Government Approved Test Centres are private counterparts of legal metrology offices. They have a principal officer who is responsible for all laboratory operations to verify weights and measures. According to the Legal Metrology Act of 2009, the nodal office verifies weights and measurements in order to approve the Legal Metrology Certificate. With proper approval from Government, Government approved test centres do the same work as the nodal officers and ensure proper usage of weights and measures according to the Act.
What is a Government Approved test centre (GATC) under Legal Metrology?
Government-approved Test Centre (GATC) refers to a centre, or a unit that has been approved by the Union Government for the purpose of verifying weights and measures as specified in the Legal Metrology Registration Act, 2009. The GATCs recognized under this Act are required to carry out the verification and review of weights and measures as specified in the GATC Rules, 2013 and according the specifications in the Legal Metrology (General) Rules 2011. The International Organization of Legal Metrology's recommendation, if applicable, as determined by the Director of Legal Metrology.
What are the functions of a government approved test centre?
Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013. According to the Legal Metrology Certificate (Govt. These are the functions of a Government Approved Test Centre.
The GATC will verify all weights and measurements specified in Schedule 1, including the non-automatic measuring instrument with Accuracy Classes-IIII/Class-III (upto 150kg) as well as the load cell.
The principal officer is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the testing equipment in accordance with the rules and instructions issued periodically by the Director of Legal Metrology.
Maintaining accurate records of all tests and certificates is essential.
The testing centre must record the complaints of its customers and address them as required.
Weights or measures that are returned unaccepted after verification will be repaired or replaced at the expense of the user. The weight or measure can be returned to the user for repair or replacement after it has been repaired or replaced, but only if the verification fee is paid again.
The Director of Legal Metrology should issue periodic instructions to the testing centres.
Government Approved Test Centres (GATC) should return the weights and measurements received for stamping and verification after a thorough verification within 15 working days from receiving the application.
A certificate of verification with a stamp should be issued after a metrological assessment of weights and measures according to the law, in accordance with the specifications laid out under the Act.
Stamps used for verification must be protected from fraudulent use.
Each Government-approved test centre should keep and retain records of the weights or measurements they have evaluated for a period of five calendar years. These records must be produced by the test centre to the Director, or an officer designated by him as directed.
What is the procedure for recognition of GATC?
Anyone or any business unit wishing to be recognized as a Government Approved Test Centre must submit the prescribed application form to the Director of LMPC Department. Only the Principal Officer of the Set Laboratory may submit the application. The Government will take into consideration the following factors before recognizing a laboratory as GATC.
The laboratory should be large and easily accessible from the land and building.
It is important to have the necessary infrastructure, including testing facilities, measuring equipment and other tools for testing.
A technically qualified workforce is available to perform the testing
The centre should be able to provide customers with a timely and efficient service.
Willingness of adopting and adopting equipment that is periodically checked by any secondary laboratory or other agency determined by the Director for Legal Metrology.
The Laboratory should be prepared to send its employees to institutions that are nominated by Director of Legal Metrology.
The Director of Legal Metrology may consider any other factor that could affect the proper operation of the Government Approved Test Centre.
Verify the correct conditions for setting up your unit
The qualifications of any employee of a Government Approved Test Centre must be equivalent to those specified in Legal Metrology (General Rules), 2011, for a Legal Metrology officer.
The principal officer, or any other employee of the Government Approved Test Centre must have at least three years of experience in the legal metrology field.
What weights and measures can the government-approved test centre stamp and verify?
Water meter.
Sphygmomanometer
Clinical Thermometer
Automatic Rail Weighbridges
Tape Measures
Weighing instrument with accuracy Class IV/Class 3 (up to 150kg).
Load Cell
Beam Scale
Counter Machine
Weighings for all categories
What are the steps involved in setting up GATC?
ISO 17025 is the standard for setting up a laboratory.
Laboratory accreditation is required by NABL.
You can apply to the Union Government for recognition of the Laboratory as GATC.
The Government Authorities will periodically inspect the laboratory.
If no questions are raised during the inspection, then GATC is granted.
Conclusion
The Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) has been approved by the Union Government to verify weights and measures as specified in the Legal Metrology Act of 2009. The centre verifies, tests, and stamps weights or measures in accordance with the Legal Metrology Act 2009. Legal Metrology Act . These test centres relieve the government of its burden and encourage businesses to verify and stamp weights and measurements.
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