Apparel retail in India is in for a boost with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs exempting readymade garments sold in loose form from the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules.
The notification: The announcement was made in the Gazette of India on 22 August by the Department of Consumer affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
What changes have been brought about: Garments and hosiery items can now be sold in loose or open at the point of sale in such manner that the consumer can inspect the products before buying. All products will need to specify the following details:
- name and address of the manufacturer or marketer or brand owner or importer with country of origin or manufacture in case of imported products;
- consumer care email id and phone number;
- sizes with internationally recognizable size indicators such as S, M, L, XL, XXL and
- XXXL along with details in metric notation in terms of cm or m, as the case may be;
- maximum retail price of the package inclusive of all taxes in Indian currency.
The sub-text: All this would be subject to:
- The exemption under this clause shall apply to sale of finished products alone.
- The above information should be displayed on an e-commerce website if such product is sold through e-commerce.
- Any manufacturer or packer or importer may, notwithstanding the date of commencement of this clause, declare the above information with immediate effect.
The deadline: The new rules, called the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2022, would come into force on 1 January 2023.
