Rules 8 and 9 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 8 says where the declarations go: on the principal display panel, with clear space around the quantity declaration. Rule 9 says how they must look: legible, prominent, contrasting, not read through a liquid, repeated on an outer wrapper unless it is transparent, and in Hindi or English.
Every declaration required by the Rules must appear on the principal display panel, and the area around the quantity declaration must be clear of other printing: a space above and below at least equal to the height of the numeral, and to the left and right at least twice that height. Declarations must be legible and prominent, with retail sale price and net quantity numerals in a contrasting colour, and in Hindi (Devanagari) or English, with any other language in addition.
Rule 8(1): the principal display panel and the clear space
Rule 8(1): "Every declaration required to be made under these rules shall appear on the principal display panel." The principal display panel is defined in rule 2(h) and its size rules are in rule 7. The text used here is the Packaged Commodities Rules as amended up to G.S.R. 226(E) of 28 March 2022, and rules 8 and 9 show only a few amendments.
The proviso says the area surrounding the quantity declaration must have no printed information in it, and sets two measurements:
| Direction | Minimum space |
|---|---|
| Above and below the quantity declaration | At least the height of the numeral in the declaration |
| To the left and right | At least twice the height of the numeral in the declaration |
Points to note:
- The space is measured from the numeral in the quantity declaration. The text does not say whether the space is measured from the digits or the whole phrase, so a cautious layout keeps it around the whole quantity line.
- The text does not name other declarations that need a clear zone. The zone is for the quantity declaration only.
- "Printed information" is broad. A graphic or a claim that sits inside the zone also breaks the space, although the text says only "printed information".
Label reviews for food and non-food packs often start with this zone; it is part of the label checks under our FSSAI label compliance service.
Rule 8(2): returnable bottles
For soft drinks, ready to serve fruit beverages or the like, where the bottle is returnable by the consumer for being refilled, the retail sale price may be indicated on the crown cap, on the bottle, or on both. If it is on the crown cap or bottle, it is enough to use the form "MRP Rs..../......". This is a narrow exception for the price only. The other declarations still follow rule 8(1).
Rule 9(1): legible, prominent and contrasting
Every declaration required on a package shall be:
- (a) legible and prominent; and
- (b) numerals of the retail sale price and net quantity printed, painted or inscribed in a colour that contrasts conspicuously with the background of the label.
There are two provisos. Where label information is blown, formed or moulded on a glass or plastic surface, it need not be in a contrasting colour. Where a declaration is handwritten or hand-scripted, it shall be clear, unambiguous and legible.
The contrast rule covers the numerals of price and net quantity only. The text does not apply it to every word of the label. "Conspicuously" is not measured in the Rules, so the test is what an inspector can read.
Rule 9(2): not through a liquid
"No declaration shall be made so as to require it to be read through any liquid commodity contained in the package." A clear bottle of oil with the price printed on the far wall of the bottle, visible only through the oil, would breach it.
Rule 9(3): outer container or wrapper
Where a package has an outside container or wrapper, the container or wrapper shall also contain all the declarations that must appear on the package, except where the container or wrapper is transparent and the declarations on the package are easily readable through it.
The proviso has three layers in the text. The original proviso said no declarations were needed on the inner package if it carries no declaration on its outer cover; it was omitted by G.S.R. 385(E) of 14 May 2015. The substituted proviso (G.S.R. 629(E) of 23 June 2017, from 1 January 2018) says: "no such declarations on the inner package is required, if the outer package contains all declarations required under these rules."
| Layout | Position under the current text |
|---|---|
| Transparent outer, inner readable through it | Outer need not repeat |
| Opaque outer, all declarations on outer | Inner need not carry them |
| Opaque outer missing some declarations | The outer container itself is non-compliant |
This matters for gift boxes and cartons. Rule 4(2) applies the same thinking to grouped packs on promotional offers; see rule 4.
Rule 9(4): language
"The particulars of the declarations required to be specified under this rule on a package shall either be in Hindi in Devnagri script or in English." The proviso says nothing prevents the use of any other language in addition to Hindi or English. So a Tamil-only label does not comply by itself; Tamil alongside English does.
The sub-rule refers to declarations "required to be specified under this rule". The text does not say whether the rule is meant to reach every declaration under the Rules, and it is ordinarily read to cover the declarations the Rules require, but the wording is narrow. Food labels are governed by food law for some particulars, and we do not describe that law.
Practical examples
Example 1. A tea packet shows "Net Qty 250 g" with numerals 2.5 mm high. A brand slogan sits 1 mm above it. The clear space above should be at least 2.5 mm, so the slogan must move.
Example 2. A cardboard carton holds a glass jar. The carton is opaque and carries all declarations; the jar's label carries none. Under the substituted proviso, that is permitted.
Example 3. A Kannada-only label is used for a pack sold in Karnataka. Rule 9(4) requires Hindi in Devanagari or English, with Kannada allowed in addition.
Need help with label layout?
Clear space, contrast and language are easy to fix before printing and expensive to fix after. Our FSSAI label compliance service can mark up your artwork against rules 7, 8 and 9 and return a corrected layout brief.
Key takeaways
- All declarations go on the principal display panel.
- The area around the quantity declaration needs clear space: at least the numeral height above and below, twice the height left and right.
- Price and net quantity numerals must contrast conspicuously with the background.
- An outer wrapper must repeat the declarations unless it is transparent, or unless the outer carries them all and the inner then need not.
- Declarations must be in Hindi (Devanagari) or English, with other languages allowed in addition.
Read next
- Rule 7 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011: Principal display panel
- Rule 10 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011: Name and address of manufacturer, packer, importer
- Rule 4 of the Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011: Regulation of pre-packing and sale
- 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 rules 8 and 9. State Legal Metrology rules, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.