The Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution / Department of Consumer Affairs
Act details
| Short title | The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to establish and enforce standards of weights and measures, regulate trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods which are sold or distributed by weight, measure or number and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 1 of 2010 |
| Act year | 2010 |
| Enactment date | 13 Jan 2010 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution / Department of Consumer Affairs |
| Department | Department of Consumer Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 57 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Short Title The Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Act Number / Year Act No. 1 of 2010
Act ID (India Code) 201001
Presidential Assent Date January 13, 2010
Enforcement Date April 1, 2011
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Precedent & Statutory Rationale
1. Fragmentation and Redundancy of Legacy Laws:
o Prior to 2011, standard weights and measures were governed by two separate statutes—the central Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 and the state-executed Enforcement Act, 1985. This dual arrangement created administrative overlap, procedural complexities, and legal friction for inter-state trade.
2. Globalization, Commerce, and Consumer Protection:
o With economic liberalization, the rapid growth of retail chains, and the proliferation of pre-packaged goods and e-commerce, the legislature recognized an urgent need to modernize consumer protection frameworks, establish uniform international alignment (OIML standards), and ensure absolute transparency in commercial transactions involving weight, measure, or number.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
• Formulation: Prepared and piloted by the Department of Consumer Affairs to streamline regulatory compliance and unify the fragmented legal architecture governing weights and measures.
• Parliamentary Passage: Tabled, debated, and passed by both Houses of Parliament during the winter session of 2009.
• Presidential Assent: Received formal Presidential Assent on January 13, 2010, entering the statute book as Act No. 1 of 2010.
• Enforcement: Enforced on April 1, 2011.
• Source: India Code and Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Official Records