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THE LEGAL METROLOGY ACT, 2009#
(NO. 1 OF 2010)$[13th January, 2010.]+
An Act to establish and enforce standards of weights and measures, regulate trade and commerce
in weights, measures and other goods which are sold or distributed by weight, measure or
number and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixtieth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—@
CHAPTER I%PRELIMINARY!
CHAPTER IPRELIMINARY@
1.
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Short title, extent and commencement.
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1.Short title, extent and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the Legal Metrology Act,2009.
(2) It extends to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in
the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this
Act.
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2.
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Definitions.
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2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—(a) "Controller" means the Controller of Legal Metrology appointed under
section 14;(b) “dealer”, in relation to any weight or measure, means a person who, carries on, directly orotherwise, the business of buying, selling, supplying or distributing
any such weight or measure, whether for cash or for deferred payment or forcommission, remuneration or other valuable consideration, and includes a commission
agent, an importer, a manufacturer, who sells, supplies, distributes or otherwise delivers any
weight or measure manufactured by him to any person other than a dealer;(c) “Director” means the Director of Legal Metrology appointed under
section 13;(d) “export” with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, means taking out
of India to a place outside India;(e) “import” with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, means bringing
into India from a place outside India;(f) “label” means any written, marked, stamped, printed or graphic matter affixed to,or appearing upon any pre-packaged commodity;(g) “Legal Metrology” means that part of metrology which treats units of weighment
and measurement, methods of weighment and measurement and weighing and measuring
instruments, in relation to the mandatory technical and legal requirements which have theobject of ensuring public guarantee from the point of view of security and accuracy of theweighments and measurements;(h) “legal metrology officer” means Additional Director, Additional Controller, Joint
Director, Joint Controller, Deputy Director, Deputy Controller, Assistant Director, AssistantController and Inspector appointed under sections 13 and 14;(i) “manufacturer” in relation to any weight or measure, means a person who —(i) manufactures weight or measure,(ii) manufactures one or more parts, and acquires other parts, of such weight ormeasure and, after assembling those parts, claims the end product to be a weight ormeasure manufactured by himself or itself, as the case may be,(iii) does not manufacture any part of such weight or measure but assembles
parts thereof manufactured by others and claims the end product to be a weight ormeasure manufactured by himself or itself, as the case may be,(iv) puts, or causes to be put, his own mark on any complete weight or measure
made or manufactured by any other person and claims such product to be a weight ormeasure made or manufactured by himself or itself, as the case may be;(j) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette;(k) “protection” means the utilisation of reading obtained from any weight or measure,for the purpose of determining any step which is required to be taken to safeguard the wellbeing of any human being or animal, or to protect any commodity, vegetation or thing,whether individually or collectively;(l) “pre-packaged commodity” means a commodity which without the purchaser being
present is placed in a package of whatever nature, whether sealed or not, so that the productcontained therein has a pre-determined quantity;(m) “person” includes,—(i) a Hindu undivided family,

(ii) every department or office,(iii) every organisation established or constituted by Government,(iv) every local authority within the territory of India,(v) a company, firm and association of individuals,(vi) trust constituted under an Act,(vii) every co-operative society, constituted under an Act,(viii) 21 of 1860. every other society registered under the Societies Registration
Act, 1860;(n) “premises” includes—(i) a place where any business, industry, production or transaction is carried on
by a person, whether by himself or through an agent, by whatever name called,
including the person who carries on the business in such premises,(ii) a warehouse, godown or other place where any weight or measure or othergoods are stored or exhibited,(iii) a place where any books of account or other documents pertaining to any
trade or transaction are kept,(iv) a dwelling house, if any part thereof is used for the purpose of carrying on
any business, industry, production or trade,(v) a vehicle or vessel or any other mobile device, with the help of which anytransaction or business is carried on;(o) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;(p) “repairer’’ means a person who repairs a weight or measure and includes a person
who adjusts, cleans, lubricates or paints any weight or measure or renders any other service
to such weight or measure to ensure that such weight or measure conforms to the standards
established by or under this Act;(q) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator
thereof;(r) “sale”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, means transfer ofproperty in any weight, measure or other goods by one person to another for cash or for
deferred payment or for any other valuable consideration and includes a transfer of any
weight, measure or other goods on the hire-purchase system or any other system of payment
by instalments, but does not include a mortgage or hypothecation of, or a charge or pledge
on, such weight, measure or other goods;(s) “seal” means a device or process by which a stamp is made, and includes any wireor other accessory which is used for ensuring the integrity of any stamp;(t) “stamp” means a mark, made by impressing, casting, engraving, etching, branding,affixing pre-stressed paper seal or any other process in relation to, any weight or measurewith a view to—(i) certifying that such weight or measure conforms to the standard specified byor under this Act, or(ii) indicating that any mark which was previously made thereon certifying thatsuch weight or measure conforms to the standards specified by or under this Act, hasbeen obliterated;(u) “transaction” means,—(i) any contract, whether for sale, purchase, exchange or any other purpose, or(ii) any assessment of royalty, toll, duty or other dues, or(iii) the assessment of any work done, wages due or services rendered;(v) “verification”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, includes, in
relation to any weight or measure, the process of comparing, checking, testing or adjustingsuch weight or measure with a view to ensuring that such weight or measure conforms to
the standards established by or under this Act and also includes re-verification andcalibration;(w) “weight or measure” means a weight or measure specified by or under this Act andincludes a weighing or measuring instrument.
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3.
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Provisions of this Act to override provisions of any other law.
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3. Provisions of this Act to override provisions of any other law. - The provisions of this Act shallhave effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment otherthan this Act or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any enactment other than this Act.
@CHAPTER II%
STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES!
CHAPTER II
STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES@
4.
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Units of weights and measures to be based on metric system.
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4. Units of weights and measures to be based on metric system.- Every unit of weight or measure
shall be in accordance with the metric system based on the international system of units.
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5.
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Base unit of weights and measures.
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5. Base unit of weights and measures. - (1) The base unit of —(i) length shall be the metre;(ii) mass shall be the kilogram;(iii) time shall be the second;(iv) electric current shall be the ampere;(v) thermodynamic temperature shall be the kelvin;(vi) luminous intensity shall be the candela; and(vii) amount of substance shall be the mole.
(2) The specifications of the base units mentioned in sub-section (1), derived units and otherunits shall be such as may be prescribed.
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6.
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Baseunitofnumeration.
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6.Baseunitof numeration. - (1) The base unit of numeration shall be the unit of the international
form of Indian numerals.
(2) Every numeration shall be made in accordance with the decimal system.
(3) The decimal multiples and sub-multiples of the numerals shall be of such denominations
and be written in such manner as may be prescribed.

