BPOM Prepares 3D Barcode on Packaging to Identify Fake Cosmetics

Fake cosmetics circulating without authorisation from the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) are a cause for concern. However, there is no need to worry as fake or illegal cosmetics can be identified, one way being by checking the marketing authorisation number, which can be seen on the product packaging in the form of a number and barcode. Nevertheless, BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar acknowledged that the marketing authorisation in the form of a barcode on this packaging still has the potential to be falsified. This was stated by Taruna at the Indonesia Cosmetic Ingredients (ICI) Expo 2026 event organised by the Indonesian Cosmetics Companies Association (Perkosmi) at JIEXPO Kemayoran on Wednesday (06/05). According to Taruna, BPOM is currently preparing a three-dimensional or 3D barcode system to strengthen the security of cosmetic products circulating in the market. “For the marketing authorisation number, there is a barcode. Now, the barcode is still two-dimensional. But we want to develop it to become three-dimensional, so that it cannot be falsified anymore,” said Taruna. Taruna said that BPOM still finds several cases of cosmetic barcode counterfeiting. In fact, there are perpetrators who use marketing authorisation numbers from other products to attach to illegal products. Taruna said that products proven to violate have been acted upon. “Of course, we will carry out enforcement actions and some we have already acted on,” he continued. An authentic barcode will directly connect to the official BPOM website when scanned. Conversely, if the scan result leads to another platform, the public should be suspicious. “If scanned and the web that comes out leads to another place, for example to Instagram, to Facebook, that means the scanning mark is an illegal number,” emphasised Taruna.