The Central Government, through the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Weights and Measures Unit, has granted a key relaxation in compliance requirements under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, following the recent revision of Goods & Services Tax (GST) rates effective September 22, 2025.
The directive, dated September 18, 2025, supersedes an earlier advisory and addresses concerns raised by industry and trade associations regarding the logistical challenges of legal compliance.
Key Relaxations and Guidelines
The Central Government exercised its powers under Rule 33 of the LMPC Rules, 2011, to introduce the following provisions:
Waiving of Advertisement Requirement
The mandatory requirement under Rule 18(3) for manufacturers and importers to issue an advertisement about the revised prices in two newspapers has been waived off.
Revised Price Communication
Consequently, manufacturers, packers, and importers are now only required to dispatch circulars detailing the revised prices to wholesale dealers, retailers, and other entities. A copy of these circulars must be endorsed to the Director, Legal Metrology of the Central Government, and the Controller, Legal Metrology of all States/UTs.
Voluntary Sticker Affixation on Unsold Stock
Manufacturers, packers, importers, or their representatives are permitted to voluntarily affix an additional revised price sticker on unsold packages manufactured before September 22, 2025, provided the original price declaration is not obstructed. The circular clarifies that existing rules do not mandate this stickering on unsold stock.
Use of Unexhausted Packaging Material
Any packaging material or wrapper that could not be used prior to the GST revision may be used for packing materials up to March 31, 2026, or until the material is exhausted, whichever is earlier. This is allowed after making necessary corrections to the Retail Sale Price (MRP) by way of stamping, sticker, or online printing at any place on the package.
Unit Sale Price Declaration
Declaration of the revised unit sale price on unsold pre-packaged commodities or unused packaging material is clarified as not mandatory. However, manufacturers, packers, and importers may declare it voluntarily.
Industry Awareness Mandate
Manufacturers, packers, and importers are mandated to take immediate steps to sensitize dealers, retailers, and consumers about the GST rate revision through all possible channels of communication, including electronic, print, and social media, to ensure price compliance at the retail level.