New Delhi: In a major reform aimed at promoting Ease of Doing Business and trust-based governance, the Department of Consumer Affairs has introduced an Improvement Notice mechanism under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
Under the new framework, businesses committing specified first-time procedural or regulatory violations will be given an opportunity to rectify deficiencies before any penal action is initiated. The move is expected to encourage voluntary compliance, reduce unnecessary litigation and lower compliance costs, while ensuring consumer protection remains intact.
The mechanism applies to manufacturers, importers, packers, dealers, repairers, traders, MSMEs and other regulated entities. Legal Metrology Officers can issue an Improvement Notice identifying the violation and providing reasonable time for corrective action. If the entity complies within the stipulated period, penal proceedings may be avoided.
The reform covers first-time non-compliances related to registration, documentation, record maintenance, model approval, manufacture and sale of weights and measures, imports, packaged commodities and statutory reporting requirements.
The government clarified that strict action will continue against fraud, repeated violations, tampering and other activities that adversely affect consumer interests. Officials said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to creating a transparent, predictable and business-friendly regulatory environment while maintaining strong safeguards for consumers.
The Department said the reform aligns with the vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” by supporting honest businesses, promoting self-correction and strengthening trust-based regulation.
