India is hosting a legal metrology meeting of global standing for the first time. The 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) is running in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026, bringing together delegates, senior officials and technical experts from around the world. According to the Press Information Bureau, the focus is on cooperation in measurement standards, consumer protection, fair trade and the digital transformation of measurement.
What is legal metrology and the CIML?
Legal metrology covers the rules and checks that make sure weights, measures and measuring instruments used in trade are accurate. It is what stands behind a fuel pump, a shop scale or a packaged product label showing the right quantity. The CIML is the committee of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), which develops internationally harmonised technical recommendations for such instruments.
The programme opened on 26 October with an international seminar on “Evolutions in Legal Metrology”, followed by the first session of the CIML meeting. Dr. Bob Joseph Matthew, President of CIML, welcomed delegates and underlined the role of legal metrology in fair trade, consumer protection and international cooperation. Ms. Renée Hansson of Sweden, First Vice-President of CIML, chaired the seminar and spoke about digitalisation, emerging technologies and changing market needs.
India’s legal metrology reforms on display
Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, said accurate and internationally harmonised measurements are fundamental to fair trade, consumer confidence, industrial innovation and economic growth. She pointed to several initiatives:
- The Jan Vishwas reforms of 2023 and 2026, which introduced decriminalisation of specified offences, improvement notices and graded penalties.
- The expansion of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) to increase verification capacity.
- The e-Maap National Portal, which provides integrated digital services in legal metrology.
- India’s recognition as an OIML-CS Issuing Authority, which helps Indian manufacturers get test results accepted internationally.
- The National Time Dissemination Project, “One Nation, One Time”, which aims to provide accurate and traceable Indian Standard Time across the country.
PIB says “One Nation, One Time” is expected to strengthen time synchronisation in banking, telecommunications, 5G networks, navigation, digital infrastructure and power systems. Shri Ashutosh Agarwal, Director (Legal Metrology), also presented on India’s journey from early standardised weights and measures to today’s framework, including Regional Reference Standard Laboratories and the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology in Ranchi.
Digital legal metrology and AI on the agenda
Mr. Anthony Donellan, Director of the International Bureau of Legal Metrology (BIML), highlighted the OIML Certification System (OIML-CS), which supports mutual acceptance of test results, along with capacity building. He also spoke about emerging work on machine-readable standards, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Seminar discussions covered metrological requirements for electric vehicle charging equipment, mutual recognition of conformity assessment, digital transformation, stakeholder awareness and capacity building. Experts discussed OIML’s Smart Recommendations initiative, which aims to develop machine-readable technical standards, and the possible use of AI and digital technologies in measurement and verification systems.
As a writer, I feel the EV charging and machine-readable standards discussions are the most tech-relevant part of this meeting. Accurate metering at a charging point is as much a consumer issue as a correct weight at a grocery store.
What happens next
An OIML Strategy Workshop is scheduled for 27 October, followed by the second session of the CIML meeting. On 28 October, delegates are due to visit CSIR–National Physical Laboratory, which maintains India’s national measurement standards. PIB did not say how many countries or delegates are attending, or whether any formal decisions are expected from the meeting.
FAQ
What is the 61st CIML meeting in New Delhi?
It is the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology, part of the OIML. It runs from 26 to 28 October 2026 in New Delhi, and it is the first time India has hosted it.
What is legal metrology?
Legal metrology is the system of rules and checks that keeps weights, measures and measuring instruments used in trade accurate, protecting consumers and supporting fair trade.
Which Indian initiatives were highlighted at the meeting?
The Department of Consumer Affairs highlighted the Jan Vishwas reforms, Government Approved Test Centres, the e-Maap portal, OIML-CS Issuing Authority status and the “One Nation, One Time” project.