The Department of Consumer Affairs, GOI, organised a Round Table Workshop on “Ease of Doing Business and Consumer Protection – Legal Metrology Act, 2009” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.The workshop discussed proposals to replace the licensing regime with simplified registration, remove the need for repairer licences, allow verification by manufacturers, extend the verification period, and adopt geo-tagging, GPS-based inspections, and technology-driven verification for effective implementation of GATC Rules.The workshop established a comprehensive framework for collaborative policy development, ensuring that the Legal Metrology framework continues to protect consumers while supporting fair and efficient trade practices across India.

Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), delivered the keynote address and stated that the Legal Metrology Act balances protecting consumer rights with easing business through clear rules, ensuring fairness in trade. Smt. Khare also outlined key initiatives such as the eMaap Portal, Government Approved Test Centres, new rules for weighing and measuring devices, OIML certification, and the Time Dissemination Project. She also apprised that the Department has introduced a One-Stop Facilitation Helpdesk (Jan Sunwai) for Legal Metrology Queries on every Tuesday from 16:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Secretary, DoCA informed that the Department has consolidated the requirements for E1 & E2 class weights and the States are to be provided 519 E2 Class Weights and 297 E1 Class Weights costing approximately Rs. 100 crore.

Referring to reforms under Jan Vishwas 1.0 and 2.0, Smt. Khare said decriminalised sections and the proposal to introduce Improvement Notices in the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 will eliminate barriers, foster growth of businesses and help citizens and businesses to live without fear of imprisonment for minor violations. She emphasised that digitisation, risk-based regulation and stakeholder collaboration will further strengthen trust and ease of business.

Shri Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, DoCA, in his welcome address highlighted that the Legal Metrology Act safeguards consumers and ensures fair trade through clear rules without burdening genuine businesses. Citing Jan Vishwas reforms—decriminalising seven provisions in 2023, replacing imprisonment with penalties, and introducing improvement notices in 2025—he expressed confidence that the conference would build trust and promote a fair business environment.

Shri Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary, DoCA, made a presentation on key provisions of the Act proposed for decriminalisation under Jan Vishwas 2.0 and on the development of the eMaap Portal that will unify all functions of Legal Metrology including enforcement, create a unified database, ensure transparency, ease compliance for traders and simplify procedures for officials.

Industry associations appreciated the advisory for relaxation to industries for revising MRP and for passing on the benefit of reduced GST rate to end consumers. They suggested amendments to the Act and Rules, revision of verification timelines for instruments, rationalisation of licensing for manufacturers/dealers and repairers, and introduction of faceless and self-verification under the Act. VCOs highlighted the need for strict enforcement of violations that impact consumers on a large scale.In his closing remarks, Shri Anupam Mishra stressed the need for a collaborative approach to strengthen consumer trust and business competitiveness.

States including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala presented regulatory challenges, ease of doing business practices and best innovations. The State Government of Gujarat joined virtually.

The workshop was attended by the Controllers of Legal Metrology and their representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Round Table Workshop was organised to bring together various stakeholders to discuss the suggestions and reforms pertaining to Legal Metrology.The Round Table Conference successfully brought together approximately 200 participants including Controllers of Legal Metrology and their representatives from various states, participants from FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, RAI, IBHA, PHDCII, MTaI, AIFPA, BMVA, FASII, IFBA, IHA, ICMA, AIFWITA, CAIT, TNWMMDRA and DWITA, Voluntary Consumer Organizations and participants through virtual mode.

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Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma/Shabbir Azad

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