CDSCO Cosmetic Registration

Overview Requirement Documents procedure Fees Benefits FAQ

What Is CDSCO Cosmetic Registration?

CDSCO Cosmetic Registration is the formal licensing and approval process that every cosmetic business — whether a foreign brand importing into India or a domestic manufacturer — must complete before placing products in the Indian market. It is administered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the New Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 2020, which replaced the older 1945 rules and brought a significantly more structured regulatory framework for cosmetics.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization sits at the apex of cosmetic regulation in India. For domestic manufacturers, the day-to-day licensing is managed by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) under the oversight of CDSCO. For importers, CDSCO's Central Licence Approving Authority (CLAA) directly issues and manages import licences.

In 2026, the importance of getting this right has only grown. India's cosmetics market crossed USD 20 billion and continues expanding. The government has tightened enforcement at ports, increased market surveillance of cosmetic products, and regularly updates the list of prohibited ingredients and restricted substances. Operating without a valid cosmetic registration is not just a commercial risk — it is a criminal offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.

What Qualifies as a Cosmetic Under Indian Regulations?

Common Product Categories Classified as Cosmetics in India

CDSCO Cosmetic Licence Forms: COS-1, COS-2, COS-5, COS-8, and COS-9 Explained

The New Cosmetics Rules, 2020 introduced a standardised form-based system for cosmetic licences. Each form corresponds to a specific type of applicant and activity. Using the wrong form is one of the most common mistakes that leads to application rejection. Here is a clear breakdown of all five forms:

COS-1

Import Licence for Cosmetics — Single Importer

COS-1 is the application form for obtaining an import licence for cosmetics by a company or individual who acts as the importer in India. The licence is issued by CDSCO's Central Licence Approving Authority. Any foreign brand that wants to import and sell cosmetics in India needs either a COS-1 licence or must appoint a licenced Indian importer. The COS-1 licence authorises the importer to import specified cosmetic products from specified foreign manufacturers.

COS-2

Import Licence for Cosmetics — Multi-Product / Multiple Manufacturers

COS-2 is used when the importer sources cosmetics from multiple overseas manufacturers or wants a consolidated import licence covering several product lines. It functions similarly to COS-1 but is designed for broader import operations. It is also used when an Indian entity acts as an authorised distributor for multiple foreign cosmetic brands.

COS-5

Manufacturing Licence for Cosmetics — New Applicant

COS-5 is the primary form for obtaining a manufacturing licence for cosmetics from the State Licensing Authority (SLA). Any company setting up a new cosmetic manufacturing facility in India must apply in COS-5. This licence covers the categories of cosmetics that the manufacturer is approved to produce and is tied to the specific premises and equipment.

COS-8

Renewal of Cosmetic Manufacturing Licence

COS-8 is the renewal form for an existing cosmetic manufacturing licence obtained under COS-5 or under the older 1945 rules framework. Manufacturing licences must be renewed periodically, and COS-8 triggers that process. The SLA reviews the current compliance status, any inspection findings, and updated product scope before issuing the renewed licence.

COS-9

Cosmetic Loan Licence — Contract Manufacturing

COS-9 is for cosmetic loan licences, which allow a brand owner or marketing company to manufacture cosmetics through a third-party licensed manufacturer without owning a factory. Under a loan licence arrangement, the loan licensee (brand owner) takes regulatory responsibility for the product while the actual manufacturer (the lender of the licence) carries out production. This is especially common among startup brands and D2C cosmetic companies in India.

COS Form Quick Reference Table

Cosmetic Product Categories Covered Under CDSCO Registration

The Cosmetics Rules 2020 provide a comprehensive Schedule of cosmetic categories. Each category has specific labelling requirements, ingredient restrictions, and — in some cases — pre-market approval requirements. The table below covers the major categories regulated under CDSCO:

Who Needs CDSCO Cosmetic Registration? Eligibility Criteria

For Import Licences (COS-1 / COS-2)

For Manufacturing Licences (COS-5 / COS-8)

For Loan Licences (COS-9)

Documents Required for CDSCO Cosmetic Registration

Documents for COS-1 / COS-2 (Import Licence)

