The Centre’s Department of Consumer Affairs convened with southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry, to evaluate the implementation of reforms implemented via the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

The meeting focused on the implementation of the new registration-based framework, the decriminalisation of small procedural offences, the introduction of ‘Improvement Notices,’ the growth of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs), and the digitisation of Legal Metrology services.

Additionally, it addressed the topic of capacity development.

Under the Jan Vishwas reforms, the Department examined the implementation of the freshly implemented “Improvement Notice” mechanism. Before any penal action is taken, first-time procedural infractions under specific sections of the Legal Metrology Act would receive an “Improvement Notice” under this clause.

The reform’s objectives are to improve Ease of Doing Business, decrease litigation, encourage voluntary compliance, and safeguard consumer rights.

States were asked to make sure that the transition from “licensing” to “registration” during the debates reflected a regulatory framework that was genuinely based on trust and facilitation. It was stressed that enrollments should be approved right away upon submitting the necessary paperwork, with no prior checks or excessive wait periods.

States were urged to quicken the revision of their GATC Rules and Enforcement Rules in conformity with the revised Legal Metrology framework. Participating States reported that the updated rules are in the final stages of approval and drafting and will be published soon.

Additionally, the Department requested UTs and States to issue their GATC Rules as soon as possible and broaden the range of instruments covered by the GATC mechanism. It is anticipated that this will strengthen the verification infrastructure, boost the number of verifiers, and expedite the delivery of services to businesses, traders, and consumers.

It was also clarified during the meeting that, in contrast to the repealed Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 does not provide for inter-state verification of weights and measures.

As a result, Government Approved Test Centers (GATCs) that have received approval from the Director of Legal Metrology, Government of India, are only permitted to carry out verification and re-verification in the State or Union Territory for which they have been authorized.

The explanation was released to ensure uniform application of the framework and prevent operational ambiguity regarding the GATC’s jurisdiction.

The Department also stated that training programs for Legal Metrology Officers would be arranged through the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi, in order to strengthen technical capability and aid in the successful execution of the reforms.

The meeting covered essential topics such as enhancing third-party verification processes, accelerating and streamlining service delivery via the e-Maap site, expanding verification infrastructure via Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs), incorporating newly introduced weighing and measuring equipment categories under the GATC frameworks, and enhancing the skills and technical training of Legal Metrology Officers.

The Department reiterated that strict action against fraud, tempering, and violations affecting consumer interests will continue under the Legal Metrology framework, even though procedural compliance is being streamlined to assist honest businesses and traders.

The reforms seek to establish an open, contemporary, and balanced regulatory system that encourages both customer protection and ease of doing business.