by the manufacturer, presentation, and regulations, and not just on the commercial name given to the cosmetic.
This is especially true of those products which are marketed as cleansing products, but make some claims regarding their use in treating acne, infections

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What Does CDSCO Certification Mean for Other Skin Cleansing Products?
It is a common commercial term that refers to the CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products, but this certification depends upon whether the product has been made in India or has been imported into the country.
In the case of imported cosmetics, the CDSCO licenses the product using an Import Registration Certificate in form COS-2, after filling out the application in form COS-1.
Manufacturing of cosmetics that are being manufactured in India for the purpose of selling or distributing the products takes place under the licensing system of the State Licensing Authority, and a Manufacturing License is obtained in form COS-8 and a Loan License in form COS-9.
Hence, it should be noted that every cosmetic product does not need the same “CDSCO certificate.”
Regulatory route at a glance
Business situation | Regulatory route |
Imported cosmetic manufactured overseas | CDSCO Import Registration |
Indian cosmetic manufacturer | State Licensing Authority manufacturing licence |
Manufacturing through another licensed facility | Loan licence route may apply |
New cosmetic containing a novel ingredient | Prior permission for new cosmetic may be required |
Already registered imported cosmetic from another importer | Import Registration Number under applicable provisions may apply |
The Cosmetics Rules, 2020 provide the legal framework for these different routes.
Why Regulatory Approval Matters for Skin Cleansing Products
There is tremendous growth in the Indian cosmetics industry, with people increasingly demanding products such as face wash, body wash, cleansing gel, foam, micellar cleanser, scrub, and other specialized personal care products.
However, market demand cannot substitute for regulatory compliance. Appropriate regulatory compliance will assist the business in:
- Legitimisation of Regulatory Compliance
- Market Entry
- Minimization of Regulatory Risks
- Building Customer Confidence
- Product Portfolio Growth
Applicable Testing for Other Skin Cleansing Products
Testing is an integral part of the regulatory process, but the nature of the test depends on the product type.
For instance, a cleansing gel, facial cleanser, body wash, micellar cleanser, cleansing foam, and cream cleanser may all vary in formulation properties, and thus in quality criteria.
Commonly evaluated parameters may include:
Parameter | Purpose |
Appearance | Checks physical characteristics and consistency |
Odour | Helps assess product acceptability and changes |
pH | Important for skin compatibility and formulation control |
Microbial limits | Helps assess microbiological quality |
Heavy metals | Supports compliance with applicable limits |
Stability | Evaluates product behaviour during storage |
Preservative effectiveness | Relevant where preservatives are used |
Specific ingredient testing | Applicable depending on formulation |
Safety evaluation | Determines suitability for intended cosmetic use |
Testing must be planned in accordance with the relevant regulations and the specific formulation of the product and not based on a standard checklist.
Who Needs CDSCO Certification in India?
Some of the businesses that might need regulatory assistance with respect to the products include:
- Overseas cosmetics manufacturers
- Foreign brand owners
- Indian importers
- Authorized Indian agents
- Indian cosmetics manufacturers
- Private label cosmetics manufacturers
- Contract manufacturers
- Brand owners who outsource the manufacturing of their product
- New business entering the market with cleansing formulations
- Expansion of an already registered cosmetic line
In case of imported cosmetics, the overseas manufacturing facility and the relevant product are part of the registration process.
In case of manufacturing in India, the manufacturing facilities and relevant license requirements must be sorted out with the State Licensing Authority.
Complete Process for CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products
Step 1: Registration on CDSCO SUGAM Portal
Step 2: Preparation & Submission of Application
Step 3: Submission of Relevant Documents
Step 4: Payment of Government Fee
Step 5: CDSCO Assessment & Registration
Documents Required for CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products
The requirement of documentation will depend on the pathway adopted, product, manufacturing entity, and application.
In case of imported cosmetics, the documentation will comprise:
- Organisation's identification
- Rent agreement for the premise
- Master File of plant
- Floor plan of the building
- ISO 13485 certification and previous audit report
- Technical manpower competent to manufacture and test devices
- Device Master File
- Test license, if available
- Environmental compliance
- Analysis report of three consecutive batches
Foreign documents might need necessary attestation, apostille, notarization, or attestation by the Indian Embassy.
