In a matter of heightened vigilance against imports and distribution of unapproved cosmetics in the domestic market, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked its zonal offices and the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) across the country to enhance surveillance on such cosmetic products.
This comes as the latest among several moves by the CDSCO to intervene in imports and manufacturing of cosmetics products in the country for strict compliance with the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
In a latest circular, Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India), said that it has come to the CDSCO’s notice that imported cosmetics are being sold in domestic market without valid registration certificate.
“Accordingly, SLAs & Zonal heads of CDSCO are requested to direct the inspectorate under their control for enhanced surveillance on such cosmetics products,” said the DCGI.
The central drug regulator also directed all port officers to keep a strict vigil on such activities to curb entry of cosmetics in India without a registration certificate.
As per the Rule 12(1) of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, notified on December 15, 2020 under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, no cosmetic shall be imported into India unless the product has been registered in accordance with these rules by the Central Licensing Authority or by any officer to whom such powers may be delegated, under the Rule 5.
It may be noted that in June, this year, the Central drugs regulator has asked the cosmetics products manufacturers and importers to comply with the standards set for hair colour cosmetics products and report any changes in label, product composition and product quality specifications promptly to the regulator.
In May, it has requested the public to report any violation they observe in the segment in the country to the Central or state regulatory authorities, following a couple of actions taken by the CDSCO’s Cosmetics Division against importers for allegedly misleading the consumer through labels, and filing fabricated documents, among others.
The Central drug regulator pointed out that cosmetic means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to, the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and includes any article intended for use as a component of cosmetic, as per the definition under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
“Use of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic products, misleading claims on label, use of cosmetics for treatment and application of cosmetic through injection attracts violations of the said Act & Rules,” said Raghuvanshi in a notice to the stakeholders during the time.
Cosmetics are permitted to be supplied for its intended use as defined in the definition; no cosmetic is permitted to be used in treatment by professionals/individuals. Cosmetics are only for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance of human body or any part thereof.
As per the provisions of labelling, no cosmetic may purport or claim to purport or convey any idea which is false or misleading to the intending user of cosmetics, misleading claims. Further, no person shall alter, obliterate or deface any inscription or mark made or recorded by the manufacturer on the container, label or wrapper of any cosmetic.
Products supplied in the form of injectable preparation do not fall under the definition of cosmetics. No cosmetic is permitted to be used as injection by consumers or professionals or aesthetic clinics. Cosmetics are only intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed onto the human body.
Source : Pharmabiz
