Law Updates

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Summary: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued a new notification on 24 October 2025 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018. It announced the establishment of twelve new Indian Standards covering various sectors such as leather, orthotic devices, geospatial information, fibre optics, IoT, and Digital Twin technologies. Key updates include IS 2960:2025 for bookbinding leather, replacing the 1964 version, and IS 9471 (Part 1):2025 for modular lower limb orthotic components. The IS 11646 (Part 1):2025 sets standards for canes for persons with visual impairment, while IS 16439:2025 updates metadata standards for geospatial information. New technology-focused standards include IS 19386:2025, IS 19394:2025, IS 19395:2025, and IS 19398:2025, which define IoT and Digital Twin frameworks, vocabulary, and compatibility requirements. The IS 18651 (Part 14):2025 covers power and control systems for powered wheelchairs, and IS 18888 (Part 2):2025 introduces a model for assessing online course content quality. These new Indian Standards aim to enhance product reliability, digital trust, accessibility, and industrial innovation across India, aligning national quality norms with global benchmarks and supporting BIS compliance and certification initiatives.

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Summary: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2025, to align packaging and labelling norms for medical devices with the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The amendment states that packages containing medical devices must follow the Medical Devices Rules for all declarations, such as product details, numerals, and letter size on labels. It also clarifies that any relaxation under rule 33 of the original Legal Metrology Rules will not apply to medical devices governed by the 2017 Rules. This change ensures consistency between packaging standards and medical device regulations, strengthening consumer transparency and compliance. By linking Legal Metrology norms with the Medical Devices Rules, the government aims to avoid duplication and confusion in labelling standards. The notification came into force upon its publication in the official gazette, marking an important step toward harmonized regulatory practices in India’s packaging and medical device sectors, improving clarity and accuracy in consumer information.

Subject

Summary: The Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Amendment Rules, 2025 (hereinafter “Amendment Rules”) update the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. They redefine that weights and measures listed in the First Schedule must undergo verification by a recognised test centre or a legal-metrology officer. The recognition process for centres now mandates submission of an application to the Joint Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, and introduces a new inspection step by both Central and State legal-metrology officers. Government-controlled reference-standard laboratories and National Test House labs are explicitly deemed approved centres. Verification certificates must now be issued individually per instrument, and centres may operate within their district, or state if authorised. A revised fee structure is introduced: for example, an application for approval attracts Rs 2 lakh per instrument, payable also at renewal. These changes aim to bolster the reliability and transparency of measurement verification nationwide.

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Summary: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in accordance with Sub-rule (1) of Rule 15 of the BIS Rules, 2018, has officially informed the establishment of new Indian Standards. These newly known standards are listed in the second column of the accompanying schedule and come into effect from the dates mentioned in the third column. Moreover, the notification gives information about any existing standards that will continue to remain valid alongside the new ones. These parallel standards are stated in the fourth column and will be valid until the dates mentioned in the fifth column, after which they will be officially withdrawn. This move by the BIS aims to ensure a smooth transition and maintain regulatory clarity for manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders. The simultaneous operation of old and new standards allows businesses ample time to adapt their systems and comply with updated norms without disruption. Stakeholders are advised to refer to the official schedule for detailed information on each standard and its effective or withdrawal date.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has informed the Legal Metrology (General) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2025, under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. These rules revise the Eighth Schedule of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, explicitly Part VI, Part C. Key updates comprise a revised definition of a complete thermometer. It now denotes to a device that includes a unit for measuring and indicating temperature, either as an interchangeable system that is compatible with the response of the probe or as a permanently connected unit. Moreover, clause (i) of paragraph 5(1) has been updated. The acceptable temperature range for specific devices has been altered from “36.9°C to 37.1°C” to a broader and more standardized “37°C = 1°C.” Additionally, a correction has been done in Note (2) by updating the reference from “5(2) (7)” to “5(2) (i)”. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure better precision, accuracy and standardization measuring instruments under legal metrology, mainly thermometers. The changes will come into effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Subject

Summary: The Central Government has, under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, issued the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2025. This revision replaces the appendix in the 2020 Hall Marking Order with an updated version that revises the technical standards and provisions for hallmarking gold jewellery and artefacts. The updated annex contains clearer standards for purity levels, marking processes, and certification requirements to support consumer protection and ensure uniform standards across the industry. This amendment comes into force immediately after publication in the Official Gazette, strengthening the role of the Bureau of Indian Standards in regulating gold hallmarking practices.