1 Lakh Fine For E-Tailers If They Don’t Reveal Country Of Origin

There has been a demand for boycott calls against Chinese products in the country. The government's stance has also tightened in this matter.
Image Credit: Inc42
Image Credit: Inc42

The government has now become strict about promoting domestic products and imports from China. E-commerce companies, manufacturing companies, and marketing agencies importing packaged items from abroad are no longer well. 

If they do not show the country of origin on the goods, then they can be fined up to 1 lakh rupees and also have to spend a year in jail.

It is mandatory to mention the Country of Origin 

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has set up the Central Consumer Protection Authority to take action against such companies. The Authority may take action against such companies by taking so much cognizance or in the direction of the Central Government. 

The Ministry has appointed the Additional Secretary as the Chief Commissioner and the Director-General of BIS as the Investigating Officer.  Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that he has written to all e-commerce companies and state governments that it is mandatory to mention the Country of Origin on the product under Packaged Commodities Rules.

One-year jail sentence

Image Credit: Republic World
Image Credit: Republic World

Lina Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, said that if a manufacturer or marketing firm does not follow it, then it will incur a fine of Rs 25,000 in the first place. For the second time, you will have to pay a fine of Rs 50,000. After this, a fine of one lakh rupees or one year of jail or both can be paid. This would also apply to e-commerce companies if they did not disclose the details on their website.

A meeting convened by DPIIT

Officials said that the provision of displays of the country of origin on the products of all manufacturers, importers, packers, and e-commerce companies has been in force since January 2018.

The Secretary said that the issue was discussed with e-commerce companies in the meeting convened by DPIIT. "We all agree to implement it. If e-commerce companies display a country of origin on their product as per law, then consumers will be helped to decide.

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