Sections 7 and 8 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.
Section 7 turns the base units of section 5 into the standard units and leaves the physical specifications of weights and measures to the rules. Section 8 then says what a standard weight, measure or numeral is and bars manufacture or import of anything that is not standard, with a carve-out for export and scientific research.
The base units of weights and measures and the base unit of numeration are the standard units (section 7(1) and (2)). Physical characteristics, tolerances, re-verification periods and test methods are prescribed by rules (section 7(4)). A weight or measure that conforms to the standard unit and to the applicable prescribed specifications is a standard weight or measure (section 8(1)). No weight or measure may be manufactured or imported unless it conforms, except when made exclusively for export or for scientific investigation or research (section 8(4) and proviso).
Section 7: standard units and what the rules must prescribe
| Sub-section | What it says |
|---|---|
| 7(1) | The base units specified in section 5 are the standard units of weights and measures |
| 7(2) | The base unit of numeration in section 6 is the standard unit of numeration |
| 7(3) | For deriving the value of base, derived and other units, the Central Government shall prepare or cause to be prepared objects or equipments in the prescribed manner |
| 7(4) | Physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, equipments, performance, tolerances, period of re-verification, and methods or procedures of tests shall be as prescribed |
Sub-section (3) is about the national reference objects and equipment from which values are derived. Section 52(2)(b) lets the Central Government make rules on the manner of preparing them. Sub-section (4) is the source of the long technical schedules in the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. Those Rules lay down specifications for standards (rules 3 to 6), standard balances (rules 7 to 10), weights (rule 11), measures (rule 12) and weighing and measuring instruments (rule 13). See our article on rules 3 to 6 of the General Rules.
"Period of re-verification" in section 7(4) is also why rule 27 of the General Rules sets re-verification intervals. Re-verification itself is covered in our existing guide to re-verification periodicity.
If you make, import or hold instruments and want a clear list of which specifications and intervals apply to them, a legal consultation can map them for you.
Section 8: standard weight, measure or numeral
Sub-section (1): standard weight or measure
A weight or measure is a standard weight or measure if it meets two tests:
- it conforms to the standard unit of that weight or measure; and
- it conforms to such of the provisions of section 7 as are applicable to it, which in practice means the prescribed specifications and tolerances.
A scale that reads in kilograms but falls outside the prescribed tolerance fails the second test.
Sub-section (2): standard numeral
Any numeral that conforms to section 6 (international form of Indian numerals, decimal system) is the standard numeral.
Sub-section (3): no other standard
"No weight, measure or numeral, other than the standard weight, measure or numeral, shall be used as a standard weight, measure or numeral." The point is to stop a non-standard object being treated as the benchmark for comparing or verifying others.
Sub-section (4) and proviso: manufacture and import
"No weight or measure, shall be manufactured or imported unless it conforms to the standards of weight or measure specified under section 8." The Act's own text says "under section 8" here; read it as the standards described in this section.
The proviso says sub-section (4) "shall not apply for manufacture done exclusively for export or for the purpose of any scientific investigation or research."
The General Rules supply the machinery for these exceptions:
- Export: rule 16 requires previous permission from the Central Government before anyone makes a non-standard weight or measure, and rule 17 bars selling such an item within India. See our article on rules 16, 17 and 18.
- Research: rule 21 provides for permission to have a non-standard weight or measure made exclusively for scientific investigation or research.
Section 55 separately says the Act, so far as it relates to verification and stamping, does not apply to weights and measures made exclusively for export, used for scientific investigation or research, or used in an arms and ammunition factory for the Armed Forces (covered in our article on sections 54 and 55).
Offences linked to these sections
Sections 7 and 8 do not carry a penalty themselves. The consequences appear elsewhere:
- Manufacture or sale of a weight or measure that does not conform to the prescribed standards is covered by section 27.
- Using or keeping for use a weight or measure outside the standards is covered by section 25.
- Importing a non-standard weight or measure is covered by section 39.
Sections 25 and 27 to 39 are amended in part by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force) and further by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, which is in force only from the date the Central Government notifies. The amounts and structure are dealt with in the article for each penalty section; for example, see section 27 and sections 38 and 39.
Examples
Example 1: a manufacturer. A workshop makes counter scales that read in kilograms but do not match the specifications prescribed for that class of instrument. The scales are not standard weights or measures under section 8(1), and section 8(4) bars their manufacture or import unless an exception applies.
Example 2: export-only production. A maker produces weights for a buyer abroad who specifies a non-metric graduation. Section 8(4) does not apply to manufacture done exclusively for export, but rule 16 of the General Rules requires the previous permission of the Central Government, and the goods cannot be sold in India (rule 17).
Example 3: a university laboratory. A department needs a non-standard measure for an experiment. The proviso to section 8(4) exempts manufacture for scientific investigation or research, and rule 21 explains how permission is sought.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the export exception removes every obligation. Rules 16 to 20 of the General Rules attach permission, record and sale conditions.
- Forgetting that import is caught along with manufacture. A trader cannot import a non-conforming instrument merely because it is sold legally abroad (model approval under section 22 is a separate requirement).
- Treating "standard weight" as just "a weight in kilograms". It must also meet the prescribed specifications.
Need help with standard weights, measures or imports?
If you manufacture, import or supply weights, measures or instruments and want to know whether they meet the standard, we can review the position with you. A legal consultation is a sensible first step before you place an order or file a model-approval application.
Key takeaways
- The base units of section 5 and the base unit of numeration in section 6 are the standard units.
- Specifications, tolerances, re-verification periods and test methods are left to the rules under section 7(4).
- A standard weight or measure conforms to the standard unit and to the applicable prescribed specifications (section 8(1)).
- Manufacture and import of non-conforming weights and measures are barred, except for goods made exclusively for export or for scientific investigation or research.
- Penalties sit in sections 25, 27 and 39; sections 7 and 8 themselves are not amended by the Jan Vishwas Acts.
Read next
- Standard Units of Weights and Measures in India -- Chapter II
- Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Metric system, base units and numeration
- Sections 9 and 10 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Standards, verification and prescribed units
- Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Approval of model
Disclaimer: Based on 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), and the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, as on 30 September 2026. State Legal Metrology rules, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.