Vijay Bhat
Director General WEMA
January 01, 2026
FAQ’s
Q1: What is Model Approval?
Ans. “Model” means the physical representation of a weight or measure in which all the components imparting to it the necessary metrological and technical characteristics and qualities as provided in the Act and the rules made there under are suitably assembled so that subject to prescribed tolerances, every weight or measure produced in accordance with such model may be similar as regards dimensions, constructions, material performance and other metrological and technical characteristics. Approval granted to this effect by DOCA is called Model Approval.
Q2: Is Model Approval required in India if the Weighing instrument is imported, duly approved by authorities at the country of origin?
Ans. Yes. As per Section 22 of Legal Metrology Act 2009, every person, before manufacturing or importing any weight or measure shall seek the approval of model from such authority as may be prescribed. Approval in India is mandatory. Testing may or may not be done, depends upon the satisfaction level of the authority concerned.
Q3: Is there any link between model approval and manufacturing/ Import?
Ans. Yes. As per Rule 20 of Model Approval Rules 2011 “License to manufacture weights and measures when to be issued”- Before issuing a license to manufacturing or importing any weight or measure, the state government shall satisfy itself that a certificate of approval of model of such weights and measures has been granted by the central govt. under section 22 of the Act.
Q 4: Who all can import Weights and Measures?
Ans. As per section 19 of the Act- any person, Importer, retailer or manufacturer can import but not without being registered with Department of consumer affairs. Also, as per Rule 15 of Legal Metrology (General) Rules 2011, any manufacturer can register himself as importer. Registration is valid for 5 yrs. and can be renewed every 5 yrs.
Q5: What is the validity of Model Approval?
Ans. Model Approval continues to remain valid till invocation of revocation provisions under Rule 13 of Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules 2011.Such revocation happens in the event of: – a) model no longer complies with units specified in Rules b) model ceases to conform to standards of the Act c) Model generally shows defects in regard to reliability, accuracy or performance d) conditions of approval are not followed e) significant alteration is done in approved design of the model.
Q6: How many testing Laboratories are there in India for testing and recommending grant of Model Approval?
Ans. Presently five Regional reference standard laboratories owned by the Government are recognized to undertake such testing. Rule 3 and Rule 4 of Model Approval Rules 2011 also provide for recognition of every laboratory desirous of obtaining such recognition for taking up the job of testing and recommending the models for approval to government. Till now no such private laboratory is functional or recognized.
Q 7: What is the definition of manufacturer?
Ans. As per section 2 of Legal Metrology Act 2009, “Manufacturer” in relation to any weight or measure, means a person who—:
(i) manufactures weight or measure,
(ii) Manufactures one or more parts, and acquires other parts, of such weight or measure and, after assembling those parts, claims the end product to be a weight or measure manufactured by himself or itself, as the case may be,
(iii) Does not manufacture any part of such weight or measure but assembles parts thereof manufactured by others and claims the end product to be a weight or measure manufactured by himself or itself, as the case may be,
(iv) Puts, or causes to be put, his own mark on any complete weight or measure made or manufactured by any other person and claims such product to be a weight or measure made or manufactured by himself or itself, as the case may be.
Q 8: What is difference between Model Approval and OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) certification?
Ans. Model approval happens at national level and is country specific. OIML CS is an international certification system.
Q 9: What is the broader objective of OIML certification system?
Ans.
- OIML-CS harmonizes the work of national bodies that are responsible for the type evaluation and approval/ model approval of measuring instruments subject to Legal metrological control
- Manufacturers who wish to market their products in different countries get benefitted so far as national approvals are concerned. OIML-CS being an evidence that their instrument type complies with the requirements of the relevant OIML Recommendation.
- Certification scheme helps to avoid unnecessary re-testing when obtaining national type evaluations and approvals. By this approach, the measuring instrument type needs to be tested only once by an approved laboratory.
- OIML member countries may remain morally obliged to implement OIML recommendations as far as possible.
- Offers more opportunities for manufacturers to place their products on a global market.
Q 10: Is there any OIML issuing Authority in India?
Ans. Yes. Legal Metrology Department of consumer affairs India is an OIML issuing authority from September 2023 under OIML certification system conforming to accreditation standard ISO/IEC 17065. Globally there are 13 among 63 OIML member countries having such recognition.
Q11: What are the categories of measuring instruments for which DOCA can issue OIML certification?
Ans. presently scope includes only 4 measuring instrument categories. These are, material measures of length, water meters, non-automatic weighing instruments and liquids other than water duly covered under OIML recommendation numbers R35, R49, R76 and R117 respectively.
Q 12: Is there any other category of instruments for which DOCA can seek recognition for issuing OIML certification in India?
Ans. Yes. Other measuring instrument categories are automatic catch weighers, load cells, automatic rail weighbridges and weighing road vehicles in motion, falling under OIML recommendation numbers R51, R60, R106, and R134 respectively.
Q 13: Is there any accredited laboratory in India approved for carrying out testing under OIML-CS?
Ans. Yes. RRSL Ahmedabad is duly accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for carrying out testing in this regard.
Q14: For seeking simultaneous Model Approval and OIML certification, is testing required only once?
Ans. Should be yes, as per broader objective of OIML certification system.
Q 15: Has any OIML certificate been issued from India to overseas manufactures in the last 2 years?
Ans. None.
Q 16: Has any OIML certificate been issued from India to domestic manufactures in the last 2 years?
Ans. Yes. As per information given to RAJYA SABHA on 16th December 2025, two such certifications for fuel dispensing units remain issued since recognition was granted to India.
