Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Economy
Why in news?
The Government strengthens verification infrastructure through amendments to the Legal Metrology (GATC) Rules, 2025.
- Amended – Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013.
- Aim – To strengthen consumer protection, promote ease of doing business and align India’s system of verification with international best practices.
- Under the – Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Key Amendments
- Broaden the scope of GATCs – It covers 18 categories of weighing & measuring instruments - including water meters, energy meters, gas meters, moisture meters, flow meters, etc.
- Inclusion of new categories – Such as flow meters, breath analysers, multi-dimensional measuring instruments, and speed guns.
- Public-private partnership – The participation of private laboratories & industries as GATCs will increase verification capacity, improve accessibility and reduce waiting time for industries.
- Decentralized Verification – Regular and decentralized verification will minimize the risk of inaccurate measurements and ensure consumers get full value for their money.
- Streamlined jurisdiction – It introduces clarity regarding jurisdiction permitting GATCs to verify instruments within districts and across the state & harmonize verification fees through a newly inserted 5th Schedule.
- Transparent & structured approach – They provide clear criteria for inspection, staff qualifications and technical requirements, along with digital payment options for fee submission.
- Alings with international practice – India reinforces its commitment to scientific and transparent metrology systems that are aligned with the recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).
- Authority to certify – India gains capability to issue globally accepted OIML certificates, reducing reliance on foreign bodies and boosting domestic competitiveness.
- Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat – It supports the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by promoting indigenous testing facilities to expand the national verification network.
Reference
PIB | Legal Metrology (GATC) Rules, 2025
