Skincare Labelling in India: Cosmetics Rules 2020 Basics for Private Label Brands

Skincare sold in India must be labelled under the Cosmetics Rules 2020 and the packaged commodity rules. In broad terms, labels carry the product name, manufacturer name and address, the manufacturing licence number, an ingredient list, batch number, date of manufacture, a use-before date, net quantity, marketer details where different, retail price, consumer care details and any warnings. Ask a regulatory adviser to check final artwork.

Labelling errors are one of the most common reasons private label launches are delayed: a missing licence number, an expiry format a marketplace rejects, or a claim that slipped in during design. As a skincare manufacturer in India holding a state FDA cosmetic manufacturing licence, Harrods Health supplies the manufacturing details that must appear on your label. This guide gives a plain-English overview of what typically goes on a skincare label in India. It is general information, not legal advice, and the rules are amended from time to time.

The legal framework in brief

Cosmetics in India are regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, which cover manufacture, import, labelling and standards. Pre-packaged products are also subject to legal metrology rules for packaged commodities, which govern declarations such as net quantity and retail sale price. Advertising and marketing claims are additionally subject to consumer protection law and advertising standards. Brand owners, manufacturers and marketplaces all look at labels through these lenses.

What typically appears on a skincare label in India

Element	What it means in practice
Name of the product	A clear product name and, where it is not obvious, what the product is
Manufacturer name and address	The licensed facility that made the product
Manufacturing licence number	The licence number of the manufacturing site, as issued by the state licensing authority
Ingredient list	Ingredients listed in descending order of weight or volume, using recognised names
Batch number	Identifies the production batch for traceability and recalls
Date of manufacture	Month and year the product was made
Use-before or expiry date	Month and year by which the product should be used
Net quantity	Declared by weight or volume in standard units
Marketer details	Name and address of the brand owner or marketer, where different from the manufacturer
Retail sale price	Maximum retail price inclusive of taxes, as required for packaged goods
Consumer care details	Contact information for complaints or queries
Directions and warnings	How to use the product safely and any cautions required for its ingredients or type

Where the immediate container is too small to carry everything, some information may be placed on the outer carton or a leaflet, within the limits the rules allow. Imported cosmetics carry additional requirements, such as import registration details and the importer's name and address.

Manufacturer and marketer: getting the wording right

Private label products usually carry two parties: the manufacturer and the brand that markets the product. Labels commonly use phrases such as "Manufactured by" followed by the manufacturing facility's details and licence number, and "Marketed by" followed by the brand owner's details. Both should be accurate and consistent with your agreements and with marketplace listings. Harrods Health provides the manufacturing name, address and licence number for your artwork.

Ingredient lists

Ingredient lists are typically written in descending order of concentration, with ingredients at low levels sometimes listed in any order after those present at higher levels. Many brands use International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names, which also helps with export. Fragrance is often declared as "fragrance" or "parfum", though some markets require certain fragrance allergens to be named. Check that the list on your artwork matches the final production formula exactly; any later change to fragrance, colour or a raw material can change the list.

Dates, batch and net quantity

• Batch number – generated at production; leave a clear, printable space on the pack for it.
• Manufacturing and use-before dates – usually printed or coded at filling, not on the pre-printed artwork. The shelf life should be supported by stability data; see our guide to stability and compatibility testing.
• Net quantity – declared in standard metric units, with legibility and size requirements depending on pack size.

Coordinate early which elements are pre-printed and which are coded on the line, because this affects label design and where blank space is needed.

Legibility and design

Mandatory information should be legible, durable and not hidden by folds, seams or shrink sleeves. Very small fonts, low-contrast colours and metallic inks on reflective surfaces are common problems on premium skincare. Print a physical proof on the actual pack before approving a large label run.

BIS standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards publishes standards for various cosmetic product categories and raw materials, and the Cosmetics Rules refer to such standards for product quality. Whether and how a particular standard applies depends on the product category, so confirm the relevant standard for your products with your manufacturer and regulatory adviser.

Claims to avoid on Indian skincare labels

• Claims to treat, prevent or heal any disease or condition, which may bring the product under drug rules or other legislation.
• Claims that the product changes skin colour, such as lightening or complexion-altering promises, which advertising guidelines in India specifically discourage.
• Endorsement claims by doctors or professionals that you cannot substantiate.
• Absolute claims, such as "100% safe" or "chemical-free".
• Percentage claims that do not match the formula.
• Comparisons that disparage other products.

Our guide to active ingredient and percentage claims explains cosmetic versus drug claims and substantiation in more depth.

Practical artwork checklist

1. Confirm the final formula and generate the ingredient list from it.
2. Collect manufacturer name, address and licence number from your manufacturer.
3. Add marketer name, address and consumer care details.
4. Agree which details are pre-printed and which are coded at filling.
5. Check net quantity and retail price declarations against packaged commodity rules.
6. Review every claim against your evidence file.
7. Check marketplace-specific requirements, which can be stricter than the law in some respects.
8. Have a regulatory adviser review the final artwork before printing.

For export, labels follow the destination's rules instead; see our guide to exporting skincare from India.

How Harrods Health supports labelling

We supply manufacturing details, finalised ingredient lists for your formula, and batch and date coding at filling. Our facility is ISO certified and GMP-compliant, holds a state FDA cosmetic manufacturing licence and an AYUSH licence, is Halal certified and is a US FDA registered facility; see our quality certifications. Test reports are available on request, and a single account manager coordinates artwork inputs with packing and dispatch to warehouses, marketplaces or export ports; see fulfilment and export.

Frequently asked questions

Does my private label skincare label need the manufacturer's licence number?

Yes. Cosmetics made in India typically carry the manufacturer's name, address and manufacturing licence number. Your manufacturer provides these details for your artwork.

Can my brand name appear as the marketer?

Yes. Private label products usually show the manufacturer's details alongside the brand owner as the marketer. Both should be accurate and consistent with your agreements.

Are BIS standards mandatory for skincare?

The Cosmetics Rules refer to Indian standards for product quality, and applicability depends on the product category. Confirm the relevant standard for each product with your manufacturer and a regulatory adviser.

Who checks that my label is compliant?

The brand that markets the product is responsible for its label. Your manufacturer supplies the manufacturing details and ingredient list, and a regulatory adviser should review final artwork before printing.

Preparing artwork for launch? Work with our private label skincare manufacturing team on the details your label needs.