Government Approved Test Centres are specialised facilities equipped with technical infrastructure and expertise to carry out verification and re-verification of weights and measures under the Legal Metrology Act and related Rules.
Govt expands GATC verification ambit to cover CNG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers to boost clean fuel infra and consumer trust
In a major push to strengthen India’s clean fuel infrastructure and improve consumer confidence in fuel measurement systems, the Department of Consumer Affairs has expanded the scope of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) under the Legal Metrology framework. The move is aimed at boosting nationwide verification capacity, ensuring accurate fuel delivery and improving transparency in trade practices as cleaner fuels gain wider adoption across the country.
The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, to widen the range of fuel dispensing systems that can be verified and re-verified through authorised centres.
Advertisement
A key highlight of the amendment is the inclusion of five additional categories of fuel dispensing systems under the GATC verification mechanism. The expansion is expected to improve access to verification services while reducing delays in certification and compliance processes.
Advertisement
The Government Approved Test Centres are specialised facilities equipped with technical infrastructure and expertise to carry out verification and re-verification of weights and measures under the Legal Metrology Act and related Rules.
Under the amended Rules, the following dispensing systems can now be verified and re-verified by Government Approved Test Centres:
With these additions, GATCs are now authorised to verify a total of 23 categories of weights and measures under the Legal Metrology framework.
Officials said the inclusion of CNG, LNG and Hydrogen dispensers comes at a crucial time as India witnesses rapid growth in the use of cleaner and alternative fuels. The measure is expected to ensure greater accuracy in fuel dispensing and strengthen consumer trust in transactions involving emerging fuel technologies.
Existing Categories (18)
Newly Added Categories (5)
The latest amendments also empower State Governments to notify additional categories of weights and measures that can be verified through GATCs based on regional and local requirements.
To streamline administrative processes, officers of the rank of Joint Secretary and above have now been authorised to exercise powers under relevant provisions of the Rules, a move expected to speed up approvals and operational clearances.
Verification fees fixed for fuel dispensers
The amended Rules also notify revised verification charges for fuel dispensing systems.
The verification fee for Petrol and Diesel dispensers has been fixed at Rs 5,000 per nozzle, while the fee for CNG, LPG, LNG and Hydrogen dispensers has been fixed at Rs 10,000 per nozzle.
Officials said the expanded GATC framework would strengthen India’s verification infrastructure and allow State Legal Metrology Departments to focus more effectively on inspections, enforcement activities and consumer grievance redressal.
The reforms are also expected to support the government’s broader push towards technology-driven governance, transparent trade practices and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, while aligning India’s metrology systems with international best practices and standards recommended by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).
Advertisement
