Rule 13 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 13 is the rule for weighing machines. Sub-rule (1) says that a weighing instrument used in trade or for protection must meet the Seventh Schedule; sub-rule (3) fixes its maximum permissible error by the same Schedule. This article covers sub-rules (1) and (3); sub-rules (2) and (3) for measuring instruments are in our article on the Eighth Schedule. For a product review, a legal consultation is a practical start.
Every weighing instrument used or intended to be used in any transaction or for protection must conform, as regards physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, performance and tolerances, to the corresponding specification in the Seventh Schedule (rule 13(1)). The maximum permissible error is the one laid down in that specification (rule 13(3)). The Seventh Schedule has five headings, A to E, covering non-automatic instruments and several kinds of automatic instrument. An instrument outside the Schedule is exposed to the Act's penalty and seizure provisions.
What rule 13(1) and (3) say
Rule 13(1) applies to "every weighing instrument used or intended to be used (a) in any transaction, or (b) for protection". It "shall conform, as regards physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, performance, tolerances and such other details, to the corresponding specifications laid down for such weighing instrument in Seventh Schedule".
Rule 13(3) then says that "the maximum permissible error on such weighing or measuring instrument shall be such as is specified in the corresponding specifications" in the Seventh Schedule or, as the case may be, the Eighth Schedule. It is one sentence covering both kinds of instrument.
Points to note:
- The rule covers use or intended use, so a trader is bound as well as a manufacturer.
- The duty is to match the corresponding specification. A beam scale is tested against the beam scale text and an automatic weighbridge against its own heading.
- The rule does not itself provide a procedure, form or fee. Verification and stamping follow under section 24 of the Act and rule 27.
The Seventh Schedule at a glance
The Seventh Schedule is headed "See Rule 13". Its index shows five headings.
| Heading | Subject | What the index and text show |
|---|---|---|
| A | Specification for non-automatic weighing instruments | Begins with terminology. A non-automatic weighing instrument is one that needs an operator to intervene during weighing, for example to place or remove the load and to obtain the result. |
| B | Beam scales (Part I) and counter machines (Part II) | Specifications for these two traditional instruments. |
| C | Automatic rail weighbridge | Specification for this automatic instrument, as named in the index. |
| D | Automatic gravimetric filling instruments | Instruments that fill containers by weight; the text includes a "control instrument" used to determine the mass of the test fills delivered. |
| E | Discontinuous totalizing automatic weighing instrument (totalizing hopper weighers) | A further automatic type, described in the index as totalizing hopper weighers. |
The Schedule is long. The readable text for the automatic instruments includes definitions, metrological requirements, technical requirements, controls such as pattern evaluation, and annexes describing tests. Test headings seen in the text include static temperatures, temperature effect on no-load indication, damp heat, power voltage variation and tilting, and tests of zero-setting and tare-setting. In the scan these pages are interleaved across two columns and the tables are badly garbled. We therefore describe what each heading governs and do not reproduce classes, tolerances, limits or test values.
How to use the Schedule
- Identify the type. Decide which heading matches your instrument. A shop counter scale is a non-automatic instrument; a machine that fills containers by weight is an automatic gravimetric filling instrument.
- Read the terminology first. The Schedule defines its terms, and the tolerance and test provisions use them.
- Check the instrument's marking and construction against the Schedule.
- Get the notified text. Use the notified Schedule, not a summary, for values.
- Verify and stamp. The conformity requirement is separate from verification by a Legal Metrology Officer.
How rule 13 fits with the Act
- Model approval. Under section 22 a person must seek approval of model before manufacturing or importing a weight or measure, in the manner and on the fee prescribed. The proviso says approval of model may not be required for certain kinds, including a beam scale. The separate approval-of-models rules are summarised in our guide to the Approval of Models Rules; the Seventh Schedule text itself speaks of pattern evaluation for automatic instruments.
- Import. An imported weighing instrument must conform to the standards under the Act (section 20).
- Consequence. An instrument not conforming to the standard is non-standard. Use is punishable under section 25. Section 25 was 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; check the notification before relying on the amounts.
- Enforcement. Officers may inspect, search and seize under section 15.
Examples
Example 1: a counter machine. A retailer buys a counter machine. Heading B, Part II is the specification that applies. The retailer should ask the seller for evidence of conformity and then have the machine verified before using it for sales.
Example 2: a packing line. A food packer installs an automatic machine that fills sacks by weight. Heading D is the relevant heading. The machine is subject to the Schedule's metrological requirements as well as to the net-quantity rules for the packages it fills (see the Packaged Commodities Rules).
Common mistakes
- Looking for a single table of errors. There is none: each heading has its own.
- Treating "automatic" and "non-automatic" as one category.
- Assuming a weighing instrument that is verified is also conforming in design. The two are different questions.
Need help with weighing instruments?
If you make, import or use weighing machines and want to match them with the Seventh Schedule, or have received a notice after an inspection, a legal consultation lets us go through the machine records and the Schedule with you.
Key takeaways
- Rule 13(1) binds every weighing instrument used or intended for use in a transaction or for protection.
- The specification and the maximum permissible error are in the Seventh Schedule, headings A to E.
- Heading A covers non-automatic instruments; B beam scales and counter machines; C to E are automatic types.
- Verification and stamping are a separate step under section 24.
- Our source text is a garbled scan; take figures from the notified Schedule.
Read next
- How to Get Verification of Weights and Measures
- Verification Procedure for Instruments
- Rule 12 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Measures and the Sixth Schedule
- Rule 13 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Measuring instruments and the Eighth 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.