Rules 3 and 4 of the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011: recognised laboratories, how a laboratory applies for recognition, the Director's inspection, provisional recognition, suspension and cancellation

Rules explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.

Only a recognised laboratory can test a model of a weight or measure for approval. Rule 3 lays down the general provisions on the list of recognised laboratories, and rule 4 sets out how a laboratory applies, what the Director checks, and when recognition can be provisional, suspended or cancelled.

These rules are as amended up to the Approval of Models (Amendment) Rules, 2019, which did not change rules 3 or 4; later amendments should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. If you are a laboratory or a manufacturer who needs guidance on this stage, a legal consultation is a sensible first step.

The list of recognised laboratories is notified from time to time (rule 3). A laboratory applies to the Director through its Principal Officer, the Director has it inspected, and one of the conditions checked is a certificate from the National Accreditation Board of Laboratories (NABL) for the field in which model tests are proposed. A provisional certificate of recognition is valid for one year. Recognition can be suspended or cancelled only after the laboratory has had a reasonable opportunity of showing cause.

Rule 3: general provisions

Rule 3 has three sub-rules.

1. The list is notified. The list of recognised laboratories shall be notified from time to time (rule 3(1)).
2. Any test for approval. A laboratory recognised under the rules shall carry out any test for the approval of any model (rule 3(2)).
3. Allocation by the Director. In allocating a model to a laboratory, the Director takes into account whether that laboratory has the facilities for approving that kind of model (rule 3(3)).

For a manufacturer the third point matters most: the Director decides where a model goes for testing, and the choice depends on facilities. See rule 6 for what happens after allocation.

The laboratories notified in 2014

By notification S.O. 825(E) dated the 19th March, 2014, the Director (Legal Metrology) recognised five Regional Reference Standards Laboratories as laboratories for testing models: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Faridabad and Guwahati. The models listed against them are mechanical and electronic weighing instruments (such as non-automatic weighing instruments), automatic gravimetric filling instruments, counter machines, fuel dispensing pumps, measuring tapes, volumetric capacity measures of higher capacities, auto rickshaw and taxi meters, clinical thermometers, sphygmomanometers (blood pressure meters), liquor measures, and any other weight or measure forwarded by the Director of Legal Metrology.

That list is as notified in 2014; check the current list on the Department of Consumer Affairs website before choosing a laboratory. The same notification says the laboratories follow the Act and the rules, the technical recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology on format and check list, and the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, and that the head of the office recognised by the Department is the "Principal Officer" of the laboratory.

Another notification of the same date, S.O. 824(E), authorises the Principal Officers of recognised laboratories to receive applications for model testing directly from manufacturers in their regions, for models for which the laboratory has the facility. It also notified the format of application, discussed in our article on rules 5 and 19.

Rule 4: recognition of laboratories

Who applies and how (rule 4(1) and (2))

Every laboratory that wants recognition for carrying out tests for the approval of the model of any weight or measure applies to the Director in the form notified from time to time. The application is made by the Principal Officer. The 2014 notification, S.O. 824(E), prescribes the "Second Format": an application to the Director under rule 4 stating the field in which model approval tests are to be carried out, an undertaking to comply with the Approval of Models Rules as in force, an agreement to abide by the terms and conditions the Director specifies, a declaration that the particulars are correct, and a table of particulars of the laboratory covering its equipment, field of use and the models for which the application is made.

The Director's inspection (rule 4(3) and (4))

Before issuing a certificate of recognition, the Director sends one or more officers to the laboratory and obtains a report on whether the laboratory:

• (a) has the necessary measuring equipment, testing facilities and buildings maintained in proper condition;
• (b) has the necessary qualified and competent staff for the tests;
• (c) is situated in an appropriate environment;
• (d) has an adequate recording system;
• (e) is likely to give expeditious, efficient and adequate service;
• (f) is ready and willing to get its equipment verified periodically by another appropriate laboratory specified by the Director; and
• (g) has the NABL certificate in the parameter or field in which the model test is proposed to be undertaken.

