In view of the rapid growth of science and technology, as well as the globalisation of economies, weighing and measuring procedures have vastly improved, and the scope of weights and measures has been expanded. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 was enacted on 1-4-2011 with the intent of establishing standards for weights and measures, regulating trade and commerce in weights and measures and other commodities sold or distributed by weight, measure, or number, and for matters connected with or incidental thereto.
Legal metrology refers to the branch of metrology that deals with weighing and measuring units, methods of weighing and measuring, and weighing and measuring instruments in relation to mandatory technical and legal requirements aimed at ensuring public assurance in terms of weighment and measurement security and accuracy.
Legal Metrology deals with laws related to accuracy of weights and measures when good are traded. Every country has established a government organization responsible for regulation of measurements accuracy and ensuring the integrity of measurement for nation’s economic health and prosperity.
Acts under Legal Metrology
In India, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (hence referred to as the “Act”) regulates the units and techniques of weighing and measuring in connection to technical and legal requirements in order to provide public assurance regarding the security and accuracy of weighments and measurements.
The Standard of Weights and Measures Act of 1976 and the Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act of 1985 were repealed. The Act’s provisions went into effect on April 1, 2011. The Act’s purpose is to establish and enforce weight and measure standards, as well as to regulate trade and commerce in weights, measures, and other products sold or distributed by weight, measure, or number, and other related topics.
The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 (hence referred to as the “Rules”) apply to packaged products and specify how declarations must be made and what declarations must be included in a packaged commodity intended for sale.
The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, inter alia, provides for:
(a) Weights and measures that are used in transactions or for protection are regulated;
(b) Approval of model of weight or measure;
(c) Verification of prescribed weight or measure by a government-approved testing facility;
(d) Requiring legal metrology officers designated by the federal or state governments to be qualified;
(e) The regulation of weights and measures, as well as other items intended for export, is exempted;
(f) The imposition of a price for various services;
(g) A company’s nomination of a director who will be accountable for ensuring that the enactment’s terms are followed;
(h) Penalties for offences and their compounding;
(i) Appeal against decision of various authorities; and
(j) Empowering the Central Government to make rules for enforcing the provisions of the enactment.
Legislations enacted by Government to regulate Legal Metrology
1. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009
2. The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
3. The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
4. The Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011
5. The Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011
6. The Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011
7. The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
These rules aim to ensure that the process of making declarations on pre-packaged goods is achieved in an easy manner. It provides the basic parameters that are required for the purpose and manner of making declarations.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com
We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.
We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge