INTRODUCTION

As far as the Indian cosmetics industry is concerned, the industry is governed as per the provisions of the ‘Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940’ and the ‘Cosmetics Rules, 2020’ and the Ninth Schedule is of utmost importance. The provisions of the Ninth Schedule set technical standards for cosmetics in finished form and state that no cosmetic product can be sold in India without first meeting all standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Since the cosmetics market in India is set to grow, sticking to the standards set in the Ninth Schedule cosmetics India is no longer optional. The products that fall under the Ninth Schedule cover nearly all daily use items: skin creams, shampoos, nail polish, soaps for babies, and kajal to mention but a few. More importantly, the Schedule is dynamic.

Cosmetic manufacturers, importers, and marketers need to be well-informed about the provisions of the Ninth Schedule so that they can avoid unnecessary hurdles, product recalls as well as penalties. For the consumer, the Ninth Schedule acts as a ‘shield of trust’ guaranteeing the safety, reliability, and quality of the products being marketed.

WHAT IS THE NINTH SCHEDULE?

The Ninth Schedule under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 is a legal framework that prescribes the technical standards for cosmetics in finished form in India. It lists out specific Indian Standards (IS codes) developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that every cosmetic product must follow before being sold in the market.

WHY IS THE 9TH SCHEDULE IMPORTANT?

The Ninth Schedule is a hugely important part of Japan’s cosmetic regulatory framework because it forms the basis of the technical standards for every cosmetic product manufactured and sold in the country. Though its importance is wide-ranging and can be understood in four points.

Ensuring Consumer Safety: Cosmetics such as creams and lotions are integral for maintaining beauty. However, if a product is poorly made, it can lead to skin rashes and in the worst things it can do skin irreversible damages. The Ninth Schedule is designed to see that only the safe formulations that are certified by BIS reach the consumers.
Uniform Quality Standards: Before the Ninth Schedule, cosmetic quality varied widely across brands. Now, whether it’s a lipstick, shampoo, or baby soap, every product must meet minimum Indian Standards (IS codes). This creates trust and consistency in the market.
Global Trade & Imports: In the case of International cosmetic products being sold in India, adherence to the Ninth Schedule is a ‘must’. It aligns India’s cosmetic standards with the rest of the world, which facilitates easier export and import of products.
Up-To-Date and Dynamic: The Ninth Schedule is a unique because it is a dynamic piece of legislation which means that it changes. All standards set by the BIS which are updated or introduced, which is in the span of six months, are obligatory. This means that New Indian Standards are responsive to the changes and the latest innovations in safety research.

The Ninth Schedule is vital because it promotes public health, helps maintain consumer trust, and ensures fair competition between domestic and foreign manufacturers in India.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF SCHEDULE 9

Mandatory Compliance – Every cosmetic product must meet its corresponding BIS standards.
User Protection – Guarantees that cosmetics contain no harmful chemicals in unsafe concentrations and are safe for everyday use.
Revisions – Any newly published BIS standard, or any BIS standard that is changed, becomes automatic compliance after six months.
Broad Reach – Covers commonly used products, such as skin powders, hair oils, toothpastes, kajal, and even henna powders.

The Ninth Schedule cosmetics India Standards provides a standard for the safety and quality of cosmetics in India. It uniformly applies to both domestic and imported products, thus enhancing the consumer protective framework and the confidence in the cosmetic market.

NINTH SCHEDULE COSMETICS RULES INDIA REQUIREMENTS

In this case, the Ninth Schedule establishes some fundamental requirements that every category of cosmetics has to comply with, along with their dependent BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) codes.

The following cosmetics in finished form shall conform to the Indian Standards specifications laid down from time to time by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Skin Powders IS:3959
Skin Powder for infants IS:5339
Tooth Powder IS:5383
Toothpaste IS:6356
Skin Creams IS:6608
Hair Oils IS:7123
Shampoo, Soap – based IS:7669
Shampoo Specification IS:7884
Hair Creams IS:7679
Oxidation hair dyes, Liquid IS:8481
Cologne IS:8482
Nail Polish (Nail Enamel) IS:9245
Aftershave Lotion IS:9255
Pomades and Brilliantines IS:9339
Depilatories Chemicals IS:9636
Shaving Creams IS:9740
Cosmetic Pencils IS:9832
Lipstick IS:9875
Toilet Soap IS:2888
Liquid Toilet Soap IS:4199
Baby Toilet Soap IS:10523
Shaving Soap IS:5784
Transparent Toilet Soap IS:11303
Lipsalve IS:10284
Powder Hair Dye IS:10350
Bindi (Liquid) IS:10998
KumKum Powder IS:10999
Henna Powder IS:11142
Bathing Bars IS:13498
Sindoor IS:14649
Liquid foundation make-up IS:14318
Coldwax-Hair remover IS:15152
Face pack IS:15153
Kajal IS:15154
Oxidation Hair Dyes (Emulsion type) IS:15205
Cream Bleach IS:15608
Hair Shampoo for Babies- Specification IS:17117