After considering the report, and if necessary after a visit, the Director issues a certificate of recognition. It states the terms and conditions of recognition and the code number assigned to the laboratory. That code number later appears in the mark of approval of every model the laboratory tests (see our article on rules 11 to 16).

Provisional recognition (rule 4(5))

Where no application has been made, or where an application has not been disposed of, the Director may, if satisfied that it is urgently necessary, issue a provisional certificate of recognition. This needs the consent of the principal officer in charge and applies to a laboratory which, in the Director's opinion, fulfils all the requirements of sub-rule (3). The provisional certificate is valid for one year.

Suspension (rule 4(6) and (7))

The Director may suspend a certificate of recognition if the laboratory omits or fails to observe the terms and conditions of its certificate. A suspension is allowed only after giving the laboratory a reasonable opportunity of showing cause. An order of suspension is not vacated until the omission or failure has been made good.

Inspection, annual report and procedure (rule 4(8) to (10))

• The Director or an authorised officer may visit the laboratory when required, and the Principal Officer permits inspection and gives all assistance, including producing records on model testing.
• The Principal Officer submits an annual report to the Director on the models tested, the fee collected, the time taken for each test and other relevant particulars.
• While testing models, the Principal Officer adopts the procedures the Director prescribes from time to time.

Cancellation (rule 4(11))

The Director may cancel a certificate of recognition if the circumstances of the laboratory are such that it cannot reasonably be expected to function properly as a recognised laboratory, or if there are sufficient reasons to suspect that it has been guilty of corrupt practices. A certificate is not cancelled without giving the laboratory a reasonable opportunity of showing cause.

Steps for a laboratory

1. The Principal Officer prepares the application in the Second Format, with the laboratory's particulars.
2. The application goes to the Director.
3. Officers of the Director inspect the laboratory and report on items (a) to (g).
4. The Director issues the certificate of recognition with terms and conditions and a code number.
5. The laboratory files the annual report each year and follows the Director's test procedures.

Who does what

The rules print no fee for recognition.

A practical example

Kaveri Calibration Services, a private laboratory in Bengaluru, wants to test counter machines for model approval. Its Principal Officer applies in the Second Format. It already holds NABL accreditation for mass, but the Director's officers find that the field in which counter machines are tested is not covered. Under rule 4(3)(g), the NABL certificate must be in the parameter or field in which model testing is proposed, so Kaveri extends its accreditation scope first.

Common lapses

• Applying for recognition without the NABL certificate for the proposed field.
• Allowing a provisional certificate to run past its one-year period without a fresh decision.
• Not filing the annual report on models tested and fees collected.
• Ignoring a show-cause notice before suspension.

For the Act's side of model approval, read our post on section 22.

Need help with laboratory recognition?

A laboratory preparing its application, or a manufacturer unsure which recognised laboratory fits its instrument, can talk through the rules with us. Book a legal consultation and bring your accreditation scope and the models you plan to test.

Key takeaways

• The list of recognised laboratories is notified from time to time; the five Regional Reference Standards Laboratories were notified in 2014, so check the current list.
• A laboratory applies to the Director through its Principal Officer; a NABL certificate for the relevant field is one of the conditions checked.
• A provisional certificate of recognition is valid for one year.
• Suspension and cancellation need a reasonable opportunity of showing cause.
• The Principal Officer files an annual report on models tested, fees collected and time taken.

Read next

• Rules 1 and 2: commencement, definitions and who needs model approval
• Rules 6 and 7: submission of the model, tests and provisional certificate
• Model Approval for Weights and Measures
• Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009

Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011 (as amended in 2019), the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 (as amended up to 17 June 2026), the Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011 (as amended in 2019), the Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011 and the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011, as published in the Gazette of India and consulted on 4 October 2026. Later amendments, current fees and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 provisions referred to should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.