A CDSCO Cosmetic License is the official approval required to manufacture, import, or sell cosmetics in India. It confirms that the product meets safety, labeling, and quality standards under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
CDSCO Cosmetic License is mandatory for manufacturing, importing, or selling notified cosmetics in India.
A few years ago, a skincare brand from Pune reached out to Silvereye Certifications with a problem most cosmetic startups face at some point. Their aloe-based moisturiser had strong early demand, but their online marketplace withheld the listing because the product lacked a CDSCO Cosmetic license. The founders were confident about the formulation but were unaware that even herbal-based cosmetics require mandatory registration under India’s regulatory framework.
Their challenge wasn’t unique. Any company placing a cosmetic product on the Indian market—whether imported from Europe or produced in a domestic contract manufacturing facility—must comply with Cosmetic Registration norms prescribed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. The requirement is not subjective. It applies to new brands, private label units, third-party manufacturers, and large FMCG companies.
During the last decade, Indian consumers have evolved. Retail buyers expect safety transparency, and marketplaces demand compliance before onboarding. As a result, Cosmetic Certification has become as essential as branding or packaging. Without it, import consignments are held at customs, manufacturing approvals are delayed, and distributors hesitate to partner with non-compliant brands.
At Silvereye Certifications, we regularly encounter cases where brands underestimate regulatory details. One manufacturer in Baddi lost nearly eight months because the ingredient list on their product label did not match the formulation submitted for approval. Another client importing premium perfumes saw their consignment seized because the importer’s address on the approval letter didn’t match the customs documentation. These issues sound minor but can stall expansion indefinitely.
This in-depth guide exhibits the full structure of CDSCO Cosmetic Registration in a manner that is friendly to business—addressing issues like compliance, fees, documentation, timelines, and the real-world challenges that both Indian and international brands struggle with.
The Cosmetics and Drugs Act of 1940 governs the CDSCO's regulation of cosmetics. Every item that belongs to a cosmetic category that has been notified must go through the process of Cosmetic Certification before Indian manufacturing, importing or selling.
CDSCO verifies:The certification leads to:
Depending on whether a product is manufactured in India or imported, one of the following approval routes must be supported by every cosmetic product sold in India:
Importers, foreign brands entering India, Indian companies bringing finished products from abroad.
This applies to imported cosmetics, irrespective of quantity or purpose of sale.
Validity: 5 years.
This registration applies to Indian manufacturers who produce cosmetics within India. (The State Licensing Authority manages this with CDSCO oversight).
A less-known category but essential for companies running their own testing labs.
This facility must comply with BIS standards, GMP norms, and maintain equipment calibration logs.
The following cosmetic categories require mandatory approval:
If a product claims therapeutic benefits, it may fall under the drug category instead of cosmetics, which triggers a separate approval route.
The CDSCO evaluates each cosmetic product through technical, chemical, and administrative parameters. Businesses must submit:
Domestic units must obtain either:
The CDSCO registration offers the brands the right to manufacture, import, and sell the cosmetics in India officially. Besides that, it also protects the products from seizure, blockage at customs, and the imposition of fines.
Cosmetics in India are regulated to ensure product safety, quality, and compliance. The key regulations include:
The following process summarises how Silvereye Certifications assists manufacturers and importers:
Brands often underestimate this stage. A single discrepancy between the finished label and the submitted dossier delays approval.
Brands must respond promptly.
This includes:
| Cost Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Government Application Fee | Charged per product category for import or manufacturing licence as per CDSCO rules. |
| Registration Processing Fee | Covers file submission, documentation review, and portal processing. |
| Testing Charges | Includes microbial, stability, heavy metal, and safety analysis required for approval. |
| Document Preparation Cost | Drafting of POA, label compliance, COA alignment, and formulation review. |
| Consultancy Fee | Professional support for end-to-end compliance, query handling, and approval follow-up. |
| Renewal & Modification Charges | Applicable for changes in formulation, label updates, or licence extension. |
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Document Preparation | Collecting FSC, COA, labels, ingredient list, POA, and testing reports. |
| Application Submission | Filing the application on the CDSCO Sugam portal. |
| Technical Review by CDSCO | Authority checks documents, formulation compliance, and labels. |
| Query/Clarification Stage | Applicant responds to CDSCO objections, if any. |
| Final Approval | Grant of Cosmetic Registration Certificate (Import or Manufacturing). |
| License Type | Validity Period |
|---|---|
| Import Registration Certificate (COS 1) | Valid for several years unless suspended or cancelled by CDSCO. |
| Manufacturing License (Form 32/33) | Long-term validity based on compliance with Cosmetics Rules, 2020. |
| Renewal Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Renewal Timeline | Renewal should be initiated before expiry to avoid market disruption. |
| Documents Needed | Updated labels, COA, manufacturing details, and any changes in formulation or packaging. |
| Additional Requirements | Fresh testing or revised FSC may be required in case of reformulation or regulatory updates. |
| CDSCO Review | Authority evaluates changes and issues renewed licence upon compliance. |
Cosmetic products must display:
Many brands do not realize the complexity of the process of CDSCO Cosmetic Registration until they face delays, confiscation by customs, or rejections from the market. Regardless of the fact that you are producing your cosmetics in India or importing them from other parts of the world, a valid CDSCO Cosmetic License would mean that your product is fit for the Indian market and also allows nationwide distribution. Compliance is the only option left as regulatory scrutiny gets tighter.
Silvereye Certifications is the partner for businesses in India that want to eliminate their documentation, testing, and approvals with the highest precision possible.
Ready to launch your cosmetic range without regulatory risk?A CDSCO Cosmetic License is the official approval required to manufacture, import, or sell cosmetics in India. It confirms that the product meets safety, labeling, and quality standards under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or brand owner selling cosmetic products in India must obtain a CDSCO licence—whether the products are made locally or imported.
Yes. All imported cosmetics require a CDSCO Import Registration Certificate (Form 43) before entering India. Without it, customs can detain or reject the shipment.
The essential documents include:
Timelines vary based on document readiness and CDSCO review. Delays mostly occur due to incorrect labels or incomplete ingredient details.
Products must comply with:
CDSCO cosmetic licences usually carry multi-year validity, subject to ongoing compliance. Renewal must be initiated before expiry to avoid disruption.
Yes, but any change in ingredients, packaging, or labels must be updated with CDSCO. Some changes may require fresh testing or revised documents.
Unregistered products may face:
Silvereye supports ingredient evaluation, label drafting, testing guidance, documentation, portal filing, and continuous follow-up—ensuring faster, error-free approval.
At Silvereye Certifications & Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd., we simplify compliance and certification processes, guiding you to achieve and maintain required industry approvals with complete trust.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Silvereye Certifications is a private consulting firm. We do NOT issue government certificates, licenses, or official documents. We provide professional consulting services to help businesses navigate the application process for government certifications. All certificates and approvals are issued solely by the relevant government authorities.