DCA Launches Online Portal for Recognition of Govt-Approved Test Centres

Initiative to boost accuracy and transparency in trade; private labs and industries invited to apply by November 30

Ziraat Times News Desk

New Delhi, November 12:
The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has launched a new online portal inviting applications from private industries, laboratories, and testing facilities seeking recognition as Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs). The initiative aims to expand India’s verification infrastructure for weights and measures, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and fairness in trade.

Applications can be submitted through the official portal https://doca.gov.in/gatc until November 30, 2025. The reform, implemented under the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, as amended on October 23, 2025, allows private entities to participate in the verification of weighing and measuring instruments used in trade, enhancing verification capacity and service quality.

Strengthening Public–Private Collaboration

Officials said the move represents a public–private partnership model that will reduce waiting times, improve efficiency, and ensure quality testing services for both businesses and consumers. The recognition process has been fully digitized to facilitate faster and more transparent approvals, covering application submission, fee payment, and status tracking.

Organizations equipped with proper testing equipment, calibration facilities, and qualified staff are eligible to apply. Before granting approval, the Department and State Legal Metrology officials will inspect facilities to assess technical infrastructure, staff competence, and calibration systems.

As per the amended rules, applicants must pay an online fee of ₹2 lakh per category of instrument or equipment, applicable both at the time of application and annually for renewal.

Scope and Coverage

Recognized GATCs will be authorized to verify 18 types of weighing and measuring instruments, including:

• Water meters, sphygmomanometers, and clinical thermometers

• Automatic rail weighbridges, tape measures, and load cells

• Non-automatic weighing instruments (up to 150 kg and Class IIII)

• Beam scales, counter machines, and various types of weights

• Gas meters, energy meters, moisture meters, and speed meters

• Breath analyzers, flow meters, and multi-dimensional measuring instruments

Verification and re-verification fees are standardized under the newly introduced Fifth Schedule of the rules, ensuring uniformity across the country — for instance, ₹250 for domestic water meters, ₹1,000 for commercial meters, ₹100 per sphygmomanometer, and ₹3,000 for non-automatic weighing instruments up to 150 kg.

Expanding Verification Capacity and Consumer Protection

The expanded GATC framework will strengthen verification capabilities in sectors such as healthcare, transport, infrastructure, and energy, where precision in measurement is vital for consumer safety and economic reliability.

By enabling private participation, the initiative will also decentralize verification activities and allow State Legal Metrology Departments to focus more on inspection, enforcement, and grievance redressal, improving regulatory efficiency.

Aligning with Global Standards

The new framework aligns India’s system with international OIML (Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale) standards. As an OIML Certification Authority, India can now issue globally accepted certificates, helping domestic manufacturers secure international recognition without needing to rely on overseas testing facilities.

Officials said the initiative supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by promoting self-reliance in testing and verification and strengthening trust in trade through accurate and reliable measurement systems.