The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) dated 29 December 2023 for determining net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats under the Legal Metrology framework.The amendment, developed following consultations with industry stakeholders, aims to improve consumer transparency and facilitate easier price comparison by reducing the proliferation of varying package sizes in the market.
Under the revised SoP, standard pack sizes have been prescribed for major edible oils and blended edible oils, including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard/rapeseed, groundnut, sesame, rice bran, cottonseed, and corn oils. The prescribed sizes are 200 ml/g, 500 ml/g, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, and 20 litre/kg.
The amendment also requires packages declaring quantity by volume to display the equivalent weight, enhancing transparency for consumers. The provisions apply to both domestically manufactured and imported edible oils.Packages below 200 ml/g and minor edible oils remain exempt from the standard pack size requirements. Manufacturers, packers, and importers have been granted a three-month transition period to comply with the new provisions.
The initiative is expected to promote uniform packaging practices, support fair competition, and enable consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions.
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