Weights and Measures

One of the important reforms undertaken in the country after Independence was the standardisation of the system in weights and measures. Uniform standards of weights and measures, based on the metric system, were established in the country, under the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956.

In order to establish the international system of units and to align our laws with international practices as well as to remove certain deficiencies, a comprehensive legislation, namely, the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 was enacted, replacing the 1956 Act. The 1976 Act contains among other things, provisions for regulation of pre-packed commodities sold to consumer so as to establish fair trade practices. Provisions of the Act relating to packaged commodities and the relevant rules, namely, the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977 were brought into force, since September 1977. According to these provisions every package intended for retail sale is required to carry information as regards the name of the commodity, name and address of manufacturer or packer, net quantity, month and year of manufacture/packing and retail price. Mandatory declaration of retail sale price is to be given in the form "MRP Rs. inclusive of all taxes". The Rules were reviewed and amended vide notification GSR 425(E) dated 17-7-2006. In the interest of consumers, inter alia, the following new provisions have been incorporated : 1) Retail dealers covered under Value Added Tax (VAT) and Turn Over Tax (TOT) and dealing in packaged commodities whose net content is by weight or volume or a combination there of have to maintain appropriate electronic weighing instrument with facility to issue printed receipt showing the weight of packages free of cost so that consumers can check the weight of packaged commodities purchased from the shop. 2) Every package shall bear names & address, phone number, e-mail (if available) of the person or the office which can be contacted in case of consumer complaints. The Rules have similar provision for regulation of packaged commodities imported into India like indigenous packages.

Under the provisions of the 1976 Act, the models of all weighing and measuring instruments should be approved before commencement of their production. Under the relevant rules, namely, the Standards of Weights and Measures (Approval of Models) Rules, 1987 recognised laboratories examine the models for their conformity to the standards. These Rules are in force since 1987.

The Forty-second Amendment of the Constitution brought the subject of 'Enforcement of Weights and Measure' from the 'State List' to the 'Concurrent List'. To ensure uniformity in the matter of enforcement in the country, a Central Act, namely, the Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985 was brought into force. It contains provisions for effective legal control on weights, measures and weighing/measuring instruments used in commercial transaction, industrial production and in protection involving public health and safety.

To ensure informity in the matter of enforcement in the country, a Central Act, namely, the Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985 was brought into force. In contains provisions for effective legal control on weights, measures and weighing/measuring instruments used in commercial transaction, industrial production and in protection involving public health and safety.

On the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, a unified legislation, combining the existing two legislations on Weights and Measures (mentioned above) has been mooted.

India is a member of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML). This Organisation was set up in order to realize worldwide uniformity in laws relating to legal metrology (weights and measure) and to make international trade smooth and practical.

Legal standards of weights and measures of the States and Union Territories are calibrated in the four Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSL) located at Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore and Faridabad. These laboratories also provide calibration services to the industries in their respective regions. They are among the recognised laboratories for conducting the model approval tests on weights and measuring instruments.

Under a scheme to strengthen legal metrology laboratories of States, infrastructure assistance in the form of standard balances and a mobile kit for testing weighbridges is being provided by the Department to all States/Union Territories, for better enforcement.

During 2005-07 an amount of Rs. 8.1 crore was given to States/UTs as grant in aid for purchase of working Standard Balances. Supply of 59 sets of Secondary Standard Balances and 17 Mobile kits for testing weighbridges was completed in 2007-08.

The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi, under the administrative control of this Ministry, imparts training in legal metrology and allied subjects. Apart from the enforcement officials of States, nominees from African, Asian and Latin American countries also attend the programmes run by the Institute. To re-orient the activities of the Institute so as to fulfil its mandate more effectively and to make it a centre of excellence, a study has been entrusted to Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.

Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on: 02-06-2010