@7.
%Standard units of weights and measures.
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7. Standard units of weights and measures. - (1) The base units of weights and measures
specified in section 5 shall be the standard units of weights and measures.
(2) The base unit of numeration specified in section 6 shall be the standard unit ofnumeration.
(3) For the purpose of deriving the value of base, derived and other units mentioned in
section 5, the Central Government shall prepare or cause to be prepared objects or equipments insuch manner as may be prescribed.
(4) The physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, equipments,
performance, tolerances, period of re-verification, methods or procedures of tests shall be such as
may be prescribed.
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8.
%Standard weight, measure or numeral.
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8. Standard weight, measure or numeral. - (1) Any weight or measure which conforms to thestandard unit of such weight or measure and also conforms to such of the provisions of section 7
as are applicable to it shall be the standard weight or measure.
(2) Any numeral which conforms to the provisions of section 6 shall be the standard
numeral.
(3) No weight, measure or numeral, other than the standard weight, measure or numeral,shall be used as a standard weight, measure or numeral.
(4) No weight or measure, shall be manufactured or imported unless it conforms to thestandards of weight or measure specified under section 8:
Provided that provisions of this section shall not apply for manufacture done exclusively
for export or for the purpose of any scientific investigation or research.

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9.
%Reference, secondary and working standard.
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9. Reference, secondary and working standard. - (1) The reference standards, secondary standards
and working standards of weights and measures shall be such as may be prescribed.
(2) Every reference standard, secondary standard and working standard shall be verified andstamped in such manner and after payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
(3) Every reference standard, secondary standard and working standard which is not verified
and stamped in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be avalid standard.
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10.
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Use of weight or measure for particular purposes.
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10. Use of weight or measure for particular purposes.- Any transaction, dealing or contract inrespect of any goods, class of goods or undertakings shall be made by such weight, measure or
number as may be prescribed.
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11.
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Prohibition of quotation, etc., otherwise than in terms of standard units of weight, measure or
numeration.
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11. Prohibition of quotation, etc., otherwise than in terms of standard units of weight, measure or
numeration. - (1) No person shall, in relation to any goods, things or service,—(a) quote, or make announcement of, whether by word of mouth or otherwise, any
price or charge, or(b) issue or exhibit any price list, invoice, cash memo or other document, or(c) prepare or publish any advertisement, poster or other document, or(d) indicate the net quantity of a pre-packaged commodity, or(e) express in relation to any transaction or protection, any quantity or dimension,otherwise than in accordance with the standard unit of weight, measure or numeration.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not be applicable for export of any goods, thingsor service.

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12.
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Any custom, usage, etc., contrary to standard weight, measure or numeration to be void.
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12. Any custom, usage, etc., contrary to standard weight, measure or numeration to be void.
-Any custom, usage, practice or method of whatever nature which permits a person to demand,
receive or cause to be demanded or received, any quantity of article, thing or service in excess ofor less than, the quantity specified by weight, measure or number in the contract or otheragreement in relation to the said article, thing or service, shall be void.
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CHAPTER III%
APPOINTMENT AND POWERS OF DIRECTOR, CONTROLLER AND LEGAL METROLOGY OFFICERS!
CHAPTER III
APPOINTMENT AND POWERS OF DIRECTOR, CONTROLLER AND LEGAL METROLOGY OFFICERS@
13.
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Appointment of Director, legal metrology officers and other employees.
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13. Appointment of Director, legal metrology officers and other employees.- (1) The Central
Government may, by notification, appoint a Director of legal metrology, Additional Director,
Joint Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director and other employees for exercising the powers
and discharging the duties conferred or imposed on them by or under this Act in relation to interState trade and commerce.
(2) The qualifications of the Director and legal metrology officers appointed under subsection (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The Director and every legal metrology officer, appointed under sub-section (1), shall
exercise such powers and discharge such functions in respect of such local limits as the Central
Government may, by notification, specify.
(4) Every legal metrology officer appointed under sub-section (1) shall exercise powers anddischarge duties under the general superintendence, direction and control of the Director.

