CDSCO / BIS — IS 4707
Cosmetics Rules, 2020 (CDSCO, G.S.R. 763(E)) + BIS IS 4707 Part 2 (Annexes A-D, incorporated by reference via Rule 39(2))
24 compiled entries · 12 banned · 11 restricted · 1 flagged
| Ingredient | Status | Limit | Rule | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mercury and mercury compounds | Restricted | — | Cosmetics Rules 2020, Rule 39(5): eye-area cosmetics max 70 ppm (0.007%) as preservative; unintentional mercury in other finished products max 1 ppm | Source |
| hexachlorophene | Restricted | — | Rule 39(4): banned in manufacture except soap (max 1% w/w) with mandatory warning 'Contains hexachlorophene - not to be used on babies'; Rule 18(3): import of any hexachlorophene-containing cosmetic fully banned | Source |
| lead compounds (as colorant) | Banned | — | Rule 39(6): use of lead compounds for the purpose of colouring cosmetics is prohibited | Source |
| arsenic compounds (as colorant) | Banned | — | Rule 39(6): use of arsenic compounds for the purpose of colouring cosmetics is prohibited | Source |
| synthetic organic / natural organic colourants - heavy metal impurities | Restricted | ≤ 0.0002% | Rule 39(3): permitted colourants (Tenth Schedule / BIS IS 4707 Part 1) capped at 2 ppm arsenic (as As2O3), 20 ppm lead, 100 ppm other heavy metals | Source |
| dyes, colours and pigments not listed in BIS IS 4707 Part 1 / Tenth Schedule | Banned | — | Rule 39(3): no cosmetic may contain any dye/colour/pigment other than those specified by BIS (IS 4707 Part 1) and included in the Tenth Schedule positive list | Source |
| p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) and other hair-dye colours/pigments | Flagged | — | Rule 37: hair dyes containing PPD or other dyes/colours/pigments must carry a mandatory warning label and printed skin-sensitivity (patch) test instructions; not to be used on eyelashes/eyebrows | Source |
| animal-tested cosmetics/ingredients (tested after 12 Nov 2014) | Banned | — | Rule 18(4): no cosmetic tested on animals after 12 November 2014 may be imported; Rule 39(7): no person shall use any animal for testing of cosmetics in India | Source |
| tretinoin (retinoic acid and its salts) | Banned | — | BIS IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 373 - List of substances (GNRAS) which must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products; incorporated by reference via Cosmetics Rules 2020 Rule 39(2) | Source |
| 4-tert-Butyl-3-methoxy-2,6-dinitrotoluene (Musk Ambrette) | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 414 | Source |
| tert-Butyl-1,2,3-trimethyl-4,6-dinitrobenzene (Musk Tibetene) | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 422 | Source |
| phenol | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 1175 (CAS 108-95-2) | Source |
| bisphenol A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol) | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 1176 (CAS 80-05-7) | Source |
| pentachlorophenol and its alkali salts | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entries 1012 and 1110 (CAS 87-86-5, 131-52-2, 7778-73-6) | Source |
| nonylphenol / 4-nonylphenol, branched | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 1168 (CAS 25154-52-3 / 84852-15-3) | Source |
| furocoumarins (e.g. trioxysalen, 8-methoxypsoralen, 5-methoxypsoralen) | Restricted | ≤ 0.0001% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 358: banned generally; in sun-protection and bronzing products must be below 1 mg/kg | Source |
| anti-androgens of steroidal structure | Banned | — | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex A entry 390 | Source |
| formaldehyde | Restricted | ≤ 5% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex B entry 15: permitted only as nail hardener up to 5% (calculated as formaldehyde), cuticles must be protected with grease/oil and label must state 'Contains formaldehyde' | Source |
| hydroquinone | Restricted | ≤ 0.3% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex B entry 16: permitted only in oxidative hair-dye products (0.3% general use / 0.02% professional use after mixing) and artificial nail systems, with mandatory warning labelling; not permitted as a general skin-lightening agent | Source |
| 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and its salts/esters (parabens) | Restricted | ≤ 0.4% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex C entry 11 (list of preservatives allowed with restriction): max 0.4% (as acid) for a single ester, 0.8% for mixtures of esters | Source |
| triclocarban | Restricted | ≤ 1.5% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex C entry 102: permitted in rinse-off products only, max 1.5%, with purity limits on dioxin/azobenzene impurities | Source |
| zinc pyrithione | Restricted | ≤ 1% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex C entry 7: rinse-off products only, max 1.0% in hair products / 0.5% in other products; not permitted in oral-hygiene products | Source |
| methylisothiazolinone (MIT) | Restricted | ≤ 0.01% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex C entry 55: preservative, max 0.01% | Source |
| chlorobutanol | Restricted | ≤ 0.5% | IS 4707 (Part 2) Annex C entry 10: preservative, max 0.5%, prohibited in aerosol dispensers/sprays, label must state 'Contains chlorobutanol' | Source |
2026-07-21 · Compiled from cited primary sources. Informational only — not legal advice.
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