Sri Vijaya Puram | November 13, 2026
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has made the use of precision weighing balances with a scale division of 1 milligram (1 mg) mandatory for jewellers, bullion merchants, goldsmiths, pawnbrokers and traders dealing in precious metals and stones across the Union Territory.
The Directorate of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (Legal Metrology Wing) has notified an amendment to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011, following directions from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, aimed at safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring accuracy in transactions involving high-value commodities.
Under the amended rules, all concerned traders must exclusively use Class I or Class II electronic or precision weighing balances having a scale division of 1 mg (0.001 g) for commercial transactions involving gold, silver, platinum and precious stones.
The Administration has also made it mandatory for every 1 mg precision balance to be verified, calibrated and stamped by the Legal Metrology Section before being put to commercial use, in accordance with Section 24 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
The Legal Metrology Wing will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance. The use of unverified weighing balances or instruments with coarser scale divisions, such as 10 mg or 100 mg, will invite penal action, including seizure of non-standard instruments and compounding or prosecution under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
The Department has also urged consumers to check for a valid Legal Metrology verification stamp or certificate prominently displayed at jewellery outlets and verify the 1 mg digital display reading before completing purchases.
Consumers can report violations or lodge complaints with the Directorate of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs through its toll-free Consumer Helpline at 18003453197 or telephone number 03192-230337. Complaints can also be submitted in writing to the Department.
The Directorate of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs conveyed the above information through a press note issued on November 13, 2026.
