Check Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo and Hair Dye for a PSQCA Licence in Pakistan
PSQCA lists toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair dye and skin cream as compulsory items. Check a brand's licence before you buy, then patch test. See the steps.
Short answer: PSQCA lists toothpaste, toilet soap, shampoo, detergent powder, hair dyes, skin cream and razors on its compulsory items page. Search the brand on PSQCA's free licence tool at icq.psqca.com.pk, especially before you buy a hair dye or an unfamiliar cream.
Skin and hair are where a bad product shows itself fast. A rash from a cheap cream or a burn from a hair dye is a bad way to learn that the label meant nothing.
We read PSQCA's compulsory items page on 14 October 2026. This guide covers the personal care and household cleaning items on it. We did not search any brand's licence today, so we do not say which brands hold one. Medicines are a separate matter and sit with the drug regulator.
PSQCA lists everyday personal care products
The chemical and personal care group names toothpaste, toilet soap, shampoo, synthetic detergent powder, two kinds of hair dye, skin cream, shaving cream, skin powder, hair cream and razor blades. Each has its own standard number, shown in the table as published.
| Product | Standard on PSQCA's page |
|---|---|
| Toothpaste | PS 1721 |
| Toilet soap | PS 13 |
| Shampoo | PS 3509 |
| Synthetic detergent powder, general purpose | PS 4986 |
| Powder hair dyes | PS 4079 |
| Oxidation hair dye, liquid | PS 5250 |
| Skin cream | PS 3228 |
The page also lists shaving cream, skin powder, hair cream, safety razor blades and disposable razors. Several standards are old, one dating from 1994 and another from 1997, so the list reflects the standards PSQCA holds, not new rules written this year.
Hair dye and cream carry the highest risk
Products that stay on the skin or the scalp carry more risk than soap that is rinsed off. Check the licence on a hair dye or a cream before you use it. Patch test on a small skin area first, even for a licensed brand, because allergies are personal.
A very cheap price on a well-known brand deserves doubt. Fake packs copy the box and the colour, not the contents. Compare the batch number and print quality with a pack you bought from a known shop before.
If a product turns out to be fake, report it. The route for medicines is in our guide to reporting counterfeit medicine to DRAP. For a false advertising claim, see how to complain about a misleading advertisement.
Four steps check a personal care licence
Note the brand and the maker's name printed on the pack. Open PSQCA's licence tool, pick the product or type the maker, and read the status and valid up to columns. A Valid status and a future date are what you want. It takes about a minute.
- Note the brand and the maker's name printed on the pack.
- Open the CM License Verification page at icq.psqca.com.pk on your phone.
- Pick the product from the list, or type the maker's name, and search.
- Check the brand matches your pack and the valid up to date is in the future.
When we searched gas appliances on this tool on 2 October 2026, all records showed expired while some cable licences were valid. The tool can lag, so a blank result is a reason to ask the shop for the licence number, not proof of a fake. The full result is in our guide to checking a PSQCA licence.
Buying online needs extra care
Online listings make it easy to show a real brand name on a copied product. Buy from the brand's own store where you can, read the return terms, and open the parcel in front of the courier if the seller allows it.
Steps for spotting a fake shop are in how to check if an online store is a scam. The return window on the largest marketplace is explained in Daraz return and refund rules.
In a shop, a wrong price tag or a short-weight pack is a separate offence. See how to report a tampered scale or wrong price tag.
Stop using any product that stings, itches or swells. Wash the area with plenty of clean water, keep the pack and the receipt, and see a doctor if the reaction does not settle in a few hours. Take a photo of the skin and the label together. That record helps if you later need to report the product or ask the seller for a refund.
Read the label in full before the first use. Look for the maker's name and address, the batch number, the manufacture and expiry dates and the list of ingredients. A pack with a blank space where these should be is a pack to leave on the shelf, whatever the price.
Common questions
Is toothpaste on the PSQCA compulsory list?
Yes. PSQCA lists toothpaste under PS 1721. Ask the shop for the maker's licence number if you doubt a brand.
Are hair dyes covered?
Yes. PSQCA lists powder hair dyes (PS 4079) and oxidation hair dye in liquid form (PS 5250).
Is shampoo on the list?
Yes. PSQCA lists shampoo under PS 3509.
Does a licence mean I will not have an allergic reaction?
No. A licence shows the maker met a standard. Patch test any dye or cream on a small area of skin first.
Can I check a licence on my phone?
Yes. The PSQCA licence page works in a phone browser and needs no login.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 14 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read PSQCA's list of compulsory items and the CM License Verification page. We could not read PSQCA's complaint pages. We did not search any brand licence today and we did not test any product.
About the author
Senior Writer, Public Services and Technology
Shahid joined us in 2024 as an author. He is a senior contributor to Pakistan's leading technology websites. He writes detailed articles, mostly covering his expertise in the latest tech, mobiles, apps, gadgets, and step-by-step guides. His ideology is to help people understand the latest trends and explain complex methods through very easy-to-understand guides.
