Overview
- CDSCO issued a public notice on Monday that products supplied in injectable form do not qualify as cosmetics and must not be used as injections by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics.
- The regulator relied on the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 definition that limits cosmetics to articles rubbed, poured, sprinkled, sprayed, or otherwise applied externally to the body.
- The notice warns that using prohibited or restricted ingredients, making false or misleading claims, or altering manufacturer labels can trigger action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
- CDSCO cited the Bureau of Indian Standards lists for 'Generally Not Recognised as Safe' and restricted ingredients and urged the public to report suspected violations to CDSCO or state licensing authorities.
- The clarification responds to the rapid growth in injectable aesthetic treatments sold in beauty and wellness outlets and could prompt clinics to stop offering unapproved injectables and increase regulatory inspections and enforcement.