If you thought kajal or kohl, liquid foundation and face packs in your prized vanity box were cosmetics, you need to rethink. Technically, they were not cosmetics. For that matter, even the cold wax hair remover, oxidation hair dyes (emulsion type) and bleaching cream too did not qualify to be called ‘cosmetics.’
It’s only now that the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), highest decision-making body of the Union Health Ministry, has decided to bring them under Schedule S of the Drugs and Cosmetics rules, 1945, making them a “cosmetic”.
Henceforth, their quality and safety will be regulated and licences will be mandatory for their production and sale. In January, the Government published a draft notification to bring Sindoor under cosmetic category after getting the nod from the DTAB.
At present, there are 29 cosmetics under the
Schedule S of the Rules, said sources in the Ministry. The import of these beauty products is allowed subject to their conforming to the Indian standards.
The Schedule S of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules stipulate the list of cosmetics that need to conform to the Bureau
of Indian Standards’ (BIS) norms. It specifies the amount of heavy metal like lead and arsenic that can be used for manufacturing.
The aim is to streamline the sector and crack down on the cosmetic products containing toxic chemicals and ingredients being sold in the market. “There have been cases where such cosmetics have caused rashes and allergy to the users. The move bids to contain the side effects of cosmetics on health of the people. In case of any violation, the manufacturer can be taken to the task,” said the sources.
They further said that “the matter was considered in the 45th meeting of the Drug Consultative panel recently which had recommended that the Schedule S of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules may be amended to include the said cosmetics along with their standards for the purpose of regulating their quality.”
Subsequently, the DTAB after deliberation agreed to the recommendations, the sources added.