New Delhi, Sep 24 : Shraddha Srivastava, Assistant Drugs Controller (I), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), on Friday said in view of cosmetics becoming a part of daily use across all sections of society, irrespective of age, gender, and location, it was mandatory to set certain regulations that would benefit not only the consumers but also the manufacturers.
Addressing a session on Opportunities to de novo Indian Cosmetics Regulations – Steps towards International Harmonization at FICCI MASSMERIZE- FMCG and Retail RESILIENCE, Ms Srivastava said as per government regulations there was a thin line between drugs and cosmetics and hence a well-informed policy and rules were the need of the hour, be it for the industry, consumer or the government.
She said the CDSCO prepared and published the revised Cosmetics Rules 2020 under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 after years of deliberation and discussions with various stakeholders, consumers, and industry, both domestic and international.
“It is the result of aspirations and requirements of both the cosmetics industry as well as consumers,” she said, adding the CDSCO tried to maintain business continuity of the cosmetics industry even during the pandemic.
Speaking at the event, Narender Ahooja Vivek, State Drug Controller of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Government of Haryana, said, “The most important stakeholder in the entire chain is not the manufacturer or the owner or even the regulator, it is the end user or the consumer of the product. The end user is not always aware of the safety or efficacy of the products that they use. Therefore, the total onus of providing efficacious and safe cosmetics is on regulators, manufacturers, and the marketer – the brand name holder.”
Mr Vivek said cosmetics stood on four pillars – cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, and for altering appearances.
“No cosmetic should claim anything that crosses the lines set by these four pillars and enter into the field of drugs. Cosmetics manufacturers should refrain from making tall claims from a marketing point of view as these are prohibited in rules laid down by the CDSCO,” he said.
Dr Sonal Shidhore, Director, Regulatory Affairs, Johnson and Johnson Pvt Ltd, said though there were several challenges faced by the cosmetic industry, the aim was to provide quality products to the end users.
Sumeet S Jaiswal, Head – Regulatory and Business Affairs, South Asia, Oriflame, said the implementation of a separate and dedicated cosmetic rules was an important and fundamental decision for the industry to overcome various challenges that it had been facing.
Dr Manas Vyas, Head, Regulatory Affairs and Operations at Colgate Palmolive (India) Ltd, said, “Cosmetic is a dynamic industry where the pace of innovation is fast and changes in consumer preferences are faster.”(UNI)