Definition of Cosmetics
Substances or preparations intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, and/or correcting body odours, and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.
Classification of Cosmetics
Comprising 16 Major Categories
- Baby and child-specific products;
- Bath and shower;
- Colour cosmetics;
- Deodorants;
- Depilatories;
- Fragrances;
- Hair care;
- Men's grooming
- Oral care;
- Oral care excluding power toothbrushes
- Skin care
- Sun care
- Sets/kits
- Premium beauty and personal care
- Mass beauty and personal care
- Other beauty and personal care items
Regulatory Authority
The National Agency of Drug and Food Control of Indonesia (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan, BPOM)
BPOM is responsible for ensuring that cosmetics marketed in Indonesia comply with relevant standards concerning safety, quality, and efficacy. It is also in charge of issuing cosmetic manufacturing licenses and approving cosmetic product notifications.
Compliance Requirements
Indonesia adopts the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) as the basis and formulates its own cosmetic-related regulations in accordance with national conditions. These include the Cosmetic Manufacturing License (No. 1175/Menkes/Per/VIII/2010), Cosmetic Notification Requirements (No. 1176/Menkes/Per/VIII/2010; BPOM Regulation No. 21/2022), Product Information File Guidelines (BPOM Regulation No.17/2023), Cosmetic Technical Requirements (BPOM Regulation No.30/2020), and Adverse Event Monitoring Regulations.
In Indonesia, all cosmetics (including imported and locally manufactured) must be notified to the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan, BPOM) before being marketed. In addition, cosmetics sold in Indonesia are also required to obtain Halal certification (this requirement has been effective since October 17, 2021, with a 5-year transition period). The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal, BPJPH) is responsible for overseeing Halal certification for cosmetics in Indonesia.
Cosmetic compliance in Indonesia must meet the following main requirements
- Cosmetics must be manufactured in facilities certified with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Cosmetics must comply with all safety and quality requirements set by BPOM
- Cosmetics must be labeled in the Indonesian language
- Cosmetics must be accompanied by a Product Information File (PIF/DIP) in Indonesian or English
Validity of Notification
3 years, renewable before expiration (submission required 30 days prior to expiry)
Exemptions:
- Cosmetics used solely for scientific research
- Samples used exclusively for exhibition purposes and not for sale
Cosmetic compliance in Indonesia must meet the following main requirements
Note:
1. All companies involved in the manufacture, importation, and distribution of cosmetics must be registered with the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), including local manufacturers, importers, distributors, and contract manufacturers.
2. Manufacturers must have a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) system in place and possess a GMP or ISO 22716 certificate.
3. Cosmetic importers must have qualified storage facilities and a responsible technical person (PJT) who meets the required qualifications. The PJT must hold at least a bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: pharmaceutical sciences, medical sciences, biological sciences, or chemistry.
BPOM applies different levels of regulatory review based on the risk level of the cosmetic product. Products with potentially higher safety risks—such as whitening products, hair dyes, and sunscreens—may require additional safety assessments and testing documentation during the notification process.
Responsibilities of the Cosmetic Product Notification Holder
- Responsible for the safety and quality of the product
- Responsible for product notification, importation, and post-market surveillance, including adverse event monitoring, reporting, and product recall if necessary
Warehouse Inspection Documents
- Letter of Authorization
- Certificate of Free Sale legalized by the Indonesian Embassy
- GMP or ISO 22716 Certificate legalized by the Indonesian Embassy
- Business License legalized by the Indonesian Embassy
- Raw Material Specification Certificate
- Finished Product Quality Control Analysis Report
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Cosmetic Product Notification Document Requirements
According to the PIF Guidelines outlined in BPOM Regulation No.14/2017, cosmetic manufacturers or importers must prepare a Product Information File (PIF) - locally referred to in Indonesia as Dokumen Informasi Produk (DIP) - before submitting a product notification application to BPOM.
The PIF/DIP must be kept up to date at all times and made readily available for BPOM inspection to ensure that all cosmetic products marketed in Indonesia comply with relevant safety, efficacy, and quality requirements. On December 7, 2024, BPOM launched version 3.0 of the cosmetic product notification system, which introduced updates to the management of PIF documentation. In addition to maintaining physical (hard copy) records, companies are now required to submit electronic versions of the PIF through the new system.
The Product Information File (PIF/DIP) includes the following four main parts:
① Administrative documents and product summary
② Raw material quality and safety information
③ Product quality information
④ Product safety and efficacy data
Note: The PIF/DIP materials shall be in English or Indonesian. They shall be kept in electronic or written form. The retention period is at least 1 year after the expiry date of the last batch of manufactured or imported cosmetics.
Cosmetic Labeling Requirements
According to the latest BPOM Regulation No. 18/2024 on labeling requirements, cosmetics sold in Indonesia must not contain any misleading information or information that deviates from the actual safety and benefits of the product. The labeling must not exploit public concern over health issues, nor may it claim to be a drug or imply any intention to prevent any disease.
The label must primarily be in Indonesian language, although other languages may be used as a supplement, provided they do not obscure or confuse the Indonesian text.
The label must include at least the following information, with certain items required to be in Indonesian:
- Product name
- Function/use (in Indonesian)
- Usage instructions (in Indonesian)
- Full list of ingredients
- Country of origin
- BPOM notification number
- Name and address of the notification holder
- Batch number
- Expiration date
- Size, contents, or net weight
- 2D barcode (must include the notification number and its validity period)
- Warnings/precautions (in Indonesian)
Cosmetic Testing Requirements (Recommended, Not Mandatory)
Must comply with Indonesian National Standards (SNI), including limits on microbiological content, heavy metals, and prohibited materials.
- Microbiological testing
- Heavy metals testing
- Stability testing
- Preservative efficacy testing
- Packaging compatibility testing
- Other efficacy and toxicological tests
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