Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities (LMPC) is a mandated requirement that gives importers or manufacturers LMPC Certificates. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009’s Section 19’s LMPC laws are being strictly enforced by customs officials to verify the product’s accuracy per Indian Standards.

LMPC Certificates: What Is It?

There have been stronger regulations surrounding the risk and safety of importing pre-packaged items in recent years. All importers, manufacturers, and commercial packers are required by Rule 27 of the LMPC to register for Packer registration, also known as LMPC registration.
Workers in trades who import pre-packaged items must apply for registration with the Controller of Legal Metrology in the state or the Director of Legal Metrology in the Central Government. The authority will give them the LMPC Certificates registering their name and address if the application is approved. The power to register is held by the central and state governments.

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In India, who needs to earn an LMPC registration?

Before selling and distributing these pre-packaged items in the nation, anyone who desires to import them for sale and distribution must register under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and receive a Legal Metrology Registration Online​.

An LMPC Licence is required: Why?

A company that imports products may need to obtain the LMPC Import Licence Certification from the Controller of that State if they wish to sell or distribute their goods only in that state. Let’s say they distribute it or sell it in multiple states; in such a situation, the applicant corporation would need to request registration from the Central Government’s Director with the help of the Local Controller.

Along with importing businesses, LMPC Import Licence Certification registration is also necessary for the producing and packaging businesses that produce and distribute pre-packaged goods.

LMPC’s Role for Importers:

Trades must apply to the state’s Controller of Legal Metrology before importing pre-packaged goods for sale or distribution. If the application is approved by the governing bodies, the applicant will receive the LMPC Certificates. An LMPC license has a one-year expiration date and a five-renewal limit. You must first seek a license from the state’s controller if you intend to sell the things in that state. Similarly to this, you must register with the director at the Centre via your regional controller if you want to sell in more than one state.

Which products fall under the authority of legal metrology?

Legal metrology in India applies to two different kinds of goods. Metrology is a research field of measurement. In India, legal metrology focuses on weights and measurements. An illustration of the two product types will help to clarify them. Products that are sold loose, such as fruits, vegetables, and pulses, are pre-packaged. Customers can identify the things that are offered loose in their presence using a standardized weight or measure. These goods, as opposed to those that are pre-packed, already have the pre-determined quantity on the packages with the main display screen on them.

Prepackaged items

Pre-packaged goods are those that have already been packaged before being delivered to the consumer. As the name implies, the goods are already packaged, whether they are sealed or not, and the quantity of the product inside is predetermined. As an illustration, consider paint, chemicals, fuel, and food items.

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What Advantages Do LMPC Certificates Holders Enjoy?

For several reasons, a company needs a Legal Metrology Registration Online​. Various firms need LMPC accreditation for the following reasons:

  • Reduces transactional expenses: Accurate measurements made following metrology’s principles ensure timely measurement, saving both the buyer and the seller money and time.
  • Lowers risk of fraud: The Legal Metrology Act works to prevent fraud by making sure that the measurement equipment is in good working order. Additionally, it reveals the relationship between the provider and the buyer, making tracking simple.
  • Lowers trade challenges: The Legal Metrology Act seeks to lower the technical trade barriers for companies and assist them in taking advantage of global trade opportunities. This promotes the country’s economic expansion. Additionally, by eliminating pointless trade obstacles, it reduces bureaucracy and increases efficiency.
  • Simple tax collection tracking: The Metrology Act ensures that tax collection is fair for both businesses and the government. It enables the tax division to follow the money flow between the provider and the buyer.
  • Increases consumer confidence: When a customer learns that they are purchasing a product that has been approved following specific laws and regulations, it increases customer confidence in the trader.

    • What different LMPC Certification types are there?

    Following the 2011 Legal Metrology Pre-Packed Commodity Rules, there are two types of Legal Metrology Registration Online​ :

  • LMPC Importer Registration under rule 27:

    • If you import the pre-packaged commodities and sell them in India without engaging in any additional packaging and labeling activity, you must register. LMPC Importer Registration under Rule 27 is a mandatory requirement for any person who intends to import hazardous chemicals into India. As per the LMPC Rules, any person who imports hazardous chemicals into India must obtain a registration certificate from the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE) under Rule 27. This certificate is valid for five years and must be renewed thereafter.
    Any person who intends to import hazardous chemicals into India must apply for LMPC Importer Registration under Rule 27. This includes manufacturers, traders, and importers of hazardous chemicals.

    The following documents are required for LMPC Importer Registration under Rule 27:

    (1)Application form in Form I

    (2)Details about the dangerous substances that will be imported

    (3) The dangerous chemicals’ safety data sheet (SDS)

    (4)Test report from an approved laboratory for each hazardous chemical

    (5)Copy of the import-export code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

    (6)Copy of the PAN card

    (7)Copy of the GST registration certificate

    (8)Declaration of conformity to the LMPC Rules

    (9)Any other documents as specified by the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE)

  • Packer & Manufacturer Registration under Rule 27 for LMPC

    • You will need to obtain this registration if you are involved in the manufacturing and packaging of goods, or if you outsource the manufacturing of goods from a third party and have them packed under your brand. LMPC Packer & Manufacturer Registration under Rule 27 refers to the registration process required by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for manufacturers and packers of proprietary food articles (PFAs). Rule 27 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, lays down the guidelines for LMPC Packer & Manufacturer Registration. The rule mandates that all manufacturers, packers, and labelers of PFAs must obtain registration from the FSSAI before commencing their business operations.

