The Department of Consumer Affairs from the Centre recently met with southern states and the Union Territory of Puducherry to assess the implementation of reforms under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Discussions centered on the new registration-based framework, decriminalization of minor procedural offenses, and the introduction of ‘Improvement Notices’ along with expanding Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) and digitizing Legal Metrology services. Capacity building was also a key topic during the meeting.
The meeting highlighted the newly introduced “Improvement Notice” mechanism under the Jan Vishwas reforms, aiming to address first-time procedural violations under specific sections of the Legal Metrology Act before any penal action is taken. This reform seeks to promote voluntary compliance, reduce litigation, enhance Ease of Doing Business, and safeguard consumer interests.
States were urged to ensure a genuine trust-based regulatory system by transitioning from “licensing” to “registration” without unnecessary delays or prior inspections. The Department emphasized the importance of granting registrations automatically upon document submission. Amendments to Enforcement Rules and GATC Rules were also encouraged to align with the revised Legal Metrology framework, with states reporting that the revised rules are in the final stages of drafting and approval.
The Department further emphasized the need for states and UTs to promptly notify their GATC Rules and broaden the instruments covered under the GATC mechanism to strengthen verification infrastructure, enhance verifier availability, and expedite service delivery to industries, traders, and consumers. It was clarified during the meeting that inter-state verification of weights and measures is not provided for under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, unlike the repealed Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976.
