India Tightens Rules for Hair Colour Product Safety

India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has issued a directive to hair colour product manufacturers and importers, demanding strict adherence to safety standards. This action, communicated via a circular on June 10, requires companies to comply with the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, and relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms.

The focus is on ensuring that ingredients used in hair dyes are safe and that any restricted substances are handled appropriately. Companies must guarantee that product labels provide essential consumer information, including mandatory caution statements and instructions for patch tests to alert users to potential allergic reactions.

This regulatory push underscores the growing attention on cosmetic product safety in the country. Manufacturers are now responsible for ensuring that products already available on the market meet these prescribed standards. The directive is expected to prompt a review of product formulations, packaging, and consumer information across the rapidly growing hair colour market in India.