I. STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT, 1976
PART I : PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO EVERY PART
Short title, extent and commencement 1
Definitions 1
Provisions of this Act to override the provisions of any other law 6
PART II : ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CHAPTER I : STANDARD UNITS
Units of weight or measure to be based on metric system 6
Base unit of length 6
Base unit of mass 6
Base unit of time 6
Base unit of electric current 7
Base unit of thermodynamic temperature 7
Base unit of luminous intensity 7
Base unit of amount of substance 7
Supplementary, derived, special and other units of weight or
measure-their symbols, definitions, etc. 7
Base unit of numeration 8
Standard unit of weight or measure 8
CHAPTER II : PHYSICAL REPRESENTATION OF STANDARD UNITS
National prototypes 8
National standards 8
National prototype and national standard how to be kept 8
Reference, secondary and working standards 9
Power of Central Government to prescribe physical
characteristics, etc., of weights and measures 9
CHAPTER III : STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Standard weight or measure 9
Use of non-standard weight or measure prohibited 9
Manufacture of non-standard weight or measure prohibited 9
Prohibition with regard to inscriptions, etc. 10
CHAPTER IV : CUSTODY AND VERIFICATION OF STANDARD EQUIPMENTS
Supply, etc., of reference standards 10
Preparation and custody of secondary or working standards 10
Verification, stamping, etc., of secondary or working standards 10
Secondary or working standard which may be stamped 11
PART III : APPOINTMENT AND POWERS OF DIRECTOR AND OTHER STAFF
Appointment of Director and other Staff 11
Delegation of powers under Section 28(7) 12
Power of inspection, etc. 12
Forfeiture 12
PART IV : INTER-STATE TRADE OR COMMERCE IN WEIGHT,
MEASURE OR OTHER GOODS
CHAPTER I : APPLICABILITY OF THIS PART
Part IV to apply to inter-State trade or commerce only 13
CHAPTER II : GENERAL
Use of weights only or measures only in certain cases 13
Prohibition of quotations, etc., otherwise than in terms
of standard units of weights, measures or numeration 13
Any custom, usage, etc., contrary to standard weight,
measure or numeration to be void 14
Manufacturers, etc., to maintain records and registers 14
CHAPTER III : APPROVAL OF MODELS
Approval of models 14
Licence to manufacture weights or measures when to be issued 16
Weight or measure to contain number of the approved model, etc. 17
CHAPTER IV : COMMODITIES IN PACKAGED FORM INTENDED
TO BE SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED IN THE COURSE OF
INTER-STATE TRADE OR COMMERCE
Quantities and origin of commodities in packaged form to be declared 17
CHAPTER V : VERIFICATION AND STAMPING OF WEIGHTS AND
MEASURES SENT FROM ONE STATE TO ANOTHER
Definitions 18
Verification and stamping of weights and measures sent
from one State to another 19
Weight or measure of the first category to be presumed to be
correct throughout the territory of India 19
Weight or measure of the first category not to be sold or used in
any State unless it is stamped in the transferor State 20
Weights or measures of the second category received from
transferor State to be produced before the local
Inspector of the transferee State 20
Procedure when any weight or measure is transferred
from a transferee State to another State 20
Manufacturers, etc. who send any weight or measure to any other
State to submit return to the Controller 21
PART V : IMPORT AND EXPORT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CHAPTER I : REGISTRATION OF EXPORTERS AND IMPORTERS
Persons exporting or importing any weight or measure to get
themselves registered 21
CHAPTER II : EXPORT AND IMPORT OF WEIGHTS, MEASURES
AND COMMODITIES IN PACKAGED FORM
Conditions under which export of non-standard weights and
measures and other goods may be made 22
Non-metric weight or measure not to be imported 22
PART VI : OFFENCES AND THEIR TRIAL
Penalty for use of non-standard weights or measures 23
Penalty for contravention of Section 18 23
Penalty for contravention of Section 22 23
Penalty for contravention of Section 23 23
Penalty for contravention of Section 29 23
Penalty for contravention of Section 32 24
Penalty for contravention of Section 33 24
Penalty for contravention of Section 34 24
Penalty for contravention of Section 35 24
Penalty for contravention of Section 36 24
Penalty for manufacture of weights or measures unless approval
of model is in force 24
Penalty for contravention of Section 38 25
Penalty for sale, etc., of unverified weights or measures in the
course of inter-State trade or commerce 25
Penalty for contravention of Section 39 25
Penalty for contravention of Section 47 25
Penalty for contravention of Section 48 25
Penalty for contravention of Section 49 25
Penalty where no specific penalty is provided 25
Presumption to be made in certain cases 25
Penalty for personation of officials 26
Penalty for giving false information or false returns 26
Vexatious actions 26
Cognizance of offences, etc. 26
Compounding of offences 27
Offences by companies and power of court to publish name,
place of business, etc., of companies convicted 27
Provisions of Indian Penal Code not to apply to any offence
punishable under this Act 28
PART VII : TRAINING INSTITUTE
Establishment of a training institute and provisions
for training thereat 28
Training at other places 29
