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DCC asks cosmetics industry to follow BIS standards as inclusion of INCI on cosmetics label not feasible
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Gireesh Babu, New Delhi
October 07 , 2024
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The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has suggested that the cosmetics industry shall follow the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) related to the ingredients, as it is not feasible to include the international nomenclature format.
The recommendation comes after the central government proposed mandating inclusion of the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) on the ingredient statement of every cosmetic product label for identification.
Considering the proposal, the DCC in its latest meeting held on June 19, 2024, said, "DCC deliberated the proposal in detail and opined that the inclusion of INCI names on label may not be feasible due to space constraint on the label and therefore suggested to follow the BIS standards."
It may be noted that there were reports earlier that the government is contemplating inclusion of INCI names in the cosmetic product labels, as part of making the labels more transparent. The consumers can identify the ingredients through the INCI names, and take an informed decision regarding the use of the particular product, it was said.
However, the Committee pointed out that following BIS standards for labelling would be more feasible, especially when there is limited space available on the product packages.
The Chapter VI of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, details the standards to be followed in labelling, packing and standards for sale or distribution of cosmetics. It elaborates the manner of labelling, such as inclusion of name of cosmetics, name and address of the manufacturer, expiry date, batch number, and manufacturing licence number in both inner and outer label.
The outer label of the cosmetics shall carry a declaration of the net contents expressed in terms of weight for solids, fluid measure for liquids, fluid measure or weight for semi-solids, combined with numerical count if the content is sub-divided. If a hazard exists, every inner label shall clearly indicate the adequate directions for safe use, any warning, caution or specific direction required to be observed by the consumer, a statement indicating the names and quantities of ingredients that are hazardous or poisonous.
In case of imported cosmetics, import registration certificate number shall be mentioned on the label of the unit pack. If the package of cosmetics has only one label, it shall contain all the information required to be shown on both the inner and the outer labels, under these rules.
"In all cases, the list of ingredients, present in concentration of more than one percent, shall be listed in the descending order of weight or volume at the time they are added, followed by those in concentration of less than or equal to one percent, in any order, and preceded by the words 'INGREDIENTS'," says the Rules.
However, this statement need not appear for packs of less than or equal to 60 ml of liquid and 30 gm of solid and semi-solids.
"The cosmetic shall comply with labelling requirements, if any, specified in the relevant Indian standard as laid down by the 'Bureau of Indian Standards' for the cosmetics covered under the Ninth Schedule," says the Rules.
According to the ninth schedule of the Rules, the standards for cosmetics in finished form shall conform to the Indian Standards specifications laid down from time to time by the BIS. There are 37 products falling under this Schedule including skin powers, toothpower and paste, skin creams, hair oils, shampoo and soap, cologne, aftershave lotion, nail polish, shaving creams, cosmetic pencils, lipstick, among others.
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