Cosmetics labels may carry ingredients list

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New Delhi, Mumbai, Aug 21: The government is proposing introduction of more stringent labelling norms for cosmetics. It also intends to make registration of imported cosmetics mandatory. Going by the definition of cosmetics in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, these changes would have serious implications for all segments of the Rs 20,000 crore non-food FMCG industry.

According to sources in the Drugs Controller General of India’s office, the proposed amendments would make it mandatory for cosmetics sold in the country to have all ingredients listed in descending order of contribution to the formulation. At present, Ayurvedic preparations, including dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, comply with such requirements.

Although FMCG industry captains say that they have little to worry about the proposed amendments, trouble may brew in some segments of the industry. For instance, in colour cosmetics, certain ingredients like carmine (which imparts the red colour), lanolin and some glycerides are often derived from animals and are classified as non-vegetarian. This could hamper marketing of these products in the vegetarian communities.

“These requirements are okay with us. They won’t affect us significantly,” said Harsh Mariwala, CMD of Marico Industries. However, HK Press, executive director, Godrej Consumer Products, admitted that the proposed rules would create some problems. “Where do we have space to list all the ingredients? If it’s a 50 or 100 gm pack of cosmetics, we will have a tough time to accommodate all ingredients,” Mr Press said.