Model Approval Certificate for Weights & Measures (Legal Metrology)
Every model of a weight, measure or weighing or measuring instrument needs Central Government approval before it is made or imported for sale in India. Here is who needs it, how to apply and what it costs.
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In short: every model of a weight, measure or weighing/measuring instrument must be approved by the Central Government under section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 before it is manufactured or imported for sale in India. You apply online. The model is tested at a recognised laboratory (testing fee ₹10,000 for mechanical and ₹25,000 for digital/electronic models). If it passes, the Government issues a model approval certificate with an approval mark. Importing a model that is already approved in India? Since June 2026 you can get it recognised without fresh testing.
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Reviewed by Prashant Dwivedi, Co-Founder, iKargos · Last reviewed
What is a model approval certificate?
A "model" is the final physical design of a weight or measure. Every unit produced to that model must match it in dimensions, construction, material, performance, and metrological and technical characteristics (Rule 2, Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011).
Model approval is the Central Government's certificate that this design meets the Legal Metrology Act and Rules, or the recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) (Rule 7). It is granted under section 22 of the Act, and the Department publishes approved certificates on its website.
Each approved model gets a code number and an approval mark. The mark is made of the letters IND, the last two digits of the year of issue, the laboratory's code and the model's code number. It must be fixed on every unit made to the model (Rules 8 and 12).
Who needs model approval?
- Manufacturers of weights, measures and weighing or measuring instruments made for sale in India.
- Importers of weights, measures and weighing or measuring instruments. Every model needs approval before it is imported (DoCA Office Memorandum, 9 June 2026).
- Before a State issues a licence to manufacture or import a weight or measure, it must be satisfied that the model has a section 22 certificate (Rule 20). If that certificate is revoked, the licence stands suspended.
Examples: electronic weighing scales, weighbridges, water meters, fuel dispensers, gas meters, energy meters, clinical thermometers, sphygmomanometers, tape measures.
Model approval vs LMPC registration vs section 19 registration
| Compare | Model approval (this page) | LMPC registration | Section 19 importer registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | The design (model) of a weight or measuring instrument | Pre-packaged goods sold in India (label declarations) | You, as an importer of weights and measures |
| Law | LM Act s.22; Approval of Models Rules 2011 | Packaged Commodities Rules 2011, Rule 27 | LM Act s.19 |
| Who | Manufacturers and importers of weighing or measuring instruments | Manufacturers, packers and importers of packaged goods | Importers of weights and measures |
| Portal | NSWS (new) / lm.doca.gov.in/modelapproval | lm.doca.gov.in/PCR | lm.doca.gov.in/oregis |
| Our page | this page | LMPC certificate | Section 19 registration |
How to get model approval: step by step
- Apply online. New applications go through the National Single Window System (NSWS, nsws.gov.in). Amendments to existing approvals go through the Model Approval System at lm.doca.gov.in/modelapproval.
- Give the model details (Rule 5): applicant's name and address (for imported models, also the foreign manufacturer and the dealer in India); description, class and intended use; metrological and technical characteristics; the manufacturer's test procedure; brand and type.
- Attach the drawings and documents (Rule 5(2), at least two copies): sketch and section drawings; principles of construction and operation; anti-fraud safety devices; how the instrument is adjusted; where the verification stamp or seal goes; installation drawings; two photographs of the model showing its mandatory declarations; circuit diagram (digital types); user manual and literature.
- Pay the laboratory testing fee (Rule 19, as amended in 2019): ₹10,000 for a mechanical model; ₹25,000 for a digital or electronic model. Testing a substitute material costs half the fee.
- Submit the model for testing at the recognised laboratory the Director allocates (Rules 3 and 6). Installation, testing and removal are at the applicant's cost and risk. For bulky instruments the lab may test on site, and the applicant pays the officers' travel and daily allowances.
- Testing (Rule 7): against the Act and Rules or the OIML recommendations; accuracy over time, performance under different conditions, and influence factors; mandatory declarations, sealing, and robustness against fraud.
