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Legal Metrology: License and Certification

What is legal metrology license & certification about?

Legal Metrology refers to the regulatory framework established to ensure the accuracy and fairness of weights, measures, and packaging used in trade and commerce in India.


It is governed by the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, and administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

The purpose of Legal Metrology is to protect consumer rights by ensuring that every measurement used for commercial transactions — whether it’s a weighing machine, a litre of milk, or a packaged product — is accurate, standardized, and not misleading.

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There are several types of registrations and licenses under Legal Metrology:

  • Manufacturer License: For companies manufacturing weighing/measuring instruments or pre-packaged commodities.

  • Importer License: For businesses importing weights, measures, or packaged goods into India.

  • Packer/Dealer Registration: For entities involved in packing, selling, distributing, or retailing goods in packaged form.

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Businesses must ensure that their packaging and instruments comply with the prescribed standards regarding quantity, labeling, font size, declarations like MRP, manufacturing date, expiry, and consumer care details.

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Failing to obtain the correct Legal Metrology certification can lead to severe penalties, product seizures, and business disruption.

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At EMPL, we help businesses seamlessly acquire Legal Metrology licenses and registrations, ensuring that they meet every statutory requirement efficiently and avoid operational risks.

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Which products come under the certification?

Legal Metrology regulations cover a wide range of products across industries, including:

Weighing machines and measuring instruments

Fuel dispensers

Pre-packaged food items

FMCG products (soaps, shampoos, cosmetics)

Electronic weighing scales

Packaged water bottles

Textiles and garments

Medical devices 

  • The following businesses must apply for Legal Metrology certifications or licenses:

    • Manufacturers of weights, measures, or packaged goods

    • Importers of weights, measures, or packaged goods

    • Packers and Labelers of pre-packaged commodities

    • Dealers and Retailers selling pre-packaged goods

    Any business involved in production, import, packaging, distribution, or sale of products sold by weight, measure, or number must comply with Legal Metrology standards.

    EMPL supports businesses across all sectors in identifying the right type of Legal Metrology license they require and assists in speedy application and documentation management.

  • Obtaining a Legal Metrology license or registration usually takes around 30 to 45 working days from the date of filing a complete and compliant application with the Legal Metrology Department.
    However, the timeline can vary based on:

    • The state/region where the application is filed,

    • Type of license required (manufacturer, importer, packer),

    • Inspection requirements, if any.

    Working with compliance partners like EMPL ensures that all paperwork is ready in advance, minimizing approval delays and avoiding unnecessary notices.

  • Before applying for Legal Metrology licenses, applicants must ensure:

    • Business entity proof: GST registration, incorporation certificate, or partnership deed.

    • Premises proof: Lease agreement, property ownership proof.

    • Model Approval (for manufacturers of weighing/measuring devices) from the Central Legal Metrology Department.

    • Lab Testing Reports for weighing/measuring equipment, wherever applicable.

    • Product packaging must comply with labeling requirements under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

    • Authorized signatory identification documents.

    Legal Metrology compliance is not a one-time task — businesses must also ensure ongoing compliance through correct labeling, declarations, and periodic audits.
    EMPL ensures that businesses not only get licensed but also stay compliant, avoiding fines and business interruptions.

  • Yes. If you sell, distribute, or import any product in packaged form in India, compliance with Legal Metrology regulations is mandatory.

  • Model Approval is mandatory for manufacturers before selling weighing and measuring instruments. It certifies that the model complies with Indian standards.

  • No. Every importer of weights, measures, or pre-packaged goods must obtain a separate Importer License under the Legal Metrology Act before selling in India.

  • EMPL helps businesses with end-to-end Legal Metrology services — from license identification, document preparation, application filing, responding to authority queries, to post-approval compliance management.

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