Rapid Fire
‘Country-of-Origin’ Disclosure for E-Commerce Products
- 12 Nov 2025
- 2 min read
The Department of Consumer Affairs has issued the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025, proposing to make it mandatory for e-commerce platforms to provide searchable and sortable filters based on the 'Country of Origin' for packaged commodities sold online.
- This aims to enhance consumer empowerment, transparency, and promote Made in India products under Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local.
Rules of Origin
- About: Rules of Origin (RoO) are criteria used to determine a product’s national source and guide duties, tariffs, trade restrictions, and preferential treatments.
- Types of Rules of Origin: The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Rules of Origin defines two types:
- Preferential origin: Determines eligibility for reduced tariffs under trade agreements, requiring products to be fully or partly produced in beneficiary countries.
- Non-preferential origin: Applies outside trade agreements to enforce non-tariff measures like trade remedies and quotas.
- Determination of Criteria:
- Wholly Obtained: Entirely produced or obtained in a single country (e.g., minerals, agricultural products, or animals).
- Substantial Transformation: For manufactured goods with imported materials, a product originates where it last underwent substantial transformation, determined by change of tariff classification, value-added, or a specific process.
- Uses of RoO: It supports implementation of commercial policy measures like anti-dumping duties and safeguards, determining MFN or preferential treatment, and aids in trade statistics, labelling, and government procurement. They ensure accurate application of trade regulations and benefits.
| Read More: World Trade Organisation |
