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Scale model approval in India: what it means and how to check it
Scale model approval is the Indian government’s approval of a weighing scale’s design, and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 requires it before anyone makes or imports an electronic scale [4]. Every scale built to that model must then be verified and stamped before it is used in trade [4], and an electronic scale used in trade is re-verified every 12 months [6, 13].
On 19 October 2026, All India Radio reported the Department of Consumer Affairs as saying that India would host the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026 [1, 2], which would be the first time India hosted it [1, 3]. The department said it was organising the meeting with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and expected more than 100 international delegates and experts [1, 3].
What is scale model approval in India?
Section 22 of the Act says every person, before manufacturing or importing any weight or measure, shall seek the approval of its model [4]. Its first proviso says approval may not be required for a few items, such as beam scales and cast iron, brass, bullion or carat weights, and electronic scales are not on that list [4]. The application goes to the Director of Legal Metrology [5], who sends the papers to a recognised laboratory for tests [5].
The laboratory checks whether the model conforms to the standards under the Act and the Rules or to the OIML recommendations [5]. If the Director recommends it, the Central Government may issue the certificate of approval [5], and the Director has to publish model approval certificates on the department’s website [5, 12].
How do you read the approval mark on a weighing scale?
Rule 12 of the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011 sets out the approval mark: the letters IND, the last two digits of the year of issue, the code number of the laboratory and the code number of the model [5]. The maker must put this mark on every scale built to the approved model, at the place the certificate of approval names [5]. If a scale cannot carry the mark, as it is too small or fragile, the mark may be linked to conditions in the certificate of approval, and a limited approval adds a special mark [5].
How is model approval different from stamping?
Model approval covers the design of a model and stays in force subject to its conditions, though the Director can suspend it and the Central Government can revoke it [5]. Stamping covers your own scale and has to be renewed [6].
| Point | Model approval | Verification and stamping |
|---|---|---|
| What is checked | The design of one model, normally tested by a recognised laboratory [4, 5] | Your own scale, by a Legal Metrology Officer or, for kinds the government prescribes, a Government approved Test Centre [4, 6] |
| Law | Section 22 of the Act [4] | Section 24 of the Act and Rule 27 of the General Rules [4, 6] |
| When | Before weights or measures of that model are made or imported [4] | Before the scale is first used in a transaction [4] |
| How often | No routine renewal for full approval; it stays valid subject to its conditions, suspension and revocation; a provisional certificate issued under rule 8(6) lasts at most one year unless extended [5] | Normally every 12 months for an electronic scale and every 24 months for weights, beam scales and petrol and diesel fuel dispensers, and again after a repair [6, 11] |
| What you see | The mark: IND, year, laboratory code, model code [5] | The verification seal and the stamping certificate [7] |
Does an OIML certificate replace Indian scale model approval?
No. Section 22 applies to imported scales too, but its second proviso lets the prescribed authority approve a model already approved outside India without any test, or after such test as it deems fit, if it is satisfied that the model conforms to the standards under the Act [4].
What should you check before you buy a scale for trade?
- Ask for the model approval certificate and check that the approval mark on the scale, or the marking arrangement the certificate allows, matches it, with any special mark for a limited approval, and that the scale fits its model description and conditions [5].
- Match the scale serial number on the stamping certificate with the number on the scale’s stamping plate, and check the verification seal [7].
- Note the renewal date on the stamping certificate and have the scale re-verified before it; for an electronic scale the interval is 12 months [6, 7].
Which HSCo scale fits a shop counter or a godown?
For a small shop counter, the SSX fits; for a fish, poultry or vegetable counter, the ABSWR; for a godown, the PLCHQS platform, up to 300 kg [8, 9, 10]. The ABSWR and PLCHQS are stamped by the Legal Metrology Department, and the SSX comes with government stamping, as their product pages state [8, 9, 10].
- PLCHQS electronic platform scale: an MS chequered-plate platform scale in 50, 100, 150, 250 or 300 kg, with a double-sided display on a height-adjustable column, for shops, warehouses and workshops [10].
More counter scales are on our table top scales page, and our post on government stamping explains each line of a stamping certificate. Tell us what you weigh and where you sell: call +91-7045922250 or write to hsc@hindustanscale.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is model approval the same as stamping a weighing scale?
No. Model approval is the approval of a weighing scale’s design under Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, normally given after a recognised laboratory tests the model [4, 5]. Stamping is the verification of each individual scale under Section 24, done before that scale is first used in a transaction [4]. An electronic weighing scale is then normally re-verified and stamped every 12 months, and again after a repair, under Rule 27 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules [6].
What does the IND model approval mark on a weighing scale show?
A model approval mark has four parts under Rule 12 of the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011: the letters IND, the last two digits of the year of issue, the laboratory’s code number and the model’s code number [5]. The complete four-part mark identifies the approved model, so read all four parts together and match them with the certificate of approval, which carries its number, a description of the model and the mark [5].
Does an electronic weighing scale with an OIML certificate still need Indian model approval?
Yes. Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 requires every person to seek model approval before making or importing a weight or measure, and electronic weighing scales are not among the items for which its first proviso says model approval may not be required [4]. For a model approved in another country, the prescribed authority may approve it without any test, or after such test as it deems fit, if satisfied that the model meets the Act’s standards [4].
Sources
- All India Radio News (News On AIR), “India to host 61st Meeting of International Committee of Legal Metrology in New Delhi” (newsonair.gov.in, 19 October 2026).
- International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), “61st CIML Meeting” (oiml.org). Page at oiml.org/en/structure/ciml/61st-ciml-meeting gives 26-28 October 2026.
- DD India, “India to host 61st International Committee of Legal Metrology meeting in New Delhi from October 26” (ddindia.co.in, 19 October 2026).
- Government of India (India Code), “The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (sections 22 and 24)” (indiacode.nic.in). Section texts also at indiankanoon.org/doc/106119981/ (s.22) and /doc/10980858/ (s.24). India Code handle: indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/19664.
- Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India (copy on Legal Metrology Department, Meghalaya website), “The Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011 (rules 5 to 8, 11 and 12)” (megweights.gov.in, 4 March 2011). G.S.R. 183(E). Consolidated text: indiankanoon.org/doc/42547349/; rule 12 at /doc/149960504/.
- Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India (copy on Legal Metrology Department, Meghalaya website), “The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 (rule 27)” (megweights.gov.in, 7 February 2011). G.S.R. 71(E). Rule 27 text also at indiankanoon.org/doc/19271422/.
- Hindustan Scale Company, “What Is Government Stamping And Why Is It So Important?” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “ABSWR Waterproof Price Computing Scale – 30 kg, Weight, Rate and Total” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “SSX Table Top Scale – 10 kg × 1 g, Compact Stainless Steel” (hindustanscale.com).
- Hindustan Scale Company, “PLCHQS Electronic Platform Scale – 50 to 300 kg, Chequered Plate, Double Display” (hindustanscale.com).
- Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, “Legal Metrology (General) Seventh Amendment Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 905(E)” (consumeraffairs.gov.in, 18 December 2025).
- Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, “Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) (Amendment) Rules, 2019, G.S.R. 823(E)” (consumeraffairs.gov.in, 6 November 2019).
- Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, “Legal Metrology (General) (Amendment) Rules, 2021, G.S.R. 149(E)” (consumeraffairs.gov.in, 3 March 2021).