(5) The Director, the Controller and every legal metrology officer authorised to perform any
duty by or under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21of the Indian Penal Code.
(6) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Director, theController and legal metrology officer authorised to perform any duty by or under this Act inrespect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or any ruleor order made thereunder.
(7) The Central Government may, with the consent of the State Government and subject tosuch conditions, limitations and restrictions as it may specify in this behalf, delegate such of thepowers of the Director under this Act as it may think fit to the Controller of legal metrology in theState, and such Controller may, if he is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public
interest so to do, delegate such of the powers delegated to him as he may think fit to any legal
metrology officer and where any such delegation of powers is made by such Controller, theperson to whom such powers are delegated shall exercise those powers in the same manner andwith the same effect as if they had been conferred on him directly by this Act and not by way ofdelegation.
(8) Where any delegation of powers is made under sub-section (7), the powers so delegatedshall be exercised under the general superintendence, direction and guidance of the Director.
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14.
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Appointment of Controller, legal metrology officers and other employees.
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14. Appointment of Controller, legal metrology officers and other employees. - (1) The State
Government may, by notification, appoint a Controller of legal metrology, Additional Controller,
Joint Controller, Deputy Controller, Assistant Controller, Inspector and other employees for theState for exercising the powers and discharging the duties conferred or imposed on them by orunder this Act in relation to intra State trade and commerce.
(2) The qualifications of the Controller and legal metrology officers appointed under subsection (1) shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The Controller and every legal metrology officer, appointed under sub-section (1), shall
exercise such powers and discharge such functions in respect of such local limits as the State
Government may, by notification, specify.
(4) Every legal metrology officer appointed under sub-section (1) shall exercise anddischarge the duties under the general superintendence, direction and control of the Controller.

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15.
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Power of inspection, seizure, etc.
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15. Power of inspection, seizure, etc. - (1) The Director, Controller or any legal metrology officer
may, if he has any reason to believe, whether from any information given to him by any person
and taken down in writing or from personal knowledge or otherwise, that any weight or measureor other goods in relation to which any trade and commerce has taken place or is intended to takeplace and in respect of which an offence punishable under this Act appears to have been, or is
likely to be, committed are either kept or concealed in any premises or are in the course oftransportation,—(a) enter at any reasonable time into any such premises and search for and inspect any
weight, measure or other goods in relation to which trade and commerce has taken place, oris intended to take place and any record, register or other document relating thereto;(b) seize any weight, measure or other goods and any record, register or otherdocument or article which he has reason to believe may furnish evidence indicating that anoffence punishable under this Act has been, or is likely to be, committed in the course of, orin relation to, any trade and commerce.
(2) The Director, Controller or any legal metrology officer may also require the productionof every document or other record relating to the weight or measure referred to in sub-section (1)and the person having the custody of such weight or measure shall comply with such requisition.
(3) Where any goods seized under sub-section (1) are subject to speedy or natural decay, theDirector, Controller or legal metrology officer may dispose of such goods in such manner as may
be prescribed.
(4) Every search or seizure made under this section shall be carried out in accordance withthe provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, relating to searches and seizures.
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16.
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Forfeiture.
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16. Forfeiture. - (1) Every non-standard or unverified weight or measure, and every package
made in contravention of section 18, used in the course of, or in relation to, any trade andcommerce and seized under section 15, shall be liable to be forfeited to the State Government:
Provided that such unverified weight or measure shall not be forfeited to the State
Government if the person from whom such weight or measure was seized gets the same verified
and stamped within such time as may be prescribed.
(2) Every weight, measure or other goods seized under section 15 but not forfeited undersub-section (1), shall be disposed of by such authority and in such manner as may be prescribed.

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17.
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Manufac- turers, etc., to maintain records and registers.
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17. Manufac- turers, etc., to maintain records and registers.- (1) Every manufacturer, repairer ordealer of weight or measure shall maintain such records and registers as may be prescribed.
(2) The records and registers maintained under sub-section (1) shall be produced at the timeof inspection to the persons authorised for the said purpose under sub-section (1) of section 15.
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18.
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Declarations on pre-packaged commodities.
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18. Declarations on pre-packaged commodities.- (1) No person shall manufacture, pack, sell,
import, distribute, deliver, offer, expose or possess for sale any pre-packaged commodity unlesssuch package is in such standard quantities or number and bears thereon such declarations andparticulars in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) Any advertisement mentioning the retail sale price of a pre-packaged commodity shallcontain a declaration as to the net quantity or number of the commodity contained in the packagein such form and manner as may be prescribed.
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19.
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Registration for importer of weight or measure.
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19. Registration for importer of weight or measure. - No person shall import any weight ormeasure unless he is registered with the Director in such manner and on payment of such fees, as
may be prescribed.

