Six Months Extension for Implementing the Changes in Packaged Commodity Rules on MRP Labelling

[Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Notification dated 30^th September 2011]

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) read with clause (j) of sub-section (2) of section 52 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (1 of 2010), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules to further amend the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, namely:-

1. (1) These rules may be called the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Second Amendment Rules, 2011.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In rule 6 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 in sub-rule (6), for the words, letter and figures “upto 30^th September, 2011”, the words, letter and figures “upto 31^st March, 2012” shall be substituted.

[F.No. WM-9(6)/2010-Pt.]

WM-9(6)/2010-Pt

Government of India

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

Department of Consumer Affairs

Legal Metrology Division

Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi

Dated: 30/09/2011

To,

The Controller of Legal Metrology,

All States/UTs

Subject: Implementation of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011-Guidelines for implementation thereof.

Sir,

In continuation of the earlier guidelines issued by this office dated 29.4.2011, the undersigned is to state that many request of the Industries/Industry Associations are received in this Department stating that industries are not able to utilize their existing old packaging material upto 30.9.2011. The Industries/Industry Associations are representing against Rule 5 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 and requesting for granting time to exhaust their current stock of pre-printed wrappers in respect of non-standard size packages.

2. Since the industries are representing that they need more lead time to change from old rules to new rules to update the labelling requirements for Rule 5, it is requested that:

(i) Efforts may be made to give vide publicity to the changes made in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 so as to spread awareness amongst manufacturers/packers etc.

(ii) The initial enforcement steps may only be in the nature of investigational surveys. Any deficiency noticed should be brought in the notice of the concerned. This is being suggested to provide an opportunity to manufacturers/packers to update their label declarations. This approach may be continued upto 31^st March, 2012 and it is expected that in this initial period there should be no prosecution for the shortcomings in the labelling requirement under Rule 5.

(iii) The Enforcement Authorities of your State may accordingly be instructed for due compliance of the above guidelines.

This issues with the approval of Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.