Weightage norms for packaged products to change soon

Mumbai: An amendment to the packaged commodity rules by the ministry of consumer affairs has thrown up some virtually unattainable standards for consumer product companies, who will now have to weighing each unit of their product, at the time of sale.

So far, every pack of soap, for example, was weighed at the time it was packed at the plant, with its ''net weight when packed'' being stamped on the wrapping.

However, thanks to the amendment to the packaged commodity rules, starting May 2008 companies will now have to disclose the exact weight of the commodity, when purchased.

This 'minor' change has placed the consumer products industry in a quandary, as some commodities like toilet soap, laundry bar, bread, etc. are susceptible to variations in their weight because of the environment.

So, while a 100 gram bar of soap would weight 100 grams ''when packed'', it may weigh less by the time it is purchased, on account of loss of moisture during transportation through the supply chain.

But, with the deletion of schedule IV under the package commodity act, which stipulates the information that needs to be given on the package, companies will have to tell the buyer the exact weight, at the time of sale, which they say is an impossible task.

Consumer product companies such as Hindustan Unilever, Godrej, P&G, etc. are now appealing to the government against the amendment, as they say it is virtually impossible to print the exact weight on the packaging of a commodity that sees changes to its weight depending on weather conditions.