Rules 5 and 19 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.
An application for approval of a model goes to the Director, with specified particulars, drawings and a document describing the instrument. The testing fee is deposited with the laboratory, and it was raised and re-worded in 2019. This article covers rule 5 (the application) and rule 19 (the fee), and the notified format that goes with them.
These rules are as amended up to the Approval of Models (Amendment) Rules, 2019; later amendments and current fees should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. Importers who need to line up model approval with their registration can start with our importer registration service.
The application is made to the Director and states the applicant's name and address (for an imported model, the manufacturer's and the dealer in India), a brief description, technical data, the manufacturer's test procedure, the trade name and type, and the fee. Not less than two copies of drawings and a descriptive document accompany it. Since the 2019 amendment the testing fee is rupees ten thousand for a mechanical type and rupees twenty-five thousand for a digital or electronic type, by demand draft in favour of the laboratory or online payment; half that sum is payable for testing a substitute material.
Rule 5(1): what the application must contain
An application for approval of a model is made to the Director and contains:
- (a) the full name and address of the applicant or, where the model is imported from other countries, the name and address of the manufacturer as well as the dealer in India;
- (b) a brief description of the weight or measure, the class to which it belongs and the probable uses for which it is intended to be produced;
- (c) data on the metrological and technical characteristics and qualities of the weight or measure;
- (d) the test procedure followed by the manufacturer;
- (e) the trade name or brand name and type of the weight or measure; and
- (f) the requisite fees specified in rule 19.
Importer angle. For a model imported from abroad, rule 5(1)(a) asks for two sets of particulars: the foreign manufacturer and the dealer in India. An importer should therefore have the manufacturer's full address and its own details ready, and should read the Act's provisions on registration in our posts on rule 15 of the General Rules and sections 19 and 20 of the Act.
Rule 5(2): drawings and the descriptive document
Every application must be accompanied by not less than two copies of:
(a) a sketch and section-wise drawings of the general arrangements and installation of the weight or measure, including the details of construction, in such a manner that the weight or measure can be visualised in its finished form; and
(b) a document describing:
- the principles of construction and the method of operation;
- the safety devices provided to prevent any fraudulent or inaccurate operation;
- the manner and extent to which the instrument may be adjusted or corrected;
- the place where the verification stamp or seal, or both, may be affixed;
- plans of general arrangements and installation drawings and, where necessary, detailed installation instructions;
- photographs of the model clearly showing the mandatory declarations to be included as part of the certificate of approval;
- the actual circuit diagram (for digital type);
- the place or places on the instrument where the verification stamp or seal, or both, have to be applied to prevent fraudulent practices;
- copies of the user's manual, printed pamphlets and other literature; and
- any other information the applicant considers useful for assessing the performance and facilitating the approval.
Rule 5(3): supplementary devices
If the weight or measure has supplementary or additional devices, full information about them, such as drawings and descriptions in relation to the weight or measure, must be given with the application.
The 2014 format
By notification S.O. 824(E) of the 19th March, 2014, the Director (Legal Metrology) notified the "First Format" as the format of application for approval of a model. It follows the rule 5 headings: applicant's name and address (where the applicant is not resident in India, the name and address of the representative in India), a brief description, technical data, the manufacturer's test procedure, the trade name or type, and information on any supplementary devices. It must be submitted in duplicate, with two copies of the drawings and the descriptive document, and it ends with the applicant's signature.
A note to the format says that the application, in duplicate, with all the technical particulars and circuit diagram (if applicable), is sent to the Director, Legal Metrology or to the respective Regional Reference Standards Laboratories for testing. The technical particulars listed are:
- operating manual in English;
- circuit diagram of each printed circuit board and the wiring diagram;
- instruction manual and calibration procedure in the English language;
- components layout of each printed circuit board with the matching parts lists;
- block diagram of the software;
- mechanical diagram (exploded views of all types);
- a list of all applied interfaces;
- a drawing showing where and how the instrument can be secured against dismantling and calibration by the user; and
- specifications of all possible devices.
