New Delhi, September 9, 2025 – The Indian government has given companies extra time to shift to new labelling and packaging norms. Businesses can continue selling products with old Maximum Retail Price (MRP), labelling, and packaging until December 31, 2025.
The decision aims to reduce wastage and ease the transition for industries holding large stocks of pre-printed packaging material.
Why This Extension?
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs announced that the extension will:
- Help manufacturers clear existing inventory.
- Prevent additional costs for businesses due to packaging changes.
- Ensure smoother compliance with upcoming labelling rules in 2026.
Impact on Businesses
This move brings relief to FMCG, retail, and manufacturing companies, which were worried about discarding unsold stocks with old packaging. Small and medium businesses, in particular, will benefit from reduced financial pressure.
No Change for Consumers
The government clarified that consumers will not be affected, as the old packaging still complies with safety and information standards. Only the transition timeline has been extended.
What’s Next?
From January 1, 2026, all companies must adopt updated packaging norms with revised MRPs and labelling requirements. Businesses are advised to gradually shift to the new standards before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Announcement By | Ministry of Consumer Affairs |
| Policy | Extension of old MRP, labelling, and packaging use |
| New Deadline | December 31, 2025 |
| Beneficiaries | FMCG, retail, and manufacturing companies |
| Reason for Extension | To reduce wastage and extra costs |
| Consumer Impact | No effect, old packaging remains valid |
| Future Requirement | Extension of the old MRP, labelling, and packaging use |
