Legal Metrology – Importer, Manufacturer and Packaging Registration

The Directorate of Legal Metrology is a separate government wing under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The Legal Metrology department looks after the norms and regulations related to the measurements and weights of measuring devices and other products imported/manufactured or sold in the Indian market.

According to the Legal Metrology Act 2009 – “An act to establish and enforce standards of weights and measures, regulate trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods which are sold or distributed by weights, measure or number and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.

To put it in simple terms, the sole function of the Legal Metrology department is to ensure that weights and measurement used in India are in compliance with proper standards, and the interests of the citizens while buying any packaged item, are protected.

In this article, we’ll be talking particularly about the packaging, labelling and storage of products imported/manufactured and sold in the Indian market. We will also learn about the procedure to acquire a proper license to become an importer/manufacturer and packager of any product.

Who Really Needs A Registration?

According to the notification of The Legal Metrology(Packaged Commodity) Rules, 2011, published on 7th March 2011 : “Every individual, firm, Hindu undivided family, society, company or corporation who or which pre-packs or imports any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery shall make an application, accompanied by a fee of rupees five hundred, to the Director or the
Controller for the registration of his or its name and complete address;”

The Act requires the importer/manufacturer of such pre-packaged products to file an application within 90 days of commencement of the packaging procedure.

Hence, if you are a sole proprietorship firm, or a company looking to sell pre-packaged products in the market, you must obtain a proper registration document from the Legal Metrology Department of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Reach us at contact@cliniexperts.com to know if you need a registration.

Okay – I’m in. But What is the Procedure?

Registration under the Legal Metrology Act, requires some professional help as it is a complex procedure and only experienced professionals(like us) know how to deal with it. With regards to Legal Metrology registrations, it is wise to seek professional help rather than meddling with the procedure on your own.

Coming to the procedure, the form requires the applicant to mention:

● His/Her Name
● The complete address of the place/premises where the import or pre-packaging of one or more concerned commodities takes place.
● The name of the commodity or commodities being packed.

Once the application has been received by the concerned Director or Controller, whoever shall be the registering authority, the application is subject to a couple of implications.
(a) If the application is deemed incomplete by the registering authority, the form shall be returned to the applicant within seven working days from the receipt of application.
(b) If the submitted form is complete and true in all respects, the Director or Controller must register the applicant and grant the registration certificate.

What If The Applicant Makes any Mistakes In the Application

For making any alterations in the certificate issued by the authorities, a fee of one hundred Indian Rupees has to be paid by the applicant(manufacturer/importer), along with the specific details of the changes, to the Director of Controller of the Legal Metrology Department.

Rectification of mistakes generally takes time, but our team of experts makes it simple and quick.

But I Need To Mention A Shorter Address !

Such problems often arise when, either the address of the manufacturing/packaging premises is too long to mention, or the packaging of the product doesn’t have enough space for it. The Act has a specific solution for this problem.

The applicant shall make an application to the Director or Controller along with the original address and the shorter version, to grant relevant permission.

If the Director or Controller, or the respective registering authority is satisfied that the shorter address is sufficient to infer the longer one by the customer or anybody else, the permission shall be granted.

Once the shorter address is registered and approved, the importer/manufacturer or packager can used it to pack the respective commodities.

So When Does the Registration Come into Effect?

The Director or the Controller of the Legal Metrology Department have to maintain a register which contains a list of all the registered importer/manufacturers and packagers.

Once the concerned authority grants a registration, the Director or Controller shall register the name, address and other relevant details of the registered applicant in this register.

This register can be inspected by any citizen, without the requirement of any fee.

Furthermore, the Director of Controller of Legal Metrology is required compile a state-wise list of the manufacturers and packers registered by him/her under rule 29, and must circulate it to the controller of the concerned state. This allows the state controllers to take samples or inspect the premises of any manufacturers or packers, following issues related to quality and consumer interests. .

How does Legal Metrology Registration Help My Business?

The first and most important benefit is that it makes your business protected against any legal implications or penalties. Legal Metrology Act 2009, requires all packaged goods sold in India to be properly packaged and labelled with appropriate information which shall include contents, raw materials, nutritional information, expiry, statutory warnings etc.

Secondly, it ensures the prospective and current buyers of your product that your brand abides by the law, and they can trust it. This helps you build up a positive brand image and sack up reputation for your concerned future plans.

Putting up such information educates your customers about what they are buying and how its made or procured. This also allows you to provide value and quality to the consumers of your packaged products.

Conclusion

Filing a registration as an importer, manufacturer or packager under the legal metrology division is a tedious and complex task. There are a ton of if’s and but’s while filing a registration and even a simple mistake might get your application rejected. Hence it is always better to seek the help of experts. We at CliniExperts have helped many companies obtain their importer/manufacturer and packaging registrations with minimal effort and within the least possible time. We reduce all the burden related to paperwork and filing documents so you can stay focused upon your business. Feel free to reach us at contact@cliniexperts.com for further assistance.