Recently, the Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) seized more than 2.1 million non-compliant cosmetic products, with an estimated economic value of around IDR 35.8 billion, during its 2026 intensified cosmetics surveillance operation. The violations were predominantly illegal imported cosmetics, with online channels being the focus of this enforcement round. CIRS Group has summarized the key data and compliance takeaways of this operation to alert relevant cosmetic companies to compliance risks.
Offline Surveillance: 128 Out of 190 Facilities Found Non-Compliant
From 11 to 22 May 2026, BPOM carried out simultaneous offline inspections across Indonesia, checking 190 business premises and finding 128 non-compliant, and seized 2,205 cosmetic items, broken down as follows:
- Illegal cosmetics: 86.83%;
- Imported cosmetics without import documentation: 12.58%;
- Cosmetics containing hazardous/prohibited ingredients: 0.32%;
- Products whose use does not fall within the definition of cosmetics: 0.27%.
Among above items, the violations were dominated by illegal imported cosmetics, accounting for over 90%.
Online Surveillance: 9,042 Violating Links
In the online channel, BPOM identified 9,042 links that violated the regulations on the distribution of cosmetics, with an estimated economic value of around IDR 260.7 billion. These comprised:
- Illegal cosmetics: 95.24%;
- Cosmetics containing hazardous/prohibited ingredients: 4.66%;
- Products whose use does not fall within the definition of cosmetics: 0.10%.
Notably, the promotional models on platforms such as TikTok are more engaging, and the associated products are frequently accompanied by exaggerated claims (overclaims).
Administrative Sanctions and Routine Sampling
For the seized non-compliant products, BPOM imposed administrative sanctions, including: ordering recalls and destruction, suspending business operations, revoking marketing authorisations, and recommending the closure of relevant import channels.
In addition, during routine surveillance (including sampling and testing) in the second quarter of 2026, BPOM identified 14 cosmetics containing hazardous/prohibited ingredients, comprising 11 locally manufactured contract-production products, 1 imported product and 2 illegal products. The prohibited substances detected were: mercury, retinoic acid, hydroquinone, clobetasol propionate, etc., all of which pose health risks.
CIRS Reminder
Cosmetic companies are advised to closely follow BPOM's regulatory updates and sampling announcements, ensure that their products have been duly notified and have obtained a marketing authorization, and avoid using prohibited ingredients or making exaggerated claims; when selling through e-commerce and social platforms, companies should verify the compliance and claims of each product on a case-by-case basis.
Our Services
- Indonesian Companies License Holding Services
- BPOM Account Registration
- Formula and Packaging Review
- Cosmetic Product Notification
- PIF/DIP File Preparation and Compilation
- Product Testing Services
- Logistics and Customs Clearance
- HALAL Certification Services
Further information:
