Green dot or red? What the new labeling means for your everyday toiletries as Centre amends Legal Metrology Rules

New labeling rules for personal-care products in India specify whether they are of vegetarian or non-vegetarian origin. The Central government amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 on Monday. Products made from vegetarian ingredients must feature a green dot on their packaging, while non-vegetarian products must display a red or brown dot.

This symbol should be placed at the top of the main display panel, allowing consumers to quickly identify the product's nature while shopping. The requirement applies to soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, cosmetics, and toiletries. By providing a color-coded visual indicator, the amendment aims to simplify the process for consumers to determine the vegetarian or non-vegetarian status of these items before making a purchase.

Manufacturers and sellers of covered products will need to comply with the new packaging labelling requirements. Prior to the amendment, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules outlined several standards for information that must be displayed on packaged goods sold to consumers. These rules require the declaration of the manufacturer or packer's name and address, importer details for imported products, the common or generic name of the commodity, net quantity, month and year of manufacture, and the retail sale price, which includes taxes.

Packages must also include contact information for consumers to lodge complaints. The rules also cover inspections and testing of packages, enabling officials to examine products at manufacturers' or packers' premises and draw samples to verify compliance with the regulations, including the accuracy of the declared quantity.