IBHA files petition over new regulation to label products containing animal-origin

The Department of Consumer Affairs in India has come up with a new regulation that shampoos, toothpastes, soaps and other items need to carry a red or brown dot to indicate whether the product contains ingredients that are of animal origin.

Following this, the Indian Beauty and Hygiene Association (IBHA) has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, contending that the rule is against the principles of natural justice and that the Supreme Court had already dealt with the matter previously.

It also claims that the issue comes under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, rather than the metrology department, which has been ensuring that the rule is observed through raids on warehouses.

Companies are accusing Department of Consumer Affairs, for not issuing a chance to companies such as Hindustan Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Colgate Palmolive to give their views.

Hindustan Unilever spokesperson told The Economic Times that, "The notification has been issued without seeking comments from the industry, which is against the pre-legislative consultation policy of the government.

"It is also pertinent to clarify that this is not a subject matter of the legal metrology department," he added.

According to the June 2014 notification issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Legal Metrology Act, "Every package containing soap, shampoos, toothpastes and other cosmetics and toiletries shall bear at the top of its principal display panel a red or, as the case may be, brown dot for products of nonvegetarian origin and a green dot for products of vegetarian origin."

However, products such as lipsticks and lip balms are exempt because they weigh less than 10 grams.

Companies are also concerned that consumers in India may be put off by red or brown dots, as majority of them profess themselves to be vegetarians.