License For Homemade Cosmetics In India

Note: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization does not issue license for homemade cosmetics in India, as it is illegal to manufacture cosmetics at home.

If you are looking to prepare homemade cosmetic products for personal use or selling on a small scale, it is essential to understand the regulatory requirements. To start a business, obtaining a Cosmetics license in India is necessary. Whether you prepare skin care products, organic products for beauty, or a small batch of cosmetic products, meeting the regulatory requirements and adhering to safety standards are essential.

The regulatory guidelines of Cosmetic Rules, 2020, ensure that the manufactured cosmetic products are safe for consumer use and maintain transparency about the ingredients used during manufacturing practice. For all the cosmetic products falling under the Drug and Cosmetics Act of 1940, the manufacturing license is important for cosmetic product commercialization in India and for preparing homemade cosmetics for selling on a small scale or for personal use. The application for a grant of manufacturing license is submitted in Form COS-5.

What Are Homemade Cosmetics? 

Under the Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1940, homemade cosmetics are referred to as cosmetics that are generally prepared at home for personal use instead of commercial sales. These are prepared using natural ingredients, including herbs, oils, and other raw materials. However, the Drug and Cosmetics Act primarily focuses on cosmetic products sold in the Indian market. Homemade cosmetics for personal use don’t need to adhere to the same regulatory requirements as commercially sold cosmetics.

Why License for Homemade Cosmetics is Important? 

Licensing is important for a homemade cosmetics business for the following reasons:

• Build customer trust
• Ensure quality standards and safety of the product
• Enhance brand reputation and market access to the product
• promote the legal sale and marketing of the product
• Protect the brand from legal issues.
• Quality assurance promotes consumer safety

What are the Essential Requirements To Obtain a License For Homemade Cosmetics Manufacturing?

Even for homemade cosmetic products in India, you need to comply with the products as per the regulatory requirements, but there is no stringent regulatory framework. Here’s what are the essential requirements:

What Is The Form COS-8 Application? 

Form COS-8 is the application for a grant of permit to manufacture cosmetics for sale in the Indian market, including homemade cosmetic products. This manufacturing license is issued by the State Licensing Authority, ensuring the products meet quality and safety standards. The license is issued after a successful evaluation of the COS-5 application, along with the audit inspection of the manufacturing site.

Who Can Apply For A COS-5 License For Grant Of Manufacturing License Under Form COS 8? 

The following are the entities or individuals who can apply for a COS-5 application for a grant of manufacturing license:

• An individual who wants to prepare homemade cosmetic products.
• If you are a manufacturer, then you can fill out and apply Form COS-5 for a manufacturing license.
• Existing license holders can apply for COS-5.

Also Read: What is Form COS-1 and COS-2?

Who Issues Manufacturing Licenses For Cosmetics? 

The manufacturing license is issued by the State Licensing Authority, also known as the State Drug Controller for manufacturing cosmetic products for domestic sale in India or export purposes. The State Drug Controller is an authorized person responsible for the evaluation of COS-5 applications and the grant of manufacturing license.

What Are The Essential Documents Required For Form COS-5 Application? 

To apply for a manufacturing license for a homemade cosmetics business under Form COS-5, the following documents are required to be submitted to the licensing authority:

• Cover letter.
• Manufacturing site details.
• Site master file.
• The cosmetic products list is intended to be manufactured.
• Proof of qualified technical staff.
• GMP compliance of the product.
• Fee receipt.
• Plant layout.
• Undertaking for product compliance as per the Cosmetic Rules, 2020.

Procedure To Obtain a License For Homemade Cosmetics In India  

As we know that manufacturing cosmetics at home is illegal, so obtaining a license and registering the place of manufacturing is a must. Here are the steps you need to follow to obtain cosmetic license:

• Visit the SUGAM portal and register yourself.
• Fill in the COS-5 application.
• Gather all the required documents as mentioned in part II of the second schedule of Cosmetic Rules, 2020, ensuring compliance with the regulatory requirements.
• Fees must be paid as mentioned in the third schedule of the Cosmetic Rules, 2020.
• Submit the application to the state licensing authority for review of an application.
• Once the application is reviewed and documents are verified successfully without any queries, the State Licensing Authority will grant the license within 45 days of document verification.
• After the grant of a license, be ready for audit inspection within 30 days of obtaining the license, confirming the product’s compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

What Is The Validity Of A Cosmetics Manufacturing License? 

The validity of a cosmetic manufacturing license for a homemade cosmetics business is for a lifetime unless the licensing authority cancels it, and the manufacturer shall pay the fees every 5 years for maintaining validity.

Conclusion

Obtaining a homemade cosmetic license is not legal in India. To get a cosmetic manufacturing license, you must comply with the CDSCO guidelines & ensure that products meet standards as mentioned in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1945. We have covered everything you need to know about obtaining a license for homemade cosmetics in the above article.