Cosmetic Registration for Shaving Creams and Gels in India [Complete Guide]

Planning to sell shaving gels or shaving creams in India but stuck on the compliance procedure? Not sure if you need the services of professional expertise in Cosmetic Registration for Shaving Creams and Gels against CDSCO norms?

Yes, before any cosmetic product can be marketed in India, including shaving creams and shaving gels, CDSCO regulation approval is required. With the Indian men’s grooming market growing steadily at a very high growth rate, compliance with cosmetic regulations must be maintained on entry into the market and to ensure long-term success.

This is a simple, step-by-step CDSCO registration guide of shaving cosmetics, document requirements, procedural steps, and compliance tips helpful to you in successfully and legally launching your product.

What Are Shaving Creams and Gels?

Shaving gels and creams are toiletries that condition body or face hair and offer a lubricated surface for shaving. They reduce skin-razor friction and prevent cuts, nicks, and razor burn.

• Shaving Creams: Shaving creams are rich and heavy and create a rich lather that lifts the hair and conditions the skin. They minimize friction between the skin and the razor and avoid cuts, nicks, and razor burns.
• Shaving Gels: These are regular non-foaming gels in clear form, which are more accurate in application and most preferred for shaving around well-defined boundaries or edging beards. Gels give an extra glide and transparency, and therefore are best suited for sensitive skin.

Why Is It Important to Obtain Cosmetic Certification for Shaving Creams and Gels?

Cosmetic registration for shaving creams and gels in India is a must-have requirement of compliance, protection for customers, and credibility within the marketplace. The CDSCO oversees the shaving cream and gels that are subject to regulation by first needing to get their imported goods registered for selling purposes in India.

• Legislative Provisions in Indian Laws: Imported cosmetics to be sold in India have to be registered with the CDSCO under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Without certification, the product turns into an illegal one and may be seized by the government.
• Guarantees Product Quality and Safety: Certification guarantees the shaving cream or gel is not made of deadly ingredients, is harmless to be eaten by the ultimate consumer, and is produced in a clean environment.
• Builds Consumer Trust: Cosmetics registered under the CDSCO have the seal of authenticity. The consumer will be willing to trust and purchase certified cosmetics, especially in the nascent men’s grooming segment.
• Facilitates Market Growth: CDSCO registration may at times be compulsory for listing on leading e-commerce websites as well as retail channel access in India. It also offers B2B collaboration opportunities.
• Evades Penalties and Import Refusal: In the case of non-compliance, imports may get delayed, result in penalties, or rejection at Indian ports. Certification will help avert such commercial risks.
• Guarantees Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory compliance with CDSCO standards ensures that your brand is safe, of good quality, and has ethical business practices.

Who Needs Cosmetic Registration for Shaving Creams and Gels?

According to the CDSCO regulations, the following organizations are required to register for a CDSCO registration certificate before entering the market.

1. Indian Manufacturers: When you are producing shaving creams or gels in India, you need to provide product compliance, factory licensing, and BIS standards compliance, but not an individual product registration certificate.
2. Importers and Foreign Brands: If the item is produced outside India and meant to be sold in the country, it shall be registered with CDSCO through Form COS-1, for which a registration certificate (Form COS-2) shall be issued.
3. Third-party Brand Owners/Private Labelers: If you’re importing or obtaining shaving products manufactured by third parties under your name, you are liable for registration.

Step-by-Step Process Of Cosmetic Registration For Shaving Creams And Gels

Documents Required for Cosmetic Registration of Shaving Creams and Gels

To get CDSCO cosmetic registration for shaving creams and gels, you need to provide a well-documented report containing the following documents:

• Covering Letter
• Form COS-1
• Power of Attorney (PoA)
• Product Information File (PIF)
• Free Sale Certificate (FSC)
• Manufacturing License
• Label and Packaging Artwork
• Manufacturer’s Details
• Undertaking on Product Safety
• List of Product Variants
• Payment Receipt

Labeling Requirements for Shaving Creams and Gels

Labeling of shaving creams and gels must comply with Rule 34 of the Cosmetic Rules, 2020. The label must contain:

• Product Name
• Net Weight/Volume
• Manufacturing and Expiry Dates
• Batch Number
• Name and Address of Manufacturer/Importer
• Country of Origin
• Directions for Use
• Caution (if any)
• List of Ingredients (in descending order of weight/volume)

For imported products, labels must be in English, and certain information can be stickered at the bonded warehouse before clearance.

