Parliament Question: Draft Legal Metrology

Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4145 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 DRAFT LEGAL METROLOGY 4145. SHRI RAJESH VERMA: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: SMT. SHAMBHAVI: SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL: DR. LATA WANKHEDE: Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has proposed the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) 2025 to enforce greater transparency and consumer empowerment in the ecommerce sector and if so, the details thereof; (b) the specific provisions requiring e-commerce entities to provide "searchable and sortable filters" for Country of Origin to enable consumers to easily identify the source of products; (c) the manner in which this strategic amendment strengthens the 'Vocal for Local' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives by ensuring domestic products are easily discoverable and compete fairly with imported goods; (d) the details of the public consultation process undertaken to ensure that the views of all stakeholders are incorporated into this progressive regulatory framework; and (e) the manner in which these measures contribute to building a transparent, consumer-centric digital marketplace that safeguards the "Right to Information" for online shoppers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA) (a) to (e) : The draft amendment to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 was placed on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs on 23.10.2025 inviting public comments from all stakeholders. The consultation period was initially up to 22.11.2025 and on request of stakeholders, was further extended till 08.12.2025. The Government has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 through the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2026 notified on 13 February 2026. The amendment will come into force with effect from 1st July 2026 and inserts sub-rule (10A) in Rule 6, as follows: “(10A) Every e-commerce entity selling imported products shall provide the product listings of such imported products in a searchable and sortable filter specifying the country of origin. The e-commerce entities already provide various filters on their platforms for enhancing consumer experience for speedy discovery of product as per consumer’s choice. The amendment ensures that they shall also provide searchable and sortable filters for country of origin. *****