Model Approval

As per section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the Legal Metrology Department issued approval for the model. Model Approval in India under the Legal Metrology Act 2009 is a certificate issued to the manufacturer and importer for approving the weight and measurement products. This certificate indicates that the product is as per the Indian metrological standards.

According to section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, the manufacturer or importer of the product has to obtain the model approval from the central government through its Department of Legal Metrology, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, located in Delhi. Without valid model approval, usage se, labelling, manufacturing, or importing of any kind of weight or measure is illegal.

What Kind Of Applicants Model Approval Required?

It is pertinent to note that any importer of weighing and measuring items is also required to obtain a dealer license. Any importer of weighing and measuring instruments may be able to import such weight and measurement items in India without the requirements of a dealership license, but to sell such weight and measurement items will certainly require a dealer license.

  • Manufacturers
  • Importer Of Weight & Measuring

Any person who is a manufacturer or importer who wants to obtain the Model Approval or LMPC certificate can consult ELT Consultants of Legal Metrology for an accurate and fast process.

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Approval Of Model Under Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009

The Legal Metrology Act of 2009 states the Process and everything about the model approval, which has to be obtained by the manufacturer or the importer while dealing in Indian legal metrology. Section 22 of the Act states the following:

Every person, before manufacturing or importing any kind of weight or measure, shall seek the approval of a model of such weight or measure from the Legal Metrology Department, Central Government, Delhi. For the approval of the model of weight and measure, the applicant is required to pay the prescribed fee as described by the concerned authority.

On What Items Model Approval Under Legal Metrology Not Required?

Approval of the model may not be required in the following cases:

  • Brass
  • Bullions
  • Carat weight
  • Midscale
  • Length measures (not measuring tapes)
  • Which are ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring textiles or Timbers
  • Capacity measures (Not exceeding 20 litres incapacity)
  • Ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring kerosene, milk, or postal liquors.

Model Approvals On The Basis Of Foreign Model Approvals

If the prescribed authority is satisfied that the model of weight or measure has been provided in any country outside India conforms to standards established by or under the act of legal metrology, the prescribed authority may approve such model without any test or after the test if he may deem fit which means that if the model approval, in any case, is approved outside India under the act of legal metrology then the respective authority needs not to require any test of weight or measure to provide the model approval.

But it is just an option available to the authority. If the authority deems fit that the tests should still be conducted of the weight and measure, then the authority can do so. If you are facing any issues with it, then find the best legal metrology service in India for better support & response.

How To Obtain Model Approval Under Legal Metrology?

The model approval to the applicant will be issued only if the product meets the Indian metrology standards. However, the standard application process includes the following:

  • Documentations/ document submissions
  • Application filing
  • Sample testing

Process of Getting Model Approval in India

To get the model approval, the Legal Metrology of India has provided 2 methods that are based on the two factors. The first one is whether the applicant is an Importer or Manufacturer. The Process of getting model approval in India is given below:

Model Approval For Manufacturer

If the applicant for the model approval is a manufacturer, then it is mandatory to get the product test by the Directorate General of the Legal Metrology Department of India. The steps for the manufacturer to obtain the model approval in India are given below:

  • Fill out the application form
  • Have all the required documents
  • Submit the application form along with all the documents
  • Submit the sample product to the legal metrology department
  • The Department of Legal Metrology will conduct the initial inspection of the documents
  • After the inspection of the documents is done the department will forward this sample to its laboratory concerned for testing

If the Department of Legal Metrology finds the product is fit and as per the regulatory requirements, then the manufacturer will get a Legal Metrology certificate for the model approval.

Model Approval For An Importer

If the applicant for the model approval is an importer, then in such case, the testing of the product is not required, and the Process that has to be complied with by the importer is given below:

  • Fill out the application form
  • Have all the required documents handy
  • Submit the application form along with all the required documents to the Legal Metrology department
  • Provide this sample of the product to the legal metrology department
  • The Department of Legal Metrology will inspect all the documents of the applicant
  • In case no error is found in the document submitted by the importer the model approval certificate will be issued to the importer.