PART VIII : MISCELLANEOUS
Survey and statistics 29
Conversion of non-metric weights and measures into
standard units of weights or measures 29
Non-metric weight or measure not to be mentioned in
any document, etc., or to form the basis of any contract
after the commencement of this Act 30
Appeals 30
Levy of fees 31
Power to make rules 31
Continuance of certain weights and measures during
transitional period 33
Repeal and savings 33
THE SCHEDULE 33
II. STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
(PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES, 1977
CHAPTER I : PRELIMINARY
Short title, extent, application and commencement 36
Definitions 37
CHAPTER II : PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO
PACKAGES INTENDED FOR RETAIL SALE
Chapter to apply to packages intended
for retail sale 41
Regulation for pre-packing and sale etc., of commodities
in packaged form 41
Specific commodities to be packed and sold only in standard packages
Declarations to be made on every package 41
Principal display panel-its area, size and letter etc. 44
Declaration where to appear 46
Manner in which declarations shall be made 47
Declaration of name and address of manufacturer, etc. 47
General provisions relating to declaration of quantity 48
Manner in which declaration of quantity shall be expressed 49
Statement of Units of Weight, Measure or Number 51
Unit sale price-How to be determined [Omitted] 53
Additional declarations to be made on combination packages 53
Additional declarations to be made on group packages 54
Additional declarations to be made on multi-piece packages 54
Declarations with regard to dimensions of certain commodities 54
Declaration with regard to dimensions and weight to be
made on packages in certain cases 54
Declarations to be made with regard to the number of
usable sheets to be stated 54
Declarations with regard to the dimensions of container
type commodities-How to be expressed 55
Cases in which the responsibility of marking sale price may be
left to the wholesale dealer [Omitted] 56
Provisions relating to wholesale dealers and retail dealers 56
Procedure for examination of and determination of quantity and
error in packages at the premises of the manufacturer of packer 57
Action to be taken on completion of examination of packages at the
premises of the manufacturer or the packer 58
Action to be taken with regard to packages examined at the premises
of the wholesale dealer or retail dealer 59
Establishment of maximum permissible error on packages 60
Deceptive packages to be re-packed or in default to be seized 61
CHAPTER III : PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO WHOLESALE PACKAGES
Declaration to be made on every wholesale package 61
CHAPTER IV : EXPORT AND IMPORT OF PACKAGED COMMODITIES
Declaration on packages intended for export 61
Export packages also to comply with the laws of the country to
which they are being exported 62
Restrictions on sale of export packages in India 62
Provisions applicable to packaged commodities imported into India
CHAPTER V : EXEMPTIONS
Exemption in respect of certain packages 63
CHAPTER VI : REGISTRATION OF MANUFACTURERS,
PACKERS AND IMPORTERS
Registration of manufacturers, packers and importers 64
Registration of shorter address permissible 65
Register of manufacturers and packers, etc 65
Compilation of lists of manufacturers or packers and their circulation
CHAPTER VII : GENERAL
Penalty for contravention of rules 65
Power to relax in certain cases 65
FIRST SCHEDULE-Maximum permissible errors in relation to the
quantity contained in the individual package 66
SECOND SCHEDULE-Maximum permissible error in relation to packaged
commodities not specified in the First Schedule 68
THIRD SCHEDULE-Commodities to be packed in specified quantities 69
FOURTH SCHEDULE-Declaration of quantity in relation to commodities
(sold by weight or volume) which may be qualified by the words
'when packed' and the additional information which the package
or the label affixed thereto shall bear on it 71
FIFTH SCHEDULE-Exceptions referred to in Rule 12(2)
SIXTH SCHEDULE-The manner in which commodities intended to be
sold by number shall be packed 73
SEVENTH SCHEDULE-[Omitted] 73
EIGHTH SCHEDULE-[Omitted] 73
NINTH SCHEDULE-Manner of Selection of Samples of Packages 74
TENTH SCHEDULE-Determination of the net quantity of commodities
contained in packages 75
ELEVENTH SCHEDULE-Forms 78
APPENDICES 81
COMMODITY INDEX 83
DATES OF ENFORCEMENT OF ACT 60 OF 1976 87
III Standards of Weights and Measures (General) Rules, 1987
CHAPTER I : PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement 91
Definitions 91
CHAPTER II : SPECIFICATIONS OF STANDARDS OF
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Reference Standards 91
Secondary Standards 91
Working Standards 91
Power to specify any other reference, secondary or
working standard measurements 92
CHAPTER III : SPECIFICATIONS OF STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Reference Standard Balances 92
Secondary Standard Balances 92
Working Standard Balances 92
Power to specify the Standard Equipment 92
CHAPTER IV : WEIGHTS OR MEASURES AND WEIGHING
AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
Weights 92
Measures (other than measuring instruments) 92
Weighing and measuring instruments 93
Weight or measure for domestic use 93
Provisions relating to existing weights and measures 93
Procedure for carrying out calibration of vehicle tanks etc.
