CDSCO Accepts Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is the national regulatory authority in India that oversees the import, manufacture, and sale of cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices. Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, every cosmetic imported into India must have a valid Cosmetic Import Registration Certificate. However, in some cases, an importer or manufacturer may wish to discontinue the import of a cosmetic product. In such situations, the CDSCO allows the surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration in a structured and lawful manner. The CDSCO Accepts Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration process ensures that discontinued products are officially deregistered, maintaining transparency and preventing misuse of old registration certificates.

What Does It Mean When CDSCO Accepts Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration?

When CDSCO accepts the surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration, it means that the importer or brand owner has voluntarily chosen to discontinue importing that specific cosmetic product or range of products into India. After surrender, the registration certificate becomes invalid, and the product cannot be legally imported or sold in India. This process ensures that only active and compliant products remain in the Indian market.

Why Would an Importer Want to Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration?

There are several reasons why an importer might surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration Certificate to CDSCO:

• The product is discontinued globally or no longer being manufactured.
• Business strategy changes, such as switching distributors or product ranges.
• Non-compliance or reformulation of the cosmetic requires new registration.
• Mergers or acquisitions of companies leading to the closure of old registrations.
• The product no longer meets CDSCO safety or labelling requirements.

In each of these cases, surrendering ensures the company’s compliance and avoids penalties for maintaining inactive registrations.

Who Can Apply for the Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration with CDSCO?

Only the authorized importer, brand owner, or license holder who obtained the registration certificate can apply for surrender. If an Indian authorised agent was appointed for foreign manufacturers, that agent is also eligible to submit the surrender request on behalf of the principal company.

What Is the Procedure for Surrendering a Cosmetic Import Registration with CDSCO?

The process of surrendering a cosmetic import registration involves the following steps:

1. Application Submission – The importer or authorised agent must submit a written request to the CDSCO (Headquarters, New Delhi) stating the intention to surrender the registration.
2. Supporting Documents – Original Cosmetic Import Registration Certificate (Form COS-2), Cover letter explaining the reason for surrender, Company authorisation letter, Details of any unsold or pending stock in India, Declaration that the cosmetic will no longer be imported.
3. CDSCO Review – CDSCO examines the documents and ensures there are no ongoing violations or pending cases related to the product.
4. Acceptance and Confirmation – Once verified, CDSCO officially accepts the surrender of the Cosmetic Import Registration and issues an acknowledgement confirming deregistration.
5. Record Update – The surrendered registration number is then marked as inactive in the CDSCO’s database.

What Happens After the Cosmetic Import Registration Is Surrendered?

After CDSCO accepts the surrender:

• The importer can no longer import or market the cosmetic in India.
• Any remaining stock must be sold or disposed of as per local laws.
• The company must apply for a new registration if it decides to reintroduce the same product later.

This ensures a clean and compliant regulatory trail, avoiding misuse of expired or surrendered certificates.

What Are the Benefits of Surrendering Cosmetic Import Registration Properly?

Surrendering the registration properly helps the importer in many ways:

• Prevents future compliance or inspection issues.
• Maintains the company’s regulatory reputation with CDSCO.
• Ensures that CDSCO’s database reflects only active, compliant products.
• Reduces administrative burden for companies discontinuing certain products.

Thus, the CDSCO Accepts Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration process is a critical step toward ensuring accountability and transparency in the cosmetic industry.

Why Is Compliance with CDSCO Important for Cosmetic Importers?

Compliance with CDSCO regulations helps maintain consumer safety and product quality. Since cosmetics directly affect the skin, hair, and body, regulatory oversight prevents unsafe or falsely labelled products from entering the Indian market. Moreover, having a valid registration also helps importers build trust with retailers and customers. Failing to comply or not surrendering an inactive registration can lead to penalties or blacklisting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CDSCO Accepts Surrender of Cosmetic Import Registration procedure allows cosmetic importers to officially close their registration when they stop importing a product. It is a compliance-friendly step that ensures only safe and currently imported cosmetics remain in circulation. Proper surrender of the registration certificate helps maintain regulatory integrity, reduce misuse, and uphold the high standards set by the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.