Chapter III - Appointment and Powers of Director, Controller and Legal Metrology Officers
Section 22
Section 22: Approval of model
A person must seek approval of the model before manufacturing or importing a weight or measure, subject to the specified exceptions in the first proviso. Foreign approval can be recognised by the prescribed authority, with or without testing, only when the statutory conditions are met.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
Every person, before manufacturing or importing any weight or measure shall seek the approval of model of such weight or measure in such manner, on payment of such fee and from such authority as may be prescribed:
Provided that such approval of model may not be required in respect of any cast iron, brass, bullion, or carat weight or any beam scale, length measures (not being measuring tapes) which are ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring textiles or timber, capacity measures, not exceeding twenty litre in capacity, which are ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring kerosene, milk or potable liquors:
Provided further that the prescribed authority may, if he is satisfied that the model of any weight or measure which has been approved in a country outside India conforms to the standards established by or under this Act, approve such model without any test or after such test as he may deem fit.
Introduction
The statutory list of exceptions is narrow and conditional. Approval of a model does not dispense with verification and stamping before covered use under section 24.
Key takeaways
Core rule
A person must seek approval of the model before manufacturing or importing a weight or measure, subject to the specified exceptions in the first proviso. Foreign approval can be recognised by the prescribed authority, with or without testing, only when the statutory conditions are met.
Operational check
Identify the precise model and whether the first proviso exempts that kind of weight or measure; document the classification.
Important limit
The statutory list of exceptions is narrow and conditional. Approval of a model does not dispense with verification and stamping before covered use under section 24.
When this section applies
A person must seek approval of the model before manufacturing or importing a weight or measure, subject to the specified exceptions in the first proviso. Foreign approval can be recognised by the prescribed authority, with or without testing, only when the statutory conditions are met.
Practical steps and records
Start with the exact model and the first proviso's named exceptions; a foreign certificate needs an Indian authority decision.
- Identify the precise model and whether the first proviso exempts that kind of weight or measure; document the classification.
- If approval is needed, apply to the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner with the model, technical material and fee before manufacture or import.
- For a foreign-approved model, obtain an Indian authority decision rather than assuming automatic recognition; reassess materially changed models.
Hypothetical example
Hypothetical: A maker designs a new electronic weighing scale. Before production it submits the model for approval; the exception for some traditional retail measures is not extended to this electronic model by analogy.
How to read it with related law
The statutory list of exceptions is narrow and conditional. Approval of a model does not dispense with verification and stamping before covered use under section 24.
Primary sources
Read the original central Act with the enacted and commenced amendments listed here. Rules made under the Act and State enforcement rules supply details where the provision says 'prescribed'.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify the precise model and whether the first proviso exempts that kind of weight or measure; document the classification.
- If approval is needed, apply to the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner with the model, technical material and fee before manufacture or import.
- For a foreign-approved model, obtain an Indian authority decision rather than assuming automatic recognition; reassess materially changed models.
Avoid
- Do not extend an exception for named traditional measures to a different instrument by analogy.
- Do not treat foreign model approval as automatically binding on the prescribed Indian authority.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical application of section 22
A maker designs a new electronic weighing scale. Before production it submits the model for approval; the exception for some traditional retail measures is not extended to this electronic model by analogy.
Identify the duty
A person must seek approval of the model before manufacturing or importing a weight or measure, subject to the specified exceptions in the first proviso. Foreign approval can be recognised by the prescribed authority, with or without testing, only when the statutory conditions are met.
Check the evidence
If approval is needed, apply to the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner with the model, technical material and fee before manufacture or import.
Resolve the issue
For a foreign-approved model, obtain an Indian authority decision rather than assuming automatic recognition; reassess materially changed models.
Outcome
- The statutory list of exceptions is narrow and conditional. Approval of a model does not dispense with verification and stamping before covered use under section 24.
Glossary
- Model approval
- The prescribed authority's approval of a type of weight or measure under section 22.
- Prescribed
- Specified in rules made under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Is approval in another country automatically valid in India?
No. The prescribed Indian authority may approve a conforming foreign-approved model without a test or after a test it considers fit.
Can the authority accept a foreign-approved model without another test?
Yes, if satisfied that it conforms to Act standards, the prescribed authority may approve it without testing or after a test it considers fit.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026