Date Of Implementation Under Legal Metrology

Introduction

As we all are aware that there is a requirement for changes from time to time to make proper coordination with a world which is moving faster. 

In the era of technologies and the dependency of the public on online portals, it is becoming difficult to keep an eye on the people who can conduct fraud with the consumer at any point of time at any place. 

To meet all the necessary requirements, it is necessary to make amendments to the law to keep it more effective and full of its efficiency. 

Various amendments have taken place in the act for the betterment and to protect the rights and interests of the consumer as well as businesses which includes all the small and large vendors, companies, and e-commerce portals/ websites. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the amendments in the act and the implementation of such amendments along with their notification and the date of implementation.

Notification Dated 2nd Nov, 2021

Vide notification dated November 2nd, 2021, the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution had notified the legal metrology packaged commodities amendment rules 2011. As per the amended rules of 2011, the following amendments were introduced and the same word came into force on the 1st April 2022:

1. The unit price is to be declared on the package along with the MRP in India.
2. Packages grouped together for retail sale must comply with each mandatory declaration.
3. Format prescribing the manner in which unit prices are to be declared on every package.

Further the department of the ministry of consumer affairs, food, and public distribution vide its notification dated 28th March 2022 amended the legal metrology packaged rules 2021. However, the same came into force from 1st October 2022. According to which the following amendments have to be effective:

The unit sale price in rupees, rounded off to the nearest two decimal places and the same shall be declared on every pre-packaged commodity as followings:

1. Per centimeter where the net length is less than 1 meter and per meter where the net length is more than 1 meter,
2. Per gram where net quantity is less than one kilogram and per kilogram where net quantity is more than one kilogram,
3. Per milliliter where net volume is less than one liter and per liter where net volume is more than one liter.
4. Per number or unit if any item is sold by number or unit.

However, the state excise laws and the rules made thereunder shall be applicable within their state in the case of the packages containing alcoholic beverages or spirituous Liquor in any particular state.

The second schedule which specifies the quantities of commodities by weights and measures or numbers has been omitted under the amended rules.

No prosecution will be initiated against the manufacturer or Packer or importer of pre-packaged commodities for making a declaration with effect from the first of April 2022 in accordance with legal metrology packaged commodities rules 2021.

Current Scenario of Legal Metrology

Ministry of consumer affairs, food, and public distribution vide its notification dated September 30th, 2022 has notified the legal metrology packaged commodity amended rules 2022. However, the said rule further amends rule one sub-rule 2 for the figure, letters, and words vide notification dated October 1st, 2022 and, substitutes the same with the day 1st December 2022.

The above-mentioned amendments implies that the amendments as prescribed in the legal metrology packaged commodity rule 2021 shall now be effective from 1st December 2022.

Read Related Blog: Importance of Declaration on Packages