CHAPTER V : EXPORT AND IMPORT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Registration of exporter and importer 93
Conditions, etc. for manufacture of a weight or measure
exclusively for export 94
Prohibition on sale of non-standard weight or measure
within the country 95
Maintenance of record in relation to non-standard weight or measure 95
Sample checking of weight and measure 95
Checking of non-standard weights and measures sample
which are to be exported 95
CHAPTER VI : NON-STANDARD WEIGHT OR MEASURE
TO BE USED FOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OR RESEARCH
Permission to get manufactured non-standard
weight or measure for scientific investigation or research
CHAPTER VII : MISCELLANEOUS
The manner of disposal of goods seized under this Act 96
Time within which unverified weight and measure
to be verified and stamped 96
Register and reports to be maintained by persons
referred to in Section 35 96
Scale of fee 96
Use of regional languages 96
SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE
PART I : Reference Standard Weights 97
PART II : Reference Standard Metre Bar 98
SECOND SCHEDULE
PART I : Secondary Standard Weight 100
PART II : Secondary Standard Metre Bar 101
PART III : Secondary Standard Capacity Measures
THIRD SCHEDULE
PART I : Working Standard Weights 104
PART II : Working Standard Metre Bar 105
PART III : Working Standard Capacity Measures
FOURTH SCHEDULE
PART I : Reference Standard Balances 107
PART II : Secondary Standard Balances 107
PART III : Working Standard Balances 108
FIFTH SCHEDULE
PART I : Weights (Other than Carat Weights) 108
PART II : Carat Weights 119
SIXTH SCHEDULE
PART I : Liquid Capacity Measures 122
PART II : Dispensing Measures 125
PART III : Liquor Measures 128
PART IV : Length Measures (Non-Flexible) 130
PART V : Folding Scales 132
PART VI : Fabric or Plastic Tape Measure 133
PART VII : Steel Tape Measures 136
PART VIII : Surveying Chains 140
PART IX : Tapes for use in measurement of Oil Quantities
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
Heading A
Specifications for Weighing Instruments
PART I : General Requirements 144
PART II : Beam Scales [Omitted] 145
PART III : Counter Machines [Omitted] 145
PART IV : Steelyards 146
PART V : Platform Weighing Machines 147
PART VI : Spring Balances 150
PART VII : Weighbridges 152
PART VIII : Crane Weighing Machines 155
PART IX : Automatic Weighing Machines [Omitted] 157
PART X : Self-Indicating and Semi-Self-Indicating Counter
Type Weighing Machines 157
PART XI : Person Weighing Machines 160
PART XII : Totalising Weighing Machines 162
PART XIII : Baby Weighing Machine 163
PART XIV : Wheel Weighers 165
Heading B
Specification for Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments
PART I : Terminology 166
PART II : 171
PART III : General Requirements 196
PART IV : Beam Scales 197
Heading C
Automatic Weighing Machines
EIGHTH SCHEDULE
Specification for Measuring Instruments
PART I : Dispensing Pumps 208
PART II : Volumetric Container Filling Machines 210
PART III : Bulk Meters 211
PART IV : Water Meters 212
PART V : Meters for Liquids (Other than Water) 216
PART VI : Volumetric Container Type Liquid Measuring Device 219
PART VII : Clinical Thermometers 220
PART VIII : Manometers of Instruments for Measuring
Arterial Blood Pressure (Sphygmonanometers) 223
PART IX : Taxi Meters 225
NINTH SCHEDULE
PART I : Kitchen Scales 229
PART II : Tubular Balances 230
PART III : Bathroom Scales 231
NINTH-A SCHEDULE
Procedure for Carrying out Calibration of Vehicle Tanks etc.
