Businesses that produce, market and distribute pre-packaged import products are required to register with Legal Metrology Certificate packaged commodities (LMPC). A LMPC (also known as an importer's license) guarantees the importation of pre-packaged products. Importers who are found to be violating the law risk being fined and their shipments stopped by customs. LMPC is responsible for certifying legal metrology, as well as overseeing, controlling, and promoting weighing and measurement instruments and devices.
What is LMPC?
Legal metrology deals with units, procedures and weights associated with all mandatory laws and regulatory requirements. legal Metrology Registration is a crucial part of international trade, which addresses the legal aspects of weighing and measuring devices. By setting clear standards, it helps to ensure open and honest trading practices.
Before beginning the application process, it is important to understand the Legal Metrology regulations of the country where the goods are imported and determine the exact requirements that apply. A company that is involved in the production of pre-packaged products, their marketing, distribution, or importation must possess a LMPC certificate. This stands for Legal Metrology packaged goods.
Legal Metrology Act 2009 governs the importation, distribution and sale of pre-packaged products in India. Pre-packaged goods are products that have been prepared and packaged in advance without the buyer. You can create customer awareness and reduce unfair commercial practices by registering your product under the Act.
LMPC certification: Definition and types
The LMPC certificate is required for pre-packaged goods. The Legal Metrology Act of 2009 requires all importers and packers of pre-packaged goods to register in accordance with the Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities Rule, 2011. This registration must be applied for within 90 days of beginning import operations. Getting an LMPC certification requires handling products in a precise and accurate way.
Two types of LMPC registrations are included in the 2011 Legal Metrology Pre-packaged Commodity Rules.
LMPC Importer registration under Rule 27. If you are importing pre-packaged goods and selling them in India, without any additional packaging or labelling you need to register as an LMPC.
LMPC Packer & Manufacturer registration under Rule 27 : This registration is required if your company produces and packages your products, or if your company purchases products from a third-party and packs them under your name.
Benefits of LMPC certification
Here are a few benefits of obtaining LMPC certifications in India.
Customer Confidence
The LMPC Certificate will increase the credibility of your business by making customers believe that the products you sell are accurately measured and packaged. Your products and services will help you gain the trust and confidence of your customers.
Avoid Penalties
Avoid government fines for violating requirements of legal metrology. The LMPC Certificate helps you avoid costly legal ramifications if you fail to adhere to packing, weight and measurement regulations.
Encourages and Facilitates Importing
The LMPC Certificate is a document that certifies your completion of legal metrology. The LMPC's aim is to improve India’s trade, finance and export sectors. It facilitates the importation of commodities into India.
Facilitation Trade
Legal Metrology Act should regulate any unjust or unlawful behaviour. The mandatory LMPC registration of the importers and manufacturers will ensure that all measuring tools are in good working order, undamaged and perform their original function, while adhering international standards.
Importing is faster and cheaper with
The license of an importer (also known as a LMPC) includes all details about the weights and properties of packaged products. It saves time when clearing customs on packed goods. Import LMPC certificates expedite the customs process, avoid unnecessary delays and save against fines.
Assurance of Product Quality
The LMPC certificate shows your commitment to produce high-quality goods. The LMPC Certificate assures customers that the items they receive are reliable and accurately measured. It is proof that you adhere to accepted standards in terms of packaging and measurement.
A Competitive Edge
Display the LMPC Certificate to gain a competitive edge in the market. This Certificate will help you to distinguish your brand from other brands that are not certified and may even attract more business by showing consumers your products meet legal requirements.
What are the essential documents required for LMPC certification?
These are the documents that you will need to complete the LMPC certification:
Goods and Services Tax Certificate
Import and export code certificate
MSME Certificate
Pan Card of the Company and its Owners
The Aadhar Card is the applicant's Aadhar Card
Rent Agreement for an office located on rented premises
Manufacture name, address, email ID and phone no.
Certification Process for LMPC
Step 1: Submit the application for LMPC certification
The first step to LMPC registration is to send your application to your state's district office for Legal Metrology. Complete the application by providing all necessary information. Verify the accuracy of all information to avoid delays or rejections.
Step 2: Submit the required essential documents
Please find enclosed copies of all documents required for registration. These documents have already been listed in detail. To ensure a smooth procedure, make sure that the documents are in their correct and current formats. ASC Group offers comprehensive document support to our clients. Contact our experts for more information.
Step 3: Payment of LMPC Registration fees
Pay the LMPC registration fees as directed by the relevant authorities. The packers must pay Rs 500 as an application fee for fiscal year 2023-24. You must have the exact amount in your possession.
