Centre Notifies Amendments to Legal Metrology Rules to Strengthen Testing and Verification Standards

New Delhi, October 24, 2025:

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued a Gazette Notification (G.S.R. 779(E)) introducing significant amendments to the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013. The updated framework, called the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Amendment Rules, 2025, aims to streamline the verification and testing process for weights and measures across India, ensuring higher accuracy and uniformity in standards.

Key Highlights of the Amendment

Expanded Role of Test Centres:

Verification of specified weights and measures can now be undertaken either by Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) or by legal metrology officers. This move is expected to improve accessibility and efficiency in the calibration process.

Inclusion of Government Laboratories:

All Regional Reference Standard Laboratories and National Test House laboratories functioning under the Department of Consumer Affairs will now be deemed as Government Approved Test Centres. These labs will be authorized to carry out verification activities under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 or as per recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

Revised Application and Renewal Fees:

The fee for seeking approval as a Government Approved Test Centre has been revised to ₹2,00,000 per weight or measure. The same fee will apply for annual renewal of recognition.

Introduction of Fifth Schedule – Standardized Verification Fees:

A new Fifth Schedule specifies detailed verification and re-verification fees for various instruments such as water meters, energy meters, sphygmomanometers, weighing machines, load cells, gas meters, moisture meters, and vehicle speed meters.

• Water Meters: ₹250 (domestic), ₹1,000 (commercial), ₹2,500 (industrial)

• Energy Meters: ₹1,000 (domestic), ₹3,000 (commercial), ₹5,000 (industrial)

• Vehicle Speed Meters: ₹15,000

• Flow Meters: ₹5,000 (up to 100 mm) and ₹1,000 extra for every 25 mm above that

Certification and Area of Operation:

Each verified instrument will now receive a separate certificate of verification. Test centres may undertake verifications within their authorized premises, district limits, or extend operations anywhere within the State.

Updated Schedules:

The First Schedule now lists 18 categories of weights and measures that must be verified by GATCs, including water meters, clinical thermometers, load cells, non-automatic weighing instruments, breath analyzers, and flow meters.

Objective of the Amendment

The revised rules aim to:

• Ensure consistency in verification standards across India.

• Strengthen traceability and accountability in metrological testing.

• Reduce delays in certification and enhance industry compliance.

• Align domestic standards with international metrological practices.

Background

The Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 were first notified in September 2013 and last amended in February 2021. The new amendment continues the government’s efforts to modernize and digitize verification systems to improve consumer protection and industry regulation.

Official Notification

The full text of the notification is available in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated October 23, 2025, under G.S.R. 779(E), and was published by authority of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

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