Labelling Standards for Cosmetics under Cosmetics Rules, 2020

A cosmetic manufacturer must ensure that their products follow the labelling standards for cosmetics as per the cosmetics rules of 2020. In case the labelling standards are not adhered to by the manufacturer, then the product shall be treated as ‘Misbranded’ as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The misbranding of the product shall have consequences such as suspension/ cancellation of license and criminal prosecution. These products might also be sealed and confiscated to prevent their sale in the market. This article shall deal with Labelling Standards for Cosmetics under Cosmetics Rules, 2020

Kinds of Labels for cosmetics

There are two types of labels that are applied on a cosmetic product as per the Labelling Standards for Cosmetics.

• Inner label: this is usually present on the bottle/ container of the cosmetics.
• Outer label: this label consists of information that is present on the box of the cosmetics.

The cosmetic rules specify the information that needs to be specified in case there is two-label packing or single-label packing.

Type	Information
Labelling information to be published for Inner and outer Labels	Name of the cosmetic
Name of the manufacturer
Detailed address of the manufacturing plant
Date of expiry or Use before date
List of Ingredients- The manufacturer must list all the ingredients present in the product. Under the head “Ingredients” The concentration of all the ingredients must be mentioned  The order of the ingredients must be in descending order of the weight or concentration.

Type	Information
The following information can be published on either inner or outer labels.	Details regarding batch code- The details should be preceded by ‘batch’ batch no’ or ‘lot’ lot number’ Number for manufacturing license- the details must be preceded by ‘M’, ‘M.L. No.’ or ‘Mfg. Lic. No’

Type	Information
Labelling information is to be published for Outer Labels only.	Net contents of the product (weight of solids, liquids, semi-solids)
Number of items in the package (if it is more than one)

Type	Information
Labelling information to be published for Inner Labels only. (Applicable only to cosmetics linked with hazards)	Directions for use must be stated
Any possible hazard, caution, warning or directions
Names of all the ingredients that are poisonous or hazardous
If non-hazardous then only the declaration mentioned for inner and outer labels shall be mentioned.

Mandatory Declaration on Imported Cosmetics as per Cosmetic rules.

Cosmetics imported to India must make certain declarations per the cosmetics rule. The government has made no exceptions for imported cosmetics, and the importer must provide all the information the domestic manufacturer provides.

The following information must be declared as per Labelling Standards for Cosmetics:

• The number of Import registration certificates- This number should be preceded by “RC”. “RC no.”, “Reg.Cert.no”
• Name of the importer
• Address of the importer
• Address of the manufacturing unit- In case the manufacturer doesn’t want to declare this the address of the original manufacturing country would suffice.
• If the country of import does not require a manufacturing license number the same can be omitted.
• Special declaration for Hair Dyes:
  • The manufacturer of hair dyes needs to mention a caution- This caution must state that the product has the potential to cause skin irritation and that the product should not be used on eyelashes or eyebrows as it can cause blindness.
  • Hair dyes contain various strong chemicals it can cause skin inflammation. The manufacturer must print directions that state the method to test whether the product can cause harm to your skin.

Relaxation to Labelling Standards on small-sized packages for Cosmetics

Cosmetic rules small sized packages are exempted from certain Labelling Standards for Cosmetics such as

• A small-sized packaging need not mention the manufacturer’s address in detail. A shortened address with the pin code will be enough.
• The small-sized cosmetics need not mention their batch name if they weigh up to 10 grams or 25ml in a liquid state.
• The declaration of the content and the list of ingredients need not be made by the manufacturer of cosmetics that do not exceed 30 grams or 60 ml.
• However, the manufacturer must comply with and imprint other vital information required on the packaging.

BIS Standards Applicable to cosmetics

The cosmetic rules specify BIS standards that are applicable to cosmetic products. These standards are mentioned in the Ninth Schedule of cosmetic rules. The schedule mentions 37 product categories that need to obtain BIS standards. The BIs requirement shall be applicable to both international and domestic products.

Mandatory declaration on packages under LMPC rules, 2011

The manufacturer must need to adhere to the Legal metrology packaged commodity rules 2011^[1] along with the cosmetic rules. Additional declarations that need to be made are:

• Generic name of the product
• M.R.P (maximum retail price) of the product
• Contact details of the customer care (phone number and email id)
• Date of import in cases wherever applicable

Conclusion

Labelling Standards for Cosmetics are set by the cosmetic rules of 2020. The manufacturers must comply with all the rules set by the concerned authorities. If the cosmetic products are sold without the mandatory markings and declarations, then the manufacturer will be penalised, and the goods will be seized.

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