Indian manufacturers and importers of packaged items are now required to include the price per unit and manufacturing date on their packaging. This new rule, aimed at providing more transparency and information to consumers, eliminates the provision of mentioning the month and year of ‘pre-packed or imported’ and ensures consumers know the exact age of the products. Compliance with these new rules has already begun and becomes mandatory from January 1, 20This move promotes transparency, protects consumer interests, and enables informed choices while purchasing packaged commodities.
Indian manufacturers and importers of packaged items will now be required to include the price per unit along with the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on their packaging. This decision, which has been delayed multiple times, aims to provide consumers with more transparency and information about the products they are purchasing. Producers and importers will also have to mention the month and year of manufacturing on the packaging.
The new rule eliminates the provision of mentioning the month and year of ‘pre-packed or imported’ and ensures consumers know the exact age of the products. This is particularly important for items with expiration dates or those that may lose their potency over time.
The unit price per kg or per litre should be mentioned for items weighing more than a kg or litre, while items weighing less than a kg or litre should have the unit price mentioned in per gram or millilitre (ml). This will help consumers compare prices more easily and make informed decisions about the value they are getting.
For packaged items with multiple units, such as a pack of cookies or a box of detergent, the price per piece will also be mentioned alongside the MRP. This will give consumers a clear idea of how much each individual unit costs and help them determine if it is worth buying in bulk or opting for a smaller pack.
Compliance with these new rules has already begun, and it will become mandatory from January 1, 2022. Manufacturers and importers will need to update their packaging to include the required information.
In addition to these changes, the consumer affairs ministry has also removed the ‘specified quantities’ norms for packaging for 19 types of items. This gives manufacturers the freedom to decide the quantities of all packaged items they sell. This change allows consumers to choose the quantities they require and gives manufacturers the opportunity to introduce more options in the market.
The latest notification mandates that only the ‘date of manufacturing’ and ‘unit sale price’ should be printed on packaged items. The ‘date of manufacturing’ helps consumers know the age of the product, while the ‘unit sale price’ allows them to ascertain the cost in unit terms. This information is essential for making informed purchasing decisions.
The consumer affairs secretary emphasized the importance of consumers being aware of the ‘unit sale price’ to make informed purchasing decisions. This move promotes transparency and protects consumer interests by providing them with essential information about the product.
Overall, the new regulation aims to ensure that consumers have access to accurate and relevant information, enabling them to make informed choices while purchasing packaged commodities. It is a step towards empowering consumers and promoting a fair marketplace.