Mint Primer: Why are retailers being warned about legal metrology?

What are these companies accused of?

According to CNBC-TV18, the CCPA, part of the ministry of consumer affairs, has issued notices to 11 e-retailers, including Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and Meesho, for allegedly failing to include basic information about products such as production dates and expiration date suitability They were also accused of violating other packaging and labeling regulations that also apply to manufacturers and wholesalers of consumer goods. The CCPA issued the notice after hundreds of consumers complained of receiving expired or expired perishable products. The companies have 15 days to respond, media reports.

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What does the law say about packaged goods?

The 2011 amendment to the Statutory Metrology Act 2009 states that each prepackaged item must contain information about its weight, quantity of goods, dimensions (if applicable, for example for clothing), dates of manufacture and expiration date (or use-by date) . ), details of the manufacturer and the maximum retail price. All details should be printed in “standard units” such as rupees for price, grams and kilograms for weight. The law further details the issue of product labeling. By law, all information must be printed in English or Hindi Devanagari script, but sellers can include other languages.

What happens if these firms are found guilty?

Statutory metrology officials may inspect and seize any number of goods suspected of violating the Act. Fines can vary from ₹10,000 to several lakhs. Repeat offenders face up to a year in prison with a fine. CCPA officials may also ask these e-retailers to provide them with a list of dealers and brands from which they may have purchased these substandard products.

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What other laws can the CCPA refer to?

Last November, the CCPA introduced rules that prohibit online platforms from using dark patterns to defraud customers. These guidelines point to 13 categories of dark patterns, including cart shaming, false urgency, and subscription traps. E-commerce firms are also governed by the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Regulations 2020. Last week, the CCPA introduced guidelines to protect consumers from “greenwashing” — misleading claims made by brands about sustainability and environmental impact.

Will it become harder for sellers to advertise?

At first glance, yes. In addition to CCPA actions, other decisions may affect them. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that all advertisers must certify each individual ad they place online on the Press Council of India (PCI) website and obtain a self-declaration certificate. This was part of the judgment against the misleading advertising of Baba Ramdev’s consumer firm Patanjali Ayurved. About 118,000 ads are registered on the PCI portal. And this is only a small part of the actual amount of advertising that we see on the Internet.

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