India Reviewed Proposal for Mandating INCI Names on Cosmetic Labels

During the latest meeting held on June 19, 2024, India's Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) reviewed a proposal, which mandated the inclusion of International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names in the ingredient statement on cosmetic product labels. The proposal aimed to improve ingredient identification and enhance label transparency.

After thorough deliberation, the DCC concluded that incorporating INCI names on cosmetic labels would not be feasible due to space constraints. Instead, the committee recommended that the cosmetics industry continue to follow the existing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards for ingredient labeling. 

Current Cosmetic Labeling Requirements

Under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 (the “2020 Rules”), key product information, such as the product name, manufacturer details, expiry date, batch number, and manufacturing license number, is required to be displayed on both the inner and outer labels. Additionally, the outer label must declare the net contents of the product. In cases where a cosmetic product poses potential hazards, the inner label must provide clear directions for safe use, warnings, and details about the hazardous ingredients. For imported cosmetics, the label must include the import registration certificate number. The full ingredient list should be preceded by the word "INGREDIENTS", where ingredients whose concentrations are above 1% shall be listed in descending order of weight or volume, followed by ingredients in lower concentrations.

Furthermore, cosmetics shall comply with the labelling requirements, if any, specified in the relevant Indian standard set by the BIS, as outlined in the Ninth Schedule of the 2020 Rules. Currently, the Schedule includes standards for 37 cosmetic products, including skin powders, shampoos, hair oils, nail polish, and lipstick.

For more detailed labeling requirements, please refer to ChemLinked’s Cosmepedia: India Cosmetic Regulation.