Enlarge image Upgrading the legal metrology system in the country is one of the objectives of the Indo-German Project (© Colourbox) On 10 August 2011 a new state of the art Secondary Standard Laboratory was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dikshit at Tilak Nagar, New Delhi.

The setting up of this model laboratory is the latest result of the well-proven and successfull cooperation between the governments of India and Germany. The new laboratory will enable the State enforcement officials to verify their working standards used for checking commercial measuring instruments like weighbridges, electronic weighing machines used in shops and on markets and to check the net content of packaged goods.

Upgrading the legal metrology system in the country is one of the objectives of the Indo-German Project on Consumer Protection and Sustainable Consumption in India that was established in 2004. The Organisation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the National Metrology Institute (PTB) of Germany were identified as the implementing agencies. The Government of India decided upgradation of the Working and Secondary standards laboratories across the country so that commercial transactions can be conducted in a fair manner to all stake holders, especially the consumers.

In a joint effort, the Government of Delhi Enlarge image Chief Minister of Delhi, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit looks at a machine kept at the newly inaugurated laboratory (© German Embassy) provided land and funds for the construction of the laboratory buildings at Tilak Nagar. The design for the laboratory building and identification of equipments required for carrying out the various mandatory functions were provided by PTB through their international experts. The GIZ, which is the implementing agency on behalf of the German Government for the project in India, supported in providing some of the equipment required for the laboratory. The total value of the equipment supplied by GIZ up til now is 62 lakhs Rs. Part of this funding will go to Indore where the Madhya Pradesh Government has provided land and funds for another Standards Laboratory that will be inaugurated in the near future. Further laboratories will be replicated all over the country.

To improve efficiency, advanced training in Germany for enforcement officials in verification and testing of weighing and measuring instruments is also being considered under a plan scheme of the Central Government of India.

Implementing reliable quantitative measurement of goods will not only be in the interest of consumers but will also help to improve the overall credibility of products from India.