Overview
- The Ministry of Consumer Affairs amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules to make vegetarian and non‑vegetarian symbols mandatory on pre‑packed soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, cosmetics and toiletries, a change that came into effect on Monday.
- Under the amendment, products with no animal‑derived ingredients must display a green dot and products that contain animal‑derived ingredients must display a red or brown dot on the top of the principal display panel.
- Manufacturers, importers and brands must now trace ingredient origins across formulations and supplier lists to classify products correctly, a process that may require checking minor additives and derivatives such as glycerin, collagen, keratin, tallow and squalane.
- Weights‑and‑measures authorities can inspect premises, draw samples and penalize non‑compliant products, creating immediate enforcement risk for companies that fail to update labels or document ingredient sources.
- The change mirrors food‑labelling conventions and is meant to help consumers with dietary, ethical or religious concerns choose products, while smaller brands and importers may face higher short‑term costs to audit supply chains and reprint packaging.