Everyday personal care products are set to carry a new visual marker, indicating whether they are of vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin, according to a report by India Today. The Central Government has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, introducing the labelling requirement with effect from 21 September 2026.

Under the amended rules, products of vegetarian origin will need to display a green dot, while those of non-vegetarian origin will carry a red or brown dot. This mirrors the familiar veg/non-veg symbol system long used on food packaging in India, now extended to categories outside food.

The mandate applies specifically to soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other cosmetics and toiletries, product categories where ingredient origin, such as animal-derived fats, oils or extracts, has not traditionally been flagged on packaging. Per the amended rules, the symbol must be displayed at the top of the main display panel, ensuring it is immediately visible to consumers at the point of purchase rather than buried in fine print.

The move brings personal care and hygiene products in line with the transparency standards already applied to packaged food, giving consumers clearer visibility into product composition before they buy. While specific compliance timelines or penalties haven’t been detailed in reports so far, the change marks a notable shift for the personal care industry, which will now need to review formulations and update packaging across its soap, toothpaste and cosmetic lines.