PART I : Calibration of Vehicle Tanks for
Petroleum Products and Other Liquids 232
PART II : Method for Calibration of Vertical Oil Storage Tanks 234
PART III : Method for Computation of Capacity Tables for
Vertical Oil Storage Tanks 243
TENTH SCHEDULE
Application Form for Registration of Exporter/Importer
of Weights and Measures
ELEVENTH SCHEDULE
Register to be Maintained by the Manufacturers/Dealers /Repairer
of Weights and Measures
TWELFTH SCHEDULE
IV. Standards of Weights and Measures
(Approval of Models) Rules, 1987
CHAPTER I : PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement 253
Definition 253
CHAPTER II : RECOGNITION OF LABORATORIES
General provisions relating to Laboratories 253
Recognition of Laboratories 253
CHAPTER III : APPROVAL OF MODELS
Application for the approval of models 255
Submission of models of weight or measure 256
Tests for the approval of model 257
Procedure for the issue of certificate of approval 257
Procedure where issue of certificate of approval is not recommended
Re-submission of disapproved model for approval 258
Contents of a certificate of approval 259
Mark of approval 259
Publication of approval [omitted] 259
Revocation of certificate of approval 260
Suspension of certificate of approval 260
Revocation and suspension of certificates to be published 261
Deposit of model or its drawings 261
Approval of model of imported weight or measure
when not necessary [omitted] 261
Provisions relating to weight or measure for which model
approval is ordinarily not necessary 261
Provisions relating to testing of substitute materials 261
FIRST SCHEDULE : Recognised Laboratories [omitted] 262
SECOND SCHEDULE : Application for Recognition of Laboratory
under the Weights and Measures (Approval of Model)
Rules, 1987 [omitted] 262
THIRD SCHEDULE [omitted] 262
V. Standards of Weights and Measures
(Inter-State Verification and Stamping) Rules, 1987
Short title and commencement 263
Definitions 263
Classification of Weights and Measures 263
Classification of tank-lorries, tank-wagons or other containers
used for the transport of commodities to be sold, delivered or
distributed in the course of inter-State trade or commerce 263
Special Seal 263
Fees for Stamping 264
Verification and Stamping-(How to be made) 264
Returns 265
FIRST SCHEDULE : Classes of Weights or Measures Falling within
the First Category 265
SECOND SCHEDULE : Special Stamps and Seals "For Trade" and
"Not for Trade" for Inter-State Transactions 266
THIRD SCHEDULE : Form of Return to be Submitted by the Manufacturer
of Weights, Measures dealing in Inter-State Trade 267
VI. Standards of Weights and Measures (Numeration) Rules, 1987
Short title and commencement 268
Numeration-how to be made 268
Manner in which numbers exceeding three digits (how to be expressed)
shall be written in words 268
Manner in which numbers shall be written (how to be written) 268
THE SCHEDULE 269
VII. Standards of Weights and Measures (National Standards) Rules, 1988
CHAPTER I : PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement 270
Definitions 270
CHAPTER II : UNITS OF WEIGHT OR MEASURE
Rules of Construction 272
Supplementary units 272
Derived units 272
Decimal multiples and sub-multiples of units 272
Permitted units 272
Special units 272
Temporarily accepted units 272
Units which should be progressively discontinued 272
Physical Constants 273
Coefficient and symbol 273
Formation of new units 273
CHAPTER III : NATIONAL STANDARDS
Custody, maintenance, etc. of national standards of
weights and measures 273
Realisation and establishment of the national standards of
weights and measures based on SI units 273
Custody and maintenance of prototype standards 274
CHAPTER IV : Reference, Secondary and Working Standards
Standards which are to be fabricated by the Mint 275
Places where reference, secondary and working standards be kept 275
Period and manner of verification of reference, secondary
and working standards 275
Maintenance of reference, secondary and working standards 275
FIRST SCHEDULE : Supplementary Units and Their Symbols 275
SECOND SCHEDULE : Derived Units and Their Symbols 276
THIRD SCHEDULE : Names, Magnitudes and Symbols of SI
Prefixes and principles of use of SI Prefixes 283
FOURTH SCHEDULE : Units Permitted to be used with Base,
Supplementary or Derived units 286
FIFTH SCHEDULE : Special Units and Their Symbols 287
SIXTH SCHEDULE : Temporarily accepted Units 287
SEVENTH SCHEDULE : C.G.S. Units with special names 289
EIGHTH SCHEDULE : Units outside the International System 289
NINTH SCHEDULE : Important Physical Constants 290
TENTH SCHEDULE 297
VIII. Notifications under The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976
Date of Enforcement of Act 60 of 1976 299
Date of Enforcement of Act 75 of 1986 302
IX. Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985
Preamble 303
CHAPTER I : PRELIMINARY
Short title, extent and commencement 304
