What Are the New Rules?
India's regulatory body, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has reinforced the rules governing the import of cosmetics. The core of the crackdown is ensuring that no cosmetic product enters the country without a valid import registration
certificate (Form COS-2), which is issued after a thorough review of the product's safety, ingredients, and manufacturing standards. Recent directives in July 2026 have pushed state drug regulators to increase surveillance at all entry points to stop unregistered products from slipping through. This isn't just about paperwork; it involves detailed declarations of ingredients, evidence of non-animal testing, and compliance with specific labelling rules, which now include the import registration number on the product's label. The government is also clamping down on products making false or misleading claims, and has explicitly banned the import and sale of injectable products marketed as cosmetics.
Why the Change Now?
This regulatory tightening is driven by two main factors: consumer safety and market integrity. With the Indian cosmetics market valued at nearly $20 billion and growing rapidly, there has been a surge in counterfeit, unregistered, and substandard products. Reports suggest these illicit goods could make up as much as 20-25% of the entire cosmetics market. Recent raids in cities like Pune have uncovered spurious products, highlighting the scale of the problem. The government's push, governed by the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, and subsequent amendments, aims to protect consumers from potentially harmful products and ensure they receive products that are safe and effective. By aligning more closely with global standards, the regulations also aim to build consumer trust and professionalise the rapidly expanding beauty and wellness industry.
Impact on International Brands
For international brands, the Indian market is both a massive opportunity and a complex challenge. The stricter enforcement means the end of the road for those who relied on informal channels or viewed compliance as a one-time hurdle. Every importer must now be registered on the CDSCO's SUGAM portal, and every product variant and pack size must be meticulously documented. This increased scrutiny and paperwork could raise compliance costs, potentially creating a barrier for smaller, independent brands that may lack the resources to navigate the intricate process. However, for established global players who already adhere to high standards in other markets like the EU, the changes may simply formalise existing best practices, ultimately benefiting them by weeding out non-compliant competitors and creating a more level playing field.
What This Means for Shoppers
For the average consumer, these changes will have a noticeable impact. In the short term, there might be a slight delay in some new-to-market products as brands navigate the updated approval process. The crackdown on unregistered sellers could also mean that some products previously available through grey market channels or smaller online retailers may disappear from the market. While this might limit choice temporarily, the long-term benefit is significantly higher product safety and authenticity. You can be more confident that the product you're buying is genuine and has been vetted for safety by Indian regulators. Prices are unlikely to see a dramatic, direct increase due to the regulations themselves, but the overall cost of compliance for brands could subtly influence pricing strategies over time. The key takeaway for shoppers is the assurance of quality; the new rules are designed to ensure the product in your hand is exactly what it claims to be.
