Understanding the Different Types of LMPC Certificates | A Comprehensive Guide

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.

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.

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:

What different LMPC Certification types are there?

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.

(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)

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.

How to do Legal Metrology Registration Online​ ?

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:

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.

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?

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.

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 !!!