- India has amended the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rules to make vegetarian and non-vegetarian origin labelling mandatory for cosmetics and toiletries including soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste, effective this week.
- Products of vegetarian origin must display a green dot and those products with non-vegetarian ingredients, a red or brown dot, positioned at the top of the principal display panel, creating a new compliance requirement for all brands selling packaged beauty and personal care products in India.
India has introduced a significant new packaging regulation for the cosmetics and personal care industry, mandating vegetarian and non-vegetarian origin labelling on all packaged cosmetic and toiletry products sold in the country. The amendment, introduced by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs under the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rules 2011, came into effect this week and applies to a broad range of products including soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, and other packaged personal care items.
Under the new rules, products formulated using ingredients of vegetarian origin must display a green dot on their packaging, while products containing non-vegetarian derived ingredients must carry a red or brown dot. The symbol must be prominently positioned at the top of the principal display panel, ensuring clear visibility for consumers at the point of purchase. The requirement mirrors the vegetarian and non-vegetarian labelling system already familiar to Indian consumers from food and beverage packaging, extending that framework into the personal care category for the first time.
The regulation creates immediate and concrete compliance obligations for cosmetics and personal care manufacturers and brands operating in the Indian market. Companies are required to review the formulation and ingredient origin of every packaged product in their portfolio, accurately classify each as vegetarian or non-vegetarian, and update packaging accordingly. For brands with large product ranges or complex supply chains involving multiple ingredient suppliers, this classification exercise will require careful coordination between formulation, regulatory, and packaging teams.
The practical implications extend across the supply chain. Ingredient suppliers will need to provide clearer documentation of the animal or plant origin of their raw materials. Contract manufacturers producing formulations for multiple brands will need to ensure that origin classification is accurately communicated and reflected in labelling decisions. International brands selling packaged cosmetics in India will need to ensure their India-specific or globally produced packaging meets the new requirements before products can continue to be placed on the Indian market.
For the professional beauty industry in India, the regulation is particularly relevant for brands supplying salons and wellness businesses through packaged retail formats. Professional haircare, skincare, and personal care products sold in packaged consumer formats fall within the scope of the amendment, meaning that brands serving both the professional and retail channels will need to address labelling compliance across their entire product range.
The introduction of vegetarian and non-vegetarian labelling for cosmetics reflects a broader consumer expectation in India, where ingredient origin and ethical sourcing are increasingly important purchasing considerations, particularly among vegetarian and vegan consumers. By making origin labelling mandatory and visible, the regulation empowers consumers to make more informed choices while holding brands accountable for the transparency of their formulation practices.
For the industry, the message is clear. Reviewing product classifications and updating packaging to meet the new labelling requirements is now a regulatory obligation, not a voluntary commitment, and compliance timelines should be treated with urgency.
