Legal Metrology Rules Amended

• 07 Jul 2026

On 3rd July 2026, the Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, amended the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 to simplify the verification process for high-capacity weighing instruments, reducing compliance costs while maintaining verification accuracy.

Key Points

• Major Reform: The amendment reduces the mandatory standard weight requirement from 50% to 20% of an instrument’s maximum capacity after a successful repeatability test.
• Previous Requirement: Earlier, instruments with a capacity of one tonne or more required standard weights equal to at least one tonne or 50% of maximum capacity before using constant loads.
• Scientific Basis: The revised verification method is based on internationally accepted repeatability testing, ensuring consistent and reliable measurement accuracy.
• Benefits: The reform reduces compliance burden, transportation and handling costs, operational downtime, and improves verification efficiency for industries and weighbridge operators.
• Objective: The amendment promotes Ease of Doing Business by adopting science-based regulatory practices without compromising consumer protection or measurement accuracy.