Overview of Legal Metrology Compliance for Amazon & Flipkart Sellers
In India, sellers must comply with Legal Metrology when selling any pre-packaged commodity online.
Therefore, in case you sell products on an online platform like Amazon or Flipkart, you must comply with the provisions of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules of 2011 and the Legal Metrology Act of 2009.
Legal Metrology will still be demanded by e-commerce companies like Amazon and Flipkart in the year 2026. Any e-commerce seller selling products on their site can expect to face account suspension and possible legal consequences if they fail to comply with all aspects of registration and proper labelling on packaged goods.
This guide discusses Legal Metrology and the registration requirements, and how online sellers can stay compliant with these laws.
What is Legal Metrology?
Legal metrology is the set of laws governing weights or measures of products, which include prepackaged goods, to keep fair trading practices in place for consumers.
Three pillars of legal metrology must be adhered to according to the law:
- Products must be reasonably advertised with an accurate representation of volume/quantity.
- Products must contain legally required labelling.
- Consumers are not misled about their purchase regarding weight, price, and or manufacturer.
These requirements apply to both online and offline sellers. Despite only appearing on Amazon or Flipkart - or perhaps even if you do not own any retail locations in your name - each law applies equally, no matter how you sell your products.
Benefits of Legal Metrology Compliance
Besides avoiding penalties for non-compliance with legal metrology standards, there are numerous business advantages to complying with these requirements:
1.) Builds consumer confidence by providing clear labels and accurate product descriptions, therefore reducing disputes or returns.
2.) Helps prevent the marketplace from taking action against the seller because marketplaces are now actively checking compliance documentation before allowing categories of products on their site.
3.) Protects a seller against the potential for heavy fines and/or legal notices sent from the legal metrology department.
4.) Increases a seller's brand credibility while allowing for easier compliance when integrating into larger retail structures.
Why is Legal Metrology Compliance Important for Online Sellers?
E-commerce sellers may assume that they're not responsible for compliance issues, as they think that all compliance responsibility lies with the manufacturer. The law allows several ways in which the e-commerce seller may be held liable.
Examples include:
1. The manufacturer
2. Packer
3. Importer
4. Seller (including sellers on online marketplaces)
Platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart also require e-commerce sellers to provide the Legal Metrology registration certificate as a requirement for sellers of specific products, such as:
1. Cosmetics
2. Food products
3. Electronics
4. Household goods
5. Products imported into India
6. Health supplements
Failure to provide these legal metrology registration certificates can lead to possible consequences such as:
1. Removing listing(s)
2. Suspending the seller account
3. Imposing a monetary penalty
4. Seizing of the goods related to non-compliance
Because of these possible consequences for e-commerce sellers, legal metrology compliance is critical for an uninterrupted e-commerce operation.
Who Needs Legal Metrology Registration?
You need to, at a minimum, have Legal Metrology Registration if you:
1. Manufacture packaged goods
2. Pack products under a product brand name
3. Import pre-packaged goods
4. Sell pre-packaged goods under a private label
5. Relabel or otherwise modify the packaging of a product
If you are simply reselling products within the packaging as is, then responsibility usually goes back to the manufacturer. However, sometimes the platforms will still request proof of compliance.
Importers must have Legal Metrology registration before selling products in India.
Key Points of Legal Metrology Requirements for Amazon & Flipkart Sellers
When selling products online, you also need to include various mandatory declarations to buyers on the product packaging, which include:
1. Manufacturer/Packer/Importer information (name & address).
2. Place of origin (of products imported).
3. The total amount of the goods (e.g., weight, volume, number).
4. Date of manufacture/ import (month and year).
5. Maximum Retail Price (MRP) inclusive tax.
6. Email and telephone number of customers.
In the case of e-commerce listing, the product pages should have the same required statements in plain sight.
One of the most prevalent causes of compliance notices is the incorrect or incomplete labelling.
Applicability of Legal Metrology to Amazon & Flipkart Sellers
Legal Metrology applies to any vendor of pre-packaged goods. The significant aspect of Legal Metrology is whether the product has been pre-packaged before sale, and if the amount contained is already predetermined.
As Examples: If a business sells handmade soap in a sealed container, then they must be compliant with Legal Metrology laws. Conversely, a business that sells loose produce does not have to comply. Any business that sells imported electronics will need to comply.
E-commerce sellers must follow the same Legal Metrology rules as a brick-and-mortar business. Therefore, e-commerce sellers are not exempt from packaging laws.
Furthermore, marketplace policies will adhere to government policies, es and as such, a seller will need to provide valid Legal Metrology Certificates to the marketplace upon request.
How to Obtain Legal Metrology Registration?
To register with Legal Metrology, a seller must go through several steps:
Step 1: Determine which category of registration is applicable to their business. Categories may include Manufacturer, Packer, or Importer. Importers must apply to the Central Legal Metrology Authority. Manufacturers and Packers must normally apply to the State Legal Metrology Department.
Step 2: Find the required documents to register. Such documents may be: Business registration certificate (Company, LLP, Proprietorship), PAN card, GST registration certificate, Address proof of business premises, Product details, Sample of product packaging, and Import-Export code (to Importers).
Step 3: Submit an application to the State Legal Metrology Authority, with the applicable Fee(s) to the various authorities that are listed.
Step 4: A physical check of the business could be done before registration is granted, depending on the authority one is applying to.
Step 5: The Legal Metrology Registration Certificate will be given after the registration application has been processed.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
If you fail to comply withthe Legal Metrology law, you can be sanctioned by:
* Fines
* Stopping sale/Seizure of products
* Criminal prosecution
* Stopping from selling on the marketplace
If you repeatedly violate these laws, you will pay higher penalties.
With the stricter enforcement that has taken place in 2026, due to an increase in observance of e-commerce sellers.
Conclusion
Legal Metrology is not just a formality for compliance with regulatory authorities; it is an essential requirement of sellers who sell on Amazon and Flipkart in India. All businesses that sell goods packaged before sale must comply with regulations about registering their business and correctly labelling their products.
With more government scrutiny of sellers and strict marketplace enforcement of sellers, failing to comply with Legal Metrology will cause a major disruption in the seller's business.
To succeed long-term in e-commerce, sellers need to be compliant, pack goods accurately, have registrations in place before selling products, and have their business registered in accordance with the regulations of governing authorities. A compliant business prevents being fined but also allows them to increase trust, increase brand recognition and create sustainable growth.
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