Note: In case of any new or amended standards published by the Bureau of Indian Standards, the new or amended standards shall be mandatory to the cosmetics after six months from the date of publication.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

BIS Standards Compliance – Each cosmetic will meet the Indian Standard (Is) defined in the Ninth Schedule.
Automatic Modifications – If BIS makes an amendment, the new standard will be mandatory within the next six months.
Safety and Efficacy – Standards for raw materials, formulation and composition, packaging, labeling, shelf life, and limits of chemicals allowed.
Products for Infants and Babies – Specific IS codes, IS 5339 for infant skin powder and IS 17117 for baby shampoos, written for those products provide additional safety.
Dyes and Other Additives – Controlled by the Tenth Schedule, It has a direct link to the Ninth Schedule that deals with certain dyes one is allowed to use as per IS 4707.

To illustrate, a Lipstick will have to meet IS:9875 in terms of safety and quality, but the colors used will have to comply with IS:4707 (Part 1).

HOW DOES LAWFINITY MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER?

At Lawfinity, we realize that for entrepreneurs and international brands entering the Indian market, dealing with the Ninth Schedule cosmetics India standards compliance might be frustrating. We try to the best of our efforts to close the gap between business development and regulation.

We make compliance easy.

Eligibility Check – We assess what IS codes and product types apply to your business under the Ninth Schedule.
Paperwork Support – With the BIS conformity reports and compliance file, we give the maximum confidence for your ingredient and source list.
Product Testing and Safety Reports – We liaise with BIS recognized laboratories to do the safety assessment of cosmetics.
Label and Packaging Review – All the required information, warnings, dates of use and expiry, precautions, etc. that need to be incorporated onto the cosmetics packaging are checked for compliance with BIS and CDSCO packaging regulations.
Change Monitoring – We work with BIS so that you have access to the most recent information whenever you need it.
Company Registration – Submission of the applications to CDSCO and State Drug Licensing Authorities for the approved product is accompanied by necessary coordination for no time delays.

With Lawfinity, the compliance confidence barrier collapses and compliance act becomes a strategic business advantage, increasing confidence of the regulators and customers applies.

MUSING FROM THE AUTHOR'S INK

Having spent a considerable amount of time understanding regulatory frameworks, in my opinion, the Ninth Schedule is not a hurdle but a leap forward for the cosmetic industry in India.

Previously, India was lacking a comprehensive standard for the Indian cosmetic industry. Many products, with little or no benchmarks, invariably fell in the zone of poorly maintained quality. During those times, the Ninth Schedule cosmetics India changed all that. It aligned Indian cosmetics to the bliss of everyone by making BIS standards mandatory. This changed the Indian cosmetic industry by ensuring the safety, openness, and attention to the customer, which were the cornerstone of other countries.

If you look at the example from pharmaceuticals, no company is allowed to sell BIS certified products without going through a rigorous series of tests. For the same reason, cosmetics products must also be checked. These products border the skin and constitute the most sensitive areas—face, hair, skin, nails, and lips which makes it necessary to be responsible.

What most excites me is that the Ninth Schedule does not remain frozen. With every new amendment, Ninth Schedule is advancing the cosmetic standards of India. It opens new research and is ready to embrace safer products and new creative ideas. This is a credibility pass for new break-through entrepreneurs and a trust mark for consumers.

There is no other way to put it but to suggest that compliance is straightforward assessment. It is clearly, an example of marketing fundamental in silence.

The Ninth Schedule cosmetics India standards stand as the backbone of India’s cosmetic regulation, ensuring safety, quality, and uniformity across a diverse range of products. By tying cosmetic compliance directly to BIS specifications, India reinforces consumer trust while encouraging global brands to align with its safety ethos.

In the entrepreneurs' world, compliance is more than following the law, it is a competitive edge. With Lawfinity, these complex standards are effortless, allowing you to expand while we handle compliance.

In the end, cosmetics are more than beauty, they are science and safety and trust in a bottle. The Ninth Schedule ensures all three.