Labelling Standards for Cosmetics under Cosmetics Rules

Transparency and safety are crucial in the bustling world of cosmetics, where products promise everything from flawless skin to beautiful hair. Labelling guidelines play a key role in ensuring customers are fully informed about what they’re applying to their skin. The Cosmetics Rules 2020 enforce strict labelling requirements for Indian manufacturers.

In addition to the Cosmetics Rules, the label must also contain the declarations required under the legal metrology rule such as generic name of the product, maximum retail price, customer contact details, date of import.

Understanding these requirements helps consumers make informed choices and ensures that companies remain compliant. In this article, we explore the key aspects of Indian cosmetic labelling guidelines.

Principal Display Panel: First Impressions Matter

The Principal Display Panel (PDP) on a cosmetic label is the first point of contact for consumers as they navigate store aisles. This panel must display the product’s name, purpose, and net content. This clarity allows customers to quickly identify the product and understand its intended use.

Ingredient Transparency: Inside the Bottle

One of the most crucial aspects of cosmetic labels is the list of ingredients as follows:

INCI Compliance

All components must be listed in descending order of concentration using their International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). This standardization ensures that ingredients are universally recognizable, no matter where the product is sold.

Special Rules for Minor Ingredients

Ingredients in quantities of less than 1% can be listed in any order, while colorants, often vital in cosmetics, should be placed at the end of the ingredient list.

Manufacturer Information: Behind the Product

Transparency extends beyond just the ingredients; it also covers the manufacturers themselves. The label must clearly state the name and address of the manufacturer or the company responsible for marketing the product in India. This information gives consumers a point of contact to rise any questions or concerns if they have any.

Batch Information: Understanding the Sources

Like any other product, cosmetics have a shelf life. Here below is the list of batch information:

Batch Number and Manufacture Date

The label must include the batch number and the date of manufacture to ensure that consumers are using fresh products. This information is crucial for tracking the product’s history, particularly during a recall.

Expiration Date

Additionally, the expiration date or “use-before” date must be clearly stated so consumers know when the product may lose effectiveness or become unsafe.

Safety First: Preventions and Warnings

Certain cosmetics may require special handling or have specific warnings that consumers need to be aware of.

Handling Instructions and Warnings

The label must prominently display any necessary warnings and precautions—such as “avoid contact with eyes” or “for external use only”—

Storage Conditions

This must also be clearly indicated if the product requires special storage conditions, such as refrigeration or protection from direct sunlight.

Country of Origin: Where was it Made?

Indicate the country of origin on the label for imported cosmetics. This information adds to transparency and allows consumers to make informed decisions, especially if they have preferences for products from specific countries known for their quality standards.

 Truthfulness in Advertising Claims

In a market flooded with promises of youth and beauty, honesty in advertising is crucial. Any claims made on a label must be truthful and substantiated. Whether a product claims to be “100% natural” or “dermatologist-tested,” these assertions must be backed by evidence. False claims can damage a brand’s reputation and lead to legal penalties.

Language Accessibility: Clear Communication

Language accessibility is vital in a diverse country like India. All information on the label should be provided in English or Hindi to ensure that a large portion of the population can understand the product details.

 Labelling for Small-Sized Products: Flexibility with Responsibility

Cosmetics often come in various sizes, including small packages with limited space. When all the required information cannot be included in the product itself, the law allows certain details to be provided on an accompanying booklet or card. However, this flexibility does not absolve manufacturers from providing all necessary information.

 Custom Labelling for Specific Products

Some types of cosmetics, such as hair dyes or products containing specific active ingredients, may require additional labelling. Hair dyes, for instance, may need warnings about potential allergic reactions, while products with active ingredients may require usage instructions to prevent misuse.

If you are looking for a change in labelling information for package goods, you must follow the systematic legal procedure as per the legal metrology statutory guidelines in India.

The Standards for Labelling Cosmetics Product

The Indian government has mandated since 2001 that imported packaged products and cosmetics must be properly labelled according to rules. For your convenience, we have set out the rules in plain language.

Every label on packaged items has to have:

Identifier and address of the importer

Common or general term of the good packaged.

Standard unit of weights and measurements allows one to determine the net amount.

Month and year of packaging used for manufacturing or import of the commodity.

Maximum retail sales price (MRP) of the packaged item at which end consumers will buy it.

The MRP calls for:

 Taxes; freight;

 Commission paid to dealers;

  All expenditures toward advertising,

 Delivery, packaging, and shipping.

Identifying inner and outer labels

Usually, a cosmetic product has an “inner label” on the container and an “outer label” on the box or wrapper. According to the Cosmetics Rules, the following has to be written on the designated labels or tag-along. The product should have just one label, all claims have to be based on that label. Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, all cosmetics produced in India must state certain things.

Inner and outer labels

The label of the container and any additional exterior packaging should carry the following information:

The name of the legal manufacturer; 

The name of the beauty product;

Complete address of the location where the cosmetic was produced.

Best before and expiry date must be mentioned.

Inner or outer labels

Either the inner or outer label must provide the following details:

Unique batch/lot code: Batch No. 

Manufacturing License Number: Mfg no.

Since most individuals toss away the supplementary package as soon as they open the primary package and most regulatory authorities only examine the outer label for compliance, it is recommended that the license number and batch code be written on both the outer and inner labels.

Just on the outer label:

The outer label alone should contain the following:

Net contents (weight for solids, fluid measurement for liquids, and either for semi-solids); number of segments, should there be more than one.

Only on the inner labels:

Should a cosmetic product have hazards, the following should show up:

• How to apply it correctly?
•  Any cautions, particular directions, or warnings?
• Names and quantities of harmful or deadly elements
•  If not, the container only has to indicate the declarations that must be on labels both inside and outside.
• Imported Cosmetics Must Carry Specific Information as per the 2020 Rules

The Cosmetics Rules specify what should be on the labels of every product sold on the Indian market, including imported cosmetics. Furthermore, data about the importer should be given so that customers and authorities may contact a local business regarding the imported items. Changes to the labels may be made in a customs-bonded warehouse before the products cross Indian customs and before they are transported into India.

The following further remarks have to be made:

• Number of imported certificates of registration, Reg. Cert.
• Name of purchaser
• Location of business
• Made in (Country)” might be sufficient if the importer does not want to specify
•  The place of manufacture of the item.
• The number doesn’t need to be disclosed if the cosmetic comes from a nation that doesn’t want the production license number included.

Conclusion

The Cosmetics Rules 2020 emphasize labelling regulations to protect consumers and ensure they have the information to make informed choices. These rules prioritize consumer safety, as outlined by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). By adhering to these guidelines, cosmetic producers and sellers fulfil legal obligations and build trust with their customers, who invest significantly in these products. Compliance with CDSCO standards demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality, transparency, and safety in manufacturing, packaging, and selling cosmetics.

Consumers should carefully read and understand these labels, recognizing their importance in safeguarding health and well-being. After all, cosmetic products enhance our well-being, not just our appearance. To know more about the labelling standards and related measurements as per the legal metrology rules & regulations in India, you may visit our official website: legalmetrology

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