BEIJING — The Ministry of Justice has published a draft revision to the Metrology Law to consult public opinion.

The draft specified operators’ responsibilities in maintaining measuring instruments for the supply of public services, such as water, electricity, natural gas, and heating, to protect consumers’ interests.

Key revisions also include the introduction of the National Metrology Institute and a policy on the traceability of data, as well as the punishments for intentionally using sub-standard measuring instruments or fabricating metrology data.

The current Metrology Law was adopted in 1985 and has undergone several minor revisions since 2009.

The public can either visit the ministry’s website or send their opinions by mail or e-mail. The deadline for submitting opinions is Aug 13.