A Nationwide Compliance Check
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's top drug regulator, has initiated a nationwide drive to enforce rules on imported cosmetics. In a directive issued in late July 2026, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) instructed
state authorities to increase surveillance at all points of entry, including airports and seaports, and within the domestic market. The focus of these intensified checks is to identify and take action against cosmetic products being sold without a valid import registration certificate. This move comes in response to a growing number of complaints about substandard and unregistered international beauty products flooding retail stores and e-commerce platforms. Recent raids in cities like Pune have already resulted in seizures of counterfeit goods, highlighting the scale of the problem.
The Law of the Land: What Is Import Registration?
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the more recent Cosmetics Rules, 2020, it is mandatory for all cosmetic products imported for sale in India to be registered with the CDSCO. An importer, or their authorized agent, must submit a detailed application through the online SUGAM portal. This application, filed using Form COS-1, includes comprehensive details about the product, its ingredients, manufacturing site, and safety data. If the CDSCO is satisfied that the product meets India's safety and quality standards, it issues an Import Registration Certificate (in Form COS-2). This certificate is essentially a passport for the product to be legally sold in the Indian market. Without it, the product is considered non-compliant. The registration is valid for five years.
Behind the Crackdown: Safety and Fair Play
The primary driver for this regulatory tightening is consumer safety. Unregistered products, often referred to as 'grey market' goods, bypass the mandatory safety and quality assessments conducted by the CDSCO. This creates a significant health risk, as these products may contain banned or harmful ingredients like mercury or excessive levels of lead, potentially causing skin allergies, chemical burns, or even long-term toxicity. Beyond safety, the crackdown also aims to ensure fair trade. Legitimate importers invest significant time and money to comply with registration norms. The influx of unregistered, often cheaper, products undermines their business and creates an uneven playing field. Industry estimates suggest that counterfeit and grey market goods could account for as much as 20-25% of India's massive $20 billion beauty and personal care market.
How to Spot a Legit Import
For consumers, telling a legitimate import from a grey market one can be tricky, but there are key signs to look for. Under Indian law, all imported cosmetics must have a sticker applied to the outer packaging by the importer. This label should clearly display the importer's name and address, the manufacturing date, the expiry date, the country of origin, and the registration certificate number. It must also list all ingredients. Products that are steeply discounted or lack this detailed sticker should be viewed with suspicion. Be wary of products where the original packaging has been tampered with or where the label information seems incomplete or altered. If a deal on a high-end international product seems too good to be true, it often is.
For Sellers: The High Cost of Non-Compliance
The message from the CDSCO to importers and retailers is clear: compliance is non-negotiable. Selling imported cosmetics without a valid registration certificate is a direct violation of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. The consequences can be severe. Authorities have the power to seize entire consignments of non-compliant products, leading to significant financial losses. Furthermore, violators can face heavy fines and legal action. The increased surveillance means that both large distributors and smaller retailers are under scrutiny. E-commerce platforms are also expected to play a bigger role in verifying that the products sold on their sites are properly registered. For any business involved in the sale of imported cosmetics, ensuring every product has a valid registration is now an essential cost of doing business.
