Rules 6 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.
Once a centre is approved, rules 6 to 12 govern its daily work: the duties of the Principal Officer, what happens to a rejected item, the stamp and certificate of verification, record keeping, where verification may be done, supervision and liability. Rules 8 and 10 were changed in 2025.
These rules are as amended up to the Government Approved Test Centre Second Amendment Rules, 2026 (17 June 2026); later amendments should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. If you run or plan to run a centre and want your procedures reviewed, a legal consultation can help.
The Principal Officer must run the centre as an independent unit, stamp only conforming items, protect the verification stamps from fraud and return items received for verification within fifteen days. After 2025 the centre issues a separate certificate of verification for each weight or measure. Records of evaluations are kept for five calendar years. Verification is done in the centre's authorised premises or within the district, and may extend to any part of the State in which the centre operates.
Rule 6: duties of the Principal Officer
The Principal Officer of the test centre is responsible for the following:
- to establish and operate the test centre as an independent unit;
- to ensure that the staff carry out their duties independently;
- to inform the Director, Legal Metrology in the Department of Consumer Affairs of cessation of operation of the test centre;
- to maintain the accuracy of testing equipment as per the rules and directions issued from time to time;
- to maintain proper records of testing and of certificates issued;
- to record and redress grievances of customers in an appropriate manner;
- to abide by the directions issued by the Director (Legal Metrology) from time to time;
- to see that only weights or measures conforming to the specification are stamped;
- to see that verification stamps are adequately protected against fraudulent use; and
- to see that weights and measures received for verification and stamping are returned after due verification within fifteen days.
The fifteen days run as the rule prints: the item received must go back within that time after due verification. The rules print no separate processing time.
Rule 7: fee, and rejected items
Rule 7(1), the fee. Since 2025 the fee for verification or re-verification is as specified in the Fifth Schedule, and for items not listed there, the State's Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules apply. The amounts are in our article on rule 7 and the Fifth Schedule; they are not repeated here.
Rule 7(2), rejected items. A weight or measure rejected on verification is returned to the user for necessary repair. After repair it may be accepted for verification again on payment of the verification fee afresh. A rejected item thus attracts the fee again.
Rule 8: mark and certificate of verification
Stamp and certificate (rule 8(1))
After carrying out the metrological evaluation of a weight or measure, and being satisfied that it conforms to the specification laid down under the Act and the rules, the centre stamps it and also issues a certificate of verification.
The verification mark (rule 8(2))
The verification mark contains:
- in the upper half of a semicircle, the legend and the code number assigned to the test centre; and
- in the lower half, a code letter for the quarter of the year and two digits for the year.
Certificate as proof (rule 8(3)) and separate certificates (rule 8(4), 2025)
A certificate of verification is issued as proof of verification. Rule 8(4), inserted in 2025, says the centre issues a separate certificate of verification for each weight or measure, so that the certificate conforms to the individual instrument. One certificate covering a lot of instruments no longer meets this rule.
The Third Schedule certificate
The Third Schedule certificate of verification records, in the form's own order:
- the name and address of the centre and a certificate number;
- the name of the officer;
- that the weights, measures and so on belonging to a named owner and locality were verified and stamped or rejected on a stated day;
- the quantity and denomination of weights and measures, with columns for weighing instruments (capacity, class, manufacturer, type) and measuring instruments;
- the verification fee, and carriage, conveyance and adjusting charges, with the total;
- the money receipt number and date;
- who repaired or used the item;
- the date on which the next verification is due; and
- the signature of the Principal Officer.
A note says that for rejected weights and measures, the Principal Officer gives a separate certificate of rejection stating the reason for rejection against each item.
For periodical verification, see our post on rule 27 of the General Rules.
Rule 9: records
Every centre keeps and retains records of the evaluation of weights and measures for five calendar years. It produces them before the Director (Legal Metrology), or any officer he authorises, whenever directed.
Rule 10: place of verification (as substituted in 2025)
The test centre undertakes verification either in its authorised premises or within the territorial limits of the district, and may extend verification to any part of the State in which it operates. Before 2025 the rule stopped at the district. Combine this with the "area of operation" specified by the Director on inspection under rule 5(3A); see our article on rule 5.
Rule 11: supervision
The Director or any other authorised legal metrology officer may visit the test centre from time to time to examine whether the centre is run as per the laid down procedures and the instructions issued by the Government.
Rule 12: liability
The Principal Officer responsible for the test centre is liable to the Government for any loss, damage or legal claims.
Table: duties and records at a glance
| Matter | Rule | What is required | Period as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 6 | Independent unit; staff act independently | Not applicable |
| Return of items | 6 | Return after due verification | Fifteen days |
| Rejected item | 7(2) | Return for repair; fresh fee on re-verification | Not applicable |
| Fee | 7(1) | Fifth Schedule or State Enforcement Rules | Not applicable |
| Certificate | 8(1), (3), (4) | Stamp, certificate, one certificate per instrument | Not applicable |
| Records | 9 | Keep and produce on direction | Five calendar years |
| Place | 10 | Premises, district, any part of the State | Not applicable |
| Supervision | 11 | Visits by Director or authorised officer | From time to time |
| Liability | 12 | Principal Officer liable to Government | Not applicable |
A practical example
Gokul Instruments, an approved centre for energy meters, receives a batch of meters from a utility's contractor. It tests each one, stamps the conforming ones with its mark (code number in the upper half, quarter and year in the lower half), and issues a separate certificate of verification for each meter. Two meters fail; Gokul returns them for repair with a certificate of rejection stating the reasons. When they are resubmitted, the fee is paid again. The whole batch goes back within fifteen days of receipt after due verification, and Gokul retains its records for five calendar years.
Common lapses
- Issuing a single certificate for a batch instead of one per instrument.
- Keeping items longer than fifteen days.
- Failing to keep the stamps secure against fraudulent use.
- Destroying records before five calendar years are over.
- Verifying outside the State in which the centre operates, unless it is a deemed centre allowed to verify anywhere in India.
For the Act's provision see section 24.
Need help with test centre compliance?
Routines such as separate certificates, quarterly reports and record retention are easy to drift on. If you would like an outside review, start with a legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- The Principal Officer runs an independent centre and answers to the Government for loss, damage and legal claims.
- Items received must be returned after due verification within fifteen days.
- A rejected item is returned for repair and pays the fee again on re-verification.
- Since 2025 each weight or measure gets its own certificate of verification.
- Records are kept for five calendar years.
- Verification is at the premises, in the district, and may extend to any part of the State.
Read next
- Rule 5: how to apply for recognition as a test centre
- Rule 7 and the Fifth Schedule: verification fees payable to a test centre
- Section 24 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.