The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has recently amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011. The amendments are aimed at simplifying business operations and lessening compliance obligations for electronic industries. This follows the previous omission of Rule 5 from the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 to protect consumer interests.
The Amendments Explained
In view of facilitating businesses and safeguarding consumer interests, the recent amendments allow electronic products to declare certain compulsory declarations via a QR (Quick Response) Code for one year, if these are not declared on the package. This provision is set for one year as this is an initial trial of utilizing technology in such a manner. The success and continuity of this initiative will be decided based on the feedback received.
Despite the allowance for QR codes, companies must still display crucial details such as maximum retail price (MRP), contact number, and email address on the packaging. Additional mandatory declarations like the manufacturer’s address, commodity’s common name, size and dimension of the product, and customer care details can be provided through the QR code. This contrasts with the previous condition where all prepackaged commodities, including electronic products, had to declare all mandatory details on their packaging according to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011.
Understanding the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 governs the sale of pre-packaged commodities in India, including mandating certain labeling requirements. Established under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, its main purpose is to set and enforce standards of weights and measures. It also regulates trade and commerce involving goods sold or distributed by weight, measure, or volume, and any other related matters.
These rules empower the Central Government to appoint a Director of Legal Metrology for overseeing duties connected to inter-state trade and commerce. Similarly, the State Government can appoint a Controller of Legal Metrology for intra-state trade and commerce related tasks.
Related Consumer Protection Initiatives
In line with these amendments, other consumer-protecting initiatives have also been introduced over the years. Some key measures include the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Draft Food Safety And Standards (Labelling And Display) Regulation.
In addition, the Consumer Welfare Fund, Central Consumer Protection Council, Consumer Protection Rules, 2021, and Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 have also been established to further protect consumer interests. This range of measures signifies the government’s commitment to uphold consumer rights in tandem with the annual celebration of National Consumer Day.
The recent amendments to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 signify an important step towards balancing business facilitation and consumer protection. With the incorporation of technology like QR codes, these new provisions demonstrate an adaptive and forward-looking approach to creating a more conducive and fair business environment.
