Learn - Cosmetic
ALL ABOUT COSMETIC REGISTRATION IN INDIA
Cosmetic Registration In India - An Overview
The cosmetic business is booming in India.With the world’s second-largest population, stands as a lucrative market for Cosmetic Products.
In India, the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) regulates Beauty and Personal Care products under the overarching Regulations governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 & Rules 2020.
The Manufacturers, their Authorized Agents and Subsidiaries in India, and any other Importers can apply for the Issuance of a Registration Certificate for Importing Cosmetics in India by uploading necessary documents through the official online portal, known as SUGAM.
Customers are now keen interested to know the ingredients in products and make choices which one to buy. Hence, to start up a new business for cosmetic and conducting manufacturing, distribution and selling of products you need to obtain Cosmetic license first. Afterward, registered cosmetics will require to stick a special label with registration certificate number on it.
This certificate will be last longer for 5 years.
What is Cosmetic? - Definition
The Act defines cosmetics as an article used on human skin. Section 3(aaa) of the Act defines cosmetics as an article intended to be poured, rubbed, sprayed, sprinkled, introduced or applied to the human body for promoting attractiveness, beautifying, cleansing or altering the appearance.
It also includes an article intended for use as a component of a cosmetic.
The state licensing authorities appointed by the respective state governments are the regulating authority or the licensing authority for the manufacture of cosmetics.
The central licensing authority appointed by the Central Government is the regulating authority for the import of cosmetic products.
The Drugs Controller General (India) acts as the Central Licensing Authority that issues the import registration certificate.
Types of Cosmetics Registration in India
Image: Types of Cosmetics Registration In India
Manufacturing License
When an entity intends to manufacture cosmetics, a Manufacturing License for cosmetics is required. The manufacturing license of cosmetics is valid for five years from the grant date. The entity can apply for any of the following manufacturing licenses for cosmetic product manufacturing and market in India:
License for manufacturing cosmetics for sale or distribution
The Rules provide that a manufacturer can obtain a license to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution (COS-8) by applying COS-5 (application for grant of license to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution) with the licensing authority appointed by the state government.
A manufacturer can apply for the grant of license to manufacture cosmetics for up to ten items of each category of cosmetics.
Loan license for manufacturing cosmetics for sale or distribution
The Rules provide that a manufacturer can obtain a loan license for manufacturing cosmetics for sale or distribution (COS-9) by applying COS-6 (application for grant of loan license to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution) with the licensing authority appointed by the state government.
License for grant of approval for carrying out tests on cosmetics
The Rules provide that a manufacturer can obtain approval for carrying out tests on cosmetics and raw materials used in their manufacture on behalf of licensees for manufacturing for the sale of cosmetics (COS-14).
The manufacturer should apply COS-13 (application for grant of approval for carrying out tests on cosmetics used in the manufacture on behalf of licensees for manufacture for sale of cosmetics) with the state licensing authority.
Import License
The license for a cosmetic importer is required when an entity does not manufacture the cosmetics but imports and resales them in India. The importers must apply COS-1 (application for the issue of registration certificate for import of cosmetics into India with the central licensing authority to obtain the license for import of cosmetics). The Rules provide that a registration certificate for importing cosmetics into India from other nations is issued in COS-2.
The registration certificate COS-2 is valid for 5 years from the issue date.
The following persons can make the application for obtaining a certificate of registration for the import of cosmetics:
- A manufacturer having a registered office in India
- An authorised agent of the manufacturer
- A subsidiary of the manufacturer
- Any other importer
| SR NO | type of registration | Apply In | Grant In |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Import |
COS-1 |
COS-2 |
|
2 |
New Cosmetic |
COS-12 |
COS-3 |
|
3 |
Import of Already Registered Product |
COS-4 |
COS-4A |
|
4 |
Manufacturing – Sale & Distribution |
COS-5 |
COS-8 |
|
5 |
Manufacturing – Loan License |
COS-6 |
COS-9 |
Regulations Relating to Cosmetic Registration
Before granting the license for the manufacture of cosmetics or certification of registration for the import of cosmetics, the licensing authority will conduct an in-depth inspection of the entire premises. The inspection officer will submit a comprehensive report to the licensing authority, which will decide whether to issue the license or not. The manufacturers or importers must comply with the below regulations as provided in the Rules.
