Rule 12 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 12 is the twin of rule 11. Where rule 11 deals with weights, rule 12 deals with measures: the can, jug, tape or scale a trader uses to give a quantity by volume or length. It is short, and it hands the detail to the Sixth Schedule. A legal consultation can help you map your product against the right Part.
Every measure, other than a measuring instrument, used or intended to be used in any transaction or for protection must conform to the Sixth Schedule as to physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, performance and tolerances (rule 12(1)). The maximum permissible error is the one laid down for that measure in the Sixth Schedule (rule 12(2)). Measuring instruments are not covered here: they fall under rule 13 and the Seventh and Eighth Schedules. A measure that does not conform is non-standard and exposes the user to the penalty and seizure provisions of the Act.
What rule 12 says
The heading is "Measures (other than measuring instruments)". Sub-rule (1) states that every measure used or intended to be used for (a) any transaction, or (b) protection, "shall conform, as regards physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, performance, tolerances and such other details, to the corresponding specifications laid down for such measure in Sixth Schedule."
Sub-rule (2) adds that the maximum permissible error in such a measure shall be as specified in the corresponding specifications in the Sixth Schedule.
The rule has no exceptions and no separate procedure. Unlike rule 11, it has no carve-out for products governed by other laws. It also does not say who must apply or where: compliance is a condition of using the measure, enforced by officers under section 15 of the Act.
The scope words are "used or intended to be used", so the duty falls on the person who uses a measure as well as on its maker. If you need the detail on where the Act's standard units and measures sit, see sections 7 and 8.
The Sixth Schedule at a glance
The Sixth Schedule is headed "Specifications for measures" and "See Rule 12". The index of the rules lists nine Parts.
| Part | Subject |
|---|---|
| I | Liquid capacity measures |
| II | Dispensing measures |
| III | Liquor measures |
| IV | Length measures (non-flexible) |
| V | Folding scales |
| VI | Fabric or plastic tape measures |
| VII | Steel tape measures |
| VIII | Surveying chains |
| IX | Tapes for use in measurement of oil quantities |
What the readable text of each Part shows:
- Part I, liquid capacity measures. It deals with two types of cylindrical liquid measures, the dipping type and the pouring type, and one type of conical measure. It lists the denominations and then the shapes and dimensions by reference to figures and a table.
- Part II, dispensing measures. The text lists the types and denominations of dispensing measures, including conical ones, with construction requirements.
- Part III, liquor measures. The text covers hand operated liquor measures and automatic liquor measures, their materials, shape and stamping requirements.
- Parts IV to VIII, length measures. These cover non-flexible metre bars and similar length measures, folding scales, fabric or plastic tapes, steel tapes and surveying chains. The text deals with graduation, the form of the numerals, marking, and permissible error in the length of a tape.
- Part IX, tapes for oil quantities. These are dip tapes used with a dip weight; the text says that every dip weight and dip tape shall be suitably marked to identify them with each other.
The scanned copy we rely on garbles most tables and diagrams. We therefore describe what each Part governs and do not reproduce denominations, tolerances or dimensions. Read the notified Schedule for the exact values.
Who is affected
| Who | Why rule 12 matters |
|---|---|
| Manufacturers of measures | Their product must meet the Part that matches its type before it is sold. |
| Dealers and retailers | A measure they hold for use in trade must conform; see the Act's licensing in section 23. |
| Traders using measures | The measure used at the counter, pump or weighing point must conform and be verified and stamped. |
| Importers | A measure imported into India must conform to the standards under the Act; see sections 19 and 20. |
Rule 12 and what comes next
Rule 12 sets what a measure must be. It does not itself verify the measure. After manufacture, section 24 requires verification before use in a transaction or for protection, and rule 27 sets the periodical re-verification. The model approval step in section 22 is separate; its proviso mentions capacity measures not exceeding twenty litre ordinarily used in retail trade for measuring kerosene, milk or potable liquors, and length measures (not being measuring tapes) for textiles or timber, as kinds for which approval may not be required. That proviso relaxes model approval only; it does not relax rule 12.
The consequence of using a measure outside the Schedule is the same as for weights: a non-standard measure is caught by section 25 (use or keeping for use), section 27 (manufacture or sale) and forfeiture under section 16. Sections 25 and 27 were amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force); the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 is enacted but in force only from the date the Central Government notifies, so check the notification.
Examples
Example 1: a milk vendor's measure. A vendor uses a pouring-type capacity measure. The Part I description of pouring type measures, with its denominations and dimensions, is the benchmark. A measure with a different shape or tolerance is a risk even if it looks accurate.
Example 2: a cloth shop. A textile shop uses a metre rule. Length measures fall under Parts IV to VIII. The shop should keep the measure in its verified and stamped condition.
Common mistakes
- Treating a measuring instrument as a "measure". Instruments are under rule 13.
- Assuming the relaxation in section 22 from model approval removes the need to meet the Sixth Schedule.
- Using a home-made or unmarked capacity measure in trade.
Need help with measures and compliance?
If you manufacture, import or trade in measures and want to check them against the Sixth Schedule, or have received a notice after an inspection, we can go through the papers with you in a legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- Rule 12 covers measures other than measuring instruments used in any transaction or for protection.
- The technical detail and the maximum permissible error are in the Sixth Schedule.
- The Schedule has nine Parts, from liquid capacity measures to tapes for oil quantities.
- Exemption from model approval does not exempt a measure from rule 12.
- Measuring instruments are dealt with separately in rule 13.
Read next
- Verification and Stamping of Weights and Measures
- Model Approval for Weights and Measures
- Rule 11 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Weights and the Fifth Schedule
- Rule 13 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Weighing instruments and the Seventh Schedule
Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 (G.S.R. 11(E), 7 February 2011) as notified, using a scanned copy with gaps, read with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (Act 1 of 2010), the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force) and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (in force only from the date the Central Government notifies), as on 30 September 2026. State Legal Metrology rules, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.