Packaged commodities have to display product information more prominently
08 Apr 2016
The government has amended the Packaged Commodities Rules, making it mandatory for all packaged commodities to display product information more prominently, at least on 40 per cent area of the packet, except top and bottom, so that these are easily readable by consumers.
Announcing the decision at a meeting of the Bureau of Indian Standards at Mussoorie yesterday evening, union minister of consumer affairs and public distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan, directed officials of his ministry to strictly ensure enforcement of the amended rule from July this year.
According to the amendment, names of manufacturer, packager and importer as also net quantity of product, manufacturing date, retail sale price and consumer care contacts shall have to be displayed in a panel of 40 per cent of the area of the packet in readable font size. Monitoring cell will be setup to ensure strict compliance of new provision.
Paswan said his ministry is setting up quick response system to attend consumer complaints, existing National Consumer Helpline is being geared up for this purpose and now a senior level officer will monitor the disposal of complaints on daily basis. Paswan expressed the hope that Consumer Protection Act, which has many unique features to safeguard interests of consumers, will be passed by the Parliament in the second part of the budget session
Reviewing the working of BIS during the governing body meeting, the minister asked the Bureau to formulate rules to ensure early implementation of new BIS Act so that culture of quality goods and services can be ushered in the country. He further mentioned that BIS has taken various initiatives under 'Make in India' for standard formulation, which includes items relating to renewable energy, bio-fuel, auto components, electric machinery and construction etc. BIS is also contributing to 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' by formulating new standards on solid and plastic wastes management, water and waste water supply management.
