INTRODUCTION

India’s cosmetic market is booming. From herbal skin creams and ayurvedic hair oils to high-end serums and imported perfumes, consumer demand is rising every year. But before any product touches the shelves, there is a legal checkpoint every manufacturer must cross: obtaining a cosmetics manufacturing license in India.

This license is not just another certificate—it is the government’s way of ensuring that the cream someone applies on their face, or the shampoo they wash their hair with, is safe, effective, and manufactured under hygienic conditions. Without it, even the most innovative cosmetic product remains illegal.

In this detailed guide, we’ll unpack the entire journey: why the license is needed, who issues it, what documents are required, and the steps to get cosmetics manufacturing license India CDSCO. We’ll also explore the penalties of ignoring compliance, explain how Lawfinity helps entrepreneurs simplify the maze, and end with musings that highlight the bigger picture behind all this paperwork.

WHY SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED?

Every cosmetic product you see in the market—from a lip balm to an anti-dandruff lotion—directly interacts with the human body. Poorly formulated cosmetics can lead to allergies, rashes, infections, or even long-term health issues.

That is why the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the updated Cosmetics Rules, 2020, made licensing compulsory. These rules ensure:

Consumer safety: No harmful or banned ingredients should be used.
Quality control: Each batch of cosmetics must pass safety and quality checks.
Transparency: Proper labeling and testing prevent false claims.
Market trust: A license signals professionalism to distributors, retailers, and investors.

In short, the license is a bridge of trust between a cosmetic entrepreneur and the consumer. It tells the customer: This product is tested, regulated, and safe to use.

WHO ISSUES SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE?

Licensing is a shared responsibility in India:

The State Licensing Authority (SLA), usually the State Drug Controller or State FDA, grants the actual manufacturing license in Form COS-8 (own unit) or COS-9 (loan license).
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is the umbrella body. It sets nationwide standards, monitors imports, and issues Import Registration Certificates (COS-1 & COS-2).
For imports, CDSCO is directly involved, but for local manufacturing, the SLA issues the license under CDSCO’s oversight.

So, if you are setting up a factory in Maharashtra or Delhi, your application goes to the state FDA, but it still complies with CDSCO’s framework. For this reason, many refer to themselves as CDSCO cosmetic manufacturer, even though the actual license comes from the state.

ELIGIBILITY AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE

Getting a cosmetics manufacturing license India requires both eligibility criteria and a heavy list of documents.

Eligibility Conditions

Manufacturing Premises: Must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) outlined in Schedule 7. This includes hygienic floors, ventilation, waste disposal, and proper storage.
Qualified Technical Staff: At least one full-time technical person with:
- Diploma in Pharmacy, OR
- Bachelor of Pharmacy, OR
- Bachelor in Cosmetic Technology, OR
- Equivalent qualification in Chemistry.
Testing Infrastructure: Either an in-house laboratory with proper equipment and trained staff, or a tie-up with a NABL-accredited lab.
Separate Areas: Production, packaging, and storage must have dedicated spaces to avoid cross-contamination.

Required Documents

Application Form: COS-5 (for new manufacturing license), COS-6 (for loan/contract manufacturing).
Fee Payment Receipt: As per Third Schedule, submitted through Bharatkosh or state portal.
Ownership/Rental Proof of Premises with approved plant layout.
List of Machinery and Equipment with SOPs.
Details of Technical Staff: Educational qualifications, experience letters, joining consent.
Product List and Formulations to be manufactured.
Draft Labels and Packaging Designs complying with labeling rules.
NOCs: Pollution Control Board, Fire Department, and local municipal authorities if applicable.
Quality Control Arrangements: Either in-house or outsourced contract with an accredited lab.
Undertaking declaring compliance with Cosmetics Rules, including non-animal testing and heavy metal restrictions.

Without these documents, the application is incomplete and risks rejection.

