Legal Metrology Registration

(i) Legal Metrology is the application of legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments.

(ii) The objective of Legal Metrology is to ensure public guarantee from the point of view of security and accuracy of the weighments and measurements.

(iii) Constitutional provisions related with Weights and Measures are:

* Establishment of Standards of Weights and Measures – Under UNION LIST – Entry 50: To frame the Act and Rules, Specification of Standards and International Relations, Training in Legal Metrology etc.

* Weights and Measures except establishment of Standards – under CONCURRENT LIST – Entry 33 A: Enforcement of Legal Metrology.

Devices such as weighing scales, thermometers, hygrometers, balances, blood pressure monitors, measuring tapes etc., fall under the purview of the Legal Metrology department. 

In simpler terms, any device which is intended for weighing, measuring or scaling any object in a specific quantity on metric or imperial scale falls under the purview of Legal Metrology.

Legal Metrology has definite and stringent rules related to weighing and measuring devices. Any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or repairer must obtain a proper valid license from the Legal metrology department to conduct their respective operations.

Measurements are so much a part of our daily lives that we often take them for granted and possibly don’t even notice them. For example

· we monitor the speed at which we drive to ensure we travel safely and thus reduce road casualties,

· we undergo medical checks to make sure we remain healthy,

· we use time to be punctual for appointments, and satellite positioning systems to pinpoint our location,

· we consume electricity, gas and water which are billed based on measurements,

· we buy meat, fish, fruit and vegetables by weight,

· we fill our cars with fuel by volume,

· we have our vehicles checked to monitor the exhaust emission levels,

· and so on.

Very often, small errors in either direction average out over a large number of measurements. But biased errors can create considerable financial prejudice - for example, inaccurate measurements of oil at each of the many transaction points from the oil well to the end consumer can have serious economic consequences.

As another example of the importance of measurement, incorrect radiation doses in cancer treatment can have a critical effect on our health.

Legislation on measurements and measuring instruments is required in all these cases, as well as when there is a need to protect both the buyer and the seller in a commercial transaction, or where measurements are used to apply a sanction. Virtually all countries provide such protection by including metrology in their legislation – hence the term “legal metrology”.

The Legal Metrology Act defines certain standards and regulations on selling and distribution of packaged goods. This act also covers import and export goods. To conduct your business operations in an efficient & smooth manner and to establish consumer or buyer right protection, you need to comply with the Act. 

The very sole purpose of this Act is to secure both the Business and Consumer at once. Because, when everything would be done as per the guided methods, measurements and rules, the possibility of harm to the consumer will fall at its lowest and also the same can help in cost cutting of the business and to function properly and as per the law of the land. 

The Legal Metrology is very much important for the society, because it is the only act, which matches with the international standards of other such measurement and weight related acts, worldwide. 

Following the guidelines of the act, will definitely help in the following:

· Boost in Business: As everything will be prepared and packed as per the act, there will be more cost cutting to the business and eventually profit margins will rise. 

Safety of Consumer: If everything will be done as per the act, there will be very low chances of risk to human life as well as less riskier for others too.  

The benefits of getting itself register under the act, every Indian businessman involved in such activities, should get its product register under the act. 

The registration would help business grow, as the product would be made and sold as per the guidelines, which will eventually save the cost to the business. 

There would be a huge savings while production as well as packaging. It will also help the businessman to build a TRUST in his customers. As, customers will recognize that they are being getting the product verified by guidelines and in proper quantity or after proper check up and risk to their life is reducing. 

The Government of India, Department of Consumer Affairs under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public distribution are responsible for defining and implementing Legal Metrology Standards in India.
The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 was introduced under central jurisdiction as a model act, each state in India has a will to adopt the act with or without modifications. Some states in India have modified the act to regulate the issues and matters related to legal metrology. 

Legal Metrology registration can be applied in 3 capacities:

• Manufacturer
• Importer
• Packer

For products which pertains to weight and measurement like Weighing Machine fall under category of weight & measurement, need to take 5 stage registration from LM department viz; 

• Model Approval
• Packaged Commodity Registration
• Import License
• Dealership License
• Stamping of products