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20.
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Non-standard weights and measures not to be imported.
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20. Non-standard weights and measures not to be imported. - No weight or measure, whether
singly or as a part or component of any machine shall be imported unless it conforms to thestandards of weight or measure established by or under this Act.
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21.
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Training in Legal Metrology.
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21. Training in Legal Metrology. -(1) For imparting training in Legal Metrology and other allied
branches of knowledge the “Indian Institute of Legal Metrology” (hereinafter referred to as the“Institute”) established under the provisions of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976,
shall be deemed to have been established under the corresponding provisions of this Act.
(2) The management and control of the Institute, the teaching staff and other employees, thecourses and curricula for training thereat, the qualifications, which a person shall possess in order
to be eligible for admission thereto shall be such as may be prescribed.
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22.
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Approval of model.
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22. Approval of model. - Every person, before manufacturing or importing any weight ormeasure shall seek the approval of model of such weight or measure in such manner, on paymentof such fee and from such authority as may be prescribed:
Provided that such approval of model may not be required in respect of any cast iron, brass,bullion, or carat weight or any beam scale, length measures (not being measuring tapes) which
are ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring textiles or timber, capacity measures, notexceeding twenty litre in capacity, which are ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring
kerosene, milk or potable liquors:
Provided further that the prescribed authority may, if he is satisfied that the model of any
weight or measure which has been approved in a country outside India conforms to the standards
established by or under this Act, approve such model without any test or after such test as he may
deem fit.

@23.
%Prohibition on manufacture, repair or sale of weight or measure without licence.
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23. Prohibition on manufacture, repair or sale of weight or measure without licence. - (1) No
person shall manufacture, repair or sell, or offer, expose or possess for repair or sale, any weightor measure unless he holds a licence issued by the Controller under sub-section (2):Provided that no licence to repair shall be required by a manufacturer for repair of his own
weight or measure in a State other than the State of manufacture of the same.
(2) For the purpose of sub-section (1), the Controller shall issue a licence in such form andmanner, on such conditions, for such period and such area of jurisdiction and on payment of suchfee as may be prescribed.
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CHAPTER IV%
VERIFICATION AND STAMPING OF WEIGHT OR MEASURE!
CHAPTER IV
VERIFICATION AND STAMPING OF WEIGHT OR MEASURE@
24.
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Verification and stamping of weight or measure.
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24. Verification and stamping of weight or measure.- (1) Every person having any weight ormeasure in his possession, custody or control in circumstances indicating that such weight ormeasure is being, or is intended or is likely to be, used by him in any transaction or for protection,
shall, before putting such weight or measure into such use, have such weight or measure verified
at such place and during such hours as the Controller may, by general or special order, specify inthis behalf, on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
(2) The Central Government may prescribe the kinds of weights and measures for which
the verification is to be done through the Government approved Test Centre.
(3) The Government approved Test Centre shall be notified by the Central Government or
the State Government, as the case may be, in such manner, on such terms and conditions and on
payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
(4) The Government approved Test Centre shall appoint or engage persons having suchqualifications and experience and collect such fee on such terms and conditions for theverification of weights and measures specified under sub-section (2) as may be prescribed.

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CHAPTER V%
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES!
CHAPTER V
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES@
25.
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Penalty for use of non- standard weight or measure.
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25. Penalty for use of non- standard weight or measure. - Whoever uses or keeps for use any
weight or measure or makes use of any numeration otherwise than in accordance with thestandards of weight or measure or the standard of numeration, as the case may be, specified by orunder this Act, shall be punished with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees andfor the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six
months and also with fine.
@26.
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Penalty for alteration of weight and measure.
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26. Penalty for alteration of weight and measure.- Whoever tampers with, or alters in any way,
any reference standard, secondary standard or working standard or increases or decreases or alters
any weight or measure with a view to deceiving any person or knowing or having reason tobelieve that any person is likely to be deceived thereby, except where such alteration is made forthe correction of any error noticed therein on verification, shall be punished with fine which may
extend to fifty thousand rupees and for the second and subsequent offence with imprisonment fora term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year or with fine orwith both.
@27.
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Penalty for manufacture or sale of non-standard weight or measure.
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27. Penalty for manufacture or sale of non-standard weight or measure.- Every person who
manufactures or causes to be manufactured or sells or offers, exposes or possesses for sale, any
weight or measure which,—(a) does not conform to the standards of weight or measure specified by or under thisAct; or(b) which bears thereon any inscription of weight, measure or number which does notconform to the standards of weight, measure or numeration specified by or under this Act,except where he is permitted to do so under this Act, shall be punished with a fine which may
extend to twenty thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both.
@28.
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Penalty for making any transaction, deal or contract in contraven-tion ofstandards.

