India Cosmetics
Manufacturing Licence
Checklist
The complete document checklist for a COS-8 / COS-9 manufacturing licence under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 and Cosmetics Rules 2020. Every requirement drawn directly from the Second Schedule, Part II.
Two licence types. One schedule.
Form COS-8
Issued to a manufacturer who manufactures cosmetics at their own licensed premises for sale or distribution in India.
Application procedure — Form COS-5, fee as per Third Schedule, documents per Second Schedule Part II, self-certificate in Form COS-7
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) — requirements for premises, plant, equipment, personnel, quality control, and documentation (equivalent to former Schedule M II)
Conditions of licence — whole-time qualified technical staff, GMP compliance, BIS standards, animal-testing declaration, and labelling obligations
Form COS-9
Issued to a person who intends to utilise the manufacturing site of another licensee (the loan licensor) to manufacture cosmetics for sale or distribution.
Form of loan licence — granted in Form COS-9; application via Form COS-6, fee per Third Schedule, documents per Second Schedule Part II
GMP compliance required at the loan licensor's premises — the loan licensee is equally responsible for standards adherence (equivalent to former Schedule M II)
Conditions apply identically to COS-9 as to COS-8 — technical staff, BIS standards, labelling, animal-testing declaration
The former Schedule M(II) of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945 (which governed cosmetics GMP) was formally omitted by the Cosmetics Rules 2020. Its requirements are now consolidated in the Seventh Schedule to Cosmetics Rules 2020. Compliance is self-certified in Form COS-7 and covers premises layout, air handling, personnel hygiene, equipment qualification, quality control, and batch documentation.
Assemble before submitting to the licensing authority.
An incomplete application will be returned without processing. Ensure every item — including notarised affidavits, the triplicate formula list, and self-attested photocopies — is in order before submitting to the State Licensing Authority.
| # | Requirement | Notarised | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Cash Deposit Receipt / Fee Challan Proof of fees deposited under the proper Head of Account as prescribed in the Third Schedule; attested copy acceptable | No | |
| 02 | Approved Layout Plan of Manufacturing Premises Complete site plan showing dimensions in metres; position of doors, windows, manufacturing areas, storage, QC lab, and all structural features | No | |
| 03 | Key Plan — Location of Manufacturing Unit Sketch-map showing important local landmarks to enable Drugs Control inspection officers to locate the premises without difficulty | No | |
| 04 | Proof of Lawful Possession of Premises Rent receipt, lease deed, or purchase documents — or attested copies — establishing the applicant's right to occupy the manufacturing site | No | |
| 05 | Documentary Evidence of Constitution of Firm MOA & articles of association (company) / partnership deed attested by Notary Public (partnership firm) / proprietor's affidavit attested by Notary Public (proprietorship) | notary attested | |
| 06 | Power of Attorney Authorising a named partner / director / manager / secretary to correspond with the State Licensing Authority and Drugs Control Authorities on all licence matters | No | |
| 07 | Detailed List of Machinery and Equipment Make, capacity, material of construction, automatic or manual status — full details of every machine installed for manufacture of cosmetics | No | |
| 08 | Technical Staff — Qualifications, Biodata, Consent Affidavit & Joining Report Whole-time qualified staff for manufacturing and testing; includes photocopies of degree/diploma, experience letters, prior approval letters (if already approved), and consent letter for full-time employment | No | |
| 09 | Brand / Trademark Ownership Documents Documents establishing ownership of the brand or trademark of the cosmetic to be manufactured — whether registered or pending registration | No | |
| 10 | List of Quality Control Equipment, Apparatus & Reference Books Full details of all testing and analytical equipment, laboratory apparatus, and reference texts provided for quality control of cosmetics | No | |
| 11 | List of Cosmetics to be Manufactured — with Composition Formula and Manner of Labelling Every product listed with its complete ingredient formula and proposed labelling; to be submitted in triplicate along with the prescribed undertakings | No | |
| 12 | GMP Self-Certificate — Form COS-7 Self-declaration of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices, requirements of premises, plants and equipment as specified in the Seventh Schedule to Cosmetics Rules 2020 | No | |
| 13 | Affidavit / Undertaking — No Conviction Under D&C Act 1940 Sworn declaration that neither the owner nor the firm has been convicted under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 | notary attested | |
| 14 | Self-Attestation on All Photocopies Every photocopy of a document submitted with the application must be self-attested by the authorised signatory of the firm | No | |
| 15 | NOC — Delhi Pollution Control CommitteeDelhi units only No Objection Certificate from DPCC required for all manufacturing units in Delhi seeking a licence for manufacture of cosmetics | No | |
| 16 | NOC — Delhi Fire ServicesNail polish / alcoholic fragrances No Objection Certificate from Delhi Fire Services required for units manufacturing Nail Polish or Alcoholic Fragrances involving inflammable substances | No |
Items 05 and 13 require Notary Public attestation — the constitution evidence (MOA / partnership deed / proprietor's affidavit) and the conviction affidavit. Have these prepared and attested before submission.
Qualified technical staff must be employed whole-time. Every person listed for manufacture or testing must furnish a consent letter, joining report, qualification certificates, and experience letters.
Items 15–16 (NOCs from DPCC and Delhi Fire Services) are required only for Delhi-based units or units producing nail polish / alcoholic fragrances. Verify applicability before submission.
All photocopies submitted with the application must be self-attested. The list of cosmetics with formulae must be submitted in triplicate. Unattested or single copies are a common cause of application delay.
Hand the checklist over — we’ll take it from here.
Send us what you have. We will review your dossier, flag any gaps, and manage the COS-8 / COS-9 application so the licensing authority receives a complete submission on the first pass.