The 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology commenced in New Delhi today. For the first time, India is hosting this international meeting, bringing together delegates, senior officials and technical experts from across the world to advance cooperation in measurement standards, consumer protection and fair trade.

Addressing the gathering, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare emphasised that accurate and internationally harmonised measurements are fundamental to fair trade, consumer confidence, industrial innovation and economic growth. Highlighting India’s commitment to consumer protection alongside ease of doing business, the Secretary referred to the Jan Vishwas reforms of 2023 and 2026.

She said that these reforms have introduced measures such as decriminalisation of specified offences, improvement notices and graded penalties, promoting a more proportionate and business-friendly regulatory framework while retaining essential consumer safeguards. She highlighted the expansion of Government Approved Test Centres to augment verification capacity and the development of the e-Maap National Portal to provide integrated digital services in legal metrology.