Legal Metrology in India: LMPC Registration, Label Rules and the 2026 Changes
Legal Metrology is the Indian law that governs how goods are weighed, measured, and labelled for sale. For a manufacturer, packer, or importer of pre-packaged goods, it means two things: register under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 (the LMPC registration) and print the mandatory declarations on every pack.
Rules changed several times in 2026, including new e-commerce and importer provisions, so a checklist from last year is already out of date.
Rule 27 Fee (Reported)
₹500
Key Takeaways
The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the LMPC Rules, 2011 apply to nearly all pre-packaged retail goods, not to a short list of categories.
Manufacturers, packers, and importers register with the Controller of Legal Metrology within 90 days of starting to pack or import.
Since 1 July 2026, e-commerce platforms must let shoppers filter imported products by country of origin.
A May 2026 amendment reportedly lets importers complete declarations at an authorised bonded warehouse and makes registration valid until cancelled.
Penalties were rewritten by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, which commences entry by entry. Check whether the Legal Metrology entry is in force before you rely on a figure.
What Applies to You
Legal Metrology is not one filing. Match your business to the obligation:
| You Are |
You Need |
| Manufacturer or packer of pre-packaged goods |
LMPC registration and Rule 6 declarations on every pack |
| Importer of packaged goods |
LMPC registration, importer details and country of origin on the pack |
| E-commerce seller or platform |
The same declarations on the listing; platforms also need the country-of-origin filter |
| Maker, repairer, or dealer of weights and measures |
A licence from the state Controller of Legal Metrology |
| Shop or business using weighing scales |
Periodic verification and stamping of the instruments by the state department |
Food packs follow FSSAI labelling in parts, and products under mandatory quality orders may also need
BIS certification. Those are separate regimes that sit alongside this one.
What Changed in 2026
Three developments to know about:
E-commerce country-of-origin filter
The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 128(E), 13 February 2026) inserted Rule 6(10A). E-commerce entities selling imported products must provide listings in a searchable and sortable filter by country of origin. It came into force on 1 July 2026.
Importer relief and accountability
The Third Amendment Rules, 2026 (29 May 2026) are reported to let importers complete declarations at authorised bonded warehouses, require full labelling before release, name a responsible director for violations, add an annual online update of business and origin details, and make registration certificates valid until cancelled. Read the Gazette text before you restructure your imports.
Penalty overhaul
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 rewrote the penalty provisions in the Act. See the penalties section below.
LMPC Registration, Step by Step
LMPC registration is the Legal Metrology registration every manufacturer, packer, or importer of pre-packaged commodities files under Rule 27.
1
Confirm You Are in Scope
If you pack goods in a package for retail sale without the buyer present, or import such goods, you are.
3
Apply Online Within 90 Days
Apply to the Controller of Legal Metrology within 90 days of starting to pack or import. The 90 days run from when you actually begin, not from when you decide to formalise.
4
Pay the Fee
The Rule 27 fee is reported at ₹500, with a further ₹100 for any later change to the certificate. Confirm on the official fee schedule.
5
Receive the Certificate
Keep it with your records.
6
Update Annually
Update annually if the new rules apply to you, and file changes in your premises, products, or director details promptly.
The Label: Declarations Every Pack Must Carry
Rule 6 requires a clear, conspicuous declaration on the pack or a firmly attached label. The core items:
Name and address of the manufacturer or packer, and for imports, the importer
Country of origin, for imported goods
Common or generic name of the commodity
Net quantity in standard units
Month and year of manufacture, packing, or import
Best-before or use-by date where the goods can spoil
Maximum retail price, inclusive of all taxes
Consumer-care name, address, phone number, and email
Stickers cannot add or alter these declarations, except to reduce the MRP. E-commerce listings must show the same information as the physical pack, and a listing that disagrees with the label is a common source of notices.
Importers selling through marketplaces should check both the label and the listing against the 2026 rules.
Licences for Weights and Measures
If you manufacture, repair, or sell weights, measures, or weighing instruments, the Legal Metrology Act and the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 require a licence from the state Controller of Legal Metrology.