Documents Required for Model Approval in India

To get the model approval in India, the applicant is required to provide the following documents:

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Two passport-size photographs of the applicant
  • Description of sealing provisions of the product
  • Other business licenses about the applicant’s business
  • Application form

Procedure for Model Approval

  1. Application Submission: The manufacturer or importer of weight & measure instrument applies to the designated authority. It contains the instrument’s details, technical specifications and test reports. 
  2. Examination of Documents: The submitted documents & applications are reviewed and examined by the authority. In this authority verifies that the instruments comply with metrological requirements.
  3. Testing and Calibration: The authority will test and calibrate the instruments to verify accuracy, linearity, repeatability, and other parameters
  4. Type Examination: The authority will conduct a thorough inspection of instrument design, construction, and internal mechanisms. It will ensure that the product complies with legal metrology standards.
  5. Certificate Issuance: If the instruments meet all the requirements & rules, the authority issues a Model Approval Certificate to the applicant. The certificate contains information such as the instrument’s model number, serial number, approved range, and other relevant details.

Diagram Of Weight And Measuring Product

If the applicant is an importer, then he must provide the declaration which states that no changes were made to the product before its sale in India. Receipt of model approval fee details of the Display Panel of the package. Eligibility Criteria for Model Approval Under Legal Metrology.

Under the Rules and Regulations of the legal metrology model approval, the manufacturer or the importer needs to meet the regulatory requirements of the legal metrology department. Only after proper compliance with the act, the applicant will get the approval to deal in the Indian market.

Suspension of Model Approval Certificate Weight & Measures

Suspension of Model Approval Certificate is a government administrative action. This decision is taken by a regulatory authority to temporarily prohibit the use of a specific model measuring instrument until certain conditions are met.

Reasons for Suspension:

  • Failure to work with applicable laws & regulations
  • Finding defects and errors in the model design or performance.
  • Accuracy, precision or reliability concerns.
  • Violation of specific operating conditions.

Procedure:

  • To manufacturers, distributors, or users of measuring instruments, regulatory authority issues a notice of suspension.
  • Suspension gets active immediately or within a specific timeframe.
  • In the notice of suspension, you will find specific reasons for the suspension and other conditions that must be met for reinstatement.

Consequences:

  • The suspended measure & weight instrument cannot be legally used for commercial purposes.
  • If you continue to use the suspended instruments, the result will be penalties or enforcement actions.
  • Suspension of the instrument may damage the reputation of the user or manufacturer of the affected model.

Reinstatement:

  • The manufacturer or distributor can submit the new documents to the regulatory authority to show that the condition of the suspension has been met.
  • The regulatory authority goes through with the documents, and if satisfied, they reinstate the MAC.
  • Reinstatement of Model approval requires testing, modifications or additional documents. 

Importance:

  • Suspending of MAC protects consumers and businesses from the use of inaccurate or unreliable measurement instruments.
  • The Model approval certificate ensures that the commercial transactions are conducted fairly to protect the integrity of the market.
  • It allows the regulatory authorities to address the potential risk or concern related to the model of measuring instruments timely.

Conclusion

There are two ways of model approval of measure and weight under the Legal Metrology. The Legal Metrology Department, Central Government, Delhi, approved. Any manufacturer or importer can get the model approval in two ways and the two ways as described above. Any person who is a manufacturer or any person who is an importer who is importing any prepacked commodity anywhere from outside India needs to get the model approval from the Central Government.

If there is already approval given to the weight or measure outside the country under the same act of Legal Metrology, then if the authorized authority may want to test the model, they can test the model otherwise according to their wish if they deem fit the tests of the model is not necessary.

There are two kinds of model approval, which describe the proper procedure under the act with the specified fees given under the Act of Legal Metrology Rules, 2009 and the prescribed manner of the test, which has to be done by the central government. Any person who wishes to deal with Legal Metrology commodities in the Indian market has to get model approval from the authorized authority. If in case you want to get any assistance, then none other than the group of ELT Consultants of Legal Metrology can help you out in a fruitful way.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is a Model Approval Certificate?

Model Approval is a certificate that is certified to the manufacturers and importer for approving the weight & measurement products.

Who ensures the Weights & Measures Standards?

The state government stated that the central government under sector 36 grant the model approval certificate of such weight & measures.

What Is The Responsibility Of a Legal Metrology Inspector?

The primary work of the legal metrology inspector is to verify & stamp the weight & measurement instruments on daily basis.

Which Department approves the accuracy of Standard Weight?

Department of Consumer Affairs

Who Is Designated Authority for Model Approval?

In India, the designated authority for Model Approval is the National Institute of Legal Metrology (NILM), located in Faridabad, Haryana