Government of India Considers Amendments to Legal Metrology Rules for Packaged Commodities
The amendment proposes to mandatory declare all information on pre-packaged commodities meant for retail sale
The amendment will bring clarity among manufacturers/ packers/ importers of packaged commodities of any quantity to make declarations if packed for retail sale
The rules are not applicable to the packaged commodities meant for industrial consumers or institutional consumers
Department of Consumer Affairs seeks Feedback on Proposed Legal Metrology Amendment by 29.7.2024
Keeping in view the growing ambit of the market including both offline and online platforms, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India is considering an amendment in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 to establish uniformity for packaged commodities. The revised provision will provide that these rules shall apply to all packaged commodities sold in bags in retail, except to the packaged commodities meant for industrial consumers or institutional consumers.
This revised provision will help in establishing uniform standards/requirements for packaged commodities, promoting consistency and fairness across different brands and products, and will help consumers in making informed choices based on complete information.
The Department invites comments from stakeholders within 15 days, up to July 29, 2024.
The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 requires the declaration of mandatory information like the name and address of the manufacturer/packer/importer, country of origin, common or generic name of the commodity, net quantity, month and year of manufacture, MRP, unit sale price, best before/use by date in case of commodity becoming unfit for human consumption, consumer care details, etc. on all pre-packaged commodities in the interest of consumers.
The rules are applicable to all pre-packaged commodities except the following:
(a) Packages of commodities containing a quantity of more than 25 kilograms or 25 liters; (b) Cement, fertilizer, and agricultural farm produce sold in bags above 50 kilograms; and (c) Packaged commodities meant for industrial consumers or institutional consumers.
The rules are not applicable to the packaged commodities containing a quantity of more than 25 kilograms or 25 liters except cement, fertilizer, and agricultural farm produce sold in bags above 50 kilograms because it is presumed that the packaged commodities meant for retail sale are not more than 25 kilograms. However, it is observed that the packaged commodities above 25 kilograms are also available in the market for retail sale, which is not as per the intention to make all declarations on pre-packaged commodities meant for retail sale.