In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:-
(a) "Act" means the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (1 of 1937);
(b) "Agmark grading" means grading of an article in accordance with the grade standards prescribed under the provisions of the Act;
(c) "Agmark label" means the label specifying name of commodity, grade designation and bearing prescribed insignia;
(d) "Agmark replica" means a grade designation mark in lieu of Agmark label consisting of prescribed design with the word "AGMARK" and the Certificate of Authorisation number;
(e) "Agricultural Marketing Adviser" means the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India;
(f) "Authorised packer" means a person or a body of persons who has been granted Certificate of Authorisation to grade and mark an article under provisions of the Act;
(g) "Authorised premises" means the premises specified in the Certificate of Authorisation where alone the grade designation marks may be applied;
(h) "Approved Chemist" means Chemist approved by the competent authority to undertake Agmark grading;
(i) "Approved laboratory" means laboratory approved by the competent authority for testing of an article for Agmark grading;
(ia) “best before” means the period within which the product should be consumed;
(j) "Central Agmark Laboratory" means the apex laboratory of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection;
(k) "Certificate of Authorisation" means a certificate in prescribed proforma issued under these rules authorising a person or body of persons to grade and mark an article with grade designation mark;
(l) "Certificate of Agmark Grading" means a certificate in specified proforma issued by an authorised Officer of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection or a person designated by the approved laboratory to issue the same in respect of agmark graded consignment meant for export;
(m) "Consumer" means a person or a body of persons who has purchased the article for personal, domestic or household use or consumption;
(n) "Directorate" means Directorate of Marketing and Inspection of the Government of India;
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(o) "Marking" includes stamping grade designation mark on an article or affixation of Agmark labels or printing/stenciling of Agmark replica on the covering or container;
(p) "Prescribed" means prescribed under Rules of instructions issued under the provisions of the Act;
(q) "Regional Agmark Laboratory" means a laboratory set up by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection for testing scheduled articles;
(r) "Trade Brand Label" includes private marks, brand, label, pictorial representation, used or proposed to be used by an authorised packer; and