Department of Consumer Affairs Awards 12 GATC Certificates to 11 Private Entities
New Delhi, 29 Dec 2025: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has awarded 12 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) certificates to 11 private entities. This initiative aims to enhance accuracy in trade and consumer transactions and expand India’s legal metrology verification ecosystem through structured public–private partnerships.
The certificates were presented by Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Cabinet Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Minister of New & Renewable Energy, in the presence of Shri B. L. Verma, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Social Justice & Empowerment, on 24 December 2025.
Expanded Legal Metrology Coverage
The recognition of private entities as GATCs follows the amendment of the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, notified on 23 October 2025. The amended rules now cover 18 categories of weighing and measuring instruments, including:
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Water, energy, and gas meters
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Flow and moisture meters
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Clinical thermometers and sphygmomanometers
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Breath analysers and vehicle speed meters
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Automatic rail weighbridges and multi-dimensional measuring instruments
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Load cells, beam scales, counter machines, tape measures, and all categories of weights
This expansion reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring consumer protection, accuracy, and efficiency in trade across healthcare, transport, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Public-Private Partnership and Digital Process
The initiative allows qualified private entities to conduct verification and re-verification of instruments, reducing the workload of state departments and improving service delivery. A dedicated online portal was launched for applications, ensuring a transparent, digital, and time-bound process.
“By recognizing private GATCs, we are strengthening the legal metrology ecosystem, improving compliance, and ensuring fair trade practices,” said Shri Pralhad Joshi during the certificate presentation.
Benefits to Consumers and Industry
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Faster access to verification services
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Reduced turnaround time for manufacturers and traders
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Decentralized verification of consumer-facing instruments such as weighing scales and meters
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Enhanced consumer trust in trade and commerce
This initiative aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, leveraging domestic technical capabilities and enabling private entities to actively contribute to India’s expanding verification network.
Nationwide Verification Ecosystem
Alongside private GATCs, Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) and National Test House (NTH) laboratories continue to operate as deemed GATCs, ensuring a robust and decentralized verification framework. The reform enables Legal Metrology Officers to focus on inspection, enforcement, and grievance redressal, enhancing regulatory efficiency.