the prescribed!
28. Penalty for making any transaction, deal or contract in contraven-tion of the prescribedstandards. -Whoever makes any transaction, deal or contract in contravention of the standards ofweights and measures specified under section 10 shall be punished with fine which may extend to
ten thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
@29.
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Penalty for quoting or publishing, etc., of non-standard units.
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29. Penalty for quoting or publishing, etc., of non-standard units. - Whoever violates section 11
shallbepunished
with
fine
which
may
extendtoten thousand rupees and, for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
@30.
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Penalty for transactions in contravention of standard weight or measure.
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30. Whoever— Penalty for transactions in contravention of standard weight or measure. (a) in selling any article or thing by weight, measure or number, delivers or causes tobe delivered to the purchaser any quantity or number of that article or thing less than thequantity or number contracted for or paid for; or(b) in rendering any service by weight, measure or number, renders that service lessthan the service contracted for or paid for; or(c) in buying any article or thing by weight, measure or number, fraudulently receives,
or causes to be received any quantity or number of that article or thing in excess of thequantity or number contracted for or paid for; or(d) in obtaining any service by weight, measure or number, obtains that service inexcess of the service contracted for or paid for,shall be punished with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, and, for the second or
subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, orwith both.
@31.
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Penalty for non-production of documents, etc.
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31. Penalty for non-production of documents, etc. - Whoever, being required by or under this Act
or the rules made thereunder to submit returns, maintain any record or register, or being requiredby the Director or the Controller or any legal metrology officer to produce before him forinspection any weight or measure or any document, register or other record relating thereto, omits
or fails without any reasonable excuse, so to do, shall be punished with fine which may extend to
five thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to one year and also with fine.
@32.
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Penalty for failure to get model approved.
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32. Penalty for failure to get model approved. - Whoever fails or omits to submit model of any
weight or measure for approval, shall be punished with fine which may extend to twenty
thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which
may extend to one year and also with fine.
@33.
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Penalty for use of unverified weight or measure.
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33. Penalty for use of unverified weight or measure. - Whoever, sells, distributes, delivers orotherwise transfers or uses any unverified weight or measure shall be punished with fine whichshall not be less than two thousand rupees but which may extend to ten thousand rupees and, forthe second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year
and also with fine.

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34.
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Penalty for sale or delivery of commodities, etc., by non-standard weight or measure.
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34. Penalty for sale or delivery of commodities, etc., by non-standard weight or measure.
-Whoever sells, or causes to be sold, delivers, or causes to be delivered, any commodity, article orthing by any means other than the standard weight or measure or number, shall be punished withfine which shall not be less than two thousand rupees but which may extend to
five thousand rupees and, for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to one year, or with fine, orwith both.
@35.
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Penalty for rendering services by non-standard weight, measure or number.
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35. Penalty for rendering services by non-standard weight, measure or number.- Whoever renders
or causes to be rendered, any service through means other than the weight or measure or
numeration or in terms of any weight, measure or number other than the standard weight ormeasure, shall be punished with fine which shall not be less than
two thousand rupees but which may extend to five thousand rupees and for the second or
subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but
which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
@36.
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Penalty for selling, etc., of non-standard packages.
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36. Penalty for selling, etc., of non-standard packages. - (1) Whoever manufactures, packs,
imports, sells, distributes, delivers or otherwise transfers, offers, exposes or possesses for sale, orcauses to be sold, distributed, delivered or otherwise transferred, offered, exposed for sale any
pre-packaged commodity which does not conform to the declarations on the package as provided
in this Act, shall be punished with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees, for thesecond offence, with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and for the subsequent
offence, with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to one
lakh rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with both.
(2) Whoever manufactures or packs or imports or causes to be manufactured or packed orimported, any pre-packaged commodity, with error in net quantity as may be prescribed shall bepunished with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees but which may extend to fifty
thousand rupees and for the second and subsequent offence, with fine which may extend to one
lakh rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with both.

