E-commerce Players in India Fail to Show Country of Origin for Products

This has been a source of concern for many consumers in India, who are now more conscious about their products and the companies they support. Some e-commerce platforms have started to show the country of origin for products, but there are still many that do not. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices about their products.

It also raises questions about the compliance of these platforms with Indian laws and regulations. The legal requirement for e-commerce companies to display the country of origin for all products sold in India was introduced in June 2020, post the China conflict, but many companies have still not complied. This strict compliance will safeguard startup India initiative and also creates awareness for 'Made in India' products and boost the countrymen's morale. 

This lack of transparency is unfair to consumers and gives an advantage to companies that source their products from countries with lower labor and environmental standards.

In January 2018, the Indian government amended the Legal Metrology Act to make it compulsory for all e-commerce companies, manufacturers, packers, and importers operating in India to display the country of origin for all products. Various government bodies regulate the eCommerce sector and in this regard, the government mentioned CCPA  to investigate unfair e-commerce trade activities.

As per a recent study, 37 percent of the users relied on the country of origin information in 2020; now, it rose to 51 percent. This reveals how consumers are savy of Indian products.

The government has taken cognizance of this issue and is planning to take action against errant companies. In the meantime, consumers can use the following tips to make sure they are buying products from reputable companies:

E-commerce platforms that do not display country of origin information violate the law and deprive consumers of their right to make informed choices about the products they purchase. It is time for the government to step in and ensure that all e-commerce platforms operating in India comply with the law and show the country of origin for all products sold on their platform.