Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 7: In a move aimed at enhancing price transparency and helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions, the Department of Consumer Affairs has prescribed standard pack sizes for edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework.
The department has revised its Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) governing the determination of net quantity and standard pack sizes for edible oils and fats. Manufacturers, packers and importers have been given a three-month transition period to implement the new norms, according to an official statement.
Under the revised guidelines, nine standard pack sizes have been notified for major edible oils. These include 200 ml/g, 500 ml/g, 1 litre/kg, 2 litre/kg, 3 litre/kg, 4 litre/kg, 5 litre/kg, 15 litre/kg and 20 litre/kg.
The standardisation will apply to commonly used edible oils such as palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, sesame oil, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil and corn oil, as well as blended edible oils.
Officials said the initiative is intended to make it easier for consumers to compare prices across different brands and packaging formats, thereby promoting greater transparency in the retail market.
The decision follows extensive consultations with major edible oil industry associations representing nearly 90 per cent of the country's edible oil sector.
As per the new norms, packages displaying quantity in volume will also be required to clearly mention the corresponding weight in accordance with the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
The provisions will be applicable to both domestically manufactured and imported edible oils.
However, packages containing less than 200 ml or 200 grams of edible oil, as well as certain minor edible oils, have been exempted from the standard pack size requirement to ensure the continued availability of affordable small packs for consumers.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has also allowed businesses to voluntarily adopt the new standard pack sizes before the end of the transition period.
Welcoming the move, Sudhakar Desai, president of the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA), said the decision would bring greater clarity to the marketplace and create a level playing field for industry participants.
He noted that the proliferation of non-standard pack sizes in recent years had created confusion among consumers and distorted price comparisons, adding that the new norms would help restore order and transparency in the retail edible oil market.