The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a public health alert regarding certain unauthorised cosmetic products being sold in India.
The alert highlights the importance of complying with India’s cosmetic import registration requirements and ensuring that cosmetic products entering the Indian market have the necessary regulatory approvals and meet applicable quality and safety requirements.
According to the CDSCO public notice dated 8 September 2026, two cosmetic products — Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream, both identified as products made in Pakistan — were found to be unauthorised for import and sale in India. CDSCO stated that the products had not been issued a registration certificate for import by the competent authority.
CDSCO further stated that testing and analysis found excessive levels of heavy metals beyond the specified limits, which may pose health risks to consumers. The authority advised consumers not to purchase or use the specified products and advised concerned establishments and individuals not to sell, distribute or advertise them.
What Has CDSCO Announced?
The CDSCO public health alert specifically identifies:
- Goree Beauty Cream
- Chandni Whitening Cream
- Country of manufacture: Pakistan
According to CDSCO, the products were unauthorised and had not been issued the required registration certificate for import into India.
The authority also stated that testing identified excessive heavy metals beyond specified limits.
The notice is therefore relevant not only to consumers but also to foreign cosmetic manufacturers, Indian importers, authorised agents, distributors and businesses planning to introduce cosmetic products into the Indian market.
Is Cosmetic Import Registration Mandatory in India?
Yes.
Import of cosmetics into India is regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
CDSCO states that the import of cosmetics is regulated through a registration system administered by the Central Licensing Authority.
The CDSCO guidance on registration and import of cosmetics states that a cosmetic intended for import into India is required to be registered before import, including applicable pack sizes, variants and manufacturing premises.
Therefore, foreign cosmetic companies should not treat India as a market where products can simply be shipped first and regulatory registration completed later.
The applicable registration and compliance requirements should be assessed before commercial importation.
Who Can Apply for Cosmetic Import Registration in India?
The CDSCO FAQ states that an application for cosmetic import registration may be made by:
- The foreign manufacturer;
- An authorised agent of the manufacturer;
- An authorised subsidiary of the manufacturer in India; or
- Another importer in India.
This makes the role of an appropriate Indian regulatory representative/importer particularly important for foreign cosmetic brands entering the Indian market.
What Is the CDSCO Cosmetic Import Registration Certificate?
The Import Registration Certificate is the regulatory registration issued for cosmetics intended to be imported into India under the applicable Cosmetics Rules.
CDSCO describes the Import Registration Certificate as a certificate issued under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 for registration of cosmetics manufactured for import into and use in India.
Depending on the product and regulatory structure, the registration process involves assessment of information relating to the cosmetic product, manufacturer, manufacturing premises, formulation/ingredients, product variants, labels and other supporting documentation.
Why Is Cosmetic Compliance Important Before Import?
The recent CDSCO alert demonstrates an important point for foreign cosmetic companies:
Having a commercially available cosmetic product in another country does not by itself establish that the product can be legally imported and sold in India.
A cosmetic manufacturer planning to enter India should separately assess:
- Whether the product falls within the Indian definition of a cosmetic.
- Whether cosmetic import registration is required.
- Whether the formulation complies with applicable Indian requirements.
- Whether the ingredients and their concentrations are acceptable.
- Whether the manufacturing facility and documentation meet applicable requirements.
- Whether the proposed product claims are appropriate.
- Whether the artwork/label complies with Indian requirements.
- Whether the required registration and import documentation are in place before shipment.
CDSCO’s guidance states that cosmetics imported into India must comply with the applicable requirements and standards, including the relevant provisions of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Heavy Metals and Cosmetic Safety
The CDSCO alert is particularly relevant from a product-safety perspective because the authority stated that the identified products contained excessive heavy metals beyond specified limits.
Heavy-metal compliance can therefore be an important consideration when evaluating cosmetic products intended for import into India.
Foreign manufacturers and Indian importers should ensure that appropriate product specifications, quality documentation and supporting test information are available for regulatory review where applicable.
The precise testing requirements can depend on the product, applicable standards and regulatory circumstances. Therefore, companies should not assume that a generic Certificate of Analysis from the country of origin will automatically satisfy every Indian regulatory requirement.
What Should Foreign Cosmetic Manufacturers Do Before Exporting to India?
Foreign cosmetic manufacturers planning to enter the Indian market should ideally complete a regulatory assessment before sending their first commercial shipment.
