By Vidhi Oberoi and Apalka Bareja
The Government of India made a significant move as the Department of Consumer Affairs has proposed an amendment[1] to Rule 3 of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, keeping in view the growing ambit of the market, including both offline and online platforms. It shall help to promote uniformity amongst packaged commodities intended for retail sale. The Department has also invited stakeholders to submit their comments on the amendments within 15 days, up to July 29, 2024.
EXISTING RULE |
PROPOSED AMENDMENT |
· The existing rules require the declarations on all pre-packaged items.
· Exemption- i. Packages containing more than 25 kg or 25 litres; ii. cement, fertilizer, agriculture produce sold in bags over 50 kg and; iii. packaged commodities intended for industrial and institutional consumers. |
· The amendment will make declarations of all information mandatory for all pre-packaged commodities intended for retail sale.
· These rules do not apply to packaged commodities meant for industrial or institutional consumers.
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Proposed amendment to Legal Metrology Rules- Need
- This decision follows reports that packaged commodities over 25 kg are being sold in the market unescorted by the required declarations on the packaging.
- This revised provision will help establish uniform standards for packaged commodities, ensuring consistency and fairness across different brands and products and enabling consumers to make informed choices based on complete information.
Conclusion:
The move endeavors to achieve to close a loophole that presently exempts packages above 25 kg/litres from displaying mandatory details. The proposed regulations, once enforced, will only exclude packaged goods intended for industrial or institutional buyers. The government’s decision is a reaction to the growing presence of packaged commodities above 25 kg/litres in retail markets. By requiring clear labelling on these products, the authorities aim to improve transparency and provide consumers with comprehensive information at the time of purchase.
Aishwarya Rajput, Junior Associate at S.S. Rana & Co. has assisted in the research of this article.
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