Global Beauty Standards? A Comparative Look at Cosmetic Regulations inIndia and the US

Regulations governing cosmetics are crucial for protecting consumers, upholding industry standards, and avoiding dangerous or deceptive goods. This paper examines the regulatory regimes in the US and India, highlighting parallels, divergences, and potential areas for development. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States regulates cosmetics, whereas the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, in India is governed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Pre-market approval, ingredient safety, post-market surveillance, labelling guidelines, and testing specifications are among the important topics considered. While India prioritises Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliance, the United States relies on monitoring systems such as the Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP). Although there has been improvement, India still has gaps in post-market supervision and harmonisation with international norms, and the growing popularity of herbal cosmetics presents further regulatory difficulties. Stronger regulatory alignment, the adoption of international best practices, and more consumer knowledge are all necessary to promote market expansion, safety, and transparency in both regions, according to this assessment.