Procedure for Licence to Manufacture Cosmetics for Sale and Distribution

Deepti Mudgal

Deepti Mudgal

Published on: Mar 26, 2026

Shatakshi Sharma

Updated on: Mar 26, 2026

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Introduction

A license is required to manufacture cosmetics for sale and distribution as it provides essential consumer protection, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and maintains market integrity by ensuring products are safe, properly labelled, and consistently produced according to strict quality standards.

Applicability Provisions

Rules 23, 25, 26 of Cosmetic Rules, 2020

WHO CAN APPLY?

• Holds a Diploma in Pharmacy approved by the Pharmacy Council of India under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 (8 of 1948)
• Is registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1948 (8 of 1948)
• Has passed the Intermediate Examination with Chemistry as one of the subjects or an examination recognised by the Licensing Authority as equivalent to it.
• Holds a bachelor degree in Cosmetic Technology from recognized university.

The above qualifications refer to the competent technical staff required for supervision of manufacture; the applicant may be an individual, firm, or company.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Self-declaration in Form COS-7 conforming compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices, requirements of premises, plants and equipment for manufacture of cosmetics
• Documents in respect of the ownership or occupation on rental or other basis of the premises, specified in the application for license or in the license granted
• Constitution of the firm
• Any other document that may be required for verifying the correctness of the statements made by the applicant or the licensee, while applying for or after obtaining the license as the case may be.

PROCEDURE

Applicant shall apply for licence to Manufacture Cosmetics for Sale and Distribution in Form COS-5 on the online portal of the Central/State Licensing Authority, as applicable, along with the prescribed fee and required documents and then upon satisfaction after inspection of the site is completed a receipt will issued through Form COS-10, the licensing authority will issue the license through Form COS-8.

RENEWAL

Licence or loan licence issued in Form COS-8 or Form COS-9 does not require a separate renewal application and shall continue to remain in force subject to payment of retention fee as specified in the Third Schedule at intervals of five years from the date of its issue, unless it is suspended or cancelled by the State Licensing Authority.

PROCEDURE

The licence shall remain valid perpetually, subject to payment of retention fee every five years, with applicable late fees for delayed payment.