New Delhi: No cosmetic product can be imported unless the use-by date is at least six months from the date of import, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has said.

The regulator, issuing instructions for the import of cosmetics, also banned imports of cosmetics containing hexachlorophene and those that were tested on animals after November 12, 2014.

Animal testing prohibited

On that day, the DCGI banned animal testing for makeup products as well as for manufacturers and importers.

Hexachlorophene is a topical antibacterial cleanser, used to clean the skin before surgery to prevent the spread of infection. Its cosmetic use is prohibited.

“No cosmetics the manufacture, sale or distribution of which is prohibited in the country of origin shall be imported under the same or any other name, except for the purposes of examination, testing or analysis,” states the guidance document for the zones. The sub-zonal and port offices said.

According to industry estimates, the Indian cosmetics market was valued at $8.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $18.4 billion by 2032.

It states that anyone intending to import a new cosmetic must apply to the Central Licensing Authority with data on the safety and effectiveness of the cosmetic.

Notably, cosmetic beauty items are mostly expensive and come in different national and international brands. In India, a large number of fake cosmetic products are sold at a lower price at flea markets or by unauthorized sellers.

According to the Cosmetic Rules 2020, no cosmetic can convey a false or misleading idea to the potential user.

Earlier, Mint reported that the DCGI has issued a new code allowing drug inspectors to make their inspections, sampling and permitting uniform, predictable and accountable.

It requires drug inspectors to follow a uniform method of drug sampling and focus on risk identification when selecting samples of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices circulating in the supply chain.

Questions addressed to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health remained unanswered.