The Department of Consumer Affairs has prescribed standard pack sizes for edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework, in a move that is aimed at helping consumers compare prices across brands to make informed purchasing decisions.

DoCA on Saturday said that it has amended the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for determination of net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats. It added that manufacturers, packers and importers have been given a three-month transition period to comply with the new norms.

“The decision follows extensive consultations with major edible oil industry associations representing nearly 90 per cent of the country’s edible oil sector. The initiative seeks to address the growing proliferation of varying package sizes in the market, which often makes it difficult for consumers to compare prices and make informed purchasing decisions,” an official statement added.

The revised SoP prescribes nine standard pack sizes - 200 ml/g, 500 ml/g, 1 litre/kg, 2 litre/kg, 3 litre/kg, 4 litre/kg, 5 litre/kg, 15 litre/kg and 20 litre/kg-for major edible oils including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard, groundnut, sesame, rice bran, cottonseed and corn oil, as well as blended edible oils.

The new provisions ensure manufacturers make a declaration of both volume and equivalent weight to improve transparency and are applicable to both domestically manufactured and imported edible oils

Under the new norms, if the quantity of edible oil is shown in volume, the package must also clearly mention the equivalent weight as per the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

Packages below 200 ml or 200 grams and minor edible oils have been exempted from the standard pack size requirement to ensure continued availability of affordable small packs.

Businesses wishing to adopt the standard pack sizes ahead of the deadline may do so immediately, the department said.

Sudhakar Desai, President of the Indian Vegetable oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) welcomed the move and said, “This move will restore structural sanity to retail shelves and level the playing field.” “While the non-standardisation was done to give freedom to the industry, for over three years, this practice has distorted the market leading to proliferation of such packs creating widespread confusion in the marketplace,” he added.

“.The initiative will also benefit the edible oil industry by bringing greater uniformity in packaging practices. Standard pack sizes will make compliance easier, encourage fair competition among manufacturers and importers, and help create a more transparent market,” DoCA added.

Published on June 6, 2026