Rules 8 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.
After testing, a model's fate is decided in three steps: the recognised laboratory reports and recommends, the Director examines the report and recommends, and the Central Government issues the certificate. Rule 8 sets out this procedure, rule 9 deals with the case where the laboratory does not recommend a certificate, and rule 10 allows a disapproved model to be resubmitted.
These rules are as amended up to the Approval of Models (Amendment) Rules, 2019, which did not change rules 8 to 10. Later amendments should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. If your model has been refused or you want to plan for provisional approval, a legal consultation can help you decide your next step.
The laboratory sends a report with its recommendation to the Director; the Director either asks for further tests or recommends the issue of the certificate to the Central Government, which issues it and authorises the Director to authenticate it. A provisional certificate cannot remain valid for more than one year from issue, subject to two provisos for extension. A code number is assigned to each approved model. The rules print no validity period for the final certificate. A disapproved model may be resubmitted, but it is treated as a fresh application for fees and tests.
Rule 8: procedure for the issue of a certificate
The laboratory's report (rule 8(1) to (3))
After the tests, the recognised laboratory sends the Director a report of its findings with its recommendation on whether the model satisfies the requirements of the Act and the rules (rule 8(1)).
The laboratory may, in an appropriate case, recommend that approval be given provisionally so that it can conduct detailed tests. If provisional approval is granted on that recommendation, tests may be carried out on the number of instruments, under the conditions of installation and use, that the Director specifies. They may also be continued at the place of use of the weight or measure, where the laboratory thinks fit; those tests at the place of use are detailed ones, of the duration and on the number of instruments the Director specifies (rule 8(2)).
The Director may require the laboratory to send the detailed test procedure it used for the model (rule 8(3)).
The Director's examination (rule 8(4) and (5))
On examining the laboratory's report, the Director has two choices:
- if no further test is needed, the Director submits the report to the Central Government;
- if further tests are needed, the Director sends the report back to the laboratory, which carries out the further tests and submits a fresh report.
Where the Director's view is that a certificate should be issued, he recommends the issue to the Central Government and forwards a copy of the laboratory's report with it.
Issue by the Central Government (rule 8(6))
Where the Director has recommended the issue of a certificate or a provisional certificate, the Central Government may issue it and authorise the Director to authenticate it for and on behalf of the Central Government. Thus the certificate is the Central Government's, signed through the Director.
Provisional certificate: the one-year limit (rule 8(7))
No provisional certificate issued under rule 8(6) may remain valid for a period exceeding one year from the date of its issue. There are two provisos:
- The Central Government may extend the validity for the period it thinks fit if satisfied, on the laboratory's recommendation, that this is necessary in the public interest.
- On an application by the manufacturer, the Central Government may extend the validity for such further period as it thinks fit if satisfied that the laboratory, having failed to complete the tests before the validity ended, has unreasonably omitted to recommend an extension.
Rule 6(8), discussed in our article on rules 6 and 7, is the route to a provisional certificate where tests will take more than three months.
Code number (rule 8(8))
A code number is assigned to each approved model and is indicated in the certificate or provisional certificate. It forms part of the mark of approval; see our article on rules 11 to 16.
Other denominations (rule 8(9))
Where a model has been approved, models of different denominations of that weight or measure do not require approval if they are manufactured on the same principles and with the same material as the approved model.
Validity of the final certificate
The rules print no validity period for a final certificate of approval. They set limits only on the provisional certificate (one year, rule 8(7)) and on a laboratory's provisional recognition (rule 4(5)). Do not assume a figure for the final certificate. Check the Department of Consumer Affairs website for any later amendment, since the position may change.
Rule 9: where the certificate is not recommended
Where the laboratory does not recommend a certificate, it gives its reasons to the Director, who communicates them to the applicant with such directions as he thinks fit. The applicant may then make a representation to the Director that the laboratory should have recommended the certificate. On considering the representation, the Director may either reject it or recommend to the Central Government the issue of a certificate.
Rule 10: re-submission of a disapproved model
If a model is not approved, it may be resubmitted after making the modifications that are necessary (rule 10(1)). A resubmitted model is deemed, for the levy of fees and tests, to be a fresh application (rule 10(2)). So the testing fee under rule 19 is payable again; see our article on rules 5 and 19.
Steps from test to certificate
- Laboratory tests the model and reports to the Director with its recommendation.
- Director examines; may send back for further tests.
- Director recommends issue to the Central Government, with a copy of the report.
- Central Government issues the certificate and authorises the Director to authenticate it.
- A code number is assigned and shown in the certificate.
- If the laboratory did not recommend, the applicant may represent to the Director, or modify and resubmit as a fresh application.
Table: who decides what
| Stage | Authority | Rule | Period as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report and recommendation | Recognised laboratory | 8(1) | None printed |
| Review; further tests | Director | 8(4) | None printed |
| Recommendation to Central Government | Director | 8(5) | None printed |
| Issue of certificate | Central Government, authenticated by Director | 8(6) | None printed |
| Provisional certificate | Central Government | 8(7) | Not more than one year from issue, extendable |
| Final certificate validity | Not printed | Not applicable | The rules print no period |
| Representation after non-recommendation | Applicant to Director | 9 | None printed |
| Re-submission | Applicant | 10 | Treated as fresh application |
A practical example
Meera Instruments, a taxi meter manufacturer, receives a laboratory report that does not recommend a certificate because the sealing place suggested is not sufficient. The Director sends Meera the reasons. Meera believes the laboratory erred and makes a representation; the Director considers it and rejects it. Meera modifies the sealing arrangement and resubmits the model, which is treated as a fresh application; it pays the testing fee again and the model goes through the tests once more.
Common lapses
- Assuming that a recommendation by the laboratory is the same as the certificate; only the Central Government issues it.
- Letting a provisional certificate lapse after one year without applying for an extension.
- Not paying the fee again on resubmission.
- Stating a validity period for the final certificate that the rules do not contain.
For the Act's provision see section 22; the penalty for lacking approval is in section 32.
Need help with a refused or provisional approval?
If your model has not been recommended or you hold a provisional certificate nearing its end, we can review the position with you. Start with a legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- The laboratory recommends, the Director recommends onward, the Central Government issues.
- A provisional certificate is valid for not more than one year, extendable on the two grounds in rule 8(7).
- A code number is assigned to every approved model.
- The rules print no validity period for the final certificate.
- After non-recommendation the applicant may represent to the Director or resubmit; resubmission is a fresh application for fees and tests.
Read next
- Rules 6 and 7: submission of the model, tests and provisional certificate
- Rules 11–16: contents of certificate, mark of approval, revocation and suspension
- 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.