World Metrology Day 2025

World Metrology Day 2025: Department of Consumer Affairs Celebrates 150 Years of the Metre Convention with Bold Reforms for Consumer Protection

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, celebrated World Metrology Day 2025 with great pride and purpose, marking 150 years of the historic Metre Convention. This milestone event, held on May 20, 2025, not only commemorates India’s alignment with global measurement standards but also underscores the nation’s commitment to consumer protection, fair trade practices, and economic modernization through Legal Metrology.

Strengthening Consumer Protection: 1 mg Accuracy Mandated in Gold Trade

One of the standout announcements made by Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi was the introduction of 1 mg accuracy in the weighing of gold and precious metals. This mandate is a landmark reform aimed at strengthening consumer rights, reducing measurement discrepancies, and ensuring fair trade—especially in the high-value jewellery market. This initiative sets a new benchmark in Legal Metrology in India, promoting transparency and accountability across the gold trade sector.

India Joins the Global League: Authorized to Issue OIML Certificates

A major development highlighted during the celebrations was India’s inclusion as the 13th country globally authorized to issue OIML certificates. This achievement enhances India’s credibility in global trade, ensuring that Indian manufacturers benefit from international acceptance of their measurement instruments. With OIML authorization, India reaffirms its role as a key player in legal metrology on the world stage, boosting exports and trust in its standardization systems.

“One Nation, One Time”: Indian Standard Time Reforms Underway

In another visionary move, the Government announced the “One Nation, One Time” initiative under the Draft IST Rules 2025, aimed at disseminating Indian Standard Time (IST) with millisecond-level accuracy. Supported by five Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs), this project is vital for critical sectors such as telecommunications, banking, and transportation. Accurate and uniform timekeeping fosters national consistency and strengthens digital infrastructure, making India’s Legal Metrology more precision-driven and future-ready.

eMaap Portal: Digitizing Legal Metrology for Better Governance

Continuing its drive toward digital transformation, the Department of Consumer Affairs has launched the eMaap portal, already integrated with 18 states. This unified digital platform simplifies licensing, registration, and enforcement under Legal Metrology. By reducing bureaucratic red tape, it fosters ease of doing business, encouraging both small and large enterprises to comply efficiently with Legal Metrology norms. The eMaap portal stands as a symbol of transparent and accountable governance in the regulatory ecosystem.

Weekly Facilitation Helpdesk: Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Regulation

To strengthen industry-regulator interaction, a Weekly Facilitation Helpdesk has been introduced, available every Tuesday from 4–5 PM via video conferencing. This initiative allows businesses to address queries in real-time, with direct engagement from State Legal Metrology Departments. It reinforces the government’s mission to build a responsive regulatory environment and highlights the importance of consumer-centric policies backed by active stakeholder engagement.

Legal Metrology Reforms: From Gas Meters to Speed Guns

In his keynote address, Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma emphasized the critical role of Legal Metrology in ensuring accuracy in everyday devices—from gas meters and speed guns to breath analyzers. Newly notified Legal Metrology Rules will enhance consumer safety and law enforcement precision. Moreover, upcoming standards for moisture meters and breath analysers further reinforce the government’s resolve to uphold measurement accuracy across sectors.

Regulatory Clarity and Transition Support

A notable regulatory reform announced was the fixed implementation timeline for any amendments to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules. Going forward, changes will only be enforced on January 1st or July 1st, with a 180-day transition period. This forward-looking approach gives businesses adequate time to adapt while improving compliance preparedness and minimizing disruptions.

A Vision for the Future: Inclusive and Technologically Advanced Metrology

Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, outlined the need for industry-friendly and voluntary compliance models, stressing improvements through modern technology. From blockchain-backed traceability to software testing labs, India’s metrology ecosystem is evolving rapidly. She also unveiled the World Metrology Day 2025 poster themed “Measurements for all times, for all people,” reflecting the inclusive and futuristic spirit of the celebration.

Honouring India’s Metrological Legacy

The event also paid homage to India’s ancient measurement systems, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the Mauryan Empire as documented in the Arthashastra. India’s modern Legal Metrology journey is deeply rooted in this rich heritage while embracing cutting-edge technology and global collaborations for a robust and consumer-first metrology system.

Conclusion

World Metrology Day 2025 was more than a commemoration—it was a call to action to standardize, digitize, and modernize India’s measurement systems. With transformative steps such as 1 mg accuracy in gold trade, OIML certification authority, and digital legal metrology portals, the Department of Consumer Affairs is positioning India as a leader in global metrology standards. These initiatives not only protect consumers but also propel India toward sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness in the field of Legal Metrology.