India, June 29 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Department of Consumer Affairs has introduced the Improvement Notice mechanism under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Under the new mechanism, businesses committing specified first-time procedural or regulatory non-compliances will be given an opportunity to rectify the deficiency before penal proceedings are initiated. The reform promotes Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) by encouraging voluntary compliance, reducing unnecessary litigation and supporting a more trust-based regulatory framework, while maintaining strong consumer protection.
Key Highlights
What is an Improvement Notice?
Where a person commits a specified first-time procedural or regulatory non-compliance covered under the Legal Metrology Act, a Legal Metrology Officer may issue an Improvement Notice identifying the deficiency and providing reasonable time to rectify it.
If the regulated entity complies within the prescribed period, unnecessary penal proceedings and litigation can be avoided. However, failure to comply with the Improvement Notice or repeated non-compliance will continue to attract action in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act. The mechanism represents a shift towards a more facilitative and trust-based regulatory framework by encouraging voluntary compliance without compromising enforcement.
Why this Reform Matters
The Improvement Notice mechanism seeks to create a more predictable, transparent and business-friendly regulatory environment by:
Provisions Covered under the Improvement Notice Mechanism
The Improvement Notice mechanism applies to specified first-time procedural and regulatory non-compliances relating to:
The mechanism covers the following provisions of the Legal Metrology Act:
The Department has clarified that the Improvement Notice mechanism does not dilute consumer protection or weaken enforcement under the Legal Metrology Act. The mechanism is applicable only to specified first time procedural and regulatory non-compliances.
The introduction of the Improvement Notice mechanism reflects the Government's vision of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" by promoting trust based regulation, reducing unnecessary compliance burden, encouraging voluntary compliance and creating a transparent, predictable and business friendly regulatory ecosystem. The reform strikes a balanced approach by supporting honest businesses in achieving compliance while preserving the integrity of the legal metrology system and safeguarding consumer interests.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
