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Health ministry makes registration of import of cosmetic products compulsory

Our Bureau, Mumbai | Monday, September 17, 2012, 17:30 Hrs [IST]

The Union health ministry has made registration of import of cosmetic products ranging from skin lighteners to hair care products compulsory from October 1 this year.

The ministry has approved draft guidelines which will bar the sales of imported cosmetics in India unless their manufacturers get the products registered with the drug regulator Central drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO). This has been done to ensure the safety of all the imported cosmetics. At the time of registration, manufacturers of imported cosmetics will be required to declare the chemical composition of raw materials used and finished products.

According to sources, the government is establishing an exclusive cell under in the CDSCO. Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) will be the registration authority for imported cosmetics. As per the guidelines, each cosmetic category — like lipstick, mascara, tooth pastes, soaps etc — will carry a registration fee of $250 or equivalent Indian rupees. Any violation will evoke penalties in the form of fines and even jail term.

Comments

Deepak - regulations for cosmetics in India

Sep 24, 2012 10:57 AM

This is regarding implementation date of import registration (law, rules) for cosmetics imported in India.

Originally stipulated to enter into force on 01 April 2011, the rules’ effective date was later pushed back to 01 October 2011 then second time to 01 Apr 2012, followed by third time to 01 October 2012.

With implementation date coming closer (we are already in the last week of Sep'12), till date it is felt that this current implementation date (01-Oct-2012) will also be deferred.

Since it has been a continuous ~2year delay in implementation (read work ongoing since more than 2 years), keeping aside how the cosmetics fraternity throughout the world (imported cosmetics) now feels about India FDA; it atleast invites a careful consideration on how intensely India FDA is working to ensure curbing and importing of spurious, counterfeit and poor quality cosmetics in the interest of the Indian consumer's safety.
-Deepak