Rule 7 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 7 sets the size of the writing on a pack. It says how to work out the principal display panel, gives the minimum height of numerals and letters by reference to that area in Table-I, fixes the width of characters, and limits the rule where another law already requires the information.
The principal display panel is the area where the required information is given. Under the 2017 text, the minimum height of numerals and letters depends on that area (Table-I), and their width must be at least one third of the height, except for the numeral 1 and the letters i, I and l. For a cylindrical pack the area is 40 per cent of height multiplied by circumference. A pack of ten cubic centimetres or less may use a card or tape as its panel.
Definition and where the information goes
Rule 2(h) defines "principal display panel" as the total surface area of the package where the information required by the Rules is to be given, either all grouped at one place, or the pre-printed information at one place and the on-line (online-printed) information at another. Rule 8 then requires declarations to appear on it. See rules 8 and 9 and rule 2.
The text used here is the Packaged Commodities Rules as amended up to G.S.R. 226(E) of 28 March 2022. Rule 7 was largely rewritten by G.S.R. 629(E) of 23 June 2017, effective 1 January 2018, and the consolidation prints both the old and the substituted text. The substituted text is the current one, and this article follows it. Label size is one of the first things our FSSAI label compliance reviews check.
Rule 7(1): very small packs
"In the case of a package having a capacity of ten cubic centimeters or less, the principal display panel may be a card or tape affixed firmly to the package and shall bear the required information." The figure was "five cubic centimeters" until G.S.R. 385(E) of 14 May 2015 substituted "ten".
Rule 7(2): height of numerals and letters
Earlier text: height of numerals depended on the net quantity (Table-I for weight or volume, Table-II for length, area or number). The 2017 substitution says: "The height of any numeral and letter in the declaration required under these rules shall be as per Table-I." The old Table-II is marked "Omitted w.e.f. 01.1.2018".
The substituted Table-I, read from the printed text, is:
| Area of principal display panel (A), sq. cm | Minimum height of numerals and letters, mm | When blown, formed or moulded on the surface of the container, mm |
|---|---|---|
| A < 50 | 1.0 | 1.5 and 2.0 both printed (see note) |
| 50 < A < 100 | 1.5 | 3.0 |
| 100 < A < 500 | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| 500 < A < 2500 | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| 2500 < A | 6.0 | 6.0 |
Notes on the source:
- Row 1 of the last column is printed as "1.5 2.0**", with a footnote "Corrected vide GSR 1373(E) dated 7.11.2017". It appears that the figure was corrected from 1.5 to 2.0, but the printed text does not say so in plain words. Check the corrected notification before using the figure.
- The inequality signs are printed as strict "less than" symbols in each row, so the text does not say which row applies when the area is exactly 50, 100, 500 or 2500 square centimetres. Do not design to a boundary.
- The table sets one height for numerals and letters, for every required declaration. The rule does not give a separate larger size for the net quantity in the text we used.
Rule 7(3): width
The substituted sub-rule (3) says: "The width of the letter or numeral shall not be less than one third of its height, except in the case of numeral '1' and letters (i), (I) and (l)." The earlier text had set a fixed minimum height of 1 mm (2 mm when blown, formed, moulded, embossed or perforated) and then the width proviso. The substituted text drops the fixed minimum and keeps the width rule.
Rule 7(4): computing the area
The substituted sub-rule (4) says the area, "not including the top, bottom, flange at top and bottom of cans, and shoulders and neck of bottle and jars", is determined as follows.
| Pack shape | Area of the principal display panel |
|---|---|
| Rectangular, where one entire side can properly be the principal display panel | Height multiplied by width of that side |
| Cylindrical or nearly cylindrical | 40 per cent of height multiplied by circumference |
| Any other shape | 40 per cent of the total surface of the package, or an area considered to be a principal display panel of the package |
The last row gives two alternatives joined by "or", and the text does not say who chooses. Take care to document the basis used.
Rule 7(5): when another law already requires the information
The substituted sub-rule (5) says that, except for the size of numbers and letters for declaring net weight, retail sale price, date of expiry or best before or use by date (wherever and as applicable) and consumer care details, the provisions of sub-rules (1) to (4) do not apply to a package if the information required under this rule is also required to be given by or under any other law. The earlier (2015) version was a plain exception without that list of size-rule items. So for food, the size rules for the five listed items still apply even where the food law also requires the information. Other details in a food label may follow the food law's own sizes. The food law is not in the sources and we do not describe it.
What rule 7 does not say
- It does not fix colour. Contrast is in rule 9(1)(b).
- It does not give a separate size for the dot under rule 6(8).
- It does not define "conspicuous"; rule 6(1) and rule 9(1)(a) use that word and "legible and prominent".
Practical examples
Example 1. A rectangular soap carton has a front face 10 cm by 6 cm, so the panel area is 60 sq. cm. On the substituted Table-I, 50 < A < 100 gives a minimum numeral and letter height of 1.5 mm, or 3.0 mm if blown, formed or moulded on the container.
Example 2. A cylindrical tin is 12 cm high with a circumference of 25 cm. The panel area is 40 per cent of 12 x 25, which is 120 sq. cm, so the row 100 < A < 500 applies: 2.5 mm.
Example 3. A 5 ml vial of eye drops falls within "ten cubic centimeters or less" (10 cc equals 10 ml), so a card or tape affixed firmly to the vial may serve as the principal display panel.
Need help with label sizes?
Type size is checked with a ruler at inspection, and a small layout change can push a declaration under the limit. Our FSSAI label compliance service can measure your panel area, apply Table-I and check the width rule on your artwork.
Key takeaways
- Rule 7(2), as substituted, ties minimum numeral and letter height to the area of the principal display panel.
- Width must be at least one third of height, except for 1, i, I and l.
- Cylindrical packs use 40 per cent of height times circumference.
- Packs of ten cubic centimetres or less may use a card or tape as the panel.
- Other-law exception leaves the size rules in place for net weight, price, dates and consumer care details.
Read next
- Rule 6 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011: E-commerce declarations
- Rules 8 and 9 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011: Where and how declarations appear
- Rule 10 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011: Name and address of manufacturer, packer, importer
- Mandatory declarations on pre-packaged commodities
Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 (as amended up to March 2022; check later amendments), read with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (Act 1 of 2010), as on 30 September 2026. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force) and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (in force only from the date the Central Government notifies) amend the Act's penalty sections, not rule 7. State Legal Metrology rules, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.