Key Considerations While Registering Shaving Cream Under CDSCO

Shaving cream must be registered by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in an attempt to give legal manufacturing, importation, and sale in India. Points of consideration include:

1. Product Classification: Shaving cream falls under the “Shaving Products” category of the CDSCO’s list of cosmetics. Separate registration for each product category is mandatory, and every variant (for example, different fragrances or formulations) needs to be listed separately.
2. Application Process: In case of imported products, send Form COS-1 through the SUGAM portal. Domestic manufacturers need to acquire a manufacturing license from the concerned State Licensing Authority. The registration certificate (Form COS-4A) is normally given within six months and is valid for five years.​
3. Documentation Requirements: Affidavit all the necessary documents with the application so that the approval process is not delayed.
4. Standards Compliance: The product should conform to BIS standards as given in Schedule S and Schedule Q, where ingredients, preservatives, and coloring agents allowed are stated. Labeling should follow Rule 148, where product name, manufacturer information, batch number, expiry date, and method of use are given.
5. Fees and Validity: The registration fee is USD 2,000 per product category, with an extra USD 50 for every variant. The registration certificate is valid for five years, after which renewal is required.
6. Post-Registration Requirements: Any change in product formulation, labeling, or place of manufacture needs to be notified to CDSCO forthwith. Non-compliance can lead to suspension or cancellation of the registration certificate.

Timeline for Cosmetic Registration

The timeline for the approval of cosmetic registration for shaving gel is as follows:

Stage	Duration
Document Preparation	1–2 weeks
Application Filing & Fee	2–3 days
CDSCO Review & Query Process	3–6 months (depending on compliance)
Final Registration Approval	6 months (average)

Benefits of Obtaining a Cosmetic Certificate For Shaving Creams & Gel

A certificate of cosmetic registration by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is needed to lawfully manufacture, export, or sell shaving creams and gels in India. It not only satisfies regulatory requirements but also provides certain strategic benefits:

• Legal Clearance to Enter the Market: CDSCO registration provides the legal permission to manufacture, import, and sell shaving products in India. Without certification, it means that no product can legally be marketed or distributed, and hence can have legal consequences.
• Quality and Safety Assurance of Products: Registration entails strict screening to ensure that gels and shaving creams are free of dangerous chemicals like heavy metals and toxins. This ensures that products adhere to laid-out safety and quality standards, eliminating any damage to consumers.
• Enhanced Brand Credibility: A registered product ensures regulatory compliance, hence strengthening the credibility of the brand name. Consumers are more likely to have confidence and use certified products, thereby increasing customer loyalty and brand equity.
• Access to broader channels of the market: India’s majority of online and retail websites require CDSCO certification before the product is listed. Registration, therefore, gives access to diversified channels of distribution for wider market coverage and associated revenues.
• Market Competitive Advantage: With customers being increasingly aware of product safety and genuineness in the market today, going CDSCO-certified gives your shaving cream or gel a competitive advantage over un-certified players, giving a great competitive advantage in the market.
• Reduction of Legal Threats: Illegal operation without registration can lead to serious punishment, product seizure, and closure of the business. Possession of the necessary certificate to attain conformity with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and minimize legal threats.
• Ease in Business Expansion: With a legitimate certificate of registration of cosmetics, organizations can go ahead with comfort and go and pursue opportunities in expansion of the product line, joint ventures, and new business opportunities.

How ELT Corporate Can Help?

ELT Corporate Pvt. Ltd. offers end-to-end regulatory assistance for cosmetic product registration in India, including:

• Documentation and Dossier Preparation
• CDSCO Portal Filing Support
• Legalization of PoA and FSC
• Query Management and Compliance
• Labeling and Ingredient Review

With extensive experience in the Indian cosmetic regulatory ecosystem, we simplify the complex process of CDSCO cosmetic registration for shaving creams and gels, so you can focus on growing your brand.