The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 was introduced in order to safeguard consumer interests and rights. Effective from April 01, 2011, it establishes and enforces standards for packaged products. Legal Metrology Registration law is applicable to all packaged products that are manufactured/imported and sold in ‘packed form’ in the Indian market.
Legal Metrology registration can be applied in two capacities:
- Importer
- Manufacturer
In India, legal metrology registration refers to the process of obtaining approval or certification for measuring instruments used for commercial or trade purposes. It is governed by the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. The registration ensures that measuring instruments, such as weighing scales, fuel dispensers, or measuring devices used in various industries, meet the prescribed standards of accuracy, reliability, and traceability. The registration is carried out by the respective State Legal Metrology Departments or Controllers of Legal Metrology, and it helps to maintain fairness and transparency in commercial transactions.
- Model Approval: In the context of legal metrology license, model approval refers to the process of obtaining approval for a specific model or design of a measuring instrument. Before a measuring instrument can be used for commercial or trade purposes, it needs to undergo testing and evaluation to ensure that it meets the prescribed standards of accuracy, reliability, and traceability set by the Legal Metrology Act and Rules. This approval process involves submitting the technical specifications, design drawings, and samples of the measuring instrument to the designated authority, typically the State Legal Metrology Department or Controller of Legal Metrology. The authority assesses the instrument’s compliance with the relevant regulations and grants model approval if it meets the required standards. Once a model is approved, it can be manufactured, sold, and used legally for commercial purposes within the specified limits and conditions.
- Import/Manufacture Licence: In legal metrology, an import/manufacture license refers to the license or registration obtained by an individual or entity involved in the importation or manufacturing of measuring instruments for commercial or trade purposes. This license is required to ensure compliance with the Legal Metrology Act and Rules, which regulate the accuracy, reliability, and traceability of measuring instruments used in various industries. To obtain an import/manufacture license, the applicant needs to fulfill certain requirements and adhere to the prescribed procedures set by the State Legal Metrology Department or Controller of Legal Metrology. These requirements may include submitting application forms and providing necessary documentation such as business details, technical specifications, design drawings, and samples of the measuring instruments. The authority assesses the applicant’s compliance with the relevant regulations, conducts inspections if necessary, and grants the license upon satisfactory fulfillment of the requirements. Having an import/manufacture license allows the individual or entity to legally import or manufacture measuring instruments and ensures their compliance with the prescribed standards. It helps maintain fairness, transparency, and accuracy in commercial transactions involving such instruments.
- Packaged Commodity Registration (Rule 27): In legal metrology, Rule 27 refers to the registration of packaged commodities. It pertains to the regulations and requirements for labeling and declaring essential information on the packages of pre-packaged goods sold in India. This rule falls under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011. Under Rule 27, the manufacturer, packer, or importer of pre-packaged commodities must obtain registration from the Controller of Legal Metrology. This registration is commonly known as the “packaged commodity registration.” It ensures that the packages comply with the prescribed standards regarding accurate and transparent labeling, including details such as the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, net quantity, MRP (Maximum Retail Price), date of manufacture, and other relevant information. By obtaining the packaged commodity registration, the manufacturer or packer ensures compliance with legal metrology requirements and facilitates fair trade practices. It enables consumers to make informed decisions about the packaged products they purchase, as well as ensures transparency and standardization in the marketplace.