Bangladesh implemented its first cosmetics regulations
September 25, 2023.
Bangladesh’s Parliament has passed the Drug and Cosmetics Act 2023 (“Act”). While Bangladesh previously had drug controls, this new act is the country’s first complete cosmetics law.
Key Provisions for Cosmetics:
Cosmetics License: Without a license from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (“DGDA”), no one can produce, distribute, import, or export cosmetic products. Rules will govern the application procedure, qualifications, and other requirements for acquiring a license.
Cosmetics Registration: Similar to licensing, no one can manufacture, distribute, import, or export cosmetics without first getting DGDA registration. Rules will govern the application procedure, qualifications, and other requirements for acquiring a license.
Special Provisions for Existing Cosmetics: Existing factories or commercial establishments involved in the manufacture, distribution, import, and export of cosmetics must apply for a license and registration within six months of the regulations’ adoption.
Power of Inspection: A government-appointed inspector may inspect any location where cosmetics are stored, manufactured, marketed, or distributed, and any responsible person must help the inspector so that the inspection can be completed.
Cosmetics Determination, Control, and Enforcement: The government may establish and enforce standards for cosmetics, laboratories, analysts and their reports, advertising, and other related matters by rules. Existing Bangladeshi and international standards can be used to determine cosmetic quality.
Restrictions on Use: Without the supervision of a doctor licensed with the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), no one shall inject fillers, botox, glutathione, or other comparable cosmetics into the human body.
Regulations on Use in Beauty Parlors: The government may enact laws governing the application and use of cosmetics in beauty parlors in order to avoid cosmetic overuse and abuse.
Cosmetics that are misbranded, counterfeit, or adulterated cannot be manufactured, sold, stored, distributed, or shown for sale. The DGDA is responsible for authorizing brand names and registering medicines and cosmetics.
Clients are recommended to wait for the rules to be established under the Act before applying for registration in their own name, rather than in the name of their local agent or importer, if the rules allow for this.