Rules 3 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.
Chapter II of the General Rules deals with the standards used to verify everyday weights and measures. Rule 3 covers reference standards, rule 4 secondary standards and rule 5 working standards. Rule 6 lets the Central Government specify other standards by notification. Each tier is tied to a Schedule.
The three tiers map to three Schedules: reference standards to the First Schedule, secondary standards to the Second Schedule and working standards to the Third Schedule. For each tier, weights and metre bars must conform to the Schedule's specifications and stay within the maximum permissible error on verification or re-verification. Reference and secondary tiers do not list capacity measures in the text of rule 3, while rules 4 and 5 do. Under rule 6, other standards can be specified by notification.
Where these rules fit in the Act
Section 9 of the Act says the reference, secondary and working standards of weights and measures "shall be such as may be prescribed", that each is to be "verified and stamped in such manner and after payment of such fee as may be prescribed", and that a standard not verified and stamped "shall not be deemed to be a valid standard". Rules 3 to 6 are the prescribed specifications. For the section itself, see sections 9 and 10. The existing guide on the National Standards Rules, 2011 deals with a separate set of rules.
If you run a verification laboratory or a test centre, or work with standards in a business, our legal consultation service can help you read these rules against your equipment.
The three tiers in one table
| Rule | Tier | Weights | Metre bar | Capacity measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Reference | First Schedule, Part I | First Schedule, Part II | Not mentioned in rule 3 |
| 4 | Secondary | Second Schedule, Part I | Second Schedule, Part II | Second Schedule, Part III |
| 5 | Working | Third Schedule, Part I | Third Schedule, Part II | Third Schedule, Part III |
Each row has two sub-rules per item: one on conformity (denomination, material used in construction and design) and one on maximum permissible error.
Rule 3: reference standards
- 3(1): every reference standard weight must conform "as regards denomination, material used in construction, and design" to Part I of the First Schedule.
- 3(2): the maximum permissible error in a reference standard weight, "on verification or re-verification after adjustment", is as in Part I of the First Schedule.
- 3(3): every reference standard metre bar must conform, as regards material and design, to Part II.
- 3(4): the maximum permissible error in a reference standard metre bar, on verification or re-verification, is as in Part II.
The wording differs slightly between weights and metre bars. For weights the error is judged after adjustment; for the metre bar no adjustment is mentioned, which suits a graduated bar. The First Schedule also has no capacity measure at the reference level, so this rule does not list one.
Rule 4: secondary standards
Rule 4 repeats the pattern and adds capacity measures:
- 4(1) and (2): secondary standard weights, conformity and error per Part I of the Second Schedule.
- 4(3) and (4): secondary standard metre bars, per Part II.
- 4(5) and (6): secondary standard capacity measures, conformity as to denomination, material and design per Part III, and error "on verification or re-verification after adjustment" per Part III.
Rule 5: working standards
Rule 5 follows the same scheme, with the Third Schedule: weights (Part I), metre bars (Part II) and capacity measures (Part III), each with a conformity sub-rule and an error sub-rule (5(1) to (6)). The working standards are the ones used most in day-to-day verification, so they are the ones most often met by dealers, repairers and test centres. The text does not say who may hold them; that is governed by the Act and State practice.
What is in the Schedules
The scan of the First to Third Schedules is garbled in places (columns and numerals are damaged), so do not rely on copied tables. What is legible shows the kind of content:
| Item | Legible points |
|---|---|
| Reference standard weights | Denominations in kilogram, gram and milligram series; materials such as bronze, nickel-chromium alloy and austenitic stainless steel, with aluminium for the smallest milligram weights; non-magnetic; boxes with inscriptions including the words "Reference Standards Weights" and a verification mark |
| Reference standard metre bar | Made of nickel-steel; graduated scale; an inscription including the words "REFERENCE STANDARD METRE BAR" and a verification mark |
| Secondary standards | Parallel specifications with wider error limits than the reference tier, including capacity measures in Part III |
| Working standard capacity measures | Litre and millilitre series; pressed from copper sheet; engraved denominations; boxes marked "WORKING STANDARD CAPACITY MEASURES" |
We do not reproduce the error tables: the OCR is damaged at several points, and the reader should use the gazette for any figure. The next article, on the First, Second and Third Schedules, goes through what can be read.
Rule 6: power to specify other standards
Rule 6 has two sub-rules:
- 6(1): any other reference, secondary or working standard "shall conform as regards the denomination, material used in construction, and design, to such specifications as the Central Government may, from time to time, by notification, specify".
- 6(2): the maximum permissible error for such other standards "shall be such as the Central Government may, from time to time, by notification, specify", and different errors may be specified for different types.
So the list in rules 3 to 5 is not exhaustive. New types of standards can be added by notification without amending the Rules. The text does not say any such notification has been issued; check the gazette for notifications under rule 6.
How the tiers relate
The tiers are a chain. The Rules show the links in the balance rules: reference standard balances verify secondary standards (rule 7), secondary balances verify working standards (rule 8), and working balances verify weights intended for use in transactions or for protection (rule 9). See rules 7 to 10. The Rules themselves do not draw the chain for metre bars and capacity measures; the Schedules give specifications, not the chain of verification.
Practical examples
Example 1. A laboratory wants to use a new type of weight as a working standard. It is not in the Third Schedule. Rule 6(1) says it must conform to specifications the Central Government specifies by notification; if none exists, the laboratory cannot assume it is acceptable.
Example 2. A state verification office checks a secondary standard capacity measure. Rule 4(5) and (6) send it to Part III of the Second Schedule for design and error.
Example 3. A student asks whether a reference standard capacity measure exists. Rule 3 lists weights and metre bars only; the Schedules follow rule 3.
Need help reading the standards rules?
Standards, their schedules and the power to specify more all sit across the Act, the Rules and notifications. Our legal consultation service can help you trace which specification applies to a given weight, bar or measure.
Key takeaways
- Rule 3 is reference standards (First Schedule), rule 4 secondary (Second Schedule), rule 5 working (Third Schedule).
- Each tier has weights and a metre bar; secondary and working tiers also have capacity measures.
- Conformity covers denomination, material and design; error is judged on verification or re-verification.
- Rule 6 lets the Central Government specify other standards and their errors by notification.
- Section 9 of the Act makes an unverified, unstamped standard invalid.
- The Schedules' scan is damaged, so read figures from the gazette.
Read next
- Rules 1 and 2 of the General Rules: Short title and definitions
- First, Second and Third Schedules: standard specifications
- Rules 7 to 10 of the General Rules: Standard balances and equipment
- Sections 9 and 10 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Standards, verification and prescribed units
Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 (the source is a two-column scan with garbling; figures must be checked against the gazette) and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (Act 1 of 2010) as enacted, read with 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. Section 9 is not amended by either Jan Vishwas Act. State Legal Metrology rules, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.