STEPS TO GET COSMETICS MANUFACTURING LICENSE INDIA CDSCO

Here’s a structured pathway most applicants follow:

Preparation Stage:
- Study the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
- Ensure the premises, staff, and equipment meet standards.
Filling Application Form:
- Submit Form COS-5 for your own unit or COS-6 for loan manufacturing.
- Attach all required documents.
Payment of Fees:
- Fees vary depending on product lines and state requirements.
- Payments are made online via Bharatkosh or state treasury systems.
Document Scrutiny:
- The Licensing Authority verifies documents within about 45 days.
- Queries or deficiencies may be raised.
Site Inspection:
- An inspector visits your premises within 30 days to check GMP compliance.
- Any gap found must be rectified before approval.
License Grant:
- If satisfied, the SLA issues COS-8 (manufacturing) or COS-9 (loan).
- In some states, digital licenses are uploaded online for transparency.
Post-Approval Compliance:
- Upload license details on CDSCO portal.
- Pay retention fees every 5 years to keep the license valid.

This journey takes roughly 2–3 months if documents are complete. Delays happen mostly due to missing paperwork or inspection failures.

PENALTY FOR OPERATING WITHOUT SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE

Manufacturing cosmetics without a license is a punishable offence. The consequences can be severe:

Immediate Seizure of stock and closure of factory.
Legal Prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, leading to fines and imprisonment.
Product Recalls and cancellation of distribution agreements.
Reputational Loss, making it hard to rebuild consumer trust.

Authorities are becoming stricter since the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 came into force. For entrepreneurs, skipping the license is simply not worth the risk.

HOW LAWFINITY SIMPLIFIES SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE PROCEDURE?

At Lawfinity, we understand that navigating government portals, compiling endless documents, and dealing with inspections can feel overwhelming for entrepreneurs. Many of our clients say the same thing: “I want to focus on my product, not on paperwork.” That’s exactly where we step in—making the licensing process stress-free and efficient.

Here’s how we simplify the journey for you:

Eligibility Check: We begin by assessing your business model and manufacturing setup to confirm whether you qualify for a COS-8 license (own unit) or COS-9 license (loan manufacturing). This saves you from filing the wrong application and facing unnecessary delays.
Document Preparation: Missing or incorrectly formatted documents are the biggest reason for rejection. Our experts create a personalized checklist, prepare your paperwork in the exact format required by the State Licensing Authority (SLA), and address compliance gaps before submission.
Application Filing: Filing Form COS-5 or COS-6 correctly is crucial. We handle the entire filing process—right from attaching fee receipts to ensuring all annexures are included—so you don’t lose time to clerical errors.
Inspection Support: Before the SLA inspection, our team audits your premises. We guide you on hygiene standards, equipment calibration, storage facilities, and documentation so that you’re inspection-ready on the first go.
Authority Liaison: If the authority raises queries, we take charge of drafting replies, clarifying objections, and ensuring smooth communication until the license is approved.
Retention Alerts: Licenses are perpetual but require retention fee payments every 5 years. We track deadlines for you and send timely reminders so your license never lapses.

In short, Lawfinity acts as your compliance partner—removing the stress of legal procedures so you can focus on creating safe, high-quality cosmetics.

In short, Lawfinity is not just a consultant—it’s your compliance partner.

MUSINGS FROM THE AUTHOR’S INK

When you strip away the forms, the inspections, and the legal jargon, what remains is something very human—trust. The cosmetics manufacturing license India is not a barrier to business; it is a promise to the consumer.

I have seen startups feel suffocated by paperwork, yet the same startups proudly frame their first license on the office wall. That paper is more than permission—it is credibility. It tells customers, distributors, and even investors that this brand is not just passionate but also professional.

Yes, the process can be slow, sometimes frustrating. But imagine the alternative—a marketplace flooded with unsafe creams and fake serums. Licensing is the filter that protects both consumers and genuine entrepreneurs.

So my advice is simple: don’t treat compliance as a roadblock, treat it as the foundation stone of your brand. Because in the long run, a license doesn’t just protect your product—it protects your reputation.