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NEW DELHI: Millions of Indians use hair colour products every month to cover grey hair or change their appearance. Now, the country’s drug regulator wants manufacturers and importers to demonstrate that the products they sell comply with safety standards and carry adequate warnings for consumers.In a circular issued on June 10, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) directed companies dealing in hair colour cosmetics to ensure compliance with the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, and applicable Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms governing ingredients, safety restrictions and labelling.The move comes amid heightened regulatory attention on cosmetic products and places the spotlight on ingredients used in hair dyes, some of which are subject to restrictions because of their potential to trigger allergic reactions or other adverse effects in sensitive users.CDSCO said hair colour products must comply with standards that specify which colouring ingredients can be used, which substances are restricted, and what warnings, directions and safety information must be displayed on labels. These include mandatory caution statements and patch-test instructions intended to alert consumers to possible allergic reactions before use.The regulator reminded manufacturers and importers that BIS standards classify cosmetic ingredients into those generally recognised as safe and those that are restricted or not recognised as safe for cosmetic use. Companies have also been told that any changes in product composition, quality specifications or labelling must be reported to the relevant licensing authority.While the circular does not announce a recall or enforcement action, it serves as a clear warning that companies are responsible for ensuring that products already on the market meet prescribed standards.The directive could lead manufacturers to re-examine formulations, packaging and consumer information provided with hair colour products, a category that has witnessed rapid growth amid rising demand from both younger users and ageing consumers seeking to conceal greying hair.
