Indian Health Ministry approves new draft guidelines for imported cosmetics

The Indian Health Ministry has approved new draft guidelines for cosmetics, which will prevent the sales of imported cosmetics in India, unless the products are registered with the apex drug regulator Central Drug Standards Control Organisation(CDSCO) by the manufacturers.

The government has taken the new step as to ensure the safety of all imported cosmetics for consumers, as the government gears up to make their registration compulsory in the country, ranging from skin lighteners to hair care products.

To execute the new guidelines, the government is setting up a dedicated wing under the CDSCO’s Drug Controller General of India, to act as the registration authority for imported cosmetics.

A Health Ministry senior official was quoted by The Hindu Business Line as telling PTI that the government’s new wing would be equipped with latest facilities to supervise the range of imported cosmetics for their safety.

"At present, there is no system to regulate such imports. The step will ensure the safety of consumers using these products," the official said.

According to the Draft Guidelines for Import of Cosmetics, each cosmetic category, such as lipstick, mascara, tooth pastes, soaps among the others, need to pay a registration fee of $250 or equivalent in Indian currency, while any violation will lead to penalties in the form of fines and even prosecution.

As per the regulations, the manufacturers of imported cosmetics at the time of registration needs to declare the chemical composition of raw materials used and finished products.

The guidelines also say that the strength of raw materials and the shelf life of cosmetics must also be provided and all these should meet the specifications suggested by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

A recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the consumers against use of skin lightening soaps, creams and cosmetics like eye make-ups, cleansing products and mascaras as it feels that these products could contain mercury.