- Decision (Rules 8–9). The lab reports to the Director. The Director recommends, and the Central Government issues the certificate. If the lab does not recommend approval, you can make a representation to the Director, or modify the model and resubmit it as a fresh application with fresh fees (Rule 10).
- Collect your model within 6 months of the decision; otherwise it is forfeited to the Government (Rule 6(7)).
Fees, time and validity
| Item | Rule (official) |
|---|---|
| Testing fee, mechanical model | ₹10,000 (Rule 19(1)(i), G.S.R. 823(E), 6 Nov 2019) |
| Testing fee, digital / electronic model | ₹25,000 (Rule 19(1)(ii)) |
| Substitute material test | Half of the above (Rule 19(2)). Report a substitute material within 7 days of starting to use it (Rule 18) |
| On-site testing | Officers' travel and daily allowances, payable by the applicant (Rule 6(3)) |
| Provisional certificate | If testing will take more than 3 months, the Director may issue a provisional certificate (Rule 6(8)). It is valid for up to 1 year and can be extended (Rule 8(7)) |
| Validity of the final certificate | The Rules set no expiry date. A certificate can be revoked (Rule 13) or suspended (Rule 14), e.g. if the model no longer meets the standards or its design is changed |
| Other denominations | Other denominations of an approved model, made on the same principles and with the same material, need no separate approval (Rule 8(9)) |
| iKargos service fee | Separate; ask for a quote |
New in 2026: recognition of already-approved models for importers
On 9 June 2026 the Department of Consumer Affairs issued a Standard Operating Procedure (Office Memorandum I-9/11/2026-W&M). It lets an importer get an approved model recognised instead of going through model approval again, when:
- the same model from the same foreign manufacturer already holds a valid Indian model approval certificate (usually issued to another importer);
- there is no change in principle, design, specifications, software or firmware, sealing, material or metrological characteristics;
- you hold valid authorisation from the manufacturer or brand owner to import and sell in India;
- the instrument conforms to the applicable OIML recommendations or certification (where applicable).
Documents (SoP para 6):
- a valid OIML-CS certificate, OIML test report and evaluation report;
- the manufacturer's or brand owner's authorisation;
- a copy of the existing Indian model approval certificate;
- undertakings that the model is identical and will not be changed;
- photos, sealing diagram and procedure, and an English manual;
- circuit diagram, PCB layout, component list and software/firmware version (where applicable);
- calibration procedure, mechanical drawing, interface details and security features.
How: apply to the Director, Legal Metrology, Department of Consumer Affairs, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi (dirwm-ca@nic.in). Where identity is clearly established, no new approval or testing is needed. In case of doubt, limited verification or testing may be done. The recognition certificate is issued electronically, linked to the original approval, with a new model approval number for the new importer and the same conditions. Any later change to the model needs a fresh approval.
Not new models: new, rejected or modified models still need full model approval.
Common mistakes
- Treating model approval as part of LMPC (packaged-commodity) registration. They are different laws and different applications.
- Importing before the model is approved. The State cannot license the manufacture or import of an unapproved model (Rule 20).
- Changing the design, circuit or software after approval. This can lead to revocation (Rule 13(1)(e)).
- Putting the wrong approval mark on the instrument, or leaving it off (Rule 12).
- Not reporting a substitute material within 7 days (Rule 18).
Frequently asked questions
What is a model approval certificate?
Who needs model approval in India?
What is the fee for model approval?
How do I apply for model approval?
Is model approval the same as LMPC registration?
How long is a model approval certificate valid?
Can I import a model that is already approved in India without new testing?
Where can I download or check a model approval certificate?
You may also need
Need broader regulatory support beyond this certification? See iKargos's full trade compliance advisory. All EXIM certifications
Importing weighing or measuring instruments?
iKargos files model approval, the 2026 importer recognition route and section 19 registration together. Send us the model, the brand and its OIML certificate.