Ever thought about how Legal Metrology works with BIS, FSSAI, and CDSCO registration? Yes, a bit confusing for anyone to understand, but in this article, we tried to add all the details that will help you to understand it in more depth with a simple method. Let’s understand that legal metrology is a law that regulates units of weight, measurement, and packaging to ensure transparency in trade. It falls under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. The main goal of Legal Metrology is to protect consumers from fraud, mainly in the case of pre-packaged goods such as food, electronics, and medical devices. This law ensures that consumers get the right quantity for the price paid and are not misled by false, unclear, or missing packaging information. Now I hope you got the gist, so why wait? Let’s get into more details.
What Is Legal Metrology?
Legal Metrology is a branch of the Department of Consumer Affairs that regulates measurement units, packaging declarations, and labelling accuracy for all pre-packaged goods in India. Its main purpose is to protect customers from all kinds of unfair trade practices and ensure transparency in pricing and product information. Check the pointer to know what it covers:
- Net quantity of the product (weight/volume/number)
- MRP (Maximum Retail Price)
- Manufacturer/Importer Details
- Date of Manufacturer/Packaging and expiry
- Customer care contact details
Why Legal Metrology Matters For Indian Manufacturers And Importers?
For Indian manufacturers and importers, complying with legal metrology laws is not optional; it’s necessary. Any mistake in packaging declarations or failure to register under the Act can lead to penalties or seizure of goods.
- Ensures legal selling of pre-packaged goods in the Indian market.
- Builds consumers’ trust through transparency.
- Helps in avoiding legal action and penalties.
- Required for obtaining licenses and registration with other regulatory bodies like BIS, FSSAI, and CDSCO.
How Legal Metrology Works With BIS Regulation?
Certainly, BIS focuses on the quality and safety standards of products such as electronics, toys, steel, and cement, whereas Legal Metrology ensures that these products are labelled and weighed correctly.
| S.No. | BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) | Legal Metrology |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ensures product meets safety/quality norms | Ensures labeling, quantity, and pricing accuracy |
| 2. | Provide an ISI mark for certified goods | Requires declaration under packaged commodities rules |
| 3. | Focus on manufacturing & performance | Focus on packaging, weights, and consumer rights |
How Legal Metrology Aligns With FSSAI Regulations?
FSSAI controls the safety and hygiene of food products, while Legal Metrology governs how food is labelled and packaged.
- FSSAI makes sure that the product has proper ingredients, expiry date, and nutritional value.
- Legal metrology makes sure that the food items are mentioned, such as net quantity, MRP, manufacturer/importer details, and follow the correct font size and label format.
How Legal Metrology Supports CDSCO Regulations For Medical Devices?
CDSCO oversees the registration and import of medical devices, but for any packaged device, Legal Metrology Rules should also be followed. For instance:
| S.No. | CDSCO Compliance | Legal Metrology Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Import license/Registration | Importer/manufacturer name & address |
| 2. | Device classification | Net quantity, MRP, Month & Year of import |
| 3. | Adverse event reporting mechanism | Customer care details on the label |
Common Compliance Challenges Across Legal Metrology, BIS, FSSAI, And CDSCO
Businesses often face compliance issues because of overlapping rules. Each authority has a different focus area, but they all need precise and correct product documentation.
- Confusion over which body to approach first.
- Misalignment in label format or missing mandatory declarations.
- Importers are skipping Legal Metrology Registration, assuming other licenses are enough.
- Packaging errors that violate both BIS standards and LM rules.
- Delay in approval due to non-uniform documentation across departments.
Penalties for Non-Compliance Under Legal Metrology And Other Regulations
If businesses fail to comply with legal metrology, BIS, FSSAI, or CDSCO, they may face:
- Fines up to Rs. 1 lakh or more.
- Seizure of goods from the warehouse or retention points.
- Legal proceedings in consumer courts.
- Cancellation of the import or manufacturing license.
What Information Must Be Included On A Product Label Under Legal Metrology?
This is very important to know that all the pre-packaged commodities sold in India should include specific declarations on their labels. These are outlined in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
- Name and Address of the manufacturer, packer, or importer
- Common/Generic name of the product
- Net quantity (weight/volume/count)
- Month and year of manufacture/import/packaging
- MRP (Maximum Retail Price) inclusive of all taxes
- Customer care contact
Are Importers Also Required To Follow Legal Metrology Rules?
Yes, importers are equally responsible for legal metrology compliance. Even if a product is made outside India, once it enters the Indian retail market, it must comply with Indian packaging laws.
- Register under the Legal Metrology Act
- Mention their name and address on the label
- Ensure packaging includes MRP, net weight, date of import, etc.
Why Choose ELT Corporate For Legal Metrology?
ELT Corporate is a professional consultancy with expertise in Legal Metrology, BIS, FSSAI, and CDSCO compliance. We understand how these departments interact, and we help you stay fully compliant from day one.
- Experience in handling multi-sector compliance
- Dedicated team for Legal Metrology Registration and label review
- Personalised services for importers, startups, and manufacturers
- On-time documentation, fast processing, and regulatory accuracy
- Assistance during government inspections and legal notices
Is Legal Metrology Mandatory Even If My Product is BIS or FSSAI Certified?
Yes, even though your product is certified, you are still required to obtain Legal Metrology certification if you are working with pre-packaged goods.
Can Imported Products Be Sold Without Legal Metrology Labelling?
No, it’s not legal to sell imported products without Legal Metrology Labelling because it requires complete labelling before being sold in the market.
