Govt Sends Notices To Quick Commerce Firms For Non Compliance With Legal Metrology Act 

The Indian government has sent notices to several quick commerce and e-commerce firms for non-compliance with the Legal Metrology Act, a source told Outlook Business. The act relates the production and sale of packaged goods in India.

As per a PTI report, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khar also said recently that the government was checking if the companies were adhering to the Legal Metrology Act. Khar reportedly said, “We are examining mandatory disclosures on packaged products sold via quick commerce companies.” 

This comes after a study was conducted by community platform LocalCirles, where it was highlighted that consumers regularly reported non-compliance related to the display of MRP and Best Before Dates (human consumption products) by e-commerce platforms. 

The study also highlights that many quick commerce platforms also failed to display the best before date for products intended for human consumption online. The consumer complaints have been against platforms including Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, Zepto, Lenskart, Myglamm, Decathelon and Meesho.

Read: How CCI Can Spoil Amazon, Flipkart's Festive Party Amidst Battle with Quick Commerce

Legal Metrology Packaged Commodity Rules (PCR) 2017

With the intent to protect consumer interest and unfair trading practices, the act governs the packaging and labeling of commodities that are sold in India. With regards to prepackaged commodities for retail sale, the act indicates that certain declarations should be made public for the benefit of consumers. This includes the name and address of manufacturer/packer & manufacturer (if manufacturers are not packers)/importer, country of origin if imported, and “best before or use by date, month, and year." 

This development comes at a time when the quick commerce market is booming in India. As per Redseer Strategy Consultants, the quick commerce market size is $2.8 billion and is set to “become a disruptive force, poised to reshape the retail industry as we know it.” Some of the major quick commerce players include Instamart, Blinkit, Zepto, and Big Basket. Additionally, several new players, such as Reliance and Flipkart, have been eying to expand into the quick commerce space.