South Asia · Pakistan
What does it take to sell cosmetics in Pakistan? Entry route, responsibility, labeling
No general-cosmetics notification system operates yet; Responsible person: DRAP enlistment and PSQCA licences are held by a Pakistan-r…; Labeling: English labeling with ingredients, batch, expiry,….
Latest change 2024-11-23 — A government rightsizing committee decided to abolish the not-yet-operational PGCRA, leaving the General Cosmetics Act 2023 without a functioning regulator and rules. Source
Factory-side digest; the official text prevails; not legal advice.
- Authority
- Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) for medicated cosmetics; Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) for compulsory standards; Pakistan General Cosmetics Regulatory Authority (PGCRA) created by the General Cosmetics Act 2023 but not operational
- Main regulation
- General Cosmetics Act 2023 (Gazette of Pakistan Extraordinary, 7 Aug 2023); DRAP Act 2012; S.R.O. 412(I)/2014 · General Cosmetics Act 2023; DRAP Act 2012 with the Alternative Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules 2014 for medicated cosmetics; PSQCA compulsory Pakistan Standards
- In force
- 2023-08-07
- Market entry
- No general-cosmetics notification system operates yet; medicated cosmetics, medicated soaps and shampoos need DRAP enlistment, and cosmetics on PSQCA's compulsory list (toilet soap, shampoo, skin cream PS 3228, hair dyes, shaving cream, skin powder, hair cream) need PSQCA conformity certification before import or sale.
- Responsible person
- DRAP enlistment and PSQCA licences are held by a Pakistan-registered importer or manufacturer acting as legal representative of the foreign maker.
- Safety file
- Formula with ingredient limits, CoA, Free Sale Certificate, GMP evidence and PSQCA laboratory test reports, plus safety/quality data for DRAP-enlisted medicated cosmetics.
- Labeling
- English labeling with ingredients, batch, expiry, manufacturer/importer and the PSQCA or DRAP number where applicable; halal claims must be substantiated.
- Animal testing
- No statutory ban identified.
- Ingredient lists
- DRAP permitted/prohibited ingredient and contaminant (heavy metal, microbial) limits for medicated cosmetics and PSQCA Pakistan Standards (e.g. PS 3228-2017 skin cream); no EU-style annex system yet.
- Notes
- Labeling-language requirement not verified from an official source; PGCRA status after Nov 2024 not confirmed.
- Official text
- https://www.dra.gov.pk/
FAQ
Does Pakistan require notification or registration before sale?
No general-cosmetics notification system operates yet; medicated cosmetics, medicated soaps and shampoos need DRAP enlistment, and cosmetics on PSQCA's compulsory list (toilet soap, shampoo, skin cream PS 3228, hair dyes, shaving cream, skin powder, hair cream) need PSQCA conformity certification before import or sale.
Is a local responsible person mandatory in Pakistan?
DRAP enlistment and PSQCA licences are held by a Pakistan-registered importer or manufacturer acting as legal representative of the foreign maker.
What are the labeling requirements in Pakistan?
English labeling with ingredients, batch, expiry, manufacturer/importer and the PSQCA or DRAP number where applicable; halal claims must be substantiated.
What changed recently in Pakistan cosmetic regulation?
2024-11-23 A government rightsizing committee decided to abolish the not-yet-operational PGCRA, leaving the General Cosmetics Act 2023 without a functioning regulator and rules.
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