A Cosmetic Manufacturing License is the regulatory licence required for manufacturing cosmetics in India for sale or distribution. Under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, a person intending to manufacture cosmetics must apply to the State Licensing Authority.
The application is made in Form COS-5, while the manufacturing licence is issued in Form COS-8. For a loan licence arrangement, the application is made in Form COS-6 and the licence is issued in Form COS-9.
The licensing framework covers manufacturing premises, competent technical staff, testing arrangements, documentation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
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COS-5 | Application for the manufacturing licence | gold
COS-8 | Manufacturing licence granted | orange
State Licensing Authority | Grants the licence | blue
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Quick Facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Application form | Form COS-5 |
| Licence form | Form COS-8 |
| Self-declaration | Form COS-7 (GMP and premises) |
| Licensing authority | State Licensing Authority |
| Regulatory framework | Cosmetics Rules, 2020 |
| Timeline | 45 days after scrutiny (Rule 23) |
| Validity | Perpetual, subject to retention fee every 5 years |
| Premises standard | Seventh Schedule requirements |
| New cosmetic | Prior permission in Form COS-3 |
Who Needs a Cosmetic Manufacturing License in India?
- Cosmetic manufacturers
- Skincare, hair-care and personal-care product manufacturers
- Beauty and grooming product manufacturers
- Contract manufacturers
- Private-label cosmetic manufacturers
- Companies establishing their own cosmetic manufacturing facility
- Businesses manufacturing cosmetics through a loan-licence arrangement
The exact requirements depend on the products, the manufacturing facility and the proposed manufacturing activities.
Which Authority Issues the Cosmetic Manufacturing License?
Unlike cosmetic import registration, domestic cosmetic manufacturing is regulated through the State Licensing Authority. Manufacturing of cosmetics is regulated through inspection and licensing by State Licensing Authorities, while import of cosmetics is handled through registration by the Central Licensing Authority.
Important Forms for Cosmetic Manufacturing
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| COS-5 | Application for manufacturing licence |
| COS-6 | Application for loan manufacturing licence |
| COS-7 | Self-declaration relating to GMP and premises requirements |
| COS-8 | Cosmetic manufacturing licence |
| COS-9 | Cosmetic loan licence |
| COS-3 | Prior permission for a new cosmetic |
For a new cosmetic, prior permission in Form COS-3 from the Central Licensing Authority is required before the State Licensing Authority can grant the manufacturing licence.
Why is a Cosmetic Manufacturing License Important?
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Regulatory Assessment | Shows the facility has been assessed under the applicable rules. | file
GMP Standards | Requires Good Manufacturing Practices across the facility. | shield
Qualified Personnel | Manufacturing under competent technical staff. | users
Testing Arrangements | In-house or approved laboratory testing arrangements. | search
Product Compliance | Specifications, records and labelling under the rules. | check
Inspection Ready | Prepares the facility for regulatory inspections. | globe
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Eligibility and Basic Requirements
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Suitable manufacturing premises | The facility should meet the Seventh Schedule requirements of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Competent technical staff | Manufacturing under the direction and personal supervision of staff with prescribed pharmacy, chemistry or cosmetic-technology qualifications.
Testing facilities | Maintain suitable staff, premises and laboratory equipment, or arrange testing through an approved or accredited laboratory.
GMP compliance | Provide the Form COS-7 self-declaration confirming compliance with GMP and premises, plant and equipment requirements.
Product compliance | Products must comply with the applicable standards and specifications under the rules.
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We can review your premises, technical staff and product documentation before the COS-5 application is filed.
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Documents Required for Cosmetic Manufacturing License
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- Certificate of incorporation or registration
- PAN and GST-related documents, where applicable
- Constitution of the business
- Authorisation documents
- Details of directors, partners or proprietors
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- Ownership or lease and rent documents
- Site and layout plan
- Details of manufacturing and storage areas
- Equipment details and machinery list
- Utility details
- Environmental or local permissions, where applicable
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- Details of competent technical staff
- Qualification certificates
- Experience documents, where applicable
- Appointment or authorisation documents
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- Product names, categories and formula or composition
- Raw-material details and product specifications
- Manufacturing process information and testing specifications
- Proposed labels and packaging information
- Form COS-5 application and Form COS-7 self-declaration
- Required declarations, undertakings and fee payment details
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Cosmetic Manufacturing License Process in India
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Product assessment | Identify the proposed cosmetic products and their applicable category and requirements.
Manufacturing facility assessment | Review premises, production areas, storage, equipment and testing facilities.
Technical staff assessment | Verify that the proposed staff meets the prescribed qualification requirements.
Prepare documents | Business, premises, technical, product and compliance documents.
Prepare COS-7 | The self-declaration concerning GMP and premises, plant and equipment.
Submit the COS-5 application | File with the State Licensing Authority through the applicable online portal with the prescribed fee.
Regulatory scrutiny | The authority examines the application and supporting information.
Inspection | The authority inspects or arranges inspection of the site within the prescribed period.
Grant of COS-8 | The manufacturing licence is issued once the requirements are fulfilled.
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How Long Does It Take?