1. Review the product formulation
The formulation should be reviewed against the applicable Indian cosmetic requirements.
This includes assessing the ingredients, their concentrations and any restricted/prohibited substances that may be relevant.
2. Review the manufacturing documentation
The manufacturer should have appropriate documentation supporting the identity, quality and manufacture of the cosmetic product.
3. Review product labels and artwork
The proposed Indian artwork should be reviewed before printing.
The label should be assessed for applicable Indian requirements, including product identity, manufacturer/importer information, batch information, dates, quantities and other applicable declarations.
4. Complete CDSCO registration
Where cosmetic import registration is applicable, the required registration should be obtained before commercial importation.
5. Appoint an appropriate Indian representative/importer
Foreign manufacturers may require an Indian agent for cosmetics or appropriate Indian entity for the regulatory and import process, depending on the structure of the business.
6. Maintain regulatory records
Documentation supporting the product’s regulatory status should be maintained and made available where required by the competent authorities.
Can a Foreign Cosmetic Product Be Imported Without CDSCO Registration?
For cosmetics requiring registration under the applicable rules, commercial import should not be undertaken without the required registration.
CDSCO’s own guidance states that no cosmetic should be imported into India unless the product is registered under the applicable rules.
Therefore, foreign brands should determine their regulatory status before arranging commercial shipments.
This is particularly important for brands that currently sell their products in other countries and are planning their first entry into India.
What Does This CDSCO Alert Mean for Cosmetic Importers?
The recent alert should serve as a reminder that cosmetic compliance in India involves more than simply arranging customs clearance.
Businesses involved in cosmetic imports should consider compliance across the entire regulatory chain:
Foreign Manufacturer → Product/Formulation → CDSCO Registration → Indian Authorised Agent/Importer → Labelling → Import Documentation → Customs Clearance → Distribution
A problem at any stage can potentially affect the ability to legally market the product in India.
The CDSCO public-notice database is also showing other recent cosmetic-related regulatory actions, including cancellation and surrender of cosmetic registration certificates during 2026.
This makes ongoing regulatory monitoring important for companies already operating in the Indian cosmetic market.
Key Takeaways for Foreign Cosmetic Brands Entering India
If you are a foreign cosmetic manufacturer planning to export products to India, the following points should be considered:
- Cosmetic import into India is regulated by CDSCO.
- Applicable cosmetic products require registration before import.
- Product formulation should be reviewed for Indian regulatory compliance.
- Product labels/artwork should be reviewed before printing.
- Manufacturing and product documentation should be prepared in advance.
- The Indian authorised agent/importer structure should be established.
- Safety and quality documentation should be maintained.
- Businesses should not assume that registration in another country automatically permits import into India.
- Regulatory requirements should be assessed before dispatching commercial shipments.
Regacats Solutions – CDSCO Cosmetic Registration Support
Regacats Solutions provides regulatory support to foreign cosmetic manufacturers and Indian businesses seeking to import cosmetic products into India.
Our services include support for:
- CDSCO Cosmetic Import Registration
- Cosmetic formulation and ingredient review
- Product documentation review
- Cosmetic label and artwork compliance
- Foreign manufacturer documentation
- Indian authorised agent support
- CDSCO regulatory applications
- Regulatory clarification and correspondence
- Import-related regulatory support
For foreign brands planning to enter the Indian market, completing the regulatory assessment before the first commercial shipment can help identify potential compliance issues at an early stage.
Planning to import cosmetics into India?
Learn more about Cosmetic Import Registration Consultant →
Official CDSCO Reference
The information discussed above is based on the CDSCO public health alert dated 8 September 2026 and CDSCO’s published information regarding cosmetic registration and import requirements.
Official source: CDSCO Public Health Alert – Unauthorised Cosmetics
About Regacats Solutions
Regacats Solutions is an India-based regulatory consulting firm specializing in cosmetic registration, medical device import registration, and FSSAI regulatory compliance. With extensive experience supporting Indian importers and global cosmetic brands, we assist with COS-1 and COS-2 registration, labeling compliance, Legal Metrology requirements, and post-approval regulatory obligations. Our team focuses on India-specific compliance frameworks to ensure faster approvals, accurate documentation, and long-term regulatory compliance.
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Regulatory Experts at Regacats Solutions
Specialists in CDSCO cosmetic import licensing, Legal Metrology compliance, EPR authorization, medical device import registration, and FSSAI regulatory consulting in India.
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