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37.
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Penalty for contraven-tion by Government approved Test Centre.
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37. Penalty for contraven-tion by Government approved Test Centre. -(1) Where any Government
approved Test Centre contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder,or the conditions of the licence, it shall be punished with fine which may extend to one lakhrupees.
(2) Where any owner or employee of a Government Approved Test Centre performing
duties in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, wilfully verifies
or stamps any weight or measure in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules madethereunder, he shall, for every such contravention, be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.
@38.
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Penalty for non-registration by importer of weight or measure.
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38. Penalty for non-registration by importer of weight or measure- Whoever imports any weightor measure without being registered under this Act shall be punished with fine which may extend
to twenty-five thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for aterm which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
@39.
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Penalty for import of non-standard weight or measure.
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39. Penalty for import of non-standard weight or measure. - Whoever imports any non-standard
weight or measure shall be punished with fine, which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and forthe second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year
and also with fine.
@40.
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Penalty for obstructing Director, Controller or legal metrology officer.
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40. Penalty for obstructing Director, Controller or legal metrology officer.-Whoever obstructs
the Director, the Controller or any legal metrology officer with intent to prevent or deter the
Director or the Controller or any legal metrology officer from exercising his powers ordischarging his functions, or in consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by the
Director or the Controller or any legal metrology officer in the lawful exercise of his powers ordischarge of his functions as such, or whoever obstructs the entry of the Director or the Controller
or any legal metrology officer into any premises for inspection and verification of any weight ormeasure or any document or record relating thereto or the net contents of any packaged
commodity or for any other purpose shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to two years and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to five years.
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41.
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Penalty for giving false information or false return.
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41. Penalty for giving false information or false return. - (1) Whoever gives any information to
the Director, the Controller or any legal metrology officer, which he may require or ask for in thecourse of his duty, and which such person either knows or has reason to believe to be false, shallbe punished with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent
offence with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and also with fine.
(2) Whoever, being required by or under this Act so to do, submits a return or maintains any
record or register which is false in material particulars, shall be punished with fine which may
extend to five thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for aterm which may extend to one year and also with fine.
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Vexatious search.
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42. Vexatious search. - The Director, the Controller or any legal metrology officer, exercising
powers under this Act or any rule made thereunder, who knows that there are no reasonablegrounds for so doing, and yet—(a) searches, or causes to be searched, any house, conveyance or place; or(b) searches any person; or(c) seizes any weight, measure or other movable property;
shall, for every such offence, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one
year, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.
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Penalty for verification in contravention of Act and rules.
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43. Penalty for verification in contravention of Act and rules. - Where the Controller or any
legal metrology officer exercising powers under this Act or any rule made thereunder, wilfully
verifies or stamps any weight or measure, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or of any
rule made thereunder, he shall, for every such offence, be punished with imprisonment for a termwhich may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with
both.
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Penalty for counterfeiting of seals, etc.
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44. Penalty for counterfeiting of seals, etc. - (1) Whoever—(i) counterfeits any seal specified by or under this Act or the rules made thereunder, or(ii) sells or otherwise disposes of any counterfeit seal, or(iii) possesses any counterfeit seal, or(iv) counterfeits or removes or tampers with any stamp, specified by or under this Act
or rules made thereunder, or(v) affixes the stamp so removed on, or inserts the same into, any other weight ormeasure,shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which
may extend to one year and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years.
Explanation.—In this sub-section , ‘‘counterfeit’’ shall have the meaning assigned to it insection 28 of the Indian Penal Code.
(2) Whoever obtains, by unlawful means, any seal specified by or under this Act or the rules
made thereunder and uses, or causes to be used, any such seal for making any stamp on any
weight or measure with a view to representing that the stamp made by such seal is authorised byor under this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be punished with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year and for the second or
subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but
which may extend to five years.
(3) Whoever, being in lawful possession of a seal specified by or under this Act or the rules
made thereunder, uses, or causes to be used, such seal without any lawful authority for such use,shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which
may extend to one year and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years.
(4) Whoever sells or offers or exposes for sale or otherwise disposes of any weight ormeasure which, he knows or has reason to believe, bears thereon a counterfeit stamp, shall bepunished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may
extend to one year and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term whichshall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years.

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Penalty for manufacture of weight and measure without licence.
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45. Penalty for manufacture of weight and measure without licence. -Whoever, being required toobtain a licence under this Act or the rules made thereunder, manufactures, without being inpossession of a valid licence, any weight or measure, shall be punished with fine which may
extend to twenty thousand rupees and for the second or subsequent offence, with imprisonment
for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
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Penalty for repair, sale, etc., of weight and measure without licence.
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46. Penalty for repair, sale, etc., of weight and measure without licence.- Whoever, being
required to obtain a licence under this Act or the rules made thereunder repairs or sells or offers,
exposes or possesses for repair or sale, any weight or measure, without being in possession of avalid licence, shall be punished with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees and for thesecond or subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, orwith fine, or with both.
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Penalty for tampering with licence.
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47. Penalty for tampering with licence. - Whoever alters or otherwise tampers, with any licenceissued or renewed under this Act or rules made thereunder, otherwise than in accordance with any
authorisation made by the Controller in this behalf, shall be punished with fine which may extend
to twenty thousand rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with
both.
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Compounding of offences.
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48. Compounding of offences. -(1) Any offence punishable under section 25, sections 27 to 39,
sections 45 to 47, or any rule made under sub-section (3) of section 52 may, either before or after
the institution of the prosecution, be compounded, on payment for credit to the Government ofsuch sum as may be prescribed.

(2) The Director or legal metrology officer as may be specially authorised by him in thisbehalf, may compound offences punishable under section 25, sections 27 to 39, or any rule madeunder sub-section (3) of section 52.
(3) The Controller or legal metrology officer specially authorised by him, may compound
offences punishable under section 25, sections 27 to 31, sections 33 to 37, sections 45 to 47, andany rule made under sub-section (3) of section 52:
Provided that such sum shall not, in any case, exceed the maximum amount of the fine,which may be imposed under this Act for the offence so compounded.
(4) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply to person who commits the same or similar
offence, within a period of three years from the date on which the first offence, committed byhim, was compounded.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, any second or subsequent offence
committed after the expiry of a period of three years from the date on which the offence waspreviously compounded, shall be deemed to be a first offence.
(5) Where an offence has been compounded under sub-section (1), no proceeding or further
proceeding, as the case may be, shall be taken against the offender in respect of the offence socompounded.
(6) No offence under this Act shall be compounded except as provided by this section.
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Offences by companies and power of court to publish name, place of business, etc., forcompanies convicted.
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49. Offences by companies and power of court to publish name, place of business, etc., forcompanies convicted. - (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company,—(a) (i) the person, if any, who has been nominated under sub-section (2) to be incharge of, and responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company(hereinafter in this section referred to as a person responsible); or(ii) where no person has been nominated, every person who at the time the offence wascommitted was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of thebusiness of the company; and(b) the company,
shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against andpunished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable toany punishment provided in this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his
knowledge and that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Any company may, by order in writing, authorise any of its directors to exercise all such
powers and take all such steps as may be necessary or expedient to prevent the commission by thecompany of any offence under this Act and may give notice to the Director or the concerned