The note also clarifies that the expression "weight or measure" includes a weighing or measuring instrument.
Rule 19: the testing fee (as substituted in 2019)
Rule 19 was substituted by the Approval of Models (Amendment) Rules, 2019 (G.S.R. 823(E), 6th November, 2019). As it now stands:
- The applicant deposits the fee while making the application under rule 5, by demand draft in favour of the laboratory or through online payment, towards the testing charges of the laboratory (rule 19(1)).
- Rupees ten thousand for testing a mechanical type model of weights or measures or weighing and measuring instruments.
- Rupees twenty-five thousand for testing a digital or electronic type model.
- The fee applies to models intended to be manufactured or imported for transaction or protection.
- The applicant deposits half of the testing fee for testing a substitute material (rule 19(2); see our article on rules 17, 18, 20 and 21).
Under the original 2011 rule, the corresponding figures were rupees five thousand and rupees ten thousand, for models intended for sale, purchase, distribution or delivery in the course of trade or commerce. That is history only. The rules name no portal for the online payment; the fee is payable to the laboratory, not to the Director.
Table: the application at a glance
| Item | Rule | What the rules say |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | 5(1) | The applicant (for an import, the manufacturer and the dealer in India are named) |
| To whom | 5(1) | The Director; applications may also go to the Principal Officers of recognised laboratories under the 2014 notification |
| Form | 5(1), 2014 | First Format, submitted in duplicate |
| Documents | 5(2), 5(3) | Not less than two copies of drawings and the descriptive document; supplementary device details |
| Fee, mechanical type | 19(1)(i), 2019 | Rupees ten thousand |
| Fee, digital or electronic type | 19(1)(ii), 2019 | Rupees twenty-five thousand |
| Mode of payment | 19(1), 2019 | Demand draft in favour of the laboratory, or online payment |
| Substitute material | 19(2) | Half of the fee above |
| Period for decision | None | The rules print no processing time for this stage |
Steps
- Identify the class of the weight or measure and whether it is a mechanical or a digital or electronic type.
- Prepare the application and the drawings and descriptive document in two copies, using the First Format.
- Attach the technical particulars (manuals, diagrams, software block diagram).
- Pay the testing fee under rule 19 in the form rule 19 allows.
- Submit to the Director or to the recognised laboratory notified for that kind of model.
For the stage after submission see our article on rules 6 and 7. For the Act's requirement see section 22.
A practical example
Lotus Fuel Systems, a New Delhi importer of digital fuel dispensers made abroad, applies for approval of a model. The application names the foreign manufacturer and Lotus as dealer in India, describes the dispenser, and attaches two copies of the section-wise drawings, the circuit diagram, photographs showing the mandatory declarations and the proposed sealing places. As the dispenser is a digital or electronic type, the testing fee under rule 19 is the higher of the two amounts printed there, paid by demand draft in favour of the laboratory or online.
Common lapses
- Sending one copy where the rules ask for not less than two.
- Leaving out the circuit diagram of a digital model.
- Naming only the foreign manufacturer for an imported model, and not the dealer in India.
- Using the 2011 fee figures, which were replaced in 2019.
Need help with an import-side application?
If you import instruments and have to match your model approval with your importer registration, we can map the documents with you. See our importer registration service to start.
Key takeaways
- The application goes to the Director and carries the particulars in rule 5(1)(a) to (f).
- Two copies of drawings and a descriptive document are the minimum.
- The 2014 First Format is submitted in duplicate and lists the technical particulars to attach.
- Since 2019 the testing fee is rupees ten thousand (mechanical) or rupees twenty-five thousand (digital or electronic), paid to the laboratory.
- Half the fee is payable for testing a substitute material.
- The rules print no processing time for the application.
Read next
- Rules 3 and 4: recognition of laboratories for testing models
- Rules 6 and 7: submission of the model, tests and provisional certificate
- How to Apply for Model Approval
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.