Cosmetics Manufacturing & Import Licensing in India
Cosmetics Rules 2020 | Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 | State SLA (Form COS-8) | CDSCO Import (Form COS-2)
Manufacture, private-label, or import cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and perfumes legally in India with senior cosmetic regulatory lawyers and pharmaceutical chemists. We manage the entire statutory licensing process under the Cosmetics Rules 2020—including factory layout approval, technical personnel qualification, cleanroom inspection, and CDSCO Sugam portal filings.
Under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, no person shall manufacture cosmetics for sale without a valid Manufacturing License (Form COS-8) or Loan License (Form COS-9) issued by the State Licensing Authority (SLA), nor import cosmetics without an Import Registration Certificate (Form COS-2) issued by the CDSCO.
- State Licensing Authority (SLA) Manufacturing License in Form COS-8 / Loan License (COS-9)
- CDSCO Central Import Registration Certificate in Form COS-2 for overseas beauty brands
- Factory layout design, cleanroom zoning, and testing laboratory setup per Schedule M-II
- Bureau of Indian Standards (IS Code) compliance and heavy metal/microbial test verification
Why Choose Cosmetic Manufacturing & Import License (CDSCO & State SLA)?
Manufacturing or selling cosmetics without a valid statutory license attracts criminal prosecution, product seizure, and imprisonment up to 3 years under Section 27A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
Legally Manufacture & Contract-Pack Cosmetics
Manufacture skincare, haircare, baby products, makeup, soaps, and perfumes in your own or third-party facilities.
Import Global Beauty Brands into India (Form COS-2)
Act as the Authorized Indian Agent to legally import and distribute international cosmetic brands across India.
Third-Party Private Label & Loan Licensing
Set up loan licensing (Form COS-9) to manufacture your branded cosmetics in certified third-party manufacturing plants.
Instant Listing on E-Commerce & Retail Stores
Fulfill mandatory regulatory licensing criteria required by Nykaa, Amazon, Flipkart, Sephora, and retail pharmacy chains.
100% Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Conformity
Ensure all formulations adhere strictly to IS standards (IS 4707 Part 1 & 2) regarding permitted dyes, pigments, and ingredients.
Turnkey Departmental & Lab Handholding
Our regulatory team handles qualified technical staff approvals, factory inspections, and CDSCO portal submissions.
Comprehensive Cosmetic Manufacturing & Import License (CDSCO & State SLA) Offerings
Our cosmetic licensing advisory covers domestic manufacturing, loan licensing, and central import registration.
1. Cosmetic Manufacturing License (Form COS-8)
- Filing application in Form COS-5 before the State Licensing Authority (State FDA / Drug Controller)
- Factory blueprint layout design with designated weighing, compounding, filling, and testing zones
- Approval of qualified Technical Staff (Government Approved Manufacturing & Analytical Chemists)
- Joint factory inspection by Drug Inspector and grant of manufacturing license in Form COS-8 (valid for 5 years)
2. Cosmetic Loan License (Form COS-9)
- Filing application in Form COS-6 for brands utilizing third-party manufacturing plants
- Drafting Master Manufacturing Agreement and Quality Agreement with licensed host facility
- Product formulation dossier preparation, batch records, and label compliance
- Grant of Loan License in Form COS-9 authorizing private label manufacturing
3. CDSCO Cosmetic Import Registration (Form COS-2)
- Filing application in Form COS-1 on CDSCO Sugam / CDSCO Cosmetic portal
- Power of Attorney (PoA) execution appointing Authorized Indian Agent (AIA)
- Free Sale Certificate (FSC) / Certificate of Free Manufacture from National Regulatory Authority of origin
- Issuance of official Import Registration Certificate in Form COS-2 for overseas brands
4. Labeling Compliance & BIS Standards (IS 4707)
- Label compliance per Chapter VI of Cosmetics Rules 2020 (ingredients, batch, mfg date, manufacturing address)
- Declaration of 26 fragrance allergens, net contents, and statutory warning statements
- Screening formulations against Annex A (prohibited substances) and Annex B (permitted colors)
- Annual retention fee management and product variant endorsements
Step-by-Step Cosmetic Manufacturing & Import License (CDSCO & State SLA) Execution Process
Step 1: Facility Blueprint & Formulation Audit
Reviewing plant architectural layout, machinery capacity, formulation BOM, and technical chemist credentials.
