Consumer protection has always been one of the main thrust areas of policy formulation. One of the way to achieve this is to ensure accuracy and reliability in Weights and Measures of goods and services purchase by the consumers. The terms 'Weights and Measures' are mainly defined as an an object/ instrument/ apparatus or device which is used for the purpose of making weighment or measurement, while selling any goods or service to a consumer. Accordingly, Weights and Measures Unit has been set up in the Department of Consumer Affairs which is the main authority for dealing with matters related to standardization of weights and measures.

The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi, has been set up to impart training to the enforcement officials of Weights and Measures of States/ UTs and accordingly, has been regularly running a four months basic training course. The Institute has also been conducting workshops and seminars of shorter duration on specific topics to update the knowledge of enforcement officers. On an average, it trains about 200 personnel a year.

Under the Weights and Measures Unit, Department of Consumer Affairs, 5 Regional Reference Standards Laboratories (RRSL) at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Faridabad and Guwahati have been established. These RRSLs have the statutory obligation of verification of legal standards of the States and conducting model approval tests of weights and measures. They render metrological services to industries by undertaking calibration of their weighing and measuring instruments. Each laboratory on an average provides calibration service to over 100 industries in the region. RRSL Faridabad has been accredited under National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) in April 2007 in Mass Metrology and Calibration of the balances.

During 2006-07, the Department provided a sum of Rs. 8.1 Crores to States/ UTs as 'Grant-in-Aid' for purchase of working standard balances. Further, 59 sets of Secondary Standard Balances costing Rs. 3.0 Crores have been supplied to States/UTs in the second half of 2007. Besides, in June 2007, two Regional Conferences of Controllers of Legal Metrology of States/UTs were organized at Hyderabad and Lucknow to review the progress and implementation of schemes and Weight and Measures laws.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is engaged in formulation of need-based Indian Standards in line with national priorities as well as harmonising these National standards with regional and international standards. The progress of activities relating to formulation of Indian Standards is as follows:-

Sl.No.	Activities	Progress During January-December 2007
1.	New and revised standards formulated	331
2.	Sectional Committee Meetings	218
3.	Standards in Force*	18428
4.	Standards Reviewed	3624

* As on 31 December 2007

[Source: Department of Consumer Affairs]

BIS has been operating Product Certification Scheme for more than five decades. The progress of product certification marks activities can be summarized as follows:-

Sl.No.	Activities	Progress During January-December 2007*
1.	Licences granted	1594
2.	Total Licences in operation	19784

* (excluding Hallmarking)

[Source: Department of Consumer Affairs]

BIS has been nominated as the sole agency in India for Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery. Under Hallmarking Scheme of Gold Jewellery, jewellers have to obtain certification mark licence from BIS to get their jewellery hallmarked from a BIS recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. The scheme has grown significantly during the period January to December 2007. The number of licences for Hallmarking of gold jewellery has grown from 2794 on 1 January 2007 to 4914 as on 31 December 2007. Similarly, the number of licences for Hallmarking of silver jewellery/ artefacts has grown from 172 to 368 during the same period.

BIS Quality Management Systems Certification Scheme continued to grow and 81 Quality Management Systems Certification licences have been granted during 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007, making a total of operative licences to 1162 as on 31 December 2007 covering industrial sectors such as chemicals, textiles, plastic, cement, electricity generation, pharmaceuticals, banking sector, telecommunications, health, construction, education, wood, insurance, dairy plants, engineering services, etc.