Controller or any legal metrology officer authorised in this behalf by such Controller (hereinafterin this section referred to as the authorised officer) in such form and in such manner as may beprescribed, that it has nominated such director as the person responsible, alongwith the writtenconsent of such director for being so nominated.
Explanation.—Where a company has different establishments or branches or different units
in any establishment or branch, different persons may be nominated under this sub-section in
relation to different establishments or branches or units and the person nominated in relation toany establishment, branch or unit shall be deemed to be the person responsible in respect of such
establishment, branch or unit.
(3) The person nominated under sub-section (2) shall, until—(i) further notice cancelling such nomination is received from the company by the
Director or the concerned Controller or the authorised officer; or(ii) he ceases to be a director of the company; or(iii) he makes a request in writing to the Director or the concerned Controller or thelegal metrology officer under intimation to the company, to cancel the nomination, which
request shall be complied with by the Director or the concerned Controller or the legal
metrology officer,
whichever is the earliest, continue to be the person responsible:
Provided that where such person ceases to be a director of the company, he shall intimate
the fact of such cessation to the Director or the concerned Controller or the authorised officer:
Provided further that where such person makes a request under clause (iii) the Director or
the concerned Controller or the authorised officer shall not cancel such nomination with effectfrom a date earlier than the date on which the request is made.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-sections, where an offence
under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has beencommitted with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to the neglect on the part of, any
director, manager, secretary or other officer, not being a person nominated under sub-section (2),such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence
and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(5) Where any company is convicted under this Act for contravention of any of theprovisions thereof, it shall be competent for the court convicting the company to cause the nameand place of business of the company, nature of the contravention, the fact that the company has
been so convicted and such other particulars as the court may consider to be appropriate in thecircumstances of the case, to be published at the expense of the company in such newspaper or insuch other manner as the court may direct.
(6) No publication under sub-section (5) shall be made until the period for preferring anappeal against the orders of the court has expired without any appeal having been preferred, orsuch an appeal, having been preferred, has been disposed of.
(7) The expenses of any publication under sub-section (5) shall be recoverable from thecompany as if it were a fine imposed by the court.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association ofindividuals; and(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm but excludes
nominated directors, honorary directors, Government nominated directors.

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Appeals.
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50. Appeals.- (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), an appeal shall lie,—(a) from every decision or order under sections 15 to 20, section 22, section 25,
sections 27 to 39, section 41 or any rule made under sub-section (3) of section 52 by thelegal metrology officer appointed under section 13, to the Director;(b) from every decision or order made by the Director of Legal Metrology under
sections 15 to 20, section 22, section 25, sections 27 to 39, section 41 or any rule madeunder sub-section (3) of section 52, to the Central Government or any officer speciallyauthorised in this behalf by that Government;(c) from every decision given by the Controller of Legal Metrology under delegatedpowers of Director Legal Metrology to the Central Government;(d) from every decision given or order made under sections 15 to 18, sections
23 to 25, sections 27 to 37, sections 45 to 47 or any rule made under sub-section (3) ofsection 52 by any legal metrology officer appointed under section 14, to the Controller; and(e) from every decision given or order made by the Controller under sections 15 to 18,
sections 23 to 25, sections 27 to 37, sections 45 to 47 or any rule made under sub-section (3)of section 52 not being an order made in appeal under clause (d), to the State Government
or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by that Government.
(2) Every such appeal shall be preferred within sixty days from the date on which the
impugned order was made:Provided that the appellate authority may, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented
by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal within the said period of sixty days, permit theappellant to prefer the appeal within a further period of sixty days.
(3) On receipt of any such appeal, the appellate authority shall, after giving the parties to theappeal, a reasonable opportunity of being heard and after making such inquiry as it deems proper,
make such order, as it may think fit, confirming, modifying or reversing the decision or orderappealed against or may send back the case with such direction as it may think fit for a fresh
decision or order after taking additional evidence, if necessary.
(4) Every appeal shall be preferred on payment of such fees, as may be prescribed.
(5) The Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, may on its own
motion or otherwise, call for and examine the record of any proceeding including a proceeding inappeal in which any decision or order has been made, for the purpose of satisfying itself as to thecorrectness, legality or propriety of such decision or order and may pass such orders thereon as it
may think fit:
Provided that no decision or order shall be varied under this sub-section so as toprejudicially affect any person unless such person has been given a reasonable opportunity ofshowing cause against the proposed action.