    To register under Rule 27, the LMPC Packer & Manufacturer must apply the FSSAI. The application must be attended to by the following documents:

  • Form A
  • Declaration Form – A self-declaration form stating compliance with all FSSAI regulations and guidelines
  • Proof of identity – The manufacturer or packer must provide proof of identity in the form of a PAN card or Aadhar card
  • Proof of ownership or occupancy of the premises – A document that proves the ownership or occupancy of the premises where the manufacturing or packing is to take place
  • Food Safety Management System Plan – A document outlining the system of food safety management that the LMPC Packer & Manufacturer will implement
  • List of food articles to be packed or manufactured – A comprehensive list of all PFAs that the LMPC Packer & Manufacturer plans to pack or manufacture

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    How to do Legal Metrology Registration Online​ ?

    The steps for obtaining a certificate of LMPC are as follows:

  • The first step is to create the LM application using all the data that has been gathered.
  • The Zonal officer will review the application, look for any problems or concerns, and make recommendations.
  • Premises Inspection – The inspector will show up at the appointed time if the application was submitted appropriately.
  • Based on the compliance of the premises, the inspector gives a suggestion.
  • To the assistant controller for approval or rejection, the zonal officer presents the thorough report.
  • The packaging, weights, and measurements of items as well as facilities must adhere to the aforementioned Act & Rules.
  • Reacting to any regulatory action – Take into account the revealed or alluded-to regulatory changes.

    • What Are the LMPC Certificate’s Applicability & Exemptions?

    It is made very clear that fines would apply for any violations of the requirements of the LMPC import certificate. The list of a handful of these is as follows:

  • A fine of Rs. 4,000 shall be assessed for any infraction of regulations 21 to 37.
  • A fine of Rs. 2000 will be assessed for any infringement of the other rules for which there is no mention of a penalty.
  • You will be charged a late fee if you don’t apply for LMPC within 90 days of the start of import.
  • For the import of pre-packaged items, there are a few exceptions, which are as follows:

    • 1. Anything with a net weight or measurement of 10 grams or 10 milliliters or less

    2. Packages provided by a restaurant or hotel that feature fatty cuisine.

    3. Agricultural goods in containers weighing more than 50 kg.

    4. Packages containing medications that fall under the 1995 Drugs (Price Control) Order.

  • The Metrology Act also outlines provisions for packages intended for retail sale in Chapter 2. These are exceptions:

    • 1. Excludes cement and fertilizer sold in sacks weighing up to 50 kg, and packages weighing more than 25 kg or 25 liters.

    2. Packaging aimed at institutional or industrial consumers.

    How to track the Legal Metrology Certificate application online?

    The following are the processes to track an LMPC application:

  • Visit the state government’s website for legal metrology.
  • The tracking button is placed above the page; select it.
  • After that, the applicant will be taken to a tracking page where they must provide details like their department.
  • The second step requires the provision of the acknowledgment number.
  • After providing all of the previously asked information, the applicant must complete the pertinent captcha that is offered on the page and click the submit button.
  • The applicant will be provided with a tracking report for the license renewal once all of the aforementioned processes have been finished.

    • What is the validity period of the legal metrology certificate?

    Different Licences and Registrations issued under the heading of Legal Metrology have different terms of validity. For a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years, an LMPC registration is valid. Each state in India has its own set of laws governing the enforcement of legal metrology, hence each state has decided how long a license is valid, how to renew it, and other issues. The certificate issued by the central government is valid for life, so you will only need to go through the process once until you need to update the certificate.

    What would happen if I didn’t get my LMPC registration in the allotted time?

    Within 90 days of the day, the import process began, the registration must be submitted. If you didn’t register within the required time frame, you risk penalties that will be assessed against each of your company’s directors, its partners in the event of a partnership firm, and its proprietor in the case of a proprietary firm.

    Recent changes made to the 2011 Legal Metrology Package Commodity Rules:

    On November 2, 2021, the government made amendments to the Legal Metrology Package Commodity Rules, 2011, which will come into effect prospectively on April 1, 2022. The revised law now includes provisions aimed at promoting transparency for consumers purchasing products. The industry has now changed the labeling and packaging of its products as a result of these revisions. Make an appointment with our specialists to receive labeling advice.

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    Conclusion

    The significance of Legal Metrology Registration Online​ is extensively discussed in this article. We help in understanding the paperwork required to submit an application for the same, as well as the consequences for breaking the laws outlined in the aforementioned LMPC Act. Apply now with us !!!