Government Agencies Issue Joint Notice on Labelling and Quality Regulation of Bottled and Jar Drinking Water

Drinking water bottle and jar manufacturers must comply with new mandatory labelling and packaging requirements, with a 35-day compliance period for bottles and a 60-day compliance period for jars, effective from 2082/12/30 (13 April 2026).

Introduction

The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection (DCSCP), the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), and the Department of Environment, in coordination with the Nepal Bottle Water Industry Federation and the Nepal Water Industry Federation, have issued a joint notice prescribing mandatory labelling and packaging standards for bottled and jar drinking water sold in Nepal.

The notice has been issued with the objective of ensuring quality standards for drinking water available in the market and reducing environmental pollution.

Key Highlights

Drinking Water Bottles:

1. The use of additional plastic neck-seals or outer plastic layers over bottle caps is completely prohibited.

2. In place of neck-seals, manufacturers must mandatorily use embossing, screen printing, or laser printing on bottle caps for producer identification.

3. Detailed standards will be issued and implemented by the DFTQC.

4. Manufacturers have been granted 35 days from the date of this notice to fully implement the embossing, screen printing, or laser printing requirement.

Drinking Water Jars:

1. All drinking water jars must display the following details through embossing or screen labelling in a clearly visible manner: 

• DFTQC licence number; and

• Name, address, or logo of the manufacturing company containing all relevant details.

2. This requirement applies immediately to newly produced jars.

3. Manufacturers have been granted 60 days from the date of this notice to achieve full compliance.

4. Joint monitoring and regulation will be conducted by the DCSCP, Department of Environment, and DFTQC.

5. Technical guidelines will be issued separately by the DFTQC.

Practical Implications

1. Bottle Manufacturers

Manufacturers must immediately cease the use of plastic neck-seals or outer plastic layers on bottle caps and transition to embossing, screen printing, or laser printing for producer identification within the 35-day compliance period. Detailed technical standards from the DFTQC should be reviewed and implemented upon publication.

2. Jar Manufacturers

All newly produced jars must immediately carry the DFTQC licence number and manufacturer identification through embossing or screen labelling. Existing production lines must be fully compliant within 60 days. Manufacturers should note that joint inspections by three regulatory bodies will be conducted to verify compliance.

3. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Products found to be non-compliant during joint monitoring exercises will be subject to regulatory action under prevailing law. Given the involvement of multiple government bodies in enforcement, manufacturers are strongly advised to prioritise timely compliance.

Snapshot of Notice

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, advertisement, personal communication, solicitation or inducement. No attorney-client relationship is created through this content. Gandhi & Associates assumes no liability for any consequences resulting from actions taken based on information contained herein.

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