Indonesia Cosmetic Registration (BPOM – Badan POM Indonesia)

1. Regulatory Authority & Framework

Cosmetics in Indonesia are regulated under:

• BPOM Regulation No. 23/2019
• ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD)
• BPOM Online Cek BPOM & e-registration portals
• Updated ingredient, labeling & GMP provisions from BPOM circulars

Authority:
BPOM – National Agency for Drug and Food Control (Badan POM).

Indonesia uses a pre-market approval system (unlike Malaysia/Vietnam/Thailand) — cosmetics must be registered and approved before they can be imported or sold.

2. Classification of Cosmetics

Indonesia follows the ACD definition:

Cosmetic = applied to external body parts/teeth/oral cavity for cleansing, beautifying, perfuming, conditioning, or altering appearance.

Borderline products may become traditional medicines (jamu), OTC drugs, or quasi-drugs if the claims exceed permitted cosmetic functions (e.g., acne treatment, hair growth, melasma treatment).

3. Registration Type – BPOM Cosmetic Notification (Pre-Market Approval)

Output:

• BPOM Notification Number (e.g., NA1xxxxxxxxxx)
• Format: NA + region code + 11 digits
• Validity: 3 years (renewable)

Important: Indonesia is NOT “instant submission”—BPOM performs a full review before approval.

4. Local Responsible Person (LRP / Company) Requirements

Foreign manufacturers cannot register directly.
A local Indonesian company must act as the Registrant / Notification Holder.

Responsibilities:

• Submit online registration
• Ensure compliance with ACD & BPOM regulations
• Maintain PIF & product samples
• Handle import permits
• Manage PMS, AE reporting & recalls
• Ensure labeling in Bahasa Indonesia
• Cooperate with BPOM inspections

Changing the local company requires re-registration.

5. Dossier Requirements (BPOM Cosmetic Registration)

Indonesia’s cosmetic dossier is stricter than other ASEAN markets.

A. Administrative Documents

• Power of Attorney to Indonesian Registration Holder
• Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) from country of manufacture (legalized)
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate (ISO 22716 recommended)
• Company licenses (NIB, API-U, etc.)
• Copy of brand ownership / authorization
• Product sample (sometimes requested)

B. Technical Documents (ACD-aligned PIF)

Part I – Administrative Information
Part II – Quality Documentation

• Full formula (%)
• Raw material specifications
• Microbiology & stability test results
• Heavy metal testing (Pb, As, Hg)
• Preservative efficacy test (if applicable)

Part III – Safety Assessment

• Toxicology profile of ingredients
• Safety assessor’s report
• Exposure & risk analysis

Part IV – GMP Evidence

• ISO 22716 essential
• Manufacturing flowchart, QC procedures

C. Labeling (Must be submitted for approval)

• Product name
• Function
• Ingredient list (INCI)
• Net content
• BPOM notification number (after approval)
• Batch/lot number
• Manufacturing/expiry date
• Manufacturer details
• Name & address of Indonesian Registration Holder
• Warnings (for restricted ingredients)
• Language: Bahasa Indonesia (mandatory)

Sticker labels are acceptable for imported products but must follow BPOM rules.

6. Ingredient Rules

Indonesia directly implements ACD Annexes:

• Annex II – Prohibited ingredients
• Annex III – Restricted ingredients (AHA, hair dyes, salicylic acid)
• Annex IV – Allowed colorants
• Annex VI – UV filters
• Annex VII – Preservatives

Strict prohibitions:

• Hydroquinone, tretinoin, steroids
• Mercury = zero tolerance
• Whitening claims with medical promises (melasma cure) → prohibited
• AHA/pH limits enforced strictly

7. Fees & Timelines

Government Fees

• Approx. IDR 500,000–1,500,000 per product (varies based on category)

Timeline

• Dossier preparation: 2–4 weeks
• BPOM review: 1–3 months typical
• Sometimes extended to 4–6 months depending on product complexity, claims, and ingredient verification
• Notification validity: 3 years

Indonesia has one of the slowest cosmetic approval systems in ASEAN due to full dossier review.

8. Post-Market Surveillance Requirements

BPOM conducts heavy PMS:

• Market inspections
• Random sampling & laboratory testing
• Halo BPOM consumer reports
• Advertising monitoring
• Labeling compliance checks
• BPOM App and online monitoring

Registrant must:

• Maintain PIF for minimum 3–5 years
• Report adverse events
• Implement recalls if ordered
• Renew notification before expiry

BPOM frequently suspends products for:

• Excessive whitening claims
• Heavy metal contamination
• Prohibited ingredients
• False or incomplete labeling
• Non-compliance with UV filter or preservative limits

9. Borderline Product Clarifications

Cannot be registered as cosmetics:

• Acne treatment (benzoyl peroxide, medical-grade salicylic acid)
• Melasma therapy (“treat melasma,” “cure pigmentation”)
• Hair loss prevention / hair growth
• Anti-inflammatory creams
• Antiseptic/sanitizer products
• Medicated shampoos
• Products containing steroids, tretinoin, or drug-level actives

These fall under OTC drug or quasi-drug regulations.

10. Consulting Notes for Your Product Portfolio

11. Advantages & Challenges in Indonesia Cosmetic Market

Advantages

• Large population (270+ million)
• Strong demand for Korean, Japanese, Chinese skincare
• ASEAN harmonization (ACD)

Challenges

• Slow BPOM review
• Strict labeling & ingredient checks
• 3-year renewal requirement
• Local company dependency (registrant owns the license)