Fuel dispenser checks expanded to cover hydrogen, clean fuels

The consumer affairs ministry has amended legal metrology rules to allow government-approved testing centres to verify hydrogen, LPG, LNG and CNG fuel dispensers, expanding oversight as cleaner fuel adoption grows. The amendment to the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 increases the number of instrument categories verifiable through such centres to 23 from 18.

Verification fees for petrol and diesel dispensers have been set at Rs 5,000 per nozzle, while CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers will attract a higher fee of Rs 10,000 per nozzle. The ministry said the move will enhance availability of verification services, improve efficiency, and support growing adoption of cleaner fuels across the country.

Government Approved Test Centres are private facilities with technical expertise to verify weights and measures under the Legal Metrology Act. State governments can now notify additional instrument categories for verification based on local needs. The ministry said the reforms will free up state departments to focus on inspection, enforcement and consumer grievance redressal.