**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer given in Lok Sabha (Unstarred Question No. 492) on December 3, 2025, regarding mandatory country-of-origin filters on e-commerce platforms. It addresses questions about the government's proposal, the rationale behind it, and how it impacts consumer decision-making and domestic manufacturing. It confirms that the Department has finalised the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Existing Rule:**
* Under Rule 6(10) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, e-commerce entities are already mandated to display specific declarations on their digital platforms.
* Required declarations include: Name and address of the manufacturer/ packer/ importer, Country of origin, Common or generic name of the commodity, Net quantity, Best before/use by date, month and year (for items unfit for human consumption), and MRP.
* **Draft Amendment Rules, 2025:**
* The Department has finalized the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025.
* These rules aim to enhance consumer empowerment by providing a more consumer-friendly display of the country of origin.
* This will facilitate the easy identification and comparison of imported products on e-commerce platforms.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: E-commerce Entities**
* **Impact:** The e-commerce entities will need to ensure that their platforms meet the existing requirements of Rule 6(10) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
* **Action Required:** The e-commerce entities will need to update their platforms according to the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025.
**Stakeholder: Consumers**
* **Impact:** Consumers will be able to make more informed purchasing decisions due to enhanced transparency regarding the origin of products.
* **Action Required:** Consumers need to be aware of the new changes.
**Stakeholder: Domestic Manufacturers**
* **Impact:** Potentially increased visibility and competitiveness of domestic products due to enhanced transparency.
* **Action Required:** No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011: Rules mandating declarations on packaged commodities, including country of origin.
Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025: Proposed amendment to existing rules to further improve display of country of origin for imported products.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The primary ministry responsible for the policy regarding mandatory country-of-origin filters on e-commerce platforms.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India initiative to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 492
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
MANDATORY COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN FILTERS ON E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS
492. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formally proposed mandatory country-of-origin filters on ecommerce
platforms for packaged commodities;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for consumer transparency being ignored;
(c) whether the proposed Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules,
2025, amend the 2011 regulations to require display of country-of-origin for imported products and if
so, the details thereof along with rationale behind it and if not, the reasons for online shoppers being
kept in the dark about product origins;
(d) whether the Government clarify the manner in which these filters will enable consumers to make
informed purchasing decisions and if so, the expected benefits thereof and if not, the reasons for
consumer empowerment being neglected; and
(e) whether the proposed filters designed to promote ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ by
making Indian products more visible and if so, the implementation details thereof and if not, the
reasons for domestic manufacturing being sidelined?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (e) : Under Rule 6(10) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, it is mandatory
for e-Commerce entities to display on the digital/ electronic network, the declarations which includes Name
and address of the manufacturer/ packer/ importer; Country of origin; Common or generic name of the
commodity; Net quantity; Best before/ use by date, month and year for the commodities which may become
unfit for human consumption and MRP. This requirement is aimed at ensuring transparency and enabling
consumers to make informed purchase decisions.
In furtherance of consumer empowerment, the Department has finalised the Draft Legal Metrology
(Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025 providing for display of country of origin in a
more consumer-friendly way by facilitating easy identification and comparison of imported products on e-
commerce platforms.
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