The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has issued new rules for the packaging of electronic products which have been manufactured or imported on or after the 15th of July 2022. The new rules state that a QR code is compulsory on the packaging of electronic products and must include the relevant information of the product. If not on a QR code then the information needs to be printed on the packaging itself. The mandatory information which needs to be declared includes the name of the manufacturer, packer, and importer, whichever is applicable; the name of the product, and the quantity or number of products in the package. The information must also include the size and dimension of the commodity; and the telephone number and e-mail address of the concerned person or company.
The ministry notified the public that the new rules also called the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2022, came into force on the 15th of July. Earlier as per the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities), Rules 2011 the information was required on the packaging itself.
Citing relevant clauses and sections, the ministry said, “Provided that in the case of an electronic product which is manufactured or packed or imported after July 15, the package of such product shall, for a period of one year from such date, declare the name of the manufacturer or packer or importer, as the case may be, on the package itself and such declaration shall also inform the consumers to scan the QR code for the address and other related information.”
In situations where the information is declared through the QR Code and not on the package itself, then for one year, the package should inform the consumers to scan the QR code for the common or generic name of the commodity. It further states that if a package contains more than one product, then the name and number or quantity of each product needs to be mentioned.
The electronics industry has welcomed the move. The India Cellular and Electronics Association, (ICEA) called the mandate a historic pro-consumer improvement. ICEA said that the use of digital QR codes is a significant first step in the simplification of labelling under a law that is over thirty years old. The ICEA said, “This development is consistent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to using digital technology for not just ease of doing business, but also ease of living”. They also added that the step would benefit Indian consumers in several ways and that it declutters the label while retaining the relevant information needed at the time of purchase. This makes the label neater and more legible. The electronics industry considers this new mandate a strong and decisive step that aligns with India’s march into the digital age. It takes care of consumer interests while bearing in mind the aspirations of the younger generation.
Over the next year, a transformation of the labelling of electronic commodities is expected to happen and gain traction as have other digitalisation initiatives launched by the government. At Ficus Pax, we stay up to date with the rules and regulations related to packaging and exports so that you have an efficient, trustworthy, and successful partnership with us. For more information on the packaging of electronic products contact us at https://ficuspax.com/contact/.
