The science of measurement is called metrology. Standardization for the management of measurement and measuring tools is facilitated by legal metrology. Legal metrology is not only essential to fair trade but also safeguards customers, businesses, the environment, and the safety of the public.
Any company that manufactures, distributes, sells, packages, or imports pre-packaged commodities must have a LMPC, or Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities certificate. The purpose of this Legal Metrology Certificate requirement is to guarantee that the packaged goods meet the standards set forth in the 2011 Legal Metrology (a Packaged Commodities) Rules.
What are the necessary requirements for LMPC?
In compliance with the LMPC Regulations, producers, distributors, and importers who deal with the sale, transportation, and handling of pre-packaged goods must register as a packaged commodity no later than ninety days after pre-packaging activities go underway.
Documents needed to register an LMPC certificate for Import
The following documents are needed if you want to apply for an LMPC Certificate for Import:
- Proofs of identity and address (passport, voter ID card, Aadhaar card).
- The authorized signatory’s digital signature certificate (DSC).
- Licenses for manufacturing, trading, or factories: NDMC/MCD/DDA. In the event that the application does not have the MCD license, an affidavit certifying that the company’s location is not in a not conforming area that the MCD can seal must be presented.
- Certificate of GST Registration.
- Business Memorandum of Association or Partnership Deed (such as, for partnership enterprises) would be used.
- Import and Export Code (IEC).
- Passport-sized photos (of the owners, partners, and directors).
- Proof that the location is commercial.
- Labels, slips, stickers, and packaging materials are applied to the packaged goods.
- Receipt of contested offenses or their compounding.
For importers, what does an LMPC certificate mean?
When importing pre-packaged products for sale or distribution, traders need to register their name and address with the state’s Controllers of Legal Metrology or the Central government’s Director of Legal Metrology. The Director/Controller of Legal Metrology, who is the registering authority, will register the importer’s name and address and issue them with an LMPC Certificate for Import if the request is approved. This is the appearance of an LMPC Certificate for Import. A one-year minimum and a five-year maximum are associated with an LMPC registration.
You have to apply to a controller in the state where you plan for selling your pre-packaged items. Should you intend to offer your products in more than one state, you will have to register with the Center’s director via your local controller.
Registration of Legal Metrology
Anybody who works with measuring and weighing equipment must register with the legal metrology. The following three uses are possible for it.
1. Registration of Company: Legal metrology requires registration for any business engaged in the production, importation, or packaging of scales and measuring devices.
2. Importer Registration: A Certificate of The registration process of Import of Weights and Instruments for measuring is required for anyone wishing to export their weight and measurement instruments or sell them in the Indian market. It is permissible to import only standard packaged goods into India. It includes the importer’s registration under general rules, the importer and packer’s registration (such as packaging and warehouse registrations), and the company’s registration under legal metrology.
3. Registrations of Manufacturer, Importer, Packers, and Warehouses: In order for products to be sold in India, the relevant business needs to obtain a package and warehouse registration, as well as a renewal for any product labels that are covered by the Legal Metrology Certification. Products that fall under the area of weight and measurement, such as weighing machines, require five stages of registration from the LM department.
a. Model Endorsement
b. Registered Commodities in Packages.
c. License for Imports
d. Dealership Permit
e. Product stamping
How can I submit an application to import an LMPC certificate?
The detailed procedures for acquiring a Legal Metrology Certificates are available here.
1. Getting Ready and Submitting the Application: The application form must be submitted in order to submit an application for an LMPC Certificate of Import. Your local government entity should receive it.
2. Provide the Necessary Documents: Moreover, when submitting an application to obtain the LMPC certification, you must include all required papers. A summary of the required documentation is provided.
3. LMPC Registration Fees must be paid: After completing the application and submitting the necessary paperwork, you need to pay the required metrology registration fee. The executive director of Metrology reviews the application after it is submitted and decides whether to accept or reject it. Within seven to ten working days of receiving the application itself, the legal metrology certificate is granted.
Legal Metrology Certificate Validity
Legal metrology registration in India have a fixed validity period, exactly as other statute registrations. The LMPC Certificate for Import has a five-year validity term. To avoid complications during the customs clearance process, the certificate needs to be updated before its five-year expires.
Regulation LMPC Exemptions
In India, obtaining a Legal Metrology Certificate is not required in the following situations.
- Products weighing no more than ten grams or ten milliliters.
- Produce that is packaged in more than fifty kg.
- Packages containing quick food items that are packaged by hotels or eateries.
- Formulas with packaging that has been authorized by the Drugs (The price Control) Order of 1995.
- Packages holding more than 25 liter or 25 kilogram of goods; fertilizer and cement, on the other hand, are only available in bags weighing up to 50 kg.
- Packaged goods meant for use by lodging facilities, hotels, trains, airlines, and other institutional clients.
Statements Made During the Application Process for the Registration of a Legal Metrology Certificate
- If the package is intended for retail or wholesale use.
- Does the packaging follow Rule 5 of the 2011 Legal Metrology (Packaging Commodities) Rules regarding standard quantities?
- If the box contains any perishable products or food.
- If the box is divided into several portions, it is referred to as a combination package or a group package.
- Is the product packaging intended only for specific industry segments?
- Will the packaged goods be shipped from India?
- Whether the bundled items contain any fast food products.
- Whether you own or rent your store or premises.
- Whether the cargo contains any agricultural products weighing 50 kg or more, or any non-scheduled or scheduled formulations as defined by the Drugs (Prices Control) Order.
- Does your property have an inspection record from the W&M Department?
- The offenses you are contesting and if they are compounded.
- Whether, over the last three years, your company has faced legal challenges for breaking the Weights and Measures statute. If so, please include more information as well as the challan date.
India’s LMPC Certificate Benefits
The Indian holder of a certificate through legal metrology enjoys several advantages, not the least of which are as follows:
- Encourages Import: Since legal metrology registration certifies that you have finished the course, it facilitates the import of products into India.
- Protects Consumer Interest: LMPC guarantees precise weights, measures, and consumer disclosure of important information. This protects Indian consumers’ interests.
- Improves Business Goodwill: An LMPC Certificate for Import proves that a company is legitimate and in compliance. Customers will become more trusting of the company as a result, which will improve its reputation.
- Saves Time and Money: The container itself must disclose all important information as required by the LMPC. This contains all of the important information about the packaged items, such as contents, weights, and qualities. This significantly reduces the time required for the packaged products to pass customs clearance. This also speeds up the customs process, cuts down on unnecessary delays, and lowers the risk of paying hefty fines.
Penalties for Breaking the LMPC Regulations
The following sanctions will be imposed in the event that the LMPC rules are broken.
- Should the LMPC import license be filed more than ninety-nine days from the start of the incorporation procedure, a Rs. 5,000 late fee will be assessed (for Delhi).
- Manufacturers, importers, packers, and dealers who violate the weight and measurement regulations risk a fine of up to Rs. 10,000 or one year in jail.
- An importer, maker, or packer who violates Section 11 of an LMPC act faces a punishment for Rs. 10,000 or a year in jail.
- A punishment of Rs. 5,000 or a year in jail would be imposed on the maker or importer who fails to submit an annual return.
- If the product’s label indicates a weight that hasn’t been verified, the importer could face penalties.
- If products are sold with LMPC declarations on the packaging, manufacturers, distributors, sellers, and importers will be fined between Rs. 2000 and Rs. 10,000, face up to a year in jail, or both.
- The import of any type of measurement or weight is only permitted under Section 19 under the Legal Metrology, which was 2009, provided that an importer certificate is presented.