Govt Proposes Mandatory ‘Country of Origin’ Filter for E-Commerce Platforms

Ziraat Times Team Report

New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, has proposed an amendment to make it mandatory for e-commerce platforms to display searchable and sortable filters based on the ‘Country of Origin’ for all packaged commodities sold online. The move aims to enhance consumer empowerment and transparency in the digital marketplace.

The proposal is part of the Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025, issued under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Once implemented, every e-commerce entity selling imported products will be required to provide consumers the option to search and sort products by their country of origin directly within product listings.

Officials from the Department said the amendment would enable consumers to make informed choices, particularly in identifying whether products are made in India or imported. It will also reduce the time and effort consumers spend searching for this information across multiple listings.

The proposed clause to be added to Rule 6(10) of the 2011 Rules reads:

“Provided that every e-commerce entity selling imported products shall provide a searchable and sortable filter for the country of origin, with their product listings.”

The draft rules have been made available on the Department’s website for public consultation. Stakeholders have been invited to submit their comments by November 22, 2025, via email at dirwm-ca[at]nic.in, ashutosh.agarwal13[at]nic.in, or mk.naik72[at]gov.in.

The initiative supports the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ campaigns by making ‘Made in India’ products more easily discoverable. Officials noted that the reform would create a level playing field for domestic manufacturers, improving the visibility of Indian goods and encouraging consumers to buy locally made alternatives.

In addition to consumer empowerment, the amendment is expected to aid regulatory monitoring by simplifying compliance checks and helping authorities quickly verify product origins without manually inspecting each listing.

The Department described the move as a significant step toward creating a transparent, consumer-friendly, and competitive e-commerce ecosystem aligned with India’s national priorities and digital economy goals.