India to waive trial of overseas cosmetics with ingredients used in pharma products

The Government of India is planning to eliminate the requirement of research trials for overseas cosmetic products that contain ingredients already used in pharmaceutical products.

Currently, all types of imported products are required to go through research trials.

Following this new initiative, the inflow of overseas cosmetics are expected to increase into the country.

This measure is expected to help the introduction of products with therapeutic benefits for use in various syndromes including anti-ageing, low hair count, acne and others.

A government official was quoted by Times of India as saying: “Through discussions we have come to the conclusion that such cosmetics, which contain ingredients that are already in use in drugs in India, can be given a trial waiver.”

This move will ensure the quick launch of new premium overseas cosmetics in India.

Currently, the Indian cosmetics industry has an annual growth rate of 20%.

Several studies have indicated that demand for overseas cosmetics is increasing mainly among the country's urban middle class over the last few years.

Last July, the Indian government ordered importers not to sell their products in the country if they had been tested on animals anywhere in the globe.

In 2014, the country also banned testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals.