Overview
The Legal Metrology Act creates and upholds rules and regulations for weights and measurements.
The major legislation governing packaged goods, along with rules pertaining to various topics like national standards, model approvals, and numeration, has a broad impact because it requires registration and additional compliance for packers, dealers, and particularly eCommerce businesses dealing with packaged goods.
The Act specifies rules for product packaging in order to uphold ethical business practices and safeguard consumers’ rights. Additionally, it sets the dimensions and weight limits for packed goods. The disclosure, requirements, and procedures are also outlined in the Act. Each state’s department of legal metrology, a subsidiary of the department of consumer affairs, is responsible for carrying out the Act’s administration.
Mandatory Information
- Manufacturer, Importer, and Packer Information
- The name and address of the producing, packaging, or importing organisation must be listed on packaged goods
- If the production and packaging companies’ names and addresses are different, they must be declared separately. This rule does not apply to food products because they are protected by the Food Safety and Security Act
- The product being offered is under a generic name
- List the highest possible retail price (including all taxes)
- The packaging must include the date of manufacturing, packaging, or import as well as the month and year
- On the product, the date of expiry should be listed along with the month and year
- Additionally, the window of time during which the product is most effective can be indicated
- Commodity quantity, ingredient(s), customer service or helpline for consumer complaints must be provided without fail.
Importance of Legal Metrology for Packaged Goods
Legal metrology regulations do not apply to unpacked objects because the weighing is typically done after the customer enters. The product is occasionally made in front of the buyer, as is the case with flour and the buyer is also aware of the identity of the manufacturer or vendor. But, when it comes to packaged items, the maker’s name is unclear. The buyer might not be able to contact the producer. There are numerous middlemen between the producer and the final customer. Finding out who is responsible for changes in quantity and quality is difficult. In order to make well informed purchase decisions, the end user must have access to all pertinent information about packaged items, including expiration date, weight, and price.
Documents Needed for Compliance & Advisory
In order to Register the following documents are mandatory
- Copy of the main display panel’s picture or website wireframes for the eCommerce, size, main display panel’s letter, and packaging material
- Proof of the starting date (INC-20A, Trade License)
- A trade license or other comparable approval by the local body that has jurisdiction over your establishment
- Proof of the production or packaging facility’s residential address
- Certified copy of your sales tax or GST registration
- Company’s memorandum of Association
- Deed of Partnership for Partnership Firms
- Passport-sized photos of all the owners, partners, and directors
- A duplicate of the main display panel’s image
- Name and full address of the applying business
- Name and location of the packaging and production plant, including GST
- The package’s weight in grammes
- Whether you want to (Yes/No) export the product.
Legal Metrology – Procedure
- Step 1: Application to LM : We gather all the data and create the application
- Step 2: The Zonal officer will review the application for any problems or objections and provide insights
- Step 3: Inspection of Premises – If the application is properly filed, the inspector will arrive at the predetermined time
- Step 4: Recommendation – Inspector offers the suggestion in accordance with the premises’ compliance
- Step 5: Acceptance or rejection – The zonal officer submits the thorough report to the assistant controller
- Step 6: Compliance with LM Act and Rules – Products and facilities’ packaging, weights, and measurements must adhere to the aforementioned Act and Rules.
- Step 7: Replying to any regulatory action – Imply the regulatory changes being announced or hinted at.
To learn more about the procedure, you can also sign up for a legal consultation with one of our knowledgeable consultants.
You can trace the application using the process given below:
- Visit the state government’s legal metrology portal
- Select the tracking link that is located above the page
- The applicant will be directed to the tracking page, where they must provide details such department information
- The acknowledgment number must then be given as the following step
- The applicant’s final step is to complete the right captcha that is provided on the page and click the submit button after supplying all of the previously mentioned information
- The applicant will receive a tracking report for the license renewal once all of the aforementioned stages have been completed.
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