Mumbai, Sept. 18 -- The ministry of consumer affairs has moved to ease compliance requirements for packaged goods companies ahead of the roll-out of the recent goods and services tax (GST) rate revisions.

In a notification issued on Thursday, the Department of Consumer Affairs has issued provisions that allow "voluntary" use of revised price stickers on goods along with waiving off of the requirement for manufacturers and importers to publish revised prices in two newspapers.

The changes come after representations from industry and trade associations seeking simpler procedures to transition to revised prices. Revised GST rates are set to take effect on 22 September.

According to the circular issued on Thursday, manufacturers, packers a...