Qualification criteria for working staff in a cosmetic manufacturing unit
The manufacturers need to ensure that the production of cosmetics is done in the presence of a qualified and competent technical staff, and at least one staff person should possess the below educational requirement:
- Pharmacy Diploma approved by the Pharmacy Council of India under the Pharmacy Act, 1948
- Registered under the Pharmacy Act, of 1948
- Passed intermediate examination with Chemistry as one of the subjects or any other equivalent examination recognised by the licensing authority.
Categories of Cosmetic Products
List of categories of cosmetics for the grant of a licence to manufacture for sell cosmetics in the
country:
- Creams, lotions, cleansing, milk, shampoos, pomade, shaving creams, hair oils etc.
- Powders
- Nail polishes and Nail lacquers
- Lipsticks and Lipgloss
- Depilatories
- Alcoholic Fragrance Solutions such as DEO, perfume, body mist and so on.
- Preparations used for eyes
- Aerosol
- Hair Dyes
- Tooth powder and toothpaste
- Toilet soaps and liquid
Procedure for Obtaining Cosmetic Registration Online
The manufacturers of cosmetics or cosmetic importers can apply for the cosmetics manufacturing license or registration certificate for import by following the below process:
- Visit the SUGAM portal.
- Click on the ‘Login/Sign Up’ button and click on the ‘Sign Up Here’ option.
- Select the registration purpose as ‘For Cosmetic Registration’ and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- Enter the details, upload the documents (ID proof of the authorised signatory, undertaking and company address proof) and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- A verification link will be sent to the registered email ID. Upon clicking on the verification link, the application will be sent for approval to the concerned authority, i.e. CDSCO officials.
- The authority will send the approval of registration to the email ID.
- After receiving the approval, log in to the portal by entering the user and password.
- Select the department and type of form in the form submission section.
- Select the type of application to be submitted.
- After submission of the application, click on the ‘continue’ button.
- Preview the page and click on the ‘Save and Continue’ button.
- The ‘Checklist’ page will open. On this page, click on each point to upload documents and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- The payments page will open. Fill out the form and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- The preview page will open. Click on the ‘PDF’ button to generate the PDF of the filled application form, and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- On the next page, upload the application form downloaded as a PDF and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
- The online application form will be forwarded to the respective designated officer for issuing the license.
After the license application form is sent to the designated officer, the designated officer will review and verify the form and documents. If the application form is found to be satisfactory, it will be forwarded for approval by the licensing authority.
Once the licensing authority approves the form, the approval letter will be available in the applicants’ SUGAM dashboard.
When the application form is not found to be unsatisfactory, then the designated officer informs of the discrepancies in the application to the applicant on the SUGAM portal.
Once the applicant complies with the discrepancies, it will be processed for approval.
Documents Required For Cosmetics Registration/License
For Manufacturing License
- Declaration form
- Blueprint of key and site plan
- Proof of ownership of the manufacturing premises
- Proof of registration/constitution of the firm
- Affidavit of non-conviction of partners, proprietors or directors under the Act
- Certified copy of the registration certificate of Pharmacy Council of India, experience certificate of the registered pharmacist or competent person and their qualification certificates
- Bio-data form
- Affidavit of a registered pharmacist or competent person regarding full-time working with the firm duly attested by a Notary public
- Appointment letter of the registered pharmacist or competent person in charge
For Import License
- Covering letter by the importer
- Original copy of power of attorney showing the connection between the importer and manufacturer
- Certificate of free sale, manufacturing licence or marketing authorisation letter
- Copy of the label of the product
- Product specification and testing protocols
- NOC from the pollution control board
- Layout plan of the premises
- Rental agreement, in case of rented premises
- List of laboratory equipment
- List of machines installed for manufacturing, if any
Cosmetic Registration Cost
Get Cosmetic licenses easily with Shauryam expert assistance.
Re-Registration of Cosmetic Products
The Cosmetic license is essential to commence the cosmetic business, similarly, it is imperative to renew the license.
