PANCHKULA, SEPT 22: Consumers will now be able to identify at a glance whether soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, cosmetics and toiletries are of vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin, with the Centre making colour-coded 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, mandating products of vegetarian origin to carry a green dot, while non-vegetarian products will have to display a red or brown dot, as applicable.
The prescribed identification mark must be displayed prominently at the top of the principal display panel of packaged soaps, shampoos, toothpaste and other covered cosmetics and toiletries.
The Department of Consumer Affairs issued the amendment through G.S.R. 826(E) on Monday, with the new provisions coming into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The amendment introduces a visual disclosure requirement for personal-care products, enabling consumers to distinguish between vegetarian and non-vegetarian origins without having to rely solely on detailed ingredient lists.
For this purpose, 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.
The move is particularly relevant for consumers who consider the origin of ingredients while purchasing cosmetics and personal-care products.
Manufacturers and packers of the covered products will now be required to ensure that the prescribed colour-coded declaration is clearly and prominently displayed on the principal display panel of their packaging in accordance with the amended rules.
