Old Packaging Allowed Till March 2026: Govt Eases Legal Metrology Rules After GST Rate Cut

The revised advisory under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, provides flexibility to industries while safeguarding consumer interests. With the GST revision effective 22nd September 2025, the relaxations ensure industries are not overburdened with compliance, while consumers transparently receive the benefits of tax reductions.

The Government of India has eased compliance requirements for industries following the recent revision of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, effective from 22nd September 2025. The move, announced by the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, seeks to strike a balance between ease of doing business and consumer protection, ensuring that the benefits of reduced GST rates are effectively passed on to consumers without creating excessive procedural burdens for companies.

Key Relaxations under Legal Metrology Rules

The Central Government has exercised its powers under Rule 33 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, to issue a revised advisory. Legal Metrology refers to the regulation of weights, measures, and packaged commodities to ensure accuracy and consumer protection.

1. Voluntary Price Stickers on Old Stock

Manufacturers, packers, and importers are allowed to voluntarily affix revised price stickers on unsold packages manufactured before 22nd September 2025. However, the advisory makes it clear that:

• This step is not mandatory under the Rules.

• The original Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed on the package must not be obscured.

• Revised MRPs can be declared by stamping, stickering, or online printing at any suitable place on the package.

2. Waiver of Newspaper Publication Requirement

Earlier, Rule 18(3) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules required manufacturers to publish revised MRPs in two newspapers whenever tax rates changed. This requirement has now been waived.

• Instead, companies must circulate revised price lists to wholesale dealers and retailers, while also sending copies to the Director of Legal Metrology (Central Government) and the Controllers of Legal Metrology in States/UTs.

• This significantly reduces the procedural and compliance burden on industries.

3. Use of Old Packaging Material Till March 2026

The advisory also permits the use of old packaging material or wrappers printed before the GST revision, up to 31st March 2026 or until the existing stock is exhausted, whichever comes earlier.

• This allows industries to avoid waste of packaging material while ensuring transparency in revised prices.

Consumer Awareness and Industry Responsibility

The Government has emphasized that the benefit of reduced GST rates must reach consumers. For this:

• Manufacturers, packers, and importers have been advised to proactively inform dealers, retailers, and consumers about revised GST rates.

• Companies are encouraged to use all forms of communication, including electronic media, print media, and social media platforms, to ensure wide awareness.

This ensures that consumers are not misled and can benefit from the intended reduction in product prices due to GST rate cuts.

Balancing Business Ease and Consumer Protection

The new advisory reflects the Government’s approach to:

• Simplify compliance for businesses by relaxing outdated requirements.

• Prevent unnecessary wastage of packaging material.

• Safeguard consumer rights by ensuring transparency in revised MRPs and effective communication of GST-related changes.

By extending the use of old packaging till March 2026, removing the need for newspaper notifications, and keeping re-stickering voluntary, the Government has created a win-win framework for both industries and consumers.

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