INTRODUCTION:
“Accurate Measurement provides fair trade, good business, and safety!!”
Legal Metrology: It has been a long time since weights and measurements have been used, and we know they play a big role in how consumers, government traders, and industries make decisions based on measurement results. These measurements influence both economic and individual well-being. As part of the Indus Valley civilization, also known as the Harappan civilization, the first standardized weights and measures were developed. On 1 October 1985, the Standards of Weights and Measures Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament and became effective.
Every Indian is a consumer, whether they are buying clothes, food, fuel, or anything else. Because we pay for what we have received, we feel confident when we pay our utility bills.
What is Legal Metrology?
The study of metrology is the science of measurement. Legal metrology provides standards for regulating measurements and measuring instruments. A legal metrology system also safeguards the environment, customers, merchants, and public safety at the same time.
Legal Metrology Certificates from the Legal Metrology Department of Consumer Affairs are required for the sale or distribution of all packaged goods in India, such as export goods, food items, and consumer products.
A vast improvement in weighing and measuring techniques has occurred due to the advancement of science and technology.
THE LEGAL METROLOGY ACT RULES
- Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 -There are about 40 types of weighing and measuring devices covered, such as electronic weighing instruments, weighbridges, fuel pumps, water meters, sphygmomanometers, clinical thermometers, and others. Using the Standard Weights and Measures and the process outlined in the Rules, State Government personnel check these weighing and measuring devices on a regular basis.
- The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 – It regulates pre-packed commodities in India and mandates labeling requirements before they are sold. In accordance with this rule, certain declarations must be made on every package.
- Manufacturer/Packer/Importer name and address
- A package’s country of origin if it was imported
- Name of the commodity contained in the package, either common or generic
- Using standard units of weight, measure, or number, the net quantity
- Manufacturer, packer, and importer’s month and year
- The retail price in the form of the maximum retail price (MRP) is Rs… All taxes included
- Details about consumer care
- The Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011, it defines the standard measures or numbers and specifies how prepackaged goods should bear affirmations and other particulars.
- The Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011 are a set of rules by the Central Government to define (i) the specifications of base units of measurement and base units of mass, (ii) various standards, and (iii) the verification of norms.
- Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011 – This provision covers how numeration should be made and how numbers should be written.
- Rules, 2011 of the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology – Under the executive control of this department, the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi provides training in Legal Metrology to Legal Metrology Officers of States/UTs/Unions of India. This rule specifies the courses to be taught at the Institute, the mandatory functions of the Institute, and the qualifications for admission to the Institute.
- Law Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 – The GATC Rules regulate the approval of GATCs established by private individuals for the verification of certain weights and measures by State Government Officers. With regard to the verification by a GATC, the following weights and measures are specified:
- Water meter,
- Sphygmomanometer,
- Clinical Thermometer,
- Automatic Rail Weighbridges,
- Tape Measures,
- Non-automatic weighing instrument with accuracy Class-IIII/Class-III (up to 150kg),
- Load cell,
- Beam Scale,
- Counter Machine
- Weights of all Categories.
LEGAL METROLOGY REGISTRATION
A person who deals with weights and measurements needs to register under legal metrology. It can be used in three ways:
- Registration of Company – Companies that manufacture, import, and pack weighs and measuring instruments must register under legal metrology.
- Registration of Importer – Anyone who wants to export weighing and measuring instruments or sell them in the Indian market must first obtain a Certificate of Importer Registration. India allows only standard packed commodities to be imported. It includes registration of the importer under the general rule, registration of the importer and packer (packaging and warehouse registration), and registration of the company under legal metrology.
- Registration of Manufacturers, Importers, and Packers (Packaging and Warehouses) – For goods to be marketed in India, a company must register as packaging and warehouse or renew its registration for product labels that fall under Legal Metrology Certification.
Weight and measurement products, such as weighing machines, need to go through five stages of registration with the LM department.- Model Approval
- Packaged Commodity Registration
- Import License
- Dealership License
- Stamping of products
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