The Hindu Business Line : Govt for third party checking of packaged goods weights

The Government is considering a comprehensive law to allow third-party checking of weights and measures on packaged products. The announcement was made by Ms Alka Sirohi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, at a one-day interface between the Government and industry organised by FICCI.

Ms Sirohi told reporters that the idea was at an initial stage and that the new legislation, when introduced, would replace the existing Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976, and Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985, while allowing accredited labs to conduct checks on samples of packaged products.

The Centre is currently holding discussions with State Governments, as they would eventually enforce the act. Commenting on the amendments in the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, which come into effect from January 14, 2007, Ms Sirohi said the objective was to safeguard consumer interest; however manufacturers may be given time till May 1, 2008, to implement the revised rules. The Government would consider industry suggestions as long as they did not contradict the basic spirit of the rules, she added.

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