DoCA organizes workshop on Ease of Doing Business and Consumer Protection

• 26 Sep 2025
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On 24 September 2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) of Government of India had held round table workshop on “Ease of Doing Business and Consumer Protection - Legal Metrology Act, 2009”. The workshop took place at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

At the workshop, proposals were discussed to replace the licensing regime with simple registration, remove repair license requirement, enable verification by manufacturers, increase verification period and adopt geo tagging, GPS based inspections and tech-driven verification for effective implementation of GATC Rules.

A detailed framework was established at the workshop for collaborative policy development. This was done to make sure the legal metrology framework continues to protect consumers and at the same time, support fair and efficient trade practices across the nation.

A keynote address was delivered by Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA). She mentioned that the Legal Metrology Act balances protecting consumer rights with easing business via clear rules, ensuring fairness in trade. 

Additionally, she pointed out initiatives like eMaap Portal, Govt Approved Test Centres, new rules for weighing as well as measuring devices, OIML certification and Time Dissemination Project. 

Moreover, she apprised that the dept has come up with one stop facilitation helpdesk (Jan Sunwai) for queries regarding legal metrology on every tuesday from 16:00 to 17:00 hrs. 

The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) informed that the Department has consolidated the requirements for E1 and E2 class weights. The States will be provided with 519 E2 class weights and 297 E1 class weights that’ll cost approx. Rs. 100 crore. Referring to reforms under Jan Vishwas 1.0 and 2.0, Smt. Khare stated that the decriminalization of certain sections and proposal to introduce Improvement Notices in the Legal Metrology Act of 2009 will eliminate barriers, encourage business growth and allow citizens and companies to operate without having fear of imprisonment for committing minor violations. 

She laid emphasis on the fact that digitization, risk-based regulation and stakeholder collaboration will further strengthen trust and ease of doing business. In his welcome address, Shri Bharat Khera, who is the Additional Secretary of DoCA, mentioned the Legal Metrology Act protects consumers and ensures fair trade through clear regulations without burdening the businesses that are legitimate. 

He cited Jan Vishwas reforms that involve decriminalizing seven provisions in 2023, replacing imprisonment with penalties, and introducing improvement notices in 2025. He expressed confidence that the conference would help build trust and promote a fair business environment.

A presentation was made by the Joint Secretary of Dept of Consumer Affairs, Shri Anupam Mishra. This presentation was regarding the key provisions of Act proposed for decriminalisation under Jan Vishwas 2.0. It also focused on development of eMaap Portal to unify all functions of Legal Metrology incl. enforcement, form a unified database, promise transparency, make compliance for traders easier and make procedures for officials simpler.

The advisory for relaxation to industries for revising Maximum Retail Price and for passing on benefit of reduced goods and services tax rate to end customers was appreciated by industry associations. They gave suggestions to amend the Act and rules, revise verification timelines for instruments, rationalize licensing for manufacturers/dealer/repairers and introduce faceless and self verification under the Act.

The need for strict enforcement of violations that impact consumers on a large scale was highlighted by the Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs). Shri. Anupam Mishra, in his closing remarks, laid stress on the requirement for collaborative approach to strengthen consumer trust as well as business competitiveness.

Regulatory challenges, ease of doing business practices and best innovations were showcased by states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala. The workshop was joined by the state govt of Gujarat virtually.

The Controllers of Legal Metrology and their representatives attended the workshop. They were from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 

The round table workshop brought together several stakeholders who discussed the suggestions as well as reforms related to legal metrology. Approximately 200 participants attended the workshop incl. Controllers of Legal Metrology and their representatives from various states, participants from FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, RAI, IBHA, PHDCII, MTaI, AIFPA, BMVA, FASII, IFBA, IHA, ICMA, AIFWITA, CAIT, TNWMMDRA and DWITA, VCOs and participants via virtual mode.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)