Background and Rationale:

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has issued the Legal Metrology (General) Second Amendment Rules, 2025 to strengthen the periodic re-verification system for gas meters used in commercial, industrial, and domestic applications. The amendment focuses on bringing greater accuracy, transparency, and reliability in gas measurement, ensuring protection of consumer interests and maintaining trade fairness.

Amendments and Their Implementation:

1. Insertion of Rule 27A – Re-verification Provisions:
A new Rule 27A has been added detailing mandatory re-verification intervals for various types of gas meters like diaphragm meters, turbine meters, ultrasonic meters, mass flow meters, etc.

Typical Re-verification periods: Initial verification validity and subsequent re-verification periods are specified in the table given in notification (e.g., diaphragm meters: 7 years initially, 5 years thereafter).

2. Part XI inserted in Schedule – Gas Meters:
Part XI comprehensively defines:

• Scope
• Terminology
• Metrological Requirements
• Technical Requirements
• Electronic Device Requirements

Implications and Future Prospects:

• All gas meters used for trade must now comply with these updated metrological and technical standards.
• Manufacturers, distributors, and service providers will need to re-align their production, testing, and maintenance processes.
• Regular inspections and re-verification are likely to become stricter, fostering a culture of compliance.

It may trigger technological upgrades in gas meter designs across India.