What Exactly Has Changed?
The major shift lies in the stringent enforcement of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. While these rules have been in place, authorities are now cracking down on non-compliance, making it much harder for unregistered products to be sold, both online and in physical
stores. Under these regulations, every cosmetic product intended for sale in India—whether manufactured domestically or imported—must be registered with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This means the product's formula, manufacturing process, and labelling have been submitted to and reviewed by India's top regulatory body for safety and quality. The enforcement drive aims to clear the market of potentially unsafe, counterfeit, or mislabeled beauty products that could pose health risks.
Why This Registration Matters For You
An unregistered cosmetic product is a complete unknown. It could contain harmful or banned ingredients, be manufactured in unhygienic conditions, or make false claims about its benefits. The CDSCO registration process is designed to prevent this. It ensures that the product meets established safety and quality standards. When you see a product is registered, it signifies a level of accountability. The manufacturer has declared its ingredients and adhered to legal standards for production. Selling unregistered cosmetics can lead to severe penalties, including fines, product seizures, and even imprisonment for the sellers, which underscores the seriousness of the regulations.
How To Check a Product Yourself
This is where you become the front-line defence. The power to verify is now on the product label itself. For imported cosmetics, you should look for an Import Registration Certificate number, often displayed as 'RC/COS-...' on the outer packaging. For domestically manufactured products, a manufacturing license number ('M.L. No.' or 'Mfg. Lic. No.') must be present. You should find this information printed along with the manufacturer's name and address and the list of ingredients. The absence of this number is a major red flag. While the CDSCO's SUGAM portal is used for registration by companies, consumers can also use it to find lists of approved products to cross-verify.
Imported vs. Domestic Cosmetics
The rules apply to both products made in India and those imported from other countries, ensuring a level playing field for safety. For a foreign brand to sell in India, it must either register itself or appoint an authorized Indian agent to handle the CDSCO registration. This means that luxury brand moisturiser from France is subject to the same essential regulatory oversight as a locally produced kajal. Different variants, like shades or fragrances, must also be declared during registration. As a consumer, this gives you the confidence that regardless of where a product comes from, it has had to meet Indian safety standards before reaching the shelf.
Red Flags To Watch For Immediately
Beyond a missing registration number, there are other warning signs. Be cautious of products with incomplete or shoddy labelling; the manufacturer's full address and a complete ingredient list are legally required. Be wary of products making dramatic therapeutic claims, such as curing skin diseases, as cosmetics are not permitted to do so. Unusually low prices for popular imported brands can also be a sign of a counterfeit product, which will almost certainly be unregistered and potentially dangerous. Finally, any product sold without proper packaging or a seal should be avoided.
