Amazon, Flipkart get DCGI notice for selling ‘fake’ cosmetics

E-commerce giants — Amazon and Flipkart — have been issued notices by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for allegedly selling “spurious and adulterated” cosmetics, including imported brands. They have also been warned of penal actions in case of failing to respond within 10 days.

The notice follows raids by drug inspectors at various locations across the country on October 5 and 6, during which they found some indigenously manufactured cosmetics without valid manufacturing licence, and having ingredients imported without necessary registration certificates being sold on the e-commerce platforms.

The law stipulates penal actions ranging from monetary fine to imprisonment for sale of such “unapproved” products. An Amazon India spokesperson said the firm took strict action against sellers of “illegal or fake products” as and when such incidents were reported to it. “Amazon.in is a third-party marketplace, which enables sellers to list their products for sale to Indians. Sellers on Amazon.in own their respective products, and are responsible for product compliances, as may be applicable. The firm has a very high bar of customer experience and does take strict action against sellers, who are selling illegal or fake products...in accordance with the due process of law, as and when such incidents are reported to us,” the spokesperson said. Cosmetics being sold by the websites included imported brands without valid papers.