Step 2: Technical Staff Approval & File Compilation
Submitting chemist degrees (B.Pharm / B.Sc Chemistry) for approval and drafting standard operating procedures.
Step 3: Filing on State FDA / CDSCO Portal
Submitting electronic application in Form COS-5 (Manufacturing) or Form COS-1 (Import) with statutory fees.
Step 4: Factory Physical Inspection by Drug Inspector
Drug Inspector conducts physical plant inspection, verifies cleanroom zoning, machinery, and draws sample batches.
Step 5: Grant of Cosmetic License (Form COS-8 / COS-2)
State Licensing Authority / CDSCO issues official Cosmetic License valid for 5 years.
Documents Required for Cosmetic Manufacturing & Import License (CDSCO & State SLA)
Premises & Plant Dossier
- Approved Factory Layout: Plant blueprint showing segregated raw material, manufacturing, packaging, and QA/QC laboratory zones
- Proof of Premises: Registered lease deed or factory ownership title deed and industrial electricity bill
- Pollution Clearance: State Pollution Control Board Consent to Operate (CTO)
- Machinery List: Itemized list of SS316 mixing tanks, homogenizers, filling machines, and labeling lines
Qualified Technical Chemists Dossier
- Manufacturing Chemist: Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Chemistry (B.Sc) with 2+ years approved cosmetic manufacturing experience
- Analytical / Testing Chemist: Degree in Science/Pharmacy with approved experience in testing cosmetics
- Chemist Appointment & Consent: Appointment letters, joining reports, and affidavit of full-time employment
- Chemist Qualification Proofs: Degree certificates, university marksheets, experience certificates, and registration
Product Formulations & Testing Dossier
- Product Master Formula: Quantitative master formulation breakdown (100% BOM) and manufacturing process flowchart
- BIS Compliance Undertaking: Declaration confirming compliance with IS 4707 Part 1 & 2 and IS 6608 standards
- Package Label Artwork: Final packaging artwork with mandatory statutory disclosures in English/Hindi
- Microbial & Stability Data: Preservative challenge test (PET) and accelerated stability study data
Why Choose Lawful Journey?
Senior CS & Advocate Leadership
Direct supervision by qualified Company Secretaries and corporate advocates with 15+ years of specialized experience in statutory compliance, certification, and corporate law.
Pre-Filing Quality Review
Structured document reviews help identify missing information, inconsistencies, and filing risks before submission to the relevant authority.
Fast-Track Turnaround
Streamlined internal workflows, digital portal filing acceleration, and dedicated case managers keeping you updated at every single milestone.
End-to-End Confidentiality
Bank-grade data confidentiality and legally binding NDAs protecting your business records, proprietary technical data, and corporate filings.
Transparent Fixed Pricing
Clear, all-inclusive professional fees without hidden charges or surprise surcharges. Complete clarity before filing begins.
Post-Approval Support
Ongoing compliance tracking, annual renewal reminders, statutory register updates, and dedicated helpline for all future legal requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
A Manufacturing License (Form COS-8) is issued to a business that owns or leases a physical factory with manufacturing machinery. A Loan License (Form COS-9) is issued to a brand that does not own a factory but utilizes the spare manufacturing capacity of another licensed facility.
-
Under the Cosmetics Rules 2020, an approved manufacturing/testing chemist must hold: (1) A degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm), OR (2) A degree with Chemistry as a principal subject (B.Sc/M.Sc), with at least 1-2 years of practical experience in cosmetic manufacturing/testing.
-
Yes. Under the Cosmetics Rules 2020, all imported cosmetics must be registered with the CDSCO by obtaining an Import Registration Certificate in Form COS-2 through an Authorized Indian Agent.
-
A Cosmetic Manufacturing License (Form COS-8) and Import Registration Certificate (Form COS-2) are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance, subject to payment of annual retention fees.
-
No. India has completely banned animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules. Importers must provide an official declaration confirming that the product was not tested on animals.
Ready to Get Started with Cosmetic Manufacturing & Import License (CDSCO & State SLA)?
Schedule a confidential consultation with our Senior Company Secretaries and Legal Advisors. We provide strategic guidance, document preparation, and fast-track execution.
Call: +91 99102 18035 Chat on WhatsApp