Indian government defers mandatory registration of cosmetic imports

The ministry of Health and Welfare in India has once again put on hold the implementation of mandatory registration of imported cosmetics into the country.

The ministry has set a new date for the registration for cosmetics companies on 1 April 2013, postponing it from 1 October 2012.

According to an official note, the ministry has decided to further extend the implementation of Gazette Notification No. GSR 426(E) Dated 19 May 2010 issued in respect of Registration for import and Registration of Cosmetics upto 31 March 2013.

The Gazette Notification in this regard is being issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, withoutspecification of any reason for the extension of the date.

Besides, it is understood that the ministry has been forced to postpone the move after pressure from firms, which raised some concerns and apprehensions about the import registration that would reportedly impact their business adversely.

Earlier, the ministry approved guidelines to ban the sales of imported cosmetics in the country only if their manufacturers get the products registered with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), in an effort to ensure safety of all imported cosmetics.

The ministry said the manufacturers of imported cosmetics will be required to declare the chemical composition of raw materials used and finished products at the time of registration.

As per the guidelines, each cosmetic category -like lipstick, mascara, tooth pastes, soaps, etc – will carry a registration fee of $250 or equivalent in Indian currency, while any violation will evoke penalties in the form of fines and even leadto imprisonment, the mimistry said.

The government is also planning to set up a separate cell in the office of the DCGI to deal with the cosmetics.

This is said to be the first such move to legally regulate the multi-crore imported personal care industry, attracting flak and opposition from the powerful industry.