The license is issued for a validity of 5 years, so the business must apply for retention days prior to the expiry of the current license.
Late Fee
The license or loan license holder shall, in addition to the license or loan license retention fee, be liable to pay a late fee calculated at the rate of two per cent of the license or loan licence retention fee for every month or part thereof within one hundred and eighty days and in the event of non-payment of such fee during that period, the licence shall be deemed to have been cancelled.
People Also Ask
CDSCO import registration is generally mandatory for cosmetics imported into India for sale. Cosmetics manufactured in India require an appropriate manufacturing licence from the State Licensing Authority. The requirements depend on whether the business manufactures, imports or markets the products.
An eligible applicant must submit the prescribed application, generally Form COS-1, with the required product, manufacturer, authorisation, safety and labelling documents and fees. CDSCO may issue the import registration certificate in Form COS-2 after satisfactory review.
Yes. A cosmetic brand can work with an appropriately licensed third-party manufacturer. The manufacturing arrangement, product compliance, labelling responsibilities and any applicable loan-licence requirements should be evaluated before launching.
Cosmetic manufacturing generally requires a licence in Form COS-8, while a loan licence may be issued in Form COS-9, as applicable. Applications are handled by the relevant State Licensing Authority under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
For import registration, Rule 13 provides a statutory decision period of up to six months for an application, while CDSCO’s published FAQ mentions a 90-day processing target. Actual timelines depend on documentation, queries and regulatory review. Manufacturing-licence timelines follow the applicable process.
Documents generally include manufacturer authorisation, manufacturing-site details, product particulars, ingredient composition, label information, applicable manufacturing or marketing authorisations, declarations and fee receipts. Additional documentation may be required depending on the product and application.
A Form COS-2 import registration certificate remains valid in perpetuity, subject to timely payment of the prescribed retention fee every five years, unless suspended or cancelled by the licensing authority.
Yes, provided the products meet applicable Indian regulatory requirements, including CDSCO import registration, ingredient and safety standards, labelling and customs-related obligations. Registration in the country of origin does not automatically authorise sale in India.
Private-label cosmetics must be manufactured by an appropriately licensed facility. If imported, the products must meet CDSCO import registration requirements. The brand owner should also ensure correct label declarations, product documentation and a compliant manufacturing agreement.
Selling online does not, by itself, create a separate CDSCO cosmetic registration requirement. However, imported cosmetics must be appropriately registered, domestically manufactured cosmetics must come from licensed manufacturers, and applicable product labelling and e-commerce requirements must be met.
Yes, eligible products or variants may be added through the applicable endorsement process. Additional product categories or manufacturing sites may require further documentation, fees or separate regulatory review.
No. Products marketed as herbal, natural or organic are not automatically exempt from cosmetic regulation. Their classification depends on intended use, formulation and claims. Products making therapeutic claims may fall under a different regulatory framework.
Applicable declarations may include product name, manufacturer details, batch or lot identification, manufacturing or expiry information, ingredients, warnings and import-related particulars. Requirements vary by product and packaging, and may also involve Legal Metrology provisions.
Cosmetics must comply with applicable quality and safety standards. Manufacturers have testing and recordkeeping obligations under the Cosmetics Rules, including the updated requirements introduced in 2025. The specific testing programme depends on the product and applicable standards.
Therapeutic claims can affect product classification and may not be appropriate for a cosmetic. Claims should be assessed against the product’s intended use, ingredients, evidence and applicable rules before being used on labels, websites or advertisements.
Under Rule 31A, the State Licensing Authority may suspend or cancel a licence for non-compliance after following the prescribed procedure. The licensee may appeal to the State Government within 90 days of the order.
Shauryam Solutions Pvt. Ltd. provides regulatory advisory support for cosmetic import registration, manufacturing licensing, documentation, ingredient and label compliance review, regulatory queries and related compliance requirements. The scope depends on the product and business model.
GET IN TOUCH
Quick Connect
India Office
Shauryam Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
C-1022, Noida One, Sector-62, Noida,
Uttar Pradesh, India-201301
Sales: +91- 9958545464
Reception: +91-0120-3561667
Email: regulatory@shauryam.co.in
Office Timings: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Mon-Fri)