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Provisions of Indian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure not to apply.
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51. Provisions of Indian Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure not to apply. - Theprovisions of the Indian Penal Code and section 153 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 inso far as such provisions relate to offences with regard to weight or measure, shall not apply to
any offence which is punishable under this Act.
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Power of the Central Government to make rules.
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52. Power of the Central Government to make rules. - (1) The Central Government may, by
notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules
may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—(a) the specification of the base units of measures and base unit of mass under subsection (2) of section 5;(b) the manner of preparation of objects and equipments under sub-section (3) ofsection 7;(c) physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, equipment,
performance, tolerances, period of re-verification, methods or procedures of tests under subsection (4) of section 7;(d) reference standards, secondary standards and working standards of weights andmeasures under sub-section (1) of section 9;(e) reference standards, secondary standards and working standards shall be verified
and stamped and the fee under sub-section (2) of section 9;(f) the weight or measure or number in which any transaction, dealing, or contract inrespect of any goods, class ofgoods or undertakings shall be made under
section 10;(g) the qualifications of the Director and legal metrology officers under sub-section (2)of section 13;(h) the qualification of the Controller and legal metrology officers under sub-section(2) of section 14;(i) the manner of disposal of goods under sub-section (3) of section 15;(j) the standard quantities or number and the manner in which the packages shall bear
the declarations and the particulars under sub-section (1) of section 18;(k) the manner and registration and the fee under section 19;(l) the management and control of the Institute, the teaching staff and other employees,
the courses and curricula for training thereat, the qualifications, which a person shall possessin order to be eligible for admission thereto under sub-section (2) of section 21;

(m) the manner, fee and authority for approval of models under section 22;(n) the kinds of weights or measures under sub-section (2) of section 24;(o) the manner in which, terms and conditions on which and fee on payment which theCentral Government shall notify the Government approved Test Centre under sub-section(3) of section 24;(p) the qualifications and experience of persons appointed or engaged and the fee andterms and conditions on which Government approved Test Centre shall verify the weight ormeasure under sub-section (4) of section 24;(q) the error in net quantity under sub-section (2) of section 36;(r) fee for compounding of offence under sub-section (1) of section 48;(s) form and manner in which notice to the Director or the Controller or any otherofficer authorised by him shall be given under sub-section (2) of section 49.
(3) In making any rule under this section, the Central Government may provide that abreach thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
(4) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may
be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period ofthirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if,
before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions
aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that therule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be ofno effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be
without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
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Power of State Government to make rules.
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53. Power of State Government to make rules. - (1) The State Government may, by notification,
and after consultation with the Central Government, make rules to carry out the provisions of thisAct.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules
may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—(a) the time within which the weight or measure may be got verified under provsio to
sub-section (1) of section 16;(b) registers and records to be maintained by persons referred to under sub-section (1)of section 17;(c) the form, manner, conditions, period, area of jurisdiction and fees for issuance of
licence under sub-section (2) of section 23;(d) fee for verification and stamping of any weight or measure undersub-section (1) of section 24;(e) manner of notifying Government approved Test Centre, terms and conditions andfee to be paid under sub-section (3) of section 24;

(f) fee for compounding of offences under sub-section (1) of section 48.
(3) In making any rule under this section, the State Government may provide that a breach
thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
(4) The power to make rules under this section shall be subject to the condition of the rules
being made after previous publication in Official Gazette.
(5) Every rule made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be laid
before each House of State Legislature, where there are two Houses and where there is one Houseof State Legislature, before that House.
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Delegation of Powers.
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54. Delegation of Powers.- (1) The Central Government may, in consultation with the State
Government and by notification, direct that any power exercisable by it under this Act or any rule
made there- under, not being a power conferred by section 50 relating to appeal or section 52
relating to power to make rules, in relation to such matters and subject to such conditions as may
be specified, may be exercised also by such officer subordinate to it as may be specified in the
notification.
(2) Subject to any general or special direction or condition imposed by the State
Government, any person authorised by the Central Government to exercise any powers may
exercise those powers in the same manner and to the same extent as if they had been conferred onthat person directly by this Act and not by way of delegation.
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Act not to apply in certain cases.
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55. Act not to apply in certain cases. -The provisions of this Act, in so far as they relate toverification and stamping of weights and measures, shall not apply to any weight or measure,—(a) used in any factory exclusively engaged in the manufacture of any arms,
ammunition or both, for the use of the Armed Forces of the Union;(b) used for scientific investigation or for research;(c) manufactured exclusively for export.

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Existing Director, Controller and legal metrology officer not to be affected by the new
qualification to be prescribed.
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56. Existing Director, Controller and legal metrology officer not to be affected by the new
qualification to be prescribed. - (1) Every Director, Controller and legal metrology officer
appointed immediately before the commencement of the rules made under this Act, shall bedeemed to have been appointed under sub-section (1) of sections 13 and 14, notwithstanding any
rule prescribing different qualifications.
(2) The rules made by a State Government under the Standards of Weights and Measures(Enforcement) Act, 1985 which are in force immediately before the commencement of this Act
shall remain in force until the State Government, makes rules in that behalf.
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Repeal of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 and Standards of Weights andMeasures (Enforcement) Act, 1985.
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57. Repeal of the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 and Standards of Weights andMeasures (Enforcement) Act, 1985. - (1) The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 andthe Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985, is hereby repealed.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions contained in the General Clauses Act, 1897,
with respect to repeals, any notification, rule or order made under the Standards of Weights andMeasures Act, 1976 and the Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement)
Act, 1985, shall, if in force, at the commencement of this Act, continue to be in force and haveeffect as if it was made under the corresponding provision of this Act.
(3) Notwithstanding such repeal, any appointment, notification, rule, order, registration,
licence, certificate, notice, decision, approval, authorisation or consent made, issued or given
under such law shall, if in force at the commencement of this Act, continue to be in force andhave effect as if it were made, issued or given under the corresponding provisions of this Act.
————
V. K. BHASIN,
Secy. to the Govt. of India.
{ }