Indonesia to Advance Cosmetic Oversight with BPOM’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan

The Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has released a draft of its Strategic Plan for 2025–2029, outlining key policy directions and strategic actions to enhance the safety, quality, and competitiveness of the country’s food, traditional medicine, health supplement, and cosmetic sectors. ¹ This strategy responds to a rapidly evolving market characterized by e-commerce growth, product innovation, and the ongoing challenge of illegal and substandard goods. Below is a summary of cosmetic-related activities:

1. Standardization of Cosmetics

BPOM is focused on revitalizing regulations in the areas of cosmetics, traditional medicines, health supplements, and quasi-drugs to boost industrial competitiveness while ensuring optimal consumer protection. Key initiatives include:

• Regulatory development and review to improve adaptability and effectiveness, including streamlined licensing for innovative products;

• Industry compliance promotion through training on good manufacturing practices (GMP) and technical standards;

• Scientific research and evaluation to ensure that product innovations offer measurable safety, quality, and efficacy benefits.

2. Notification of Cosmetics

To strengthen pre-market control and public service efficiency, BPOM plans to:

• Optimize the role of its Technical Implementation Units (UPTs) in safety and quality audits via Product Information File (PIF) evaluations;

• Transform Natural Medicinal Product Registration Services, Health Supplements, and Cosmetics to a Fast, Integrated, and Inclusive System.

3. Cosmetics Supervision

BPOM will enhance post-market surveillance and support responsible industry growth through:

• Accelerating industry maturity via capacity-building programs;

• Fostering a positive environment for cosmetic contract manufacturing, helping Notified Business Entities (BUPNs) navigate regulations and compete effectively;

• Implementing the “Teman UMKM Kosmetik” program to assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in developing compliant and marketable product labels;

• Strengthening border control through the “Cosmetics Border Patrol” initiative targeting imported products;

• Monitoring viral products and coaching cosmetic influencers;

• Supporting the development of natural cosmetics.

4. Empowerment of Communities and Cosmetic Business Actors

BPOM seeks to expand community engagement and MSME support through:

• The “Foster Parent Program”, enabling established companies to mentor MSMEs in producing safe and high-quality products;

• The “MSME Meets Market” initiative to connect MSMEs with marketing partners via online and offline channels;

• The “National Santri Entrepreneurship Program”, which cultivates business skills in Islamic boarding school students;

• “BPOM Goes to School/Campus/Community”, aimed at raising awareness and building youth capacity in product safety and quality.

5. Forthcoming Regulatory Developments (2025–2029)

BPOM plans to formulate or revise regulations focusing on:

• Implementing risk assessments for ingredients used in natural medicines, health supplements, quasi-drugs, and cosmetics.

• Enhancing oversight for beauty products containing medicinal ingredients.

Further Reading

• Updates to ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD)’s Ingredient Annexes: 2 Additions and 4 Revisions

• Indonesia Revises Cosmetic Safety, Quality, and Efficacy Assessment Application Dossiers

• Dialogue with LPPOM MUI: Insights into Halal Certification Review and Common Challenges in Indonesia