Businesses that use weighing scales in trade must keep them verified and stamped, on a schedule set by the state. Fees and intervals differ by state, so check with your state department.
This work is separate from the packaged-goods registration above.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Before the 2026 Act, a non-conforming pack drew a fine of up to ₹25,000 for a first offence, up to ₹50,000 for a second, and heavier fines or imprisonment for repeat offences. The Jan Vishwas Act substitutes a graded system. As reported by compliance practitioners reading the text:
| Offence |
Consequence (as reported) |
| First offence |
Improvement notice instead of a fine |
| Second offence |
Penalty of up to ₹5 lakh |
| Third or later offence |
Fine of ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh |
The new text also names e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces expressly.
Two cautions. The Act commences entry by entry, so confirm the Legal Metrology entry is in force on the Gazette. And treat these figures as the maximum exposure, not a prediction. A single defective SKU across thousands of units is where the exposure grows, which is why we audit labels before a launch, not after a notice.
Documents Required for LMPC Registration
Keep these ready before you open the application:
PAN and proof of identity of the proprietor, partners, or directors
Business constitution proof: incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or LLP agreement
GST registration certificate
Proof of premises: ownership paper or rent agreement
List of commodities packed or imported, with pack sizes
Authority letter or board resolution for the signatory
Sample label or artwork for each product line
Mistakes We See
These are the errors that most often lead to notices:
Wrong substitute
Treating a BIS certificate or FSSAI licence as a substitute for Legal Metrology registration. They are separate regimes.
Waiting too long
Waiting past 90 days because the business is still "testing" the market.
Label first, rules later
Printing the label first and checking the rules afterwards. Re-stickering is not allowed except to lower the MRP.
Listing vs label mismatch
Letting the e-commerce listing say something different from the label.
Old fine scale
Quoting the old fine scale to a client or board when penalties have changed.
How LEGALDEV INDIA Handles Legal Metrology
A simple four-step process, handled end to end:
1
Tell Us About Your Products
You send your products, pack sizes, and whether you manufacture, pack, or import.
2
We Confirm and Audit
Our team confirms the registration and licences you need and audits your labels against Rule 6.
3
We File and Follow Up
We file the application, coordinate with the Controller's office, and track the certificate.
4
We Review Listings and Set Reminders
We review your marketplace listings and set reminders for updates.
Published by the LEGALDEV INDIA Editorial Team, drawing on the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the LMPC Rules, 2011, and the 2026 amendments.
Pricing
Our service charges:
| Service |
Includes |
Price |
| LMPC registration |
Application, follow-up, certificate |
[₹ - insert] |
| Label compliance audit |
Rule 6 review per product line |
[₹ - insert] |
| E-commerce listing review |
Declarations and country-of-origin check |
[₹ - insert] |
| Weights and measures licence |
State licence filing |
[₹ - insert] |
Government fees are paid at actuals. See the pricing page. For GST-linked setup, see GST registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? Find clear answers from our team:
It is the law that regulates weights, measures, and the declarations on pre-packaged goods sold in India.
Every manufacturer, packer, or importer of pre-packaged commodities for retail sale.
Within 90 days of starting to pack or import.
The Rule 27 fee is reported at ₹500, with ₹100 for later changes. Confirm on the official schedule.
Under the Third Amendment Rules, 2026, certificates are reported to stay valid until cancelled, with an annual online update. Read the Gazette text for your case.
Manufacturer, packer, or importer details, country of origin for imports, net quantity, manufacture or import date, MRP, and consumer-care contact.
Yes. Listings must carry the same declarations, and from 1 July 2026 platforms must offer a country-of-origin filter for imported products.
No. They are separate regimes and do not replace Legal Metrology registration.
The 2026 Act replaced the old fine scale with a graded system, reported as an improvement notice first, then up to ₹5 lakh, then ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Check whether the entry is in force.
Yes, a licence from the state Controller of Legal Metrology for manufacture, repair, or sale of weights and measures.