Stories
New Packaging Rules: Green for Veg, Red for Non-Veg on Soaps, Shampoos, and Cosmetics.
- •The Central Government has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, making it mandatory to display vegetarian or non-vegetarian symbols on soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, and cosmetics.
- •Under the new rule, vegetarian products will feature a green dot, while non-vegetarian products will have a red or brown dot, prominently displayed on the upper part of the main display panel.
- •This amendment became effective with the notification issued on September 21, 2026, aiming to provide consumers with direct information about the product's nature and origin.
- •Violations of these rules are subject to penalties under Section 36(1) of the Legal Metrology Act, including fines up to ’25,000 for a first offense and up to ’1 lakh or imprisonment for repeated non-compliance.
- •The new provision, introduced via the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Fourth Amendment Rules, 2026, specifically applies to soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, other cosmetics, and toiletries.
Key Questions Answered
The central government amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 to mandate vegetarian and non-vegetarian symbols on products like soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics, and toiletries. Vegetarian items will carry a green dot, while non-vegetarian or animal-derived ingredient items will display a red or brown dot on the upper part of the main display panel.
The new amendment requiring color-coded symbols on personal care products became effective with the issuance of the official notification on September 21, 2026.
Violations attract penalties under Section 36(1) of the Legal Metrology Act, featuring fines up to 25,000 for a first offence, up to 50,000 for a second offence, and between 50,000 to one lakh rupees plus potential imprisonment for repeated non-compliance. Minor or technical first-time offences may initially receive a rectification notice.
