No Cosmetic Product Permitted for Injection or Treatment Use: CDSCO

New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a public notice clarifying that cosmetic products are not permitted to be administered through injections and cannot be promoted or used for treatment purposes under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

In the notice issued by the office of the Drugs Controller General (India), the national drug regulator reiterated that cosmetics are defined under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, as

"Cosmetic means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to, the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and includes any article intended for use as a component of a cosmetic."

Manufacturing and import of cosmetics are regulated under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.

The regulator further stated that products supplied in injectable form do not fall under the definition of cosmetics. CDSCO emphasised that no cosmetic product is allowed to be injected by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics, adding that cosmetics are intended only for external application on the human body.

The public notice also highlighted that cosmetic labels and promotional claims must not mislead consumers. As per the provisions of labelling, no cosmetic may purport or claim to purport or convey any idea which is false or misleading to the intending user of cosmetics – misleading claims.

"No person shall alter, obliterate or deface any inscription or mark made or recorded by the manufacturer on the container, label or wrapper of any cosmetic," the notice added.

CDSCO further clarified that cosmetics are permitted to be supplied for its intended use as defined in the definition; no cosmetic is permitted to be used in treatment by professionals/individuals.

In addition, it further states that cosmetics are only for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance of the human body or any part thereof.

According to the notice, the use of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic products, misleading claims on product labels, the use of cosmetics for treatment, and the administration of cosmetics through injections would amount to violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.

The regulator has encouraged the public to report any such violations or suspicious activities to the concerned regulatory authority through the official CDSCO communication channels, saying, "The public is encouraged to report any such observation to the Regulatory Authority at cosmetics@cdsco. nic.in and/or State Licensing Authority."

To view the official notice, click the link below: