The Department of Consumer Affairs, through its Legal Metrology Division, regularly issues clarifications to help manufacturers, importers, traders, and institutional buyers comply with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. A recent set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addresses the most common compliance issues related to footwear packaging, weighing machines, and model approval requirements.
- Declarations on Footwear: Box vs. Product
One of the most common doubts for footwear manufacturers is whether mandatory declarations—such as MRP, size, manufacturer details, etc.—must appear on the footwear itself. The Legal Metrology Division has clarified that if all declarations are clearly provided on the footwear box or on its label, there is no need to print the same information directly on the footwear, as long as the product is always sold in that box.
However, for footwear sold without a box, the rules still require essential consumer information. In these cases, businesses must use a tag, sticker, or any suitable method to ensure the required declarations reach the consumer.
- How to Declare Retail Price
There is flexibility in how retail price may be displayed. The MRP can be declared either with the ₹ symbol or with “Rs.”, and both formats are legally acceptable under the Packaged Commodities Rules.
- Applicability of Section 22: Model Approval Requirements
Several questions relate to Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, which requires model approval for certain weights and measures before they can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India.
The department clarifies that Section 22 applies only to instruments listed in the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. Products such as feeler gauges, electronic calipers, dial depth gauges, digital indicators, mini vernier gauges, bore gauges, and digital calipers are not currently covered, meaning they do not require model approval as of now.
Similarly, load cells are also not covered under the General Rules at present—though they may be added soon. Until then, they too are exempt from model approval.
- Stamping & Verification of High-Accuracy Weighing Machines
For high-precision weighing machines, stamping and verification are mandatory at the place of installation before the instrument is put into use. This requirement flows from Section 24/33 of the Act and Rule 27 of the General Rules.
Manufacturers are encouraged to display essential details such as model approval number, maximum/minimum capacity, and ‘e’ value at the time of manufacture, but these must be guaranteed before sale or use.
- Import of Machines for R&D
Weighing instruments imported solely for research and development enjoy certain relaxations. Importers may bring in a very limited number (typically not more than five), without model approval. However, these instruments cannot be sold or used commercially until full Legal Metrology compliance is met. The importer must also inform the local Controller of Legal Metrology in writing.
- Packaged Commodities for Institutional/Industrial Buyers
Products meant exclusively for institutional or industrial consumers are exempt from the mandatory LMPC declarations such as MRP or consumer care details. The only requirement is that these packages must prominently bear the label “Not for retail sale.”
- Machines Used for R&D: Stamping Not Required
Finally, weighing machines used solely for research and development are exempt from stamping and verification under Section 55 of the Act.