The Role Of A Cosmetic Certificate In Building Brand Credibility

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, section 3 (aaa), a cosmetic is any item that can be sprinkled, rubbed, poured, sprayed on, or applied to the human body for cleansing and altering the appearance.

In India, cosmetic products are governed by this law, where cosmetic manufacturers and importers must obtain a cosmetic license. The manufacturing license is provided by the SLAs (State Licensing Authorities), designated within each state by the state government. To import cosmetics, an individual has to approach the CLAs (Central Licensing Authorities), known as the Drugs Controller General of India.

This comprehensive blog sheds light on the Cosmetic Registration and cosmetic license in India, along with its significance in accelerating brand credibility and growth.

Cosmetic License for Importers and Manufacturers

As per the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), no cosmetic product can be imported into the country unless it is registered with the Central Licensing Authority of CDSCO. Similarly, a Cosmetic Manufacturing License is granted by the SLAs and requires compliance of the manufactured cosmetic products with set quality and safety guidelines.

How to Obtain a Cosmetic License for Ayurvedic and Herbal Products? In India, cosmetics that include herbal and ayurvedic content are also subject to CDSCO licensing and regulatory compliances. To secure the cosmetic license, applicants are first required to visit website, sign up, and create login credentials. Upon signing in, the applicant has to select the form type such as COS-5 (obtained for a license to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution), Form 31 (renewal of cosmetic manufacturing and distribution license), or COS 2 (for cosmetic import registration certificate).

Moving further, submit the required documents and pay the applicable fee. A designated officer will review the application and check whether it complies with the provision of the cosmetic rule. If the application is found satisfactory, the applicant will be offered the approval letter on their SUGAM dashboard. However, in case the application is unsatisfactory for the authorities, the discrepancies will be intimated to the applicant through their SUGAM profile.

Documents Required to Apply for a Cosmetic License

To obtain a cosmetic license certificate, applicants have to submit the following list of documents:

• Cover letter specifying the purpose of the application
• List of ingredients used in the cosmetic product along with its content’s percentage
• Label of proposed cosmetic products
• Testing methods and specifications for testing cosmetics
• Package inserts

For importers, the following additional documents are mandatory:

• Authorization by the manufacturer which has to be duly authenticated.
• Free Sale Certificate
• Declaration for hexachlorophene content and heavy metal
• Manufacturing license
• Fee payment receipt
• Non Animal testing declaration
• Any other documents as sought by the authority
• GSTIN and IEC details of the company

Labelling Provisions under the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules

As per the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945, no person can sell or distribute cosmetic products unless it is manufactured by a licensed entity and comply with labeling and packaging provisions. A cosmetic product must contain, on both inner packaging as well as outer label, the name and complete address of the premises on which it is manufactured.

In case the product is very small in size, and where it is not easy to provide the manufacturer’s address, the name of the manufacturer should be provided with their pin code. In addition, if a product poses a hazard, the inner label must provide adequate direction for its safe usage, name and quantity of hazardous ingredients, and caution or warning to be followed by the customer.

A cosmetic product must list the ingredients used in its content, where the concentration of each used item must be listed in decreasing order of volume or weight. This provision, however, does not apply to packages that contain less than 60 ml of liquid and 30 grams of semi-solid or solid materials. No cosmetic product should convey any misleading or false claims and alert users (in the case of hair dyes, pigments, and color) regarding ingredients that cause skin irritation and serious inflammation.

Why Cosmetic Certification is Important for Cosmetics?

In the Indian cosmetic industry, cosmetic license certificates have transformed the way entities operate, making them obliged to comply with rules that ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of cosmetic products. Manufacturers, importers, as well as distributors, and every key stakeholder are now delegated the responsibility to deliver cosmetic products that meet quality standards, do not deceive the customers, do not contain misbranding elements, and are not banned by the authorities.

A cosmetic license oversees everything, from a product’s sourcing, labeling, and testing, to its environmental implications. The certification, granted by the CDSCO, plays a pivotal role in ensuring consumer safety and the brand’s credibility. It provides numerous benefits, such as:

• Assure about Quality and Safety: A cosmetic product backed by a license demonstrates that it has gone through rigorous testing and stringent checks, conducted by a competent authority. Testing of products helps in determining that the product is safe for use and is of optimal quality. This is essential to demonstrate the brand’s credibility and communicate its vision that values public safety.
• Demonstrate Ethical Practices: A valid cosmetic license indicates that the product is manufactured and processed under ethical working conditions, does not cause any harm to the environment, and implements fair labor approaches. This way, the certification helps attract those consumers who prioritize ethical business practices and favor certified products over uncertified ones.
• Differentiate from Rivals: Markets, all across the globe, remain bombarded with cosmetic products. With different brands, different labeling, and a myriad of ingredients, the products can create a pile one would take years to climb onto. So what makes a product stand out in this congested market? The answer is the brand’s credibility that is built upon the certification, assuring that their products are not only of top-notch quality, but also crafted through responsible practices.
• Facilitate Expansion: A licensed cosmetic product is likely to enter a new market at a faster pace if compared with those that are not backed by any authorization. Several countries require the cosmetic products, reaching their market, to be certified and backed by a competent authority. Having the certification, thus, helps streamline the approval process of entering into newer and larger markets.
• Increased Compliance: Certification is an indicator that the product has undergone scrutiny by the authorities and complies with the regulations that ensure its safety and reliability. This helps boost consumers’ confidence and bring transparency into the usage of ingredients, quality control measures, and the manufacturing process.

Overall, the Impact of Cosmetic Registration on Brand Authenticity and credibility has allowed the business to gain a competitive edge and brought greater accountability to their practices. The certification ensures that only safe and quality products are delivered to the market, enabling the consumers to place their faith in the business and confidently make the purchase decision.

Final Thoughts

The Indian pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry is governed by an organization named CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) that operates under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The organization regulates cosmetics, ensuring that only optimal quality and safe-to-use products reach the market. Thus, it becomes mandatory for both manufacturers and importers to secure a Cosmetic Manufacturing License and a cosmetic importer license.

Before importing or selling cosmetic products, applicants have to specify the name of their item, its pack size, labeling information, details pertaining to their manufacturing facility, and whether any harmful metal is used, among others. Reach out to Legal Raasta Private Limited to understand every prerequisite and regulation you should be aware of before initiating your venture into the cosmetic industry.