Guide on Legal Metrology License for Packaged Commodities
The Legal Metrology Act governs the rules and regulations for weights and measurements in India. It is the principal law governing packaged commodities. Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 lays down explicit rules and requirements pertaining to various aspects of packaged commodities be it mandatory disclosures, compliance requirements etc. Let’s understand the legal metrology requirements for the packaged commodities in detail.
Mandatory Disclosures Under Legal Metrology Act
Legal metrology law lays down certain mandatory disclosures that need to be made on the packaged commodities. It includes:
- Manufacturer, importer and packer’s details including the address and country of origin, manufacture or assembly
- If the producing and packing organisations are different, then their name and address must be disclosed separately
- Maximum retail price inclusive of all taxes
- Month and year of manufacturing, pre-packaging or import of the commodity
- The expiry date of the product
- The time period during which the product can be used most effectively i.e., ‘best before date’ or ‘use by date’ in case the commodity becomes unfit for consumption after a specified time
- Net quantity of the product inside the package, standard unit of measure or weight or the number of commodities
- For commodities where size is relevant, the dimensions of the commodity shall be mentioned
- The generic name under which the product is being sold. In case the package has more than one product, then the name and quantity of each product being sold shall be included
- Ingredients used in the product
- Helpline number, name, address and email address shall be mentioned for filing consumer complaints
- Any other detail as may be prescribed
Registration Under Legal Metrology for Packaged Commodities
As per Rule 27 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, all the individuals, societies, companies, firms or corporations who import or pre-pack any commodity for sale or deliver or distribute any commodity shall obtain the legal metrology registration. An application for registration shall be filed to the Controller or Director of Legal Metrology within 90 days from the date on which pre-packing commences. The application shall include the name and address of the applicant and complete details of the product.
In case the application is not complete in all respects, then the Director or the Controller shall return the application to the applicant for changes therein. However, if the application is complete, then the registration certificate shall be granted to the applicant. Further, alterations in the details submitted for registration can be made by filing an application with the Director or the Controller.
Following were the explicit requirements for legal metrology license for packaged commodities. Non-compliance with the legal metrology law can attract penal consequences. In case of any assistance with respect to the legal metrology licensing and compliance requirements, please feel free to contact the ASC Group.
