In accordance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the Legal Metrology Rules establish the regulations for the scientific study of weights and measurement instruments. The Legal Metrology Rules govern the distribution of packaged commodities in India, including exports, food items, consumer goods, etc. Legal Metrology Certificates are required by manufacturers, traders, packagers, importers, and exporters as per the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Legal Metrology Rules: Constitutional Provisions
Under Entry 50 of the Union List, which specifies the formation of Acts and Rules, Specifications provided for Standards, and International Relations, etc., are the constitutional provisions governing Legal Metrology Rules. In addition, Entry 33A of the Concurrent List mentions the enforcement of Legal Metrology.
Legal Metrology Rules under the Legal Metrology Act
In accordance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the following rules are enforced in India:
The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 govern over forty different types of Weights and Measuring Devices, including electronic weighing devices, weighbridges, fuel pumps, etc. It is the responsibility of the applicable State Government Authorised Personnel to evaluate the Weights and Measurement devices on a regular basis in accordance with the Rules on Weights and Measures.
The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
In India, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 outline the requirements for pre-packaged commodities to comply with labelling requirements before being sold.
The following declarations are mandatory on the labels of pre-packaged commodities according to the Legal Metrology Rules:
- Manufacturers, packagers, and importers’ names and addresses
- Packaged Commodities’ country of origin if imported
- Commodities in the package are listed under the generic name
- Based on the Standard Unit of Weight, Measurement, or Number
- The full date of manufacturing, packaging, and importation
- According to the Maximum Retail Price, or MRP, which includes all applicable taxes, the retail sale price is to be specified.
- Contact information for Consumer Care
The Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011
A legal metrology (Approval of Models) Rule, 2011 is drafted by the Central Government in accordance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, which specifies the Standard measurement or numbers as well as the procedure for pre-packaged commodities that must be accompanied by assertions and other information.
The Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011
To clarify the definitions of the terms mentioned below, the Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011 were enacted.
- Specifications for the Base Units of Measurement and the Base Units of Mass
- Different Standards
- Verification times for norms
The Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011
To specify the numerical markings on weights and measurement instruments, the Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011 were enacted.
The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011
The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology is located in Ranchi, and it is a Training Institute established with the authorisation of executive control of the department to train Legal Metrology Officers from all States and Union Territories. The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011, require provisions regarding the Courses to be communicated at the Institute premises, mandating the Institute’s obligations. For admission to the Institute, a person must also meet certain qualifications.
The Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Center) Rules, 2013
GATC stands for Government Approved Test Center and regulates the approval process of these centers where the weights and measurement instruments are verified by authorised state government officials. The GATC specifies the specific regulations for verifying weights and measurement instruments:
- Meters for water
- Throat sphygmomanometers
- Thermometers for clinical use
- Weighbridges with automatic rails
- Measurements made with tape
- Instruments weighing more than 150kg that are not automatic and are of accuracy Class-IIII or Class-III
- Cells for loading
- Scales for beams
- Machines for counting
- Weights of all possible Categories
Lastly,
Legal Metrology Rules contain essential provisions to ensure compliance with the Standards set forth in the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. As a result, consumers are protected from fraudulent activities and fair trade business traders, retailers, manufacturers, and packagers profit from fair trade business.
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