Central

Section 5 of The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987

Where an order has been made under section 3 requiring any commodity, class of commodities or any percentage thereof to be packed in jute packaging material for their supply or distribution, such commodity, class of commodities or percentage thereof shall not, on and from the date specified in such order, be supplied or distributed unless the same is packed in accordance with that order: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the supply or distribution of any commodity, class of commodities or percentage thereof for a period of three months from the aforesaid date if immediately before that date such commodity, class of commodities or percentage thereof, were being packed in any material other than jute packing material.

Summary

This section blocks the supply or distribution of any commodity or specified percentage of it unless it is packed in jute packaging material.
This packing rule applies once the Central Government makes an order under section 3 and specifies a starting date.
There is an exception that lets people continue using other packing materials for three months from the specified starting date.
This three-month exception only applies if the commodity was already being packed in a material other than jute immediately before the specified date.

Practical examples

1On June 1, 2026, the government issues an order requiring all wheat to be packed in jute bags starting September 1, 2026. A trader named Vikram who distributes wheat must pack his wheat in jute bags starting September 1, unless he qualifies for the temporary transition grace period.

2Sunita runs a rice packaging company that has always used plastic sacks. On October 1, 2026, an order comes into effect requiring rice to be packed in jute. Because Sunita was packing rice in plastic immediately before October 1, she can safely continue to distribute rice in plastic sacks for up to three months, until January 1, 2027.

3Dev has a brand-new startup that begins distributing salt on November 1, 2026, which is the exact day a jute packaging order for salt takes effect. Because Dev was not packing salt in another material immediately before that date, he cannot use the three-month grace period and must pack in jute from day one.

FAQ

1. What triggers the prohibition of packing in other materials?

An order made under section 3 of the Act that requires a commodity, class of commodities, or percentage of them to be packed in jute packaging material.

2. When does the prohibition on supply or distribution take effect?

It takes effect on and from the date specified in the order made under section 3.

3. Is there a grace period for businesses already packing in other materials?

Yes, there is a grace period of three months from the specified date in the order.

4. Who qualifies for this three-month grace period?

Anyone who was packing that specific commodity, class of commodities, or percentage thereof in some material other than jute immediately before the specified date.

Test yourself

Q1.Under what condition is a commodity prohibited from being supplied or distributed in non-jute packaging?

Q2.How long is the transition period during which the prohibition does not apply to certain existing packers?

Q3.To qualify for the transition period, what must be true immediately before the specified date in the order?

Q4.What actions are forbidden if a specified commodity is not packed in accordance with a section 3 order?

Q5.Who issues the order that initiates this packaging prohibition?

4PreviousSection 4 Constitution of Standing Advisory Committee.6NextSection 6 Power to call for information and samples.

←Section 4 Section 6→