New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs has framed draft rules under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, requiring all gas meters used in domestic, commercial, and industrial settings to undergo testing, verification, and stamping before use in trade and commerce. The rules, announced today, also mandate periodic re-verification to ensure accuracy during operation, aiming to protect consumers from faulty billing and promote transparency in gas measurement.
The rules require gas meters to be tested and stamped to confirm their accuracy, preventing overcharging or under-measurement. Re-verification ensures meters remain reliable over time. This framework seeks to reduce disputes, guarantee fair billing, and lower maintenance costs for consumers by ensuring standardized equipment. Consumers will benefit from accurate measurements, which support energy efficiency and trust in gas distribution.
Manufacturers and gas distribution companies must comply with a structured framework aligned with international standards set by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). This alignment supports India’s commitment to global trade credibility and encourages innovation and quality in domestic manufacturing.
The Legal Metrology Division developed the rules through a consultative process. A technical committee, including representatives from the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Regional Reference Standard Laboratories, industry experts, and Voluntary Consumer Organizations, drafted the rules. The Bureau of Indian Standards provided technical inputs. The draft was shared with stakeholders, including manufacturers, testing laboratories, City Gas Distribution companies, and State Legal Metrology Departments. Their feedback was analyzed and incorporated after multiple rounds of meetings and inter-departmental consultations.
The rules include a transitional period to allow industry and authorities to prepare for compliance, ensuring smooth implementation without disrupting gas supply or burdening businesses or consumers. This initiative reflects the Department’s focus on modernizing India’s measurement systems, enhancing consumer confidence, and promoting market integrity in line with global benchmarks.
– global bihari bureau
