Centre approves amendments in Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan approved the amendments in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. The amended rules will come into effect from January 1, 2018.

Aim: Enhancing consumer protection and balancing it with the requirement of ease of doing business.

Salient Features of Amended Rules

• Goods displayed by the seller on e-commerce platform shall contain declarations required under the Rules like name & Address of the manufacturer, packer and importer, name of the commodity, net content, retail sale price, consumer care complaint, dimention etc.
• No person shall declare different MRPs (dual MRP) on an identical pre-packaged commodity, unless allowed under any law. This will benefit consumers at large as they are having complaint regarding dual MRP for item depending upon different type of public places like Cinema Hall, Airport, Malls etc.
• Size of letters and numerals for making declaration is increased, so that consumer can easily read the same.
• The net quantity checking is made more scientific, with introduction of e-coding.
• Bar Code/QR Coding is allowed on voluntarily basis.
• Provisions regarding declarations on Food Products have been harmonized with labelling regulations under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
• Medical devices which are declared as drugs, Medical Devices such as stent, valve, orthopaedic implants, syringe, Tools for operations etc. are brought under the Rules. As a result, companies will have to display MRP along with other important declarations.
• The definition of Institutional Consumer has been changed to prevent any scope for commercial transactions/retail sale of commodities sourced by the institution for their own use.

Background

Use of proper, accurate and standard weights and measures are very important for effective functioning of any economy, as it plays an indispensable role in consumer protection as protection from malpractices of under-weight or under-measurement, is an important function of the Government.

The Legal Metrology (packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 are framed to regulate the pre-packaged commodities. Under these rules, the pre-packaged commodities have to comply with certain mandatory labelling requirements.