In a significant move aimed at improving consumer transparency and promoting fair trade practices, the Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) issued on December 29, 2023, for determining the net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats under the Legal Metrology framework. The decision follows detailed consultations with major edible oil industry associations representing nearly 90 per cent of the country’s edible oil sector. The initiative intends to curb the growing proliferation of irregular pack sizes in the market, which often makes it difficult for consumers to compare prices and make informed purchasing decisions.
Under the revised provisions, standard pack sizes have now been prescribed for major edible oils and blended edible oils, including palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, mustard or rapeseed oil, groundnut oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil and corn oil. The approved standard pack sizes are 200 ml or grams, 500 ml or grams, 1 litre or kilogram, 2 litre or kilogram, 3 litre or kilogram, 4 litre or kilogram, 5 litre or kilogram, 15 litre or kilogram and 20 litre or kilogram. The government stated this move will make it easier for consumers to compare prices across brands and assess value for money more accurately.
To safeguard consumer interests, packages below 200 ml or 200 grams have been kept outside the scope of standardisation so that affordable small packs remain available in the market. Minor edible oils have also been exempted from the standard pack size requirement.
The revised norms further mandate that if the quantity of edible oil is declared in litres or millilitres, the package must also clearly mention the equivalent weight in accordance with the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. This measure is expected to improve transparency and help consumers compare products of different brands more effectively.
The new provisions will apply equally to domestically manufactured and imported edible oils. Existing rules related to sampling, testing, verification of net quantity and permissible errors will continue to be governed by the Standard Operating Procedure and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Manufacturers, packers and importers have been given a transition period of three months to comply with the new requirements, although companies willing to adopt the standard pack sizes earlier may do so immediately.
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, introducing standard pack sizes will not only make purchasing decisions more transparent and consumer-friendly but will also bring greater uniformity in packaging practices across the edible oil industry. The move is expected to simplify compliance requirements, encourage fair competition among manufacturers and importers, and create a more transparent marketplace overall.
