New Amendment Policy 2023 | Proposed Under Legal Metrology Act

Updated on June 02, 2025 10:55:14 AM

Legal Metrology is a type of metrology that governs the proper facilitation of weights and measurements that guarantee fair trade practices for pre-packaged goods. Legal Metrology Act facilitates the uniform trade of those packages that are generally pre-packaged rather than dealing with any loose items, such as fruits or vegetables.

According to new amendment policy, in 2023, the definition of pre-package rules will be modified as per the latest change brought up by the authority. The notification states that multimedia media packages, group packages, and combination packages do not need a declaration of the "unit sale price."

In this article, we will provide you with complete insights on the new amendment policy, how the latest amendment helps businesses elevate their performance to import prepackaged goods, and compulsory declarations for businesses to operate.

The Government of India has, on October 1, 2023, notified an amendment in Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, which shall come into force on January 1, 2022. Upon their enforcement, certain new requirements and certain relaxations are granted from the mandatory declarations on the packages.

The amendment's goal is to ensure that all customers are well-informed and knowledgeable about what they purchase and seek. They need to know about net weights, units, MRP, manufacturer information, best-before manufacturers, and other details necessary to notify intermediate and end consumers about the products.

The LMPC (Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity) Rules, 2023, is an amendment to improve clarity and transparency in the labeling requirements of pre-packaged commodities.

According to this latest amendment, 2023

• A "group package" is any package meant for retail sale that consists of two or more individual packages, pieces, or packages that are comparable in size but not identical.

For example: a bed and breakfast package

• A "multipiece package" is defined as any package that includes two or more distinct packages or individual pieces of a comparable product of equal quantity that is meant to be sold at retail or in separate pieces, or as a whole.
• A "combination package" is any package intended for retail sale that contain two or more packages, individual pieces or disproportionate commodity..

For example:a package of assorted biscuits or a case of 12 beers.

Note: As per the latest amendment provided by authority; a declaration of ‘Unit Sale Price’ is not required for combination packages, multi-piece packages, or combination packages. The rules made thereunder shall apply. The new definitions of the new policy shall be effective January 1, 2024.

Under Rule 6 sub-clause (d):

The notification amends rule 6 sub-rule clause (d) to introduce the following:

• Spare parts and accessories used for warranty servicing that are not intended for sale are exempt from the manufacturer's month and year declaration form.
• The information should be clearly mentioned on the top of the package of electronic products.

Sizes in Metric Notations

The notification also introduces amendments to Rule 26, Clause (f), and Item (iii) of the Rules:

• The size of the products should be mentioned in metric notation in terms of centimeters (cm) and millimeters (mm), depending on the case.
• Indicators should be used in internationally recognized notations such as XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL. XXXL.

Following details should be mention before the Package of the products

• Name and address of the manufacturer, marketer, and brand owners, importer, and seller, along with the country and the origin.
• Consumer care contact information, including emails and phone numbers .
• The retail sale price of the package should include all applicable taxes, mentioned in Indian rupee currency.
• The net quantity of product should be clearly mentioned in kilograms (kg), the standard unit weight or measure.

Rule for Liquid Commodity

• item 11 (edible oil, vanaspati oil, butter oil, mustard oil, etc.), column 3 of the rules, the amendments have been mentioned below:
• The information, such as the standard weight or volume for liquids, must be mentioned outside the label of the product.

Here are the benefits of the Legal Metrology Act, amendment for business, which are as follows:

• Ensuring brand trust among customers: The amendments made to the Legal Metrology Act help businesses establish their empires in a dynamic stage of the market. Such modifications help the consumer build consumer loyalty towards businesses that must comply with the Legal Metrology Act.
• Ensures legal compliance: The LMPC certificate signifies that your brand, before holding any value inside the package, must comply with accurate information and other supporting insights about the products, such as name of the manufacturer, composition, best before manufacturing, batch number,etc.
• Higher production output: The Legal Metrology Act helps the product of the company outshine in the dynamic market. Imposing LMPC laws on products helps customers become familiar with their products. This results in higher production output for the products.
• Avoid heavy penalties and fines: Obtaining an LMPC certificate can help an applicant exceed their profit and avoid various losses, fines, and heavy penalties. By providing all the necessary information outside the package of the products, customers can easily assess the products before purchasing them.
• Improved product safety: The Legal Metrology Act helps improve product safety and standards by mentioning all labeling, measurement, and composition. Mentioning every detail about the products can help the user avoid further accidents, injuries, or side-effects with regard to product usage.

Following are the compulsory declarations that is required to empower consumers to make informed choices:

• Details about the comprehensive list of consumers: The comprehensive details about the customers are essentially a database of all your customer’s information. The details about the customers should contain basic information about the customers, purchase history, and segmentation details.
• Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or importer:The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or importer is important in Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities (LMPC), since they empower consumers and ensure consumer protection, transparency, accountability, and traceability for both consumers and businesses.
• Common and generic names of the commodity: The common and generic name of the commodity is a crucial element in pre-packaged commodities under Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities (LMPC). The manufacturer of the product formulates the generic name of the product, which helps the consumer ensure clarity and transparency about the product, no matter how many similar products have been made in the market.
• Net quantity:The pre-packaged commodities of the manufacturer should mention the accurate measurement and quantity of the product. The net quantity should emphasize the product contained within the package, excluding the weight or volume of the package.
• Month and year of manufacture/ packer/ importer:The month, and year of manufacture are mandatory declarations for the pre-packaged product on the market. Specifying the month and year on the package of the product ensures the consumer buys the product in terms of the product's freshness and shelf life and avoids using expired items.
• Retail sale price (MRP):The sale of ultimate products in the market at the legal or market price is called the retail sale price (MRP) which includes all taxes. Proper mention of MRP on the label package helps the consumer to get aware about hidden charges that need not be paid.
• Consumer care details:The consumer care details of the manufacturer are important to display on the package goods so that consumers can easily report their problems. Additionally, the business can build its brand image in the market. For this, manufacturers need to mention certain key specifications, like name, address, contact number, and email address.
• Best before or use of the product Displaying best before or after use is necessary to show outside the package of the product. This ensures the food retains its optimal product, and focuses on freshness for the ultimate consumers.

The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, is the act that provides consumers with remarkable protection for pre-packaged goods. Stronger consumer protection measures, such as clearer labeling and easier complaint redressal options, empower consumers. Furthermore, firms might benefit from possible regulatory simplification without sacrificing essential consumer protection objectives. Before applying for LMPC certificate, an applicant needs to be completely aware about the latest amendment made by the authority.