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Bharat Becomes 13th Country To Issue IOML Certificates

By LokMarg 14th September 2023

Bharat has become the 13th country in the world that can issue Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Thursday.

The domestic manufacturers can now get their weighing and measuring instruments tested in Bharat and sell in the international market.

It will also create a facility for international manufacturers to get their equipment tested in Bharat, leading to generation of revenue and employment.

“OIML is an Intergovernmental organization which was established in 1955. Bharat became its member in 1956. It has 63 Member States and 64 Corresponding Members. Bharat has now become authority for issuing internationally accepted OIML certificate for selling weights and measures anywhere in the world,” the Ministry stated.

The Department of Consumer Affairs can now issue now OIML Pattern Approval certificate, which is mandatory to sell a weight or measure in the International market

Bharat follows OIML recommendations and procedures of testing and calibration of weights and measures. The reports prepared by the Legal Metrology’s Regional Reference Standards Laboratories are now acceptable to the OIML issuing authorities.

Now, Bharat is an authority for issue of OIML pattern approval certificates and can act as support system for indigenous manufacturers. The domestic manufacturers can now export their weighing and measuring instrument worldwide without incurring additional testing fees, resulting in significant cost savings, the Ministry added.

Bharat can also support the foreign manufacturers by issuing OIML pattern approval certificates from our certified RRSLs. By issuing the OIML approval certificates of weighing and measuring instrument to the foreign manufacturers Bharat will also generate forex in terms of fees, etc.

According to the Ministry, Bharat may now influence the OIML’s policies and provide input to the OIML Strategy. This system allows OIML Certificates issued by OIML Issuing Authorities in OIML member states to be accepted by other participants as the basis for issuing national or regional type approvals for measuring instruments.

The other OIML Members can thus issue national-type approval certificates without the need for expensive test facilities by relying on these certificates.

“Bharat now joins an exclusive group of nations, including Australia, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovakia, as the 13th country worldwide, authorized for issuing OIML approval certificates,” the Ministry added.

Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary (Consumer Affairs), shared this achievement at a press conference, where a presentation and video were presented to illustrate the importance of this accomplishment.

“Today, we proudly announce Bharat’s ascent to the ranks of globally recognized OIML Certificates Issuing Authorities, a testament to our nation’s commitment to quality standards and international trade facilitation,” he said.

Paul Dixon, Executive Secretary, OIML-CS, also joined from OIML’s Paris Headquarters for the briefing, re-affirming Bharat’s role as an OIML Certificates Issuing Authority and assuring continued cooperation. (ANI)