In February 2025, Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) took decisive action by recalling 91 illegal and hazardous cosmetics and skincare products that lacked proper Distribution Permits. These products were found to contain hazardous substances, including mercury, which with long-term exposure can pose serious health risks, such as an increased risk of cancer. BPOM has intensified its surveillance of illegally distributed cosmetics and pledged to address this issue more rigorously. It said that most illegal cosmetics on the market were either imported or contract-manufactured products distributed and promoted through online platforms.
Indonesian law mandates that every cosmetic product distributed in Indonesia must undergo a notification process and obtain a Distribution Permit from BPOM. The Distribution Permit contains a distribution permit number/notification number, which must be placed on the cosmetic product to indicate that it has been evaluated and meets BPOM's safety and quality standards. Obtaining a Distribution Permit involves two distinct steps: 1) registering a business account; and 2) applying for a cosmetics Distribution Permit. Businesses can register to distribute cosmetics through BPOM’s official Cosmetics Notification Service Portal (notifkos.pom.go.id) by creating an account. During registration, applicants must upload information about the company, manufacturer, and cosmetics storage facilities. Additionally, businesses must select one of the three permitted types of cosmetics distribution entities in Indonesia: 1) Cosmetic manufacturers, which operate and produce cosmetic products within the territory of Indonesia; 2) Individual entrepreneurs or business entities in the cosmetics sector that engage in contract manufacturing with an Indonesian cosmetic manufacturer; or 3) Importers operating in the cosmetics sector. Once the online registration is submitted, BPOM officials will physically verify the data. The applicant must visit the BPOM Directorate in person to submit the required documents.
