Factors to be Considered While Obtaining a Legal Metrology Certificate

The accuracy and precision of measurements in day-to-day life are crucial. It shows the transparent and efficient legal metrology system that builds confidence in trade, industry, and consumers. Also, creates an environment for conducting harmonious business in different ways:

1. Contribute to the economy of the country through revenue in various sectors.
2. Reduce the revenue loss in coal, mines, industries, petroleum and railways.
3. Reduction of loss and wastage in the infrastructure sector.

However, these ways help businesses, consumers and the economy grow. So obtaining a legal metrology certificate is important but before that, some factors must be considered while getting a LMPC certificate.

What is an LMPC Certificate?

The manufacturers or importers of weighing and measuring equipment, which are prescribed under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and rules made there under are required to get approval from the Government of India before manufacturing/ import.

Some of the equipment is not required to obtain Model approval such as cast iron, brass, bullion, or carat weight or any beam scale, length measures (not measuring tapes) which are used in retail trade for measuring textiles or timber, capacity measures, not exceeding twenty litres in capacity.

Types of LMPC Certificates

Having an LMPC license is required for different types of instruments. These instruments must meet the accuracy and performance standards set by the government. The rules are set for transparent and fair trade practices. The two types of registration exist under the LMPC rules of 2011:

• Rule 27 LMPC Importer Registration: If you import pre-packaged commodities and sell them in India without any additional packaging and labelling activity. Then importer registration is required.

• Rule 27 LMPC Packer & Manufacturer Registration: This registration is required if you manufacture or pack the items or purchase items from a third party and pack them under your brand.

Factors that Must be Follow to Get an LMPC Certificate

Below are the multiple factors that a manufacturer or importer must follow to get an LMPC certificate:

Declare the Information on Package of Every Product

The following are the details that are included in a declaration on every packaged commodity: 

• Name and address of the manufacturer, and packer or for any importer package the name of the importer must be mentioned
• Common or generic names of the commodity contained in the package. In case, the package has more products, then the name and number or quantity of each product must be mentioned on the package.
• The net quantity in terms of standard unit of weight or measure of the commodity in the package.
• The month and year in which the commodity is manufactured, pre-packed, or imported.

Other Declarations

• Country of origin
• Common, generic name of the commodity
• Net quantity in standard units of weight or measurement or number of commodities in the package.
• MRP include all taxes
• Unit sale price
• Month and year of manufacture (except food articles, seeds and cosmetics)
• Best before or use by date, month and year. This information must be declared in case a commodity becomes unfit for human consumption with time.
• Consumer care details.

Check Important Registration Details

Here are the guidelines that you should follow during the LMPC registration. The guidelines for measuring weights under Section 47 of the Standing of Weights and Measures Act of 1976 are provided.

• The applicant who wants to take the LMPC registration has to pay a fee of Rs. 100 that is payable to The Pay and Account officer at the Department of Consumer Affairs in New Delhi.
• The LMPC act provides a long list of objects that can be weighted or measured, and the registration is provided only for such objects.
• If the Controller of Legal Metrology finds the application incomplete then he/she can return the application within seven days of submission.
• In case the controller finds the application and documents complete, then he/she is bound to provide the certificate within ten days of receiving it.

Type of Products Exempt from the LMPC Certificate

The following products are exempt from LMPC and these are as follows:

• Commodities with a net weight or measure of 10 grammes or 10 millilitres or less.
• Agricultural produce packages of more than 50 kg in quantity.
• Packages comprise fast food products packaged by a restaurant or hotel.
• Packages that contain formulation mentioned by Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995.

Follow the Rules of an LMPC Certificate

The act received the permission of the President on January 13th, 2010 and came into force with effect from April 1st, 2011. The Department of Consumer Affairs is the nodal agency to implement the act. So, there are certain provisions under the act and these are as follows:

• The Legal Metrology Act, of 2009 is a single act covering the provisions of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, of 1976 and the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, of 1985.
• The penalty provisions for different offences are increased.
• Declaration on pre-packaged commodities.
• Approval of model of weight or measure before manufacturing or import.
• Provision of Government Approved Test Centre has been introduced.
• Only one nominated director of the company is responsible for the offences done by the company under the Legal Metrology Act.

Conclusion

To conclude, the LMPC department sets and enforces the standards of weights and measures to regulate trade and commerce. However, it also regulates trade commerce and deals with regulating, monitoring, regulations of manufacturing, import and business related to weighing and measuring instruments and devices. If you want to register for an LMPC certificate, then reach out to Registrationwala to complete the registration process.

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.