Consumers in India will now be able to identify whether certain everyday personal-care products are of vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin through a colour-coded symbol on their packaging.
The Centre has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, making the disclosure mandatory for soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics and other toiletries.
The amendment was notified on September 21 and came into effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
Green Dot For Vegetarian Products
Under the amended rules, products of vegetarian origin will have to carry a green dot.
The symbol must be displayed at the top of the principal display panel, which is the main area of a package where mandatory product information is presented.
This will allow consumers to identify the product’s vegetarian status without having to rely only on detailed ingredient information.
Red Or Brown Dot For Non-Vegetarian Products
Products classified as being of non-vegetarian origin will have to carry either a red or brown dot.
The same placement requirement applies, with the marking required at the top of the principal display panel.
The rule covers a wide range of personal-care products, including soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics and toiletries.
New Rule Under Legal Metrology Framework
The government has introduced the requirement through the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026.
A new clause has been added to Rule 6 of the existing packaging regulations. At the same time, an earlier provision dealing with the same marking requirement has been removed.
The amendment was issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The Rule Is Not Entirely New
Although the latest notification has brought the requirement back into focus, the green and red/brown marking requirement for personal-care products dates back to an earlier amendment introduced in 2014.
The provision had subsequently become the subject of regulatory and legal questions, particularly over the framework governing vegetarian and non-vegetarian declarations for cosmetics.
The latest amendment changes the legal placement of the requirement within the Legal Metrology rules.
What Consumers Will See On Products
Once products comply with the amended packaging requirements, shoppers will be able to look for the relevant coloured dot near the top of the main display area.
A green dot will indicate vegetarian origin, while a red or brown dot will indicate non-vegetarian origin.
The requirement is intended to make this information more visible and easier to identify while purchasing everyday personal-care products.
Applies To More Than Soap And Toothpaste
The regulation is broader than the three products highlighted in the headlines.
It specifically covers soap, shampoo, toothpaste, other cosmetics and toiletries, meaning the marking requirement can apply across a larger range of packaged personal-care products.
Manufacturers, packers and importers will therefore need to ensure that covered products comply with the revised packaging requirements.
Summary
The Centre has amended India’s packaging rules to require soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics and toiletries to display symbols indicating vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin. Vegetarian products will carry a green dot, while non-vegetarian products will carry a red or brown dot at the top of the principal display panel. The amended rules came into force after notification on September 21.
