Metrological Standards for Evidential Breath Analysers (EBA)
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has introduced the Legal Metrology (General) Sixth Amendment Rules, 202, which will come into force on 1 April 2026. This amendment inserts PART XIII: EVIDENTIAL BREATH ANALYSER into the Eighth Schedule of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, establishing comprehensive metrological and technical specifications for these instruments.
Government Mandates Retail Sale Price Display on All Pan Masala Packs
The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has issued the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Second (Amendment) Rules, 2025 which makes the display of the Retail Sale Price (RSP) mandatory on all pan masala packs. The amended rules will come into force on 1 February, 2026. From this date, all manufacturers, packers, and importers of pan masala must ensure full compliance.
Government Launches Training to Implement New Vegetable Oil Order
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, through the Department of Food and Public Distribution, has announced the launch of a nationwide series of workshops to ensure the effective implementation of the recently amended Vegetable Oil Products Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2025 (VOPPA 2025). The reform aims to significantly improve transparency, data collection, and monitoring across the entire edible oil industry, supporting national food security.
New Indian Standards Established by Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has notified the establishment of eight new Indian Standards across various sectors, effective from October 15, 2025. This move aligns with the continuous effort to update and modernize quality and safety benchmarks across the nation.
CCPA Fines Coaching Centres Rs 8 Lakh Each for Misleading UPSC Ads
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has passed final orders against two IAS Coaching Centres imposing a penalty of Rs 8,00,000 each for indulging in misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, and violating consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This action was taken to protect the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement contradicts the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Government Warns of Strict Action for Non-Compliance with Edible Oil Regulations
The Department of Food and Public Distribution, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has issued a sharp warning that non-compliance with the amended Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2025 (VOPPA Order) will result in strict penal action. The Department plans to initiate inspection drives and field verification checks to ensure compliance across the entire edible oil sector.
Government Approves Massive Expansion of Testing Capacity for Legal Metrology in India
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has introduced the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Amendment Rules, 2025, which will overhaul the verification and testing infrastructure for weights and measures across the country. These new rules, effective upon their publication on October 24, 2025, expand the scope of instruments requiring verification, mandate a substantial fee increase for test centre applications, and designate central government laboratories as approved testing centers.
Government Grants Permission to Three Companies to Use Old Packaging Inventories
The Central Government, through the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Weights and Measures Unit, has issued separate orders granting permission to three different companies to utilize their existing inventories of old packaging material temporarily. The decision, made under Rule 33(1) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, permits the use of old stock for a period of three months from the date of the order (October 9, 2025) or until the stock is exhausted, whichever is earlier.
CCPA Fines Drishti IAS ₹5 Lakh for Misleading UPSC Result Claims
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has imposed a penalty of ₹5 lakh on Drishti IAS (VDK Eduventures Pvt. Ltd.) for publishing misleading advertisements related to the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022.
Centre Eases Compliance Rules for Pre-Packaged Goods Following GST Revision
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.
Government Proposes 10-Year Validity for Model Approval of Domestic Weights and Measures
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has invited public comments on a draft amendment to the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011. The proposed changes aim to introduce a fixed period of validity for model approval certificates for all weights and measures, a move designed to align with evolving technological and regulatory standards. This notice was issued on September 9, 2025.
CCPA and NCH Take Decisive Action to Protect Consumers
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken firm action against misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, imposing penalties on both VLCC Limited (₹3 lakh) and Rapido (₹10 lakh). In a separate report, the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) demonstrated its effectiveness by facilitating refunds of ₹2.72 crore in July 2025, resolving thousands of consumer grievances across various sectors. These actions collectively underscore the government’s strong commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring transparency and accountability in the marketplace.