Act not to apply to inter-State trade or commerce 305
Definitions 305
Provisions of this Act to override the provisions of any
other law except the Standards Act 306
CHAPTER II : APPLICATION OF CONTROLLERS, INSPECTORS
AND OTHER OFFICERS
Appointment of Controllers, Inspectors and other
officers and staff 306
Power to authorise Inspector to adjust weights or measures 307
Controller and officers appointed under this Act to be public servants
Protection of action taken in good faith 307
CHAPTER III : GENERAL PROVISIONS IN RELATION
TO STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Prohibition of use of weights and measures other than
standard weights and measures 307
Use of weights only or measures only in certain cases 307
Prohibition of quotations, etc., otherwise than in terms of
standard weight or measure 308
CHAPTER IV : CUSTODY AND VERIFICATION OF STANDARD EQUIPMENTS
Custody and verification of reference standards 308
Preparation of secondary and working standards 308
Verification, stamping and custody of secondary
or working standards 308
Secondary or working standard which may not be stamped 309
CHAPTER V : REGISTRATION OF USERS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Persons using weights or measure for transactions or industrial
production or of protection to get themselves registered 309
Procedure of registration 309
Punishment for non-registration 310
CHAPTER VI : MANUFACTURE, REPAIR OR SALE OF WEIGHTS OR MEASURES
Prohibition on the manufacture, repair or sale of
weights or measures without licence 310
Suspension and cancellation of licence 311
Manufacture of weights or measures 312
Prohibition of sale or use of unstamped weights or measures 312
Manufacturer, etc., to maintain records and registers 313
CHAPTER VII : VERIFICATION AND STAMPING OF WEIGHTS OR MEASURES
Verification and stamping of weights or measures 313
Display of certificate of verification 314
Validity of weights or measures duly stamped 314
CHAPTER VIII : INSPECTION, SEARCH, SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE
Power to inspect 314
Power of Inspector to require production of weight or
measure or records for inspection 315
Power of Inspector to enter premises 315
Power to search 316
Power of Inspector to seize any weight or measure 317
Forfeiture 317
CHAPTER IX : PROVISIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SALE
AND DISTRIBUTION OF COMMODITIES IN PACKAGED FORM WITHIN THE STATE
Provisions of the Standards Act and the rules made thereunder
relating to commodities in packaged form to apply to commodities
in packaged form sold or distributed within the State 317
CHAPTER X : PROVISIONS WITH REGARD TO ANY CUSTOM OR
USAGE RELATING TO THE SALE OF ANY COMMODITY,
WHETHER BY QUANTITY OR NUMBER, AND SALE OF
COMMODITIES BY HEAPS
Custom or usage requiring delivery of
additional quantities to cease 318
Sale by heaps 318
CHAPTER XI : OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
Penalty for manufacturing, etc. of non-standard weights or measures 318
Penalty for counterfeiting of seals, etc. 318
Penalty for sale or delivery of commodities etc., by non-standard
weight or measure 319
Penalty for keeping non-standard weights or measures for
use and for other contraventions 320
Penalty for contravention of Section 10 320
Penalty for contravention of Section 11 321
Penalty for contravention of Section 19 321
Penalty for contravention of Section 20 321
Penalty for contravention of Section 21 321
Penalty for contravention of Section 22 322
Penalty for contravention of Section 23 322
Penalty for contravention of Section 24 322
Penalty for contravention of Section 28 322
Penalty for contravention of Section 29 322
Penalty for contravention of Section 30 and 31 322
Penalty for contravention of Section 33 323
Penalty for contravention of Section 35 323
Penalty for tampering with licence 323
Penalty for selling or delivering rejected weights and measures 323
Penalty for personation of officials 323
Penalty for giving false information or maintaining
false records or registers 324
Wilful verification or disclosure in contravention of Law 324
Vexatious search 324
Penalty for contraventions not separately provided for 324
Presumption to be made in certain cases 324
When employer to be deemed to have abetted an offence 325
Offences by companies 325
Cognizance of offences 326
Summary trial of certain offences 326
Compounding of offences 326
Provisions of Indian Penal Code not to apply to any
offence under this Act 327
CHAPTER XII : MISCELLANEOUS
Transfer or transmission of business 327
Licences neither saleable nor transferable 327
Appeals 327
Levy of fees 328
Delegation of powers 329
Power to make rules 329
Power of State Government to make provisions of the
Standards Act relating to approval of models applicable to models
of weights or measures intended to be used exclusively within the State
Act not to apply in certain cases 331
Repeal and savings
SUBJECT INDEX