Soap & shampoo veg or non-veg? A dot on the pack will now tell you

Soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics and toiletries will now have to carry a green dot for products of vegetarian origin and a red or brown dot for those of non-vegetarian origin, with the marking to be placed at the top of the package's principal display panel, according to an amendment to packaging rules notified by the Department of Consumer Affairs on Monday.

The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, notified by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, amend the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

The amended rules insert a new clause in Rule 6 requiring the specified marking for soap, shampoo, toothpaste, other cosmetics and toiletries. Products of non-vegetarian origin will carry either a red or brown dot, while those of vegetarian origin will carry a green dot.

What the new packaging rule says

The notification adds clause 6(4A)(d) to the existing rules. It specifies that the coloured dot must appear at the top of the principal display panel, the main area of a packaged product where mandatory information is displayed.

The requirement covers the listed personal-care and cosmetic products, including soaps, shampoos and toothpastes, as well as other cosmetics and toiletries.

The notification does not set out any separate explanation for the policy change beyond prescribing the new marking requirement.

When will the new rule apply?

The amendment was notified in the Gazette on September 21, 2026, and states that the rules will come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

The notification also omits sub-rule (8) of Rule 6 as part of the amendment.

The changes have been made by the Centre under powers conferred by the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.