PART 4

The Legal Metrology (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES 2011

Principal Display Panel: Rule 7 Understanding where & how information needs to be declared on a package commodity.

The Legal Metrology (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES 2011 lay down a holistic overview on how the labelling declarations on packaged commodities need to be before packaged commodities are placed on the Indian Markets. We have already discussed these mandatory declarations in an earlier article The Legal Metrology (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES 2011 ( PART 1) : Introduction & MANDATORY DECLARATION ON LABELS (Rule 6)

These rules do not only define what needs to be mentioned on the package commodity but also where & how.  Understanding these rules , its provisions and exceptions are important not just from the aspect of preparing a legally correct package commodity but also to acknowledge that non-compliance can lead to monetary fines and penalties leading up to imprisonment in the worst case.

Before we go further, lets see what Principal Display Panel means.

Principal Display Panel is the total surface area of the package where the information required under Packaged Commodities Rules are to be given or imposed. This information could be grouped together at one place. In case of  pre printed information, This information could be grouped together and given at one place and on line information grouped together in other place.

Under this rule, answers to questions such as how much of an area on the label of the package commodity can be used for mandatory declaration of information ,and what should be the minimum height & width of letters and numerals on the package have been answered for clarity of all stakeholders.

Okay so how do I calculate the minimum height of numerals and letters based on the size of my packaged commodity?

Easy but no so simple. Please see the below table.

Net quantity declared in terms of weight or volume

As per Principal DIsplay Panel regulations, The height of any numeral in the declaration required under these rules, on the principal display panel shall not be less than values mentioned below in TABLE 1 if Net quantity is declared in terms of weight or volume

S.No.	Net quantity in weight / volume	Minimum height in mm
		Normal case	When blown, formed, molded, embossed or perforated on container
1	Upto 200g/ ml	1	2
2	Above 200g/ ml and upto 500g/ml	2	4
3	Above 500g/ ml	4	6

Net quantity declared in terms of length, area or number

As per Principal DIsplay Panel regulations, The height of any numeral in the declaration required under these rules, on the principal display panel shall not be less than values mentioned below in TABLE 1 if Net quantity is declared in terms of length, area or number.

S.No	Net quantity in length, area or number, area of principal display panel	Minimum height in mm
		Normal case	When blown, formed, molded, embossed or perforated on container
1	Upto 100 cm2	1	2
2	Above 100 cm2 and upto 500 cm2	2	4
3	Above 500 cm2 and upto 2500 cm2	4	6
4	Above 2500 cm2	6	6

And what about Width of numerals & letters?

The width of the letter or numeral shall not be less than one third of its height as derived from the above Tables I & II , except in the case of numeral `1′ and letters (i), (I) and (l)

Does a container shape determine where and how mandatory declaration needs to be put

Yes, of course. Container shapes and sizes have been classified under three types. 

1. Rectangular package : In case of a rectangular package, only one side can be treated as principal display panel area. In such a case, one entire side i.e Length X Multiplied (L X W )shall contain all the mandatory declaration as per rules.
2. Cylindrical Package :  In case of cylindrical package, out of the total area on the package, 40% of the product height of the package multiplied by circumference of the principal display panel shall contain all the mandatory declaration as per rules. 

Any Other Shape: In case of any other shape of a package apart from the above two types, 40% of the Total surface area of such package OR an area considered to the Principal Display Panel of the package shall contain all the mandatory declaration as per rules

GET REGISTERED UNDER THE MANDATORY REGISTRATION SCHEME OF THE LEGAL METROLOGY (PACKAGED COMMODITIES)  RULES, 2011 WITH THE HELP OF NKG EXPERTS. WE ALSO OFFER LABEL COMPLIANCE SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS.