Medical devices must carry MRP on packs from January 1

Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh L Mandaviya said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that the move followed amendments to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

He said the consumer affairs, food and public distribution ministry has issued amendments making the rules "applicable to medical devices also".

"The rules make printing and labelling of MRP on the package mandatory. These rules shall be applicable from 1.1.2018," Mandaviya said.

He was responding to a query on whether any guideline was likely to be issued or has been issued by the ministry for medical devices to declare MRP.

The minister further said that under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, every package must bear the name, address, telephone number, e-mail of persons or of office that can be contacted in case of consumer complaints.

"The amended rules shall be applicable to e-commerce companies also," he said.

In March, drug price regulator NPPA had stated that the 22 medical devices which have been notified as 'drugs' must all carry MRP on packs.

These devices included heart valves, surgical dressings, condoms, stents, disposable hypodermic syringes and orthopaedic implants, among others.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, government informed Parliament that companies have to print 'Best before' or 'Use by the date' on a label of pre-packaged food items that have potential short shelf life.

A new provision in this regard has been inserted in the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

According to the new rule, the 'best before or use by the date, month and year' should also be mentioned on the label if a package contains a commodity that may become unfit for human consumption after a period of time.

It also said "nothing in this clause shall apply if a provision in this regard is made in any other law".

A circular was also issued on June 23, the minister said.

On e-coding , Chaudhary said this facility is "optional and not mandatory" for the industries. This is proposed to be given to the industries to ensure the commodity is correct in quantity and declarations.

On declarations on items sold via e-commerce platforms, the minister said the e-commerce companies are required to ensure mandatory declarations -- name, address of manufacturer or packer or importer, name of the commodity, net quantity and MRP and consumer care details.

He also said the font size of numerals printed on pre- packaged commodities has been increased and this will come into force from January 1, 2018.

Those violating these rules will be liable to face penalty under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, he added.