Government Fees & Cost of CDSCO Certification
The overall cost associated with obtaining regulatory clearance varies according to the selected route. For foreign cosmetics, the Third Schedule of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 mentions:
- USD 1,000 per category of cosmetics for the grant/retention of the registration certificate
- USD 500 per manufacturing site
- USD 50 per variant
- USD 1,000 per additional category
- USD 5,000 for inspection of each overseas manufacturing site
- USD 500 per permission for a new cosmetic
On the other hand, in case of Indian manufacture, the fees to be paid as per regulations are:
- ₹10,000 for the Form COS-8 manufacturing license covering up to ten items of each category
- ₹500 for each additional item of the category, as prescribed
All these are government statutory fees and not consultancy fees of UMSPCS. There can be additional costs associated with the following activities:
- Testing of the product
- Laboratory service
- Documentation
- Apostillation
- If required, translation
- Relabeling
- Sampling
- Consultancy
- Additional regulatory filing, if any
So, it is recommended that companies get a product-specific cost evaluation rather than having one general quotation.
How Long Does CDSCO Certification Take?
The timeline depends upon the regulatory pathway, completeness of files, complexity of product, queries, testing, and processing by authorities.
For imported cosmetics, the Cosmetics Rules 2020 provide a statutory timeline of six months within which the Central Licensing Authority is to accept or reject the complete application. The CDSCO mentions an expected processing timeline of 90 days based on the circular cited in their document. Processing time may differ.
There may be several factors impacting the processing time, such as:
- Lack of documentations
- Miscalculation of product category
- Deficient labeling
- Issues with formulation
- Incomplete Free Sale Certificate
- Authentication issues
- Lack of testing
- Regulatory queries
- Requested changes
- New status of cosmetic
- Multiple products
At UMSPCS, we ensure that application preparedness is done before submission to avoid delays.
Why Choose UMSPCS for CDSCO Certification for Cosmetics?
Regulatory Compliance Simplified by UMSPCS with Coordinated Assistance in Product Classification, Documentation, Testing, and Submission.
With our experience in more than 600+ product compliance regulations for the past 6+ years, we help guide manufacturers, importers, and businesses in obtaining their certification and regulatory approvals through our structured and practical assistance in compliance.
- Product-Specific Assessment
- Documentation Assistance
- Testing Assistance
- Labeling Assistance
- Application Assistance
- Post-Approval Guidance
Conclusion
Registration under CDSCO is one of the major requirements for imported cosmetic products, whereas Indian manufacturers are governed by the corresponding State Licensing Authority regulations. Product classification, formulation, claims, testing, labeling, manufacturing site, documentation, and applicable fees should be taken into account.
Therefore, getting CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products will not only mean preparing an application. This means that it is necessary to develop a technical and regulatory dossier of the product.
Are you considering launching, importing, manufacturing, or expanding your range of skin cleansing products in India? UMSPCS can assist in the evaluation of the regulatory approach applicable to the product as well as in the development of the required documentation.
Are you looking for professional assistance with CDSCO Certification for Other Skin Cleansing Products?
Contact us for product evaluation, regulatory classification, documentation preparation, testing organisation, application support, labeling evaluation, and question answering. Also, know more information about CDSCO Certification for External Intimate Hygiene Products.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CDSCO certification is usually needed for imported cosmetics. Indian manufacturers have to apply according to the cosmetics manufacturing licensing regulations.
According to the Fourth Schedule, the category of Other skin cleansing products is mentioned explicitly. It depends upon the nature and claims of the product.
Usually, the process includes product classification, documentation, testing, labeling, submission of Form COS-1, regulatory review, answering queries, and grant of registration.
These may include formula, label, authorization from the manufacturer, free sale certificate, manufacturing license, specifications, test reports, declarations, and details of the manufacturer.
For imported cosmetics, the fee structure approved by the government includes USD 1,000 per category, USD 500 per manufacturing location, and USD 50 per variant.
This claim needs a detailed regulatory evaluation because such claims can influence the classification and route of approval of the product.
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