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45 days | Grant after scrutiny (Rule 23)
Form COS-5 | Application form
Form COS-8 | Licence granted
State Authority | Grants the licence
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Under Rule 23, the State Licensing Authority is required to grant the licence or loan licence within 45 days from the date of application when the prescribed requirements have been fulfilled after scrutiny. If requirements are not fulfilled, deficiencies are to be communicated within the prescribed period. Actual project timelines vary with documentation, premises readiness, inspection and regulatory queries.
Government Fee for Cosmetic Manufacturing License
The Third Schedule of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 specifies the applicable fees. For a COS-8 manufacturing licence, the prescribed fee includes:
- ₹10,000 for up to 10 items of each category
- ₹500 for each additional item within the category
- ₹10,000 for 10 items of each additional category
For a COS-9 loan licence, corresponding fees apply, including ₹10,000 for up to 10 items of each category and ₹500 for each additional item.
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Government fees and applicable regulatory requirements should be verified at the time of filing.
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Validity of Cosmetic Manufacturing License
A licence or loan licence issued in Form COS-8 or COS-9 remains valid in perpetuity, subject to payment of the prescribed retention fee before completion of the five-year period from the date of issue, unless suspended or cancelled by the State Licensing Authority. The rules also provide for late-fee consequences where the retention fee is not paid within the prescribed period.
Cosmetic Manufacturing License and GMP Compliance
A manufacturer should maintain appropriate:
- Manufacturing areas and equipment
- Raw-material and finished-product storage
- Quality-control arrangements and hygiene controls
- Manufacturing records and testing procedures
- Personnel arrangements and documentation systems
The manufacturing premises must comply with the requirements specified in the Seventh Schedule of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Manufacturing License vs Import Registration
| Particular | Manufacturing License | Import Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Manufacturing cosmetics in India | Importing cosmetics into India |
| Main authority | State Licensing Authority | Central Licensing Authority |
| Application | COS-5 | COS-1 |
| Main approval | COS-8 | COS-2 |
| Facility | Indian manufacturing premises | Foreign manufacturing site and product details |
| New cosmetic | COS-3 prior permission may apply | COS-3 prior permission may apply |
Special Requirement for New Cosmetics
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If the product qualifies as a new cosmetic, the applicant must first seek permission from the Central Licensing Authority in Form COS-12, supported by the required safety and effectiveness information. If granted, permission is issued in Form COS-3 and must accompany the subsequent manufacturing application.
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Post-License Compliance
- Maintaining manufacturing and quality-control records
- Following approved manufacturing procedures
- Maintaining appropriate testing arrangements
- Ensuring compliant product labels
- Maintaining qualified technical staff, premises and equipment
- Cooperating with regulatory inspections
- Addressing regulatory deficiencies when required
- Paying applicable licence retention fees
The rules provide for inspections of licensed cosmetic manufacturing premises at least once in three years, or as needed under a risk-based approach.
Common Reasons for Delay or Regulatory Queries
- Incomplete application information or incorrect product categorisation
- Missing premises documents or inadequate facility information
- Technical staff qualification issues
- Incomplete product formulation or missing specifications
- GMP-related gaps and incomplete testing arrangements
- Incorrect or incomplete labelling information
- Missing declarations or undertakings
Why Choose ELT Corporate?
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Product Assessment | Cosmetic product and category regulatory assessment. | search
Facility Review | Manufacturing facility documentation review. | globe
COS-5 and COS-7 | Application and GMP self-declaration support. | file
Technical Staff | Technical staff documentation guidance. | users
Labels and Packaging | Label and packaging review before filing. | shield
Query Support | Regulatory query and compliance assistance. | clock
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Cosmetic Manufacturing License? | It is the licence required for manufacturing cosmetics for sale or distribution in India under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
Which form is used to apply? | The application is generally made in Form COS-5 for a manufacturing licence.
Which form is the licence issued in? | The manufacturing licence is issued in Form COS-8.
What is COS-7? | COS-7 is the prescribed self-declaration relating to compliance with GMP and requirements concerning premises, plant and equipment.
Who grants the Cosmetic Manufacturing License? | The licence is granted by the State Licensing Authority.
How long does the process take? | Where the prescribed requirements are fulfilled, Rule 23 provides a 45-day period for grant of the licence after scrutiny.
How long is a COS-8 licence valid? | A COS-8 licence remains valid in perpetuity, subject to the prescribed retention-fee requirements and continuing compliance.
Is GMP compliance required? | Yes. The applicant must comply with the applicable manufacturing and GMP requirements, including the requirements of the Seventh Schedule.
Can a company manufacture a new cosmetic without additional permission? | For a product qualifying as a new cosmetic, prior permission in Form COS-3 is required before the manufacturing licence can be granted.
Can ELT Corporate help? | Yes. We assist with regulatory assessment, documentation, application preparation, GMP-related documentation and regulatory query support.
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Need a Cosmetic Manufacturing License?
Obtaining a Cosmetic Manufacturing License involves more than submitting an application — the premises, technical staff, product information, testing arrangements, GMP documentation and regulatory records must all be prepared according to the Cosmetics Rules, 2020.
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Share your facility and product details, and our regulatory team will guide you from COS-5 to COS-8.
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