The Indonesian Food and Drugs Authority or Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) regulates the sale and distribution of cosmetic and beauty products in Indonesia and ensures that the products being sold are safe for Indonesian customers. Companies wishing to sell cosmetic and beauty products in Indonesia must register their products for the BPOM Distribution License beforehand. This article will discuss the BPOM Indonesia cosmetics registration process and other important things that companies must know before entering the cosmetic industry in the country.
Indonesian Cosmetic and Beauty Products Overview
Indonesia’s cosmetic industry contributed a little over USD 1.5billion revenue to the economy in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 1.7billion in 2021 (Statista). In global comparison, Indonesia is the 11th biggest market for cosmetic and beauty products with potential revenue growth over the next few years, making it an attractive business opportunity.
Who can apply for the Distribution License
Companies, foreign or local, engaged with the import and sale of cosmetic and beauty products in Indonesia must register their products for the BPOM Distribution License. Unlike the BPOM food product registration where you can register variants of a product under one submission, BPOM requires registering every variant of a product and listing them as different items for cosmetic and beauty products, e.g. if you plan to sell make-up foundation with 4 different shades of skin colour, you must register all four of them separately.
Common issues and the solutions
BPOM classification of cosmetic and beauty products include personal care items such as lipstick, make-up foundation, deodorant, etc; as well as toiletries such as toothpaste and shampoo.
If the product is imported from overseas, you must have obtained the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification in advance from the country of origin. Note that BPOM only accepts certifications conducted and issued by governmental institutions. The name of the product must also not be misleading, e.g. the brand cannot have the word ‘honey’ if the product does not contain honey as an ingredient, or the word ‘whitening’ if the product does not contain any formula that can trigger the whitening effect.
The product formula must also comply with the Indonesian regulations. Some substances are limited for use, e.g. benzalkonium chloride can only be used for a maximum of 3% in shampoo and a maximum of 1% in other personal care products, and those that are completely banned for use in cosmetic and beauty products listed in BPOM Hazardous Chemical Substances such as hydroquinone, naphthalene, and petroleum distillates.
The BPOM Indonesia cosmetics registration process
1. Audit Stage
A local BPOM representative will visit your warehouse and conduct an audit to determine whether or not you have safe and sufficient storage and facilities to sell and distribute your products. Once you have passed this stage, you will receive a letter of recommendation. This letter is one of the requirements for the registration stage.
2. Registration Stage
Upon passing the audit inspection, you can submit all the required legal documents and certifications. Make sure the documents are legalised by the Indonesian embassy or consulate in the country of origin whenever necessary and that they are still valid for the next 8-12 months.
3. Notification Stage
Once BPOM has verified the documents and your product meets all the requirements, they will issue a notification (Notifikasi BPOM). If your product is imported, you must import it within 6 months of receiving the notification to avoid having the product registration become invalid. The license is valid for 3 years and can be extended upon expiration.
Closing Thoughts: BPOM Indonesia Cosmetics
Permitindo, as a third-party service provider, has extensive experience assisting clients with business licenses. We offer guidance throughout the entire process of obtaining a BPOM cosmetic and beauty product registration in Indonesia. Please note that while we can provide expert assistance, the final approval rests with the Indonesian Food and Drugs Authority (BPOM).
For further inquiries regarding the BPOM Indonesia cosmetics product registration, please get in touch with us at contact@permitindo.com or fill out the provided contact form. We assure you that all data shared with us will be handled in strict compliance with privacy standards. We are eager to provide the assistance you need.
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