Updated on June 11, 2025 05:16:56 PM
In India, ensuring fair trade and protecting consumers from being misled when buying pre-packaged goods is the focus of the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities registration scheme. Established under the Legal Metrology Act of 2009, LMPC registration is mandatory for any entity involved in importing, manufacturing, or packaging these commodities. This requirement guarantees accurate labeling of net quantity, a clear declaration of Maximum Retail Price (MRP), and comprehensive product information on the packaging. By ensuring transparency and compliance, LMPC safeguards consumer rights and fosters trust in brands, while simultaneously opening doors to market access and upholding ethical business practices within the Indian market.
So, whether you're a consumer seeking assurance or a business navigating the legalities of packaged goods, understanding LMPC is crucial. Its comprehensive framework promotes fairness, empowers informed choices, and ultimately contributes to a thriving and ethical marketplace in India.
Reach out to our team at Professional Utilities, to get expert consultation on Compliance with the LMPC Certificate and guidelines.
In India, companies that pack, distribute, or sell pre-packaged goods must have the LMPC (Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities) certificate. Operating without it could result in penalties under the 2009 Legal Metrology Act. For a first offense, this involves fines of up to ₹25,000 for afterwards mistakes, there may be more severe penalties or even prosecution. The certification guarantees that the labels on your products adhere to legal requirements. Building trust and avoiding legal problems are two benefits of compliance.
LMPC compliance guards the consumer from fraud, ensures fair market competition, avoids legal penalties, and strengthens brand credibility.
There are a total of 23 penalties for non-compliance of LMPC guidelines when it comes to import and export of commodities and these are as follows:
Non-Compliance of LMPC Guidelines | First Offence | Subsequent Offences |
---|---|---|
Non-Compliance of LMPC Guidelines | First Offence | Subsequent Offences |
Penalty for use of non-standard weight or measure | ₹25,000 | Imprisonment of upto 6 months |
Penalty for use of non-standard weight or measure | ₹50,000 | Imprisonment from 6 months to 1 Year |
Penalty for manufacture or sale of non-standard weight or measure | ₹20,000 | Imprisonment upto 3 Years |
Penalty for making any transaction, deal or contract in contravention of the prescribed standards | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for quoting or publishing of non-standard units | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for transactions in contravention of standard weight or measure | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for non-production of documents, etc | ₹5,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for failure to get model approved | ₹20,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for use of unverified weight or measure | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for sale or delivery of commodities, by non-standard weight or measure | ₹5,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for rendering services by non-standard weight, measure or number | ₹5,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for selling, etc., of non-standard packages | ₹25,000 | Upto 1 Lakh/1 Year imprisonment |
Penalty for contravention by Government approved Test Centre | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for non-registration by importer of weight or measure | ₹25,000 | Imprisonment upto 6 Months |
Penalty for import of non-standard weight or measure | ₹50,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for obstructing Director, Controller or legal metrology officer | Imprisonment of 2 Year | Imprisonment upto 5 Year |
Penalty for giving false information or false return | ₹5,000 | Imprisonment upto 6 Months |
Vexatious search | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for verification in contravention of Act and rules | ₹10,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for counterfeiting of seals, etc | Imprisonment of 1 Year | Imprisonment upto 5 Year |
Penalty for manufacture of weight and measure without licence | ₹20,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for repair, sale, of weight and measure without licence | ₹5,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Penalty for tampering with licence | ₹20,000 | Imprisonment upto 1 Year |
Note: The aformentioned Fees is exclusive of GST.
refers to the legal consequences or punitive measures that may be imposed on individuals or businesses found using weights or measures that do not comply with the established standards set by legal metrology regulations.
refers to the legal consequences or punitive measures that may be imposed on individuals or businesses found tampering or altering weights and measures used in commercial transactions. This pertains to situations where entities manipulate measuring instruments, such as scales or measuring devices, to deceive consumers or gain an unfair advantage in trade.