Step 4: Reviewing the Application
When you submit your LMPC application, it will go through a rigorous assessment process that will be overseen by the Director for Metrology. Watch for emails that let you know whether your application has been approved or rejected. You will receive a return email within seven days if incomplete applications contain errors or omissions.
Step-5: Premise Inspection
If your application passes its first evaluation, an inspector will perform a site inspection. This inspection will verify that your packaging and weighing procedures comply with regulatory requirements.
Step 6: Submit Inspection Report
The inspector responsible for the inspection will produce a detailed report that outlines everything they found during their examination. This report can include recommendations for improvements aimed at achieving compliance with legal metrology standard or maintaining it.
Step-7: Award of LMPC certificate
Your application will be approved based on the inspection report and the evidence of your compliance with the Legal Metrology Act and Rules. You will receive your LMPC certification once you have been approved. This certificate gives you the legal authority for you to package and sell commodities according to the established standards. The Certificate is valid for five years. LMPC Renewals are required every five years. The applicant must submit the renewal application at the Department of Legal Metrology.
LMPC Certificate Compliances
Information about the Package
The Department of Consumer Affairs requires that all producers, sellers, importers, and distributors adhere to certain requirements. These include the requirement that the exterior packaging of pre-packaged commodities must contain the following information.
The generic name of the product;
Include the expiration date if it is perishable.
The maximum retail price including GST;
Date of manufacture
Date of import or packaging
Details of the consumer's use, such as weight, volume and length.
Consumer care information and toll free numbers
Declarations To Be Made In The LMPC Certificate
Importers must disclose the following information when registering for a Legal metrology certificate. If the importer does not disclose all necessary information, he is not eligible to apply for a LMPC licence.
According to LMPC Rule 5 the package must be prepared with the specified quantities.
It is important to indicate if it's a group or combination package, a multi-piece package, etc.
It is important to indicate whether the product will be sold at retail or wholesale.
Perishable items, such as foods, may be included in the box.
Disclosure is required if packaged goods are to be shipped abroad.
The packed product is only intended to be used in a specific industry
Disclosure is required if there is fast food in the package.
If the farm product is heavier than 50 kg, the delivery will be delayed.
The package must be checked to see if it contains any non-scheduled or scheduled drug formulations.
Who owns, rents, or leases the store or space?
In the last three-year period, the company was not prosecuted for violating the Weights and Measures Act.
The Weights and Measures Agency must have inspected and validated any store or premises.
All violations have been reported.
Exemptions from the LMPC Certification
The following products are exempt from the requirement to import a LMPC.
The Drugs (Price Control) Order of 1995 covers formulas that are covered by this order.
Agri-products packaged in quantities exceeding 50 kg
Packages that contain fast food packaged by a hotel or restaurant;
Commodities with a weight or volume of less than 10 grams or 10 millilitres
The following items are also exempted from the restrictions of Chapter 2 in the Legal
Metrology Act for retail packages:
Packaging containing goods weighing more than 25 kg, or 25 litres. Cement and fertilizers are available in bags of up to 50 kilograms.
Packaged goods are sold to institutional and industrial customers who buy the product directly from the manufacturer for their own use (service institutions like airlines, trains hotels, hospitals, etc.).
Non-Compliance with LMPC Rules
Section 19 of Legal Metrology Act of 2009. Only importers with importer certificates are allowed to import weights or measures. Customs officials are enforcing this legislation more strictly, and companies must obtain an importer's certificate before importing any weights or measures.
Manufacturers and importers who fail to submit yearly returns may be fined Rs 5,000 or sentenced to a year in jail.
Importer penalties will also apply if the label of the product indicates a weight that has not been confirmed.
Producers, importers and sellers of goods, as well as distributors who do not include a LMPC declaration, risk a fine between Rs 2,000 to 10,000 or a year's imprisonment.
Importers, packers and producers who violate the standards of weights and measures can be punished with up to $10,000 in fines or an entire year in prison.
Producers, importers, and packers who violate section 11 of LMPC Act face a maximum of a year's imprisonment or a fine up to Rs10,000.
Importers and packers risk up to $10,000 in fines or an entire year of jail time if they deliver amounts that are less than what the customer has paid.
Conclusion
The registration process for Legal Metrology for Packaged Goods is more than a formality. It's a commitment towards maintaining the highest levels of excellence, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace. Businesses that adhere to the LMPC method ensure that the legal metrology standards are met, but they also enhance the welfare of their customers and the integrity of the industry. The LMPC certification is a guarantee for customers that packaged goods purchased adhere to strict regulatory requirements.
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