Department of Consumer Affairs awards GATC Certificates to Private Entities

• 30 Dec 2025
• 181 Views

To strengthen the legal metrology verification ecosystem via public-private partnership framework, the Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has awarded a total of 12 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) Certificates to 11 private entities. 

On 24 December 2026, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Cabinet Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Minister of New & Renewable Energy, in the presence of Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, presented the certificates to the entities.

This move is a transformative reform within the legal metrology system in India. It expands the verification capacity beyond the public sector and allows for greater participation of the private entities that are eligible. It was a much-needed initiative to strengthen the accuracy as well as reliability in weights and measures that are often used for trade and consumer transactions. At the same time, it improves ease of doing business as well as regulatory efficiency.

The recognition of private entities as GATCs comes after the amendment was made to the Legal Metrology Government Approved Test Centre Rules 2013. The amendment to these rules was notified a few months ago on 23 October 2025. The amended rules significantly expanded the GATCs scope of and allowed private laboratories and industries that meet the prescribed technical criteria to carry out verification and reverification of weighing and measuring instruments in accordance with international best practices.

18 Categories of Instruments under Amended Framework

The amended framework of Legal Metrology Government Approved Test Centre Rules 2013 now cover 18 categories of weighing and measuring instruments. It reflects the commitment of the government to address the evolving technological as well as sector requirements across consumer services, transport, energy and infrastructure. These include the following :-

• Multi-dimensional measuring instruments

• Automatic rail weighbridges

• Tape measures, non-automatic weighing instruments

• Load cells, beam scales, counter machines

• Weights of all categoriesWater meters, energy meters, gas meters

• Flow meters, moisture meters

• Sphygmomanometers and clinical thermometers

• Breath analysers and vehicle speed meters

After the amended rules notification, a dedicated online portal was launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs to invite and process applications from eligible private entities for GATC recognition. The application window remained open until 30 November 2025. It ensured a transparent, digital and time-bound process. It facilitated faster approvals as well as improved service delivery.

The private GATCs recognition is anticipated to greatly improve verification services accessibility, reduce turnaround times and facilitate quicker compliance for manufacturers, traders and service providers throughout the country. Regular and decentralized verification of consumer facing instruments such as weighing scales, water meters and energy meters, will minimize inaccuracies, ensure that consumers receive full value in everyday transactions and strengthen trust in the marketplace. 

The public pvt partnership initiative aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. It utilizes domestic technical capabilities and enables private entities to make meaningful contributions to India's expanding verification network within a framework that is uniform, transparent and regulated.

The ongoing recognition of Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (abbreviated as RRSLs) and National Test House (abbreviated as NTH) laboratories as deemed GATCs ensures a robust verification ecosystem across the nation. This reform acts as a force multiplier for State Legal Metrology Departments as it decentralizes verification activities. It allows Legal Metrology Officers to focus more effectively on inspection, enforcement and addressing consumer grievances. 

The Government, through these reforms, reaffirms its commitment to a scientific, technology-driven and future-ready legal metrology system that aligns with international standards as well as the best practices. This strengthens consumer confidence, improves regulatory efficiency and promotes fairness when it comes to trade.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)