The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs, issued Office Memorandum No. I-9/11/2026-W&M (E-39647) dated 09.06.2026 introducing a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for recognition/endorsement of already approved models of weights or measures for importers under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. The SoP aims to avoid duplication of model approval for identical instruments already approved in India and manufactured by the same foreign manufacturer. It permits issuance of an endorsement/recognition certificate without fresh model approval or testing where identity is established, subject to verification of identity, specifications, OIML certification, manufacturer authorization, and sealing and technical parameters. The SoP prescribes eligibility criteria, application procedure, required documents, examination process, approval mechanism, compliance conditions, and electronic issuance of endorsement/recognition certificates linked to the original Certificate of Approval of Model, with a fresh model approval number for the new importer. It also provides that any variation or deviation from the approved model requires fresh model approval and states that the SoP is facilitative and procedural and does not dilute statutory requirements.
I-9/11/2026-W&M (E-39647)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRSTI
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES UNIT
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
Date: 09.06.2026
Office Memorandum
Subject: Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Recognition/ Endorsement of Already Approved Model of Weights or Measures for Importers — reg.
The undersigned is directed to state that under the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, every model of weight or measure is required to undergo model approval prior to manufacture or import in India.
2. It has been observed that in several cases, identical models already approved by the Central Government in favour of an importer are subsequently applied for by other importers, despite there being no change in design, metrological characteristics or technical specifications, manufactured by the same manufacturer. This results in duplication of the model approval process and avoidable regulatory burden.
3. In order to streamline the process and to promote ease of doing business while ensuring continued compliance with statutory requirements, it has been decided to introduce a simplified mechanism for recognition/ endorsement of already approved models for importers of identical instruments.
4. Accordingly, the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Recognition/ Endorsement of Already Approved Model of Weights or Measures for Importers is enclosed herewith for needful.
5. The SoP provides a mechanism whereby importers of identical models already approved in India may obtain an endorsement/ recognition certificate based on the existing Certificate of Approval of Model, without undergoing fresh model approval, subject to verification of identity, documentation and compliance with applicable legal metrology requirements.
6. The salient features of the SoP include:
- Applicability only to identical models already approved in India, manufactured by the same foreign manufacturer
- Mandatory verification of identity, specifications, and sealing/ technical parameters
- No fresh model approval/ testing where identity is clearly established
- Issuance of endorsement/recognition certificate linked to the original approval
- Continued applicability of all provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Rules
7. All applications under this category shall be submitted to the Director, Legal Metrology, Department of Consumer Affairs in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the enclosed SoP.
Yours faithfully
(Ashutosh Agarwal)
Director (Legal Metrology)
Phone/0-1114: 011-23389489
Email: dirwm-ca@nic.in
To: All Stakeholders
I-9/11/2026-W&M (E-39647)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES UNIT
Standard Operating Procedure (SoP)
Recognition/Endorsement of Already Approved Model of Weights or Measures for Importers
1. Purpose
This SoP lays down a uniform and simplified procedure for processing applications from importers seeking recognition/endorsement for import of a model of weight or measure that has already been approved in India. The objective is to avoid repetition of model approval for identical instruments while ensuring full compliance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Rules made thereunder.
2. Legal Basis / Policy Context
This SoP is issued under:
- Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009
- Relevant provisions of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 relating to model approval and conformity assessment
It is also in pursuance of regulatory simplification and ease of doing business measures, including recommendations of the High-Level Committee (HLC-NFRR) of NITI Aayog, aimed at avoiding duplication in approvals for identical instruments.
3. Scope
This SoP shall apply to:
- Importers of weights or measures
- Cases where an identical model already holds a valid Certificate of Approval of Model issued by the Central Government
- Applications submitted by an importer
- Model is manufactured by the same manufacturer
This SoP shall not apply to:
- New or unapproved models
- Models with any change in principle, design, software, metrological parameters, material or construction
4. Eligibility Criteria
An importer shall be eligible under this SoP where:
- The model proposed for import is identical in all respects to a model already approved in India;
- There is no variation in principle, design, specifications, software/ firmware, sealing arrangement, material or metrological characteristics;
- The importer has valid authorization from the manufacturer or brand owner for import and sale in India;
- The instrument conforms to applicable OIML recommendations/ certification (where applicable) and matches the approved model specifications.
5. Application Procedure
The importer shall submit the application to the Director, Legal Metrology, Department of Consumer Affairs, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-01 (Email: dirwm-ca@nic.in)
6. Documents Required
The following documents shall be submitted:
1. Valid OIML-CS Certificate, OIML Test Report and Evaluation Report
2. Authorization letter from manufacturer/ brand owner
3. Copy of existing Certificate of Approval of Model issued in India for the same model
4. Undertaking that the model is identical in all technical and metrological respects
5. Undertaking that no modification has been made/ will be made in principle, design, software/ firmware, material or sealing arrangement
6. Photographs of the instrument
7. Sealing diagram with detailed sealing methodology
8. Operating / instruction manual in English
9. Circuit diagram (where applicable)
10. PCB layout and component list (where applicable)
11. Software/ firmware description and version details (where applicable)
12. Calibration procedure
13. Mechanical drawings/ exploded views (where applicable)
14. Interface and connectivity details (where applicable)
15. Details of security features
16. Any other document
7. Examination of Application
7.1 The application shall be examined for:
- Verification of identity of the model with the already approved model
- Confirmation of identical metrological and technical parameters
- Verification of OIML certification
- Validation of manufacturer/ brand owner authorization
- Assessment of sealing and tamperproof arrangements
7.2 Where identity is clearly established no fresh model approval/ testing shall be required.
7.3 In case of doubt, variation or incomplete information:
- Additional documents/ clarifications may be sought
- Limited verification/ testing may be undertaken, if considered necessary
8. Approval / Endorsement Mechanism
8.1 Upon satisfactory verification, an Endorsement/Recognition Certificate may be issued by Director confirming that the imported instrument is identical to an already approved model.
8.2 Such endorsement shall:
- Be linked to the original Certificate of Approval of Model
- A fresh model approval number shall be issued to the new importer
- Be subject to the same conditions applicable to the original approval
9. Compliance Conditions
- No alteration or modification of the approved model shall be permitted
- The importer shall ensure strict conformity with the approved specifications at all times
- Any deviation shall require fresh model approval under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Rules made thereunder
- Responsibility for compliance shall rest with the importer, as applicable
10. General
Applicants are requested to ensure:
- Complete and accurate documentation
- Strict identity matching with the already approved model
- Proper technical correlation with the original approval certificate
- Clear submission of software and sealing details (where applicable)
11. Issue of Certificate
The Endorsement/ Recognition Certificate shall be issued electronically and shall be uploaded on the Portal.
12. Nature of this SoP
This SoP is purely facilitative and procedural in nature. It is intended to avoid duplication of model approvals for identical instruments already approved in India, while ensuring full compliance with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and the Rules made thereunder. It does not dilute or override any statutory requirement.
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