Documents for COS-5 (Manufacturing Licence)

Additional Documents for COS-9 (Loan Licence)

CDSCO Cosmetic Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

Process for Import Licence (COS-1 / COS-2)

CDSCO Cosmetic Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

Process for Import Licence (COS-1 / COS-2)

Process for Manufacturing Licence (COS-5)

Timeline for CDSCO Cosmetic Registration

CDSCO Cosmetic Registration Fees

Cosmetic registration fees in India are governed partly by the central schedule (for import licences) and partly by state-specific fee schedules (for manufacturing licences). Here is an overview of the fee structure as of 2026:

CDSCO Cosmetic Licence Validity and Renewal Requirements

Cosmetic licences in India are not lifetime approvals. They carry a defined validity period and must be renewed before expiry to maintain legal status.

What Triggers a Renewal vs. Fresh Application

Cosmetic Labelling Requirements Under Cosmetics Rules 2020

Getting the licence is only half the compliance equation. Every cosmetic product legally sold in India must carry a label that complies with the Cosmetics Rules 2020. Non-compliant labels are a common reason for market surveillance action even after licence grant.

Mandatory Label Elements for Indian Market Cosmetics

Role of an Indian Representative for Foreign Cosmetic Brands

Foreign cosmetic brands entering India face a structural compliance requirement: CDSCO does not issue import licences directly to overseas entities. The import licence (COS-1 or COS-2) must be held by an Indian entity — a company, LLP, or individual registered in India. This Indian entity is often referred to as the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) or the Responsible Person in India. This is the legal bridge between the foreign brand and Indian regulators.

What the Indian Representative / AIR Handles

Many foreign brands appoint a professional regulatory consultant as their Indian Representative rather than setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary. This gives them compliance coverage in India without the overhead of incorporating a local entity. Silvereye Certifications regularly serves as the Authorised Indian Representative and SUGAM-registered filing agent for foreign cosmetic brands entering India.

Benefits of Getting CDSCO Cosmetic Registration

Common Mistakes That Delay CDSCO Cosmetic Registrations

Why Cosmetic Businesses Choose Silvereye Certifications

We have guided cosmetic businesses — from first-time entrepreneurs launching D2C brands to multinational cosmetic groups entering India — through every type of CDSCO cosmetic registration. What we bring is not just form-filling; it is regulatory intelligence built from years of handling these exact applications.

When you engage us for a COS-1 import licence, we begin with a regulatory classification review of your product portfolio before we touch a single form. We verify that your Free Sale Certificate meets CDSCO's current acceptance standards — including apostille requirements — and that your product formulas are checked against India's restricted and prohibited ingredient lists. We have seen applications rejected months in for using a colourant that appears harmless internationally but is on India's prohibited list. We catch those issues before they become your problem.

For manufacturers applying under COS-5, we conduct a pre-inspection GMP gap assessment at your facility before the SLA inspector visits. This means the inspector finds a plant that is already ready, not one that needs follow-up visits. Our record of first-attempt inspection clearance is strong precisely because we do not skip this step.

If you are a brand owner considering the COS-9 loan licence route, we help you identify the right licensed manufacturer partner, structure the loan licence agreement to protect your brand interests, and navigate the SLA process in your state. For foreign brands, we also serve as your Authorised Indian Representative, handling all SUGAM portal filings and post-licence compliance obligations so you can focus on building your market presence.

Our broader regulatory practice also means that when your cosmetic business evolves — adding food-based beauty products that need FSSAI, or wellness devices that touch CDSCO's medical device framework — we already understand your business. You are not starting from scratch with a new consultant each time.

We work with straightforward, milestone-based fees, and we keep you informed at every stage. If CDSCO raises a query, you hear from us within 24 hours with a proposed response. If there is a regulatory change that affects your licence, we notify you proactively — not after you have already received a notice.

Frequently Asked Questions on CDSCO Cosmetic Registration

Is CDSCO cosmetic registration mandatory for all cosmetics sold in India?

