New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) India’s evolving metrology ecosystem is strengthening fair trade, consumer protection, industrial quality, and global competitiveness by ensuring accurate weights and measures are used in business transactions, according to a government statement issued on Wednesday on World Metrology Day, observed every year on May 20.

The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, anchors a modern regulatory structure in India that has evolved from ancient systems of weights and measures, it said. Legal metrology systems regulate various kinds of weighing and measuring instruments. These include instruments used in petrol pumps, grocery stores, jewellery shops, hospitals, electricity meters, water supply systems, and packaged commodities. It ensures consumers receive the correct quantity and value for their purchases and services. These systems help prevent the delivery of lesser quantities, inaccurate billing, and unfair trade practices, thereby strengthening consumer confidence in daily commercial transactions.

Institutions like the National Physical Laboratory and Regional Reference Standard Laboratories support national measurement standards and verification systems. Initiatives like eMaap Portal, One Nation One Time, and the authority to issue OIML certification are enhancing transparency, efficiency and consumer satisfaction. They are also supporting ease of trade through India’s integration with global measurement and quality infrastructure, the statement said.

The World Metrology Day highlights the importance of measurement science in modern society. This day was established in 1999 by the International Committee for Weights and Measures. It commemorates the signing of the Metre Convention on May 20, 1875.

This convention laid the institutional and scientific foundation for a globally uniform and continuously evolving metric measurement system. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) jointly coordinate the celebrations. The theme for this year, “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”, emphasises metrology’s role in evidence-based and transparent governance.

Metrology focuses on the science and accuracy of measurement. Legal metrology, meanwhile, focuses on ensuring accuracy and reliability in weights and measurements for public protection and fair trade. India has developed a comprehensive legal metrology framework through progressive legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, and digital governance initiatives. The country’s measurement ecosystem is continuously evolving to address changing trade practices, emerging technologies, and growing consumer protection requirements, the statement added.

–IANS

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