What India bans vs what the world bans in skincare

Skincare and beauty products are significant in our daily lives, ensuring their safety. Regulations can vary across countries. We will explore and compare the regulations concerning beauty products in India and international markets. Understanding these differences will empower consumers to make informed decisions and prioritize their health.

Regulatory Framework: 

A. Indian Regulations: 

India's regulatory framework for beauty products primarily involves the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). In addition, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Cosmetic Rules 2020 govern the safety and labelling requirements for cosmetic products in India.

B. International Regulations: 

Several countries have established stringent regulations to ensure the safety of beauty products. Notable examples include the European Union (EU) regulations governed by the European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, the regulations of the United States (US) governed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the regulations in South Korea governed by the Korean Cosmetic Products Act.

Ingredient Safety Assessments: 

A. Indian Approach: 

In India, beauty product ingredients undergo evaluation through a positive list system, which consists of a restricted list of approved ingredients for skincare and beauty products. The CDSCO requires pre-market approval and safety assessments for cosmetic products. Post-market surveillance systems monitor and report adverse reactions.

B. International Standards: 

Internationally, regulatory agencies employ various approaches to ensure ingredient safety. The EU follows the precautionary principle, which places the burden of proof on manufacturers to demonstrate the safety of their products. The FDA in the US has established the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list for ingredients, and safety assessments may include in vitro, in vivo, and alternative testing methods.

Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients: 

A. Banned Ingredients: 

Certain ingredients are strictly prohibited in beauty products due to their potential risks. Examples include mercury and its compounds, hydroquinone, and lead acetate.

B. Restricted Ingredients: 

Several countries restrict certain ingredients due to safety concerns. These include parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Europe, the United States, India, China, South Korea, Canada, Japan, Australia, 

Ingredient Labeling and Transparency: 

A. Indian Requirements: 

India mandates the labelling of ingredients on beauty product packaging. The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) requirements are often followed for ingredient labelling.

B. International Requirements: 

Internationally, labelling requirements may vary. The EU has its own set of INCI labelling requirements, and the FDA in the US provides guidelines for ingredient labelling.

European Union (EU):

• The EU has its own labelling requirements, including using INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names. Ingredients need to be listed on the product label using their INCI names.

• Allergenic ingredients, such as certain fragrance components, must be indicated on the label if they exceed specific concentration thresholds.

United States (FDA):

• The FDA provides guidelines for ingredient labelling in the US. Ingredients should be listed using their common or usual names rather than INCI names.

• Ingredients with concentration levels below 1% can be listed in any order, while ingredients with concentrations above 1% must be listed in descending order of concentration.

• Colour additives used in cosmetics must be listed by their specific colour name (e.g., CI 77491 for Iron Oxide Red).

Canada:

• In Canada, skincare products must list ingredients using their common or usual names.

• Allergenic fragrance ingredients must be declared on the label if they exceed certain concentration thresholds.

• Bilingual labelling is required for products sold in Canada, with both English and French languages represented.

Australia:

• Skincare products in Australia are required to list ingredients using their common or usual names.

• The product must be declared on the label if it contains certain allergenic fragrances.

• The Australian labelling standards also require a list of specific preservatives to be included on the label if they are present in the product.

Consumer Awareness and Advocacy: 

A. Indian Consumer Awareness: 

Consumer organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are vital in raising awareness among Indian consumers regarding ingredient safety. Educating consumers about potential risks and safer alternatives is crucial for making informed choices. 

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, regulates cosmetics and ensures their safety in India. CDSCO formulates regulations and guidelines for the manufacturing, importing, and selling of cosmetics in the country. In addition, they ensure that skincare products adhere to safety standards, including ingredient safety.

B. International Consumer Advocacy: 

Consumer advocacy groups and organisations actively promote safety in various countries and advocate for stricter regulations. European consumer organizations, for instance, actively monitor and influence cosmetics regulations in the EU. In addition, the FDA in the US provides resources and reporting mechanisms for consumers to raise concerns and report adverse reactions.

Regulations governing beauty product ingredients differ between Indian and international markets. India has its own regulations, enforced by the FDA and CDSCO, while countries like the EU and the US have their respective frameworks. Consumers must be aware of these variations and make informed decisions.

Are There Any Loopholes in International and National Systems When It Comes to Approving Beauty Products?

When comparing Indian and international regulations on beauty product ingredients, it is essential to note that both systems have strengths and weaknesses. While efforts have been made to ensure the safety and quality of beauty products, some loopholes in national and international regulations still need to be addressed.

National System:

In the Indian context, the regulatory framework for beauty product ingredients primarily relies on the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules of 1945. These regulations provide guidelines for manufacturing, selling, and importing cosmetics in India. However, there are certain limitations and loopholes in the Indian system.

One significant loophole is the limited scope of banned and restricted ingredients. 

• The current Indian regulations do not encompass a comprehensive list of prohibited or restricted ingredients, leaving room for the use of potentially harmful substances in beauty products. 

• While certain ingredients, such as mercury compounds, hydroquinone, and lead, are banned, the regulations do not address other potentially harmful substances.

Another loophole lies in the lack of mandatory pre-market approval for beauty products.

• Unlike some international regulatory systems, India does not require cosmetic manufacturers to obtain pre-market approval before selling their products.

• This means that beauty products can enter the Indian market without undergoing rigorous safety assessments, potentially posing risks to consumer health.

Additionally, the regulatory authorities in India face challenges in terms of inadequate resources and a limited workforce. 

• This can result in a lack of comprehensive testing and monitoring of beauty product ingredients. 

• The responsibility for testing and ensuring the safety of cosmetic products often falls on manufacturers themselves, which can lead to self-regulation and potential conflicts of interest.

International System:

Certain loopholes in regulations governing beauty product ingredients exist on the international front. 

• One notable example is using "fragrance" as a generic term on ingredient labels. 

• International regulations often allow cosmetic manufacturers to use this term to protect their proprietary fragrance formulations. 

• However, this lack of transparency can be problematic for consumers with allergies or sensitivities to specific fragrance ingredients.

Another concern is the need to harmonize ingredient regulations among different countries. 

• Each country has its regulatory standards, which can create challenges for multinational companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. 

• The lack of harmonization may result in variations in product formulations, leading to confusion and potential discrepancies in safety standards.

• Furthermore, the international regulatory framework often relies on a post-market surveillance system, where products are monitored for adverse effects after they have been placed on the market. 

• This reactive approach means potentially harmful products can enter the market before any adverse effects are identified and addressed.

There have been ongoing efforts in India and internationally to address these loopholes to strengthen regulatory frameworks. In India, the government has proposed amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules to enhance the safety of cosmetics. These amendments include expanding the list of banned and restricted ingredients and introducing a mandatory registration process for cosmetic manufacturers.

At the international level, there have been initiatives to improve ingredient regulations. For example, the European Union's Cosmetic Regulation sets strict guidelines for ingredient safety, including a comprehensive list of banned and restricted substances. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also regulates cosmetics, although the FDA's authority is more limited compared to other product categories it oversees.