Under the umbrella of The Department of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Directorate of Legal Metrology is constituted as a separate wing in India. The rules, compliances, standards are enforced under the Legal Metrology Act & Rules through the central head Quarter in New Delhi, from where this is delegated to the respective states for ensuring effective and ongoing compliance of the Acts & Rules.

In the Legal Metrology Act, various rules have been framed from time to time. One of the most important rules, relating to the manufacture, import, repairer of weight and measures or  MODEL APPROVAL is The Legal Metrology (MODEL APPROVAL) RULES 2011.

The Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011

To approve metrological and technical characteristics and qualities of physical representation of weight or measure with prescribed tolerance.

These rules govern issuance of approval, by Central Government, for manufacture of Weight and Measure instruments for regulating approved and uniform usage of such instruments in the market thereby avoiding usage of faulty and un-authorized instruments. These rules allow desirous laboratories to seek recognition for carrying out specified tests for approval of model of any Weight and Measure instrument.

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Compliance to Legal Metrology ACT 2009 by stakeholders ensures precision & accuracy in measurement which plays a very vital role in day to day life. A transparent and efficient legal metrology system inspires confidence in trade, industry and consumer and brings a harmonious environment for conducting business.

Model Approval under the legal metrology act 2009 means that all weight and measuring instruments will test and calibrate according to the standards laid out in the Legal Metrology Act and maintain accuracy.

Under the Legal Metrology MODEL APPROVAL Rules 2011, the most important aspect is to understand what is a model and what is the Model approval process. 

The rules make it happen by making mandatory testing of all the measuring instruments and weights at recognized laboratories approved by Government of India and certified by NABL. 

What products or instruments are are covered under Model Approval Rules

The instruments which come under the provisions of the Act for verification and calibration are:

1. Weights
2. Measures
3. Steel tape measures. (fabric tape/folding scales)
4. Dispensing Pumps (Petrol Pumps)
5. Length measures
6. Weighbridges
7. Beam Scales
8. Surveying chains used for land measurement
9. Counter Machines
10. Water meter (Domestic)
11. Clinical thermometer
12. Sphygmomanometer
13. Taxi Meter
14. CNG Measuring instruments
15. Calibration and verification of tank lorry
16. Oil storage tanks
17. Automatic gravimetric filling machines
18. Peg Measures
19. Automatic Rail Weighbridges
20. Automatic Road Weighbridges
21. VATS
22. Totalizing Automatic weighing instruments (totalising Hopper weighers)
23. Bulk Meter
24. Liquid System other than water
25. Volumetric Container type liquid measuring devices

Are Models of weights & measures required to be tested?

Yes, Testing is mandatory for all weight and measures.

Okay, How many samples are required & what is the government fee for testing of Models?

Minimum 2 samples are required for testing at an approved laboratory and the cost of testing is as follows:

• RS. 25000 testing fees for digital Products
• RS.10000 testing fees for Analog products

NKG team is a seasoned team of thorough and transparent professionals. Our experts have spent years working on such cases and understand the finer print of Legal Metrology. 

NKG Team members handhold the client through the entire process starting from document creation through to product testing and submission of test report to Head Quarter for the request of the grant of approval.