New rules target fake-cosmetics menace

India has tightened rules to ensure stricter testing and labelling of cosmetics to enhance safety, check counterfeit products and clearly define spurious items, said two officials aware of the development.

- Priyanka Sharma

A failure to comply with the new rules introduced by the health and family welfare ministry will result in the suspension and cancellation of licences, according to the officials cited earlier and documents reviewed by Mint.

The Cosmetics (Amendment) Rules, 2025 were finalized and notified on 29 July after a detailed consultative process with the relevant stakeholders and further consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, a top drug advisory panel, said the first official quoted earlier on the condition of anonymity.

The changes include setting up a dedicated Central Cosmetics Laboratory to test products before they hit the shelves.