Legal metrology pre-packaged commodities (LMPC) registration
The legal Metrology Act, 2009 is responsible for establishing and enforcing standards of weights and measures, regulating the trade and commerce in weights, measurements and other goods which are sold or distributed by the medium of weight, measure or numbers. This Act is applicable for whole of the country. The Registration under the Act may be called as Legal Metrology Registration or Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity (LMPC) License.
Any dealer of the commodities, measured by weight, measurement and number is required to get himself registered under the Legal Metrology Act. The business as specified under the law includes buying, selling, supplying or distributing the commodities by any such weight or measure, either in cash or for deferred payment or for commission, remuneration or other valuable consideration. The business may be conducted by a commission agent, an importer, a manufacturer and includes selling, supplying, distributing or otherwise delivery of any weight or measure.
The Act of legal Metrology applies on every pre-packaged commodity. The international units of measurement shall be followed which indicates the following base units:
Prohibitions under the Legal Metrology Act:
A person shall not manufacture, repair or sell, or offer for repair or sale, of any weight or measure unless he/she holds a valid LMPC Certificate as issued by the Authority.
Provided that a manufacturer shall not require any Legal Metrology licence to repair his own weight or measure in a State other than the State of manufacture of the same.
Legal Metrology Standards in India are defined and implemented by the government of India, Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public distribution. While the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, presented under central jurisdiction, has been established as a model Act. Each individual State in India has the right to implement the Act with or without adjustments. Moreover, a couple of states have approved their own Act to manage the issues and matters identified with Legal metrology.
Benefits of LMPC Certificate under the Legal Metrology Act
Measurement plays a crucial role in day to day trade practices. The demand for effective trade is that it should be transparent and must create a balance between the traders and consumers. Some of the noted benefits of LMPC certificate can be listed as below:
- Reduction in Transaction Costs
- Supporting Trade
- Collecting Government Revenue
- Reduces Technical Barriers To Trade
- Build Consumer’s Trust
Use of poor measurement practices often proves to be a costly and time-consuming affair. The negative effect is on both- the businesses as well as the consumers. In the matters of poor measurement practices, the cost may be very high in terms of long court cases and legal battles. It will also hamper the goodwill and stability of the business. But when measurements are done accurately and correctly, following all the norms of the Legal Metrology Act, it results in a reduction in cost and time.
Legal Metrology Act is responsible for controlling any unlawful and unfair trade practices. This Act aims to make sure that measuring instruments are intact and in a good working condition so that they can serve their intended purpose and meet international standards.
The government collects its revenue through excise duties imposed on products produced, sold, imported and exported and via taxes levied on measurement. Legal Metrology Act ensures that no injustice is done to both the government and business in the payment of tax. The margin created by a proportion of mass items can be a huge segment of both export and national pay, especially in items, for example, timber, rice, coffee, palm oil, coal, iron-mineral, gold, jewels and natural gas.
Legal Metrology Act reduces the burden of technical barriers and promotes confidence and clarity of measurement. Fewer number of barriers increases the nation's morale and encourage them to participate in the global trading system, increasing the national economic growth. With the help of the Legal Metrology Act, a trader can avoid useless barriers in the process of adoption, application of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures.
As soon as the customer realizes they are receiving a product verified under certain rules and regulations, it will boost up their trust in the businessman, ultimately leading to a healthy trading relationship.
Importer Registration under Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011:
Import means to bring into India any product from outside India, and the person who carries out import is called an importer. There is a provision of mandatory registration for an importer of weighing and measuring instruments under Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. The application must be submitted to the Director or Controller of the central Metrology Department, New Delhi.
Registration Procedure
Why NAC
NAC has a dedicated team of Regulatory and compliance professionals who can help to provide end to end service for obtaining Licenses. We have a team of expert and experienced professionals to ensure that our clients get top-line services regardless of lengthy compliance procedures. We provide on-time delivery of government licensing and Registration. Facilitate comprehensive support throughout the Registration process and licensing process.
NAC Assistance in Obtaining Model Approval Certificate for Weights and Measures
Why LMPC Certificate Required
Importers of pre-packed commodities are required to register with Legal Metrology and comply with packaging commodity rules before importing goods into India. These rules require importers to make certain mandatory declarations on pre-packaged commodities. The government has authorized custom authorities to check if legal metrology compliances by importers have been fulfilled, under DGFT's notification No. RE-44 of 2000. Failure to comply with legal metrology regulations may result in the import shipment being stopped, making it essential for importers to obtain legal metrology registration well in advance of any imports.
Difference in Legal Metrology Certificate and LMPC Registration
- A legal metrology certificate refers to any certificate of approval or registration issued under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. LMPC Certificate is a type of legal metrology certificate that is specifically granted under the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity (LMPC) Rules, 2011.
- The LMPC Certificate is also commonly referred to as a Legal Metrology Certificate, LMPC License, or LMPC Registration Certificate. These certificates can be categorized into two types:
Legal Metrology Certificates/Registrations/Licenses issued for the sale, import, manufacturing, repair, and distribution of weighing and measuring equipment in India, granted under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Legal Metrology Registrations/Certificates/Licenses issued for the imports, packaging, and manufacturing of pre-packed commodities in India, granted under the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rules (LMPC Rules), 2011.
Documents required for LMPC
For obtaining valid Legal Metrology certificate you will be requiring to support your application along with the required documents which are listed below: –
Please note the above list is indicative, each state may have its own specific requirement. In case of difficulty in arranging any documents or any confusion in drafting of application you may contact our legal experts and may avail yourself of professional help as we have one of the best Legal Metrology Consultants on our board.