Yes. Any cosmetic product manufactured in India or imported into India for commercial sale must be covered under a valid CDSCO cosmetic licence. For domestic manufacturing, this means a COS-5 licence from the State Licensing Authority. For imports, this means a COS-1 or COS-2 licence from CDSCO. Selling without a licence violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and attracts penalties including seizure of goods, fines, and criminal prosecution.

What is the difference between COS-1 and COS-2?

COS-1 is for a single Indian importer importing cosmetics from one or more specified foreign manufacturers under a consolidated application. COS-2 covers situations where the importer is dealing with multiple foreign manufacturers or multiple product ranges and needs a broader licence structure. Both are issued by CDSCO's Central Licence Approving Authority. In practice, growing importers often start with COS-1 and migrate to COS-2 as their portfolio expands.

Can a foreign cosmetic brand apply directly for a CDSCO licence?

No. Foreign brands cannot directly hold CDSCO cosmetic import licences. An Indian entity — a company, LLP, or individual registered in India — must hold the COS-1 or COS-2 import licence. Foreign brands typically work through an Indian subsidiary, an authorised distributor, or appoint a regulatory consultant as their Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) to hold and manage the licence on their behalf.

How long does CDSCO cosmetic import licence approval take?

For a well-prepared COS-1 or COS-2 application with complete documents and conforming test reports, CDSCO typically takes 45 to 90 working days. Applications with missing documents, non-compliant Free Sale Certificates, or formula queries from CDSCO can take significantly longer — sometimes 6 to 12 months if multiple query rounds are needed. Preparation quality is the single biggest determinant of your approval timeline.

What is a loan licence under COS-9 and who should use it?

A COS-9 loan licence allows a brand owner (loan licensee) to have their cosmetics manufactured by a third-party licensed manufacturer (the licence lender) without owning a factory. The brand owner holds the regulatory responsibility for the product; the manufacturer physically produces it under agreed-upon specifications. This model is ideal for D2C brands, private label cosmetic sellers, and marketing companies that want to launch their own brand without investing in manufacturing infrastructure.

What are the GMP requirements for a cosmetic manufacturing licence (COS-5)?

The Good Manufacturing Practices for cosmetics under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 include: adequate and separate manufacturing zones for different categories, controlled environment where required (for sterile or sensitive products), calibrated and maintained equipment, qualified Technical Staff, documented SOPs for manufacturing and QC, water quality compliant with specified standards, pest control, and batch-wise record keeping. The State Licensing Authority inspector verifies all of these during the factory inspection.

Can the same import licence cover multiple foreign manufacturers?

Under COS-1, the licence specifies the products and the foreign manufacturers. If you want to add a new foreign manufacturer to your import portfolio, you typically need to file an amendment to the existing licence or file a fresh COS-2 application covering the expanded manufacturer list. CDSCO has specific procedures for amendments, and these should not be treated as automatic or self-executing — a formal amendment request must be filed and approved.

Do herbal and ayurvedic cosmetics need CDSCO cosmetic registration?

Herbal and natural cosmetics that make only cosmetic claims (cleansing, moisturising, beautifying) fall under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 and need a standard CDSCO cosmetic licence. However, if the product makes any therapeutic or disease-related claims ('treats eczema', 'cures dandruff', 'heals psoriasis'), it is likely to be classified as an Ayurvedic drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and requires a separate Ayurvedic drug manufacturing or import licence rather than a cosmetic registration.

What ingredients are prohibited in cosmetics in India?

The Cosmetics Rules 2020 include a Schedule of prohibited substances that cannot be used in any cosmetic product sold in India. This includes certain azo dyes, specific hair dye chemicals, chloroform, mercury compounds, lead compounds above permitted levels, and several other substances. Additionally, there are restricted substances that can be used only within specified concentration limits. Before filing any cosmetic application, every formula should be screened against the current prohibited and restricted lists.

What happens if I sell cosmetics without a CDSCO licence?

Selling cosmetics without a valid licence is an offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The consequences include: seizure and destruction of the unlicensed products, monetary fines, prosecution of the responsible persons in the company, and potential imprisonment for repeat offences or where public health harm is established. E-commerce platforms also regularly delist unlicensed cosmetic sellers following CDSCO market surveillance reports.