What Are the LMPC Certificate Rejection Reasons? (2026 Guide)

The LMPC (Legal Metrology Packaged Commodities) Certificate is mandatory for manufacturers, importers, and packers dealing with pre-packaged goods in India. It ensures that packaged products comply with legal standards related to quantity, labeling, and consumer information. However, many businesses face LMPC certificate rejection due to avoidable errors and misunderstandings of compliance rules.

Understanding the common reasons for LMPC rejection can help businesses prepare better applications, avoid delays, and ensure smooth approval in 2026 and beyond.

1. Incorrect or Incomplete Label Declarations

One of the most common reasons for LMPC rejection is non-compliant labeling. Legal Metrology authorities strictly verify whether product labels include all mandatory declarations.

Common labeling issues include:

• Missing net quantity declaration

• Incorrect unit of measurement (not as per legal standards)

• MRP not inclusive of all taxes

• Missing importer or manufacturer address

• Absence of consumer care contact details

Even small mistakes in font size, placement, or wording can lead to rejection.

2. Mismatch Between Application Details and Product Labels

LMPC authorities carefully cross-check application details with actual product packaging.

Rejections often occur when:

• Product name in the application differs from the label

• Brand name or model details do not match

• Importer details on labels differ from registration documents

• Quantity declared in documents does not match printed quantity

Consistency across documents and labels is essential for approval.

3. Incorrect Classification of Product Category

Applicants sometimes apply under the wrong category, such as:

• Manufacturer instead of importer

• Packer instead of brand owner

Incorrect classification leads to procedural rejection because each category has different compliance requirements. Authorities expect businesses to correctly identify their role in the supply chain.

4. Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation

LMPC certificate applications require multiple documents, and missing or incorrect submissions frequently result in rejection.

Common documentation errors include:

• Invalid or expired GST registration

• Incorrect business address proof

• Missing import-export code (for importers)

• Incomplete authorization letters

• Unclear or mismatched identity documents

Authorities may reject applications outright if documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.

5. Non-Compliance with Pre-Packaged Commodity Rules

Certain products are exempt or partially exempt under LMPC rules, while others are fully regulated. Rejection occurs when:

• Businesses apply for exempted products unnecessarily

• Products are incorrectly declared as non-packaged

• Goods meant for industrial use are misclassified as consumer goods

Understanding product applicability under LMPC rules is critical.

6. Errors in Net Quantity Declaration

Legal Metrology rules strictly regulate how net quantity must be declared.

Rejection may occur if:

• Quantity is not expressed in standard units (gram, kilogram, litre, number)

• Multiple quantities are shown incorrectly

• Average quantity rules are violated

Such errors directly affect consumer rights and are treated seriously by authorities.

7. Incorrect Importer Details for Imported Goods

For imported products, LMPC authorities expect accurate importer-specific details.

Common issues include:

• Importer name missing on the label

• Country of origin not mentioned

• Importer address not updated or incomplete

• Importer not registered with Legal Metrology

Imported packaged goods face stricter scrutiny, making accuracy essential.

8. Non-Compliance During Physical Inspection

In some cases, authorities may inspect packaging samples.

Rejection may result if:

• Submitted samples differ from actual goods

• Labels are tampered with or removable

• Packaging quality does not match declared information

Inspection failures often lead to rejection or resubmission.

9. Past Non-Compliance or Legal History

Applicants with:

• Previous LMPC violations

• Pending penalties

• Unresolved legal metrology cases

may face stricter review or rejection until issues are resolved.

Conclusion

LMPC certificate rejection is usually the result of avoidable compliance errors, not regulatory complexity. Incorrect labeling, documentation mismatches, wrong product classification, and net quantity errors are the most common reasons for rejection. By ensuring accurate declarations, consistent documentation, and proper understanding of Legal Metrology rules, businesses can significantly reduce rejection risks and obtain LMPC certification smoothly in 2026.