Panchkula, Sept 22,2026: Consumers will now be able to identify whether soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, cosmetics and toiletries are of vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin at a glance, with the Centre making colour-coded origin labels mandatory on their packaging.
The union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has notified the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, which require a green dot for products of vegetarian origin and, as applicable, a red or brown dot for non-vegetarian products.
The identification mark must be displayed at the top of the principal display panel on packaged soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and other cosmetics and toiletries. The amendment was notified by the Department of Consumer Affairs on Monday through G.S.R. 826(E) and came into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. This measure establishes a clear visual disclosure requirement for personal-care products, allowing consumers to distinguish between vegetarian and non-vegetarian origins without relying solely on ingredient lists.
The government has amended Rule 6 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, by inserting the new labelling provision. The notification also omits sub-rule (8) of Rule 6. This change is important for consumers who base their purchasing decisions on the origin of ingredients in cosmetics and personal-care products.
Manufacturers and packers must ensure that packaging for covered products includes the required colour-coded declaration on the principal display panel, as specified in the amended rules.