refers to the legal repercussions or punitive measures imposed on individuals or businesses involved in the production or sale of measuring instruments, such as weights or measures, that do not conform to the prescribed standards set by legal metrology regulations. In many jurisdictions, legal metrology is in place to ensure the accuracy, fairness, and transparency of commercial transactions.
signifies the legal consequences or punitive measures that individuals or businesses may face if they engage in commercial activities that violate the established standards set by regulatory authorities, particularly in the context of legal metrology or measurement standards.
refers to the legal consequences or punitive measures that individuals or entities may face if they use units of measurement that do not conform to the prescribed standards established by regulatory authorities.
in selling any article or thing by weight, measure or number, delivers or causes to be delivered to the purchaser any quantity or number of that article or thing less than the quantity or number contracted for or paid for.
Whoever, being required by or under this Act or the rules made thereunder to submit returns, maintain any record or register, or being required by the Director or the Controller or any legal metrology officer to produce before him for inspection any weight or measure or any document, register or other record relating thereto, omits or fails without any reasonable excuse.
Whoever fails or omits to submit a model of any weight or measure for approval.
Whoever, sells, distributes, delivers or otherwise transfers or uses any unverified weight or measure.
Whoever sells, or causes to be sold, delivers, or causes to be delivered, any commodity, article or thing by any means other than the standard weight or measure or number.
Whoever renders or causes to be rendered, any service through means other than the weight or measure or numeration or in terms of any weight, measure or number other than the standard weight or measure.
Whoever manufactures, packs, imports, sells, distributes, delivers or otherwise transfers, offers, exposes or possesses for sale, or causes to be sold, distributed, delivered or otherwise transferred, offered, exposed for sale any pre-packaged commodity which does not conform to the declarations on the package as provided in this Act.
Whoever imports any non-standard weight or measure.
Whoever gives any information to the Director, the Controller or any legal metrology officer, which he may require or ask for in the course of his duty, and which such person either knows or has reason to believe to be false.
Whoever imports any weight or measure without being registered under this Act.
Where any Government approved Test Centre contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, or the conditions of the licence.
Whoever obstructs the Director, the Controller or any legal metrology officer with intent to prevent or deter the Director or the Controller or any legal metrology officer from exercising his powers or discharging his functions.
Whoever, being required to obtain a licence under this Act or the rules made thereunder repairs or sells or offers, exposes or possesses for repair or sale, any weight or measure, without being in possession of a valid licence.
The Director, the Controller or any legal metrology officer, exercising powers under this Act or any rule made thereunder, who knows that there are no reasonable grounds for so doing.
Where the Controller or any legal metrology officer exercising powers under this Act or any rule made thereunder, wilfully verifies or stamps any weight or measure, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of any rule made thereunder.
whoever counterfeits any seal specified by or under this Act or the rules made thereunder, or sells or otherwise disposes of any counterfeit seal, or possesses any counterfeit seal, or counterfeits or removes or tampers with any stamp, specified by or under this Act or rules made thereunder.
Whoever, being required to obtain a licence under this Act or the rules made thereunder, manufactures, without being in possession of a valid licence, any weight or measure.
Whoever alters or otherwise tampers, with any licence issued or renewed under this Act or rules made thereunder, otherwise than in accordance with any authorisation made by the Controller in this behalf.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it must be asserted that it is very important to comply with the LMPC guidelines to avoid any penalties and repercussions of non-compliance of LMPC. This article mentions all the compliances and corresponding penalties for non-compliance of LMPC guidelines. For any issue related to notices regarding LMPC, take consultation from Professional Utilities.
At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.
LMPC regulations cover various compliances, including accurate labelling of quantity, manufacturer information, packaging standards, and adherence to legal metrology standards for weights and measures.
Operating without an LMPC Certificate may lead to legal consequences, including fines, penalties, or the removal of non-compliant products from the market. Non-compliance can also harm the reputation of the business.
The penalty for non-compliance with the guidelines of LMPC is ₹5000 - ₹1,00,000. Consult with Professional Utilities to avoid such penalties.
MRP, net quantity, manufacturing date, and company contact information.
Yes, through designated appellate authorities under the Legal Metrology Act.
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