The Department of Consumer Affairs is expanding the network of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) to strengthen India’s legal metrology verification infrastructure and improve access to testing and verification services across the country.
Following amendments to the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, the scope of GATCs has been widened to cover 23 categories of weighing and measuring instruments used across sectors such as healthcare, energy, transport, retail, manufacturing and clean energy.
The Department recently invited fresh applications for GATC recognition through its online portal and received a strong response from industries, laboratories, engineering colleges, polytechnics, ITIs and testing facilities. The applications are currently being scrutinised in consultation with State Legal Metrology Departments.
Officials said applications are being evaluated on parameters including documentation, verification infrastructure, availability of qualified technical personnel and site inspections before recognition is granted.
51 Centres Already Recognised
At present, 51 GATCs have already been recognised, while several new applications are under active consideration. The expanding network is expected to improve the availability of technically competent verification facilities for both businesses and consumers.
States Align Rules with Central Framework
Several states have also notified their own GATC Rules in line with the amended central framework. This alignment is expected to improve coordination between State Legal Metrology Departments and recognised GATCs, enabling faster and more accessible verification services.
Verification of 23 Categories of Instruments
The expanded framework covers a wide range of instruments, including water, gas and energy meters, breath analysers, vehicle speedometers, weighing instruments, fuel dispensers for petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen.
Boost for Ease of Doing Business
The Department said the GATC initiative supplements the capacity of State Legal Metrology Departments by allowing qualified private institutions to undertake verification and re-verification of specified weights and measures.
Enhanced Legal Metrology Officers Focus
These measures will enable Legal Metrology Officers to focus more on Market surveillance, Risk-based inspections, Enforcement against violations and Consumer grievance redressal.
According to the Department, the growing GATC network will help promote Ease of Doing Business, strengthen consumer protection and support India’s position as an OIML Certification Authority.
The Department reiterated its commitment to building a transparent, technology-driven and self-reliant measurement verification system that ensures fairness in trade and enhances consumer confidence.
