On May 20, 2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, celebrated World Metrology Day 2025, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention, signed in Paris on May 20, 1875. This landmark event underscores India’s commitment to advancing Legal Metrology to foster economic growth, consumer confidence, and global trade competitiveness.
India’s Vision for Global Standards in Metrology
In a virtual address, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, emphasized the government’s vision to align Indian standards with global benchmarks, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. A significant milestone announced was India’s authorization as the 13th country globally to issue OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) certificates. This achievement enhances trust in India’s measurement systems, enabling Indian manufacturers to gain wider acceptance in international markets.
Key Initiatives for Consumer Protection
To strengthen consumer rights in high-value transactions, particularly in the gold and jewellery sector, the government mandated the use of 1 mg precision balances. This initiative ensures greater accuracy in weighing precious metals, reducing discrepancies and promoting fair trade practices. Additionally, the One Nation, One Time initiative under the Draft IST Rules, 2025, was introduced as part of the Time Dissemination Project. This project aims to provide millisecond-level accuracy for Indian Standard Time (IST) through five Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs), benefiting critical sectors like telecommunications, banking, and transport.
Digital Transformation with eMaap Portal
The launch of the eMaap portal marks a significant step towards digital governance in Legal Metrology. Currently integrating 18 states, the portal streamlines processes such as digital licensing, registration, and enforcement. This initiative enhances transparency, reduces bureaucratic hurdles, and simplifies compliance for businesses, aligning with the government’s vision of ease of doing business.
Weekly Facilitation Helpdesk
To foster better engagement with industries, a Weekly Facilitation Helpdesk was introduced. Held every Tuesday from 4–5 PM, this video-based platform allows businesses to raise queries and receive real-time assistance from officials, with active participation from State Legal Metrology departments. This initiative aims to create a responsive regulatory environment and promote industry-friendly compliance.
New Regulatory Developments
Shri B. L. Verma, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & Social Justice and Empowerment, highlighted the role of Legal Metrology in building a fair economy. New Legal Metrology Rules for Speed Guns and Gas Meters have been notified to ensure accuracy in critical devices used in law enforcement and utilities. Upcoming regulations for Breath Analysers and Moisture Meters are also in the pipeline, reinforcing consumer safety and regulatory clarity.
Reforms in Regulatory Implementation
A key reform announced was the standardization of implementation timelines for amendments to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules. All changes will now take effect on either January 1 or July 1, with a 180-day transition period to allow industries sufficient time to adapt, ensuring smoother compliance.
| Initiative | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| OIML Certification | India authorized as the 13th country to issue OIML certificates | Enhances global trust in Indian measurement systems |
| 1 mg Precision Balances | Mandatory for gold and jewellery trade | Ensures accuracy and consumer protection |
| eMaap Portal | Digital platform integrating 18 states | Streamlines licensing and enforcement processes |
| One Nation, One Time | Millisecond-level IST accuracy via RRSLs | Improves time synchronization for critical sectors |
India’s Metrological Heritage and Future Vision
Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, emphasized India’s rich metrological heritage, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the Mauryan Empire’s regulated weight systems as described in the Arthashastra. She highlighted modern advancements like blockchain-backed traceability and software testing labs, showcasing India’s future-ready approach to metrology. The World Metrology Day 2025 poster, themed “Measurements for all times, for all people”, was also released, symbolizing India’s commitment to inclusive and industry-friendly regulations.
Key Highlights
- World Metrology Day 2025 celebrated on May 20, 2025, marking the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention.
- India became the 13th country authorized to issue OIML certificates, boosting global trade credibility.
- Mandatory 1 mg precision balances introduced for the gold and jewellery sector to enhance consumer protection.
- One Nation, One Time initiative ensures millisecond-level IST accuracy for critical sectors.
- eMaap portal launched, integrating 18 states for streamlined Legal Metrology processes.
- Weekly Facilitation Helpdesk introduced every Tuesday, 4–5 PM, for industry support.
- New rules for Speed Guns and Gas Meters notified, with regulations for Breath Analysers and Moisture Meters in progress.