Chapter V - Offences and Penalties
Section 27
Section 27: Penalty for manufacture or sale of non-standard weight or measure
The section covers manufacturing, causing manufacture, selling, offering, exposing or possessing for sale a nonconforming weight or measure, including a misleading non-standard inscription. The 2026 amendment establishes an improvement notice for the first offence.
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Need advice on Section 27?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
Every person who manufactures or causes to be manufactured or sells or offers, exposes or possesses for sale, any weight or measure which,— (a) does not conform to the standards of weight or measure specified by or under this Act; or (b) which bears thereon any inscription of weight, measure or number which does not conform to the standards of weight, measure or numeration specified by or under this Act, except where he is permitted to do so under this Act, shall be warned with an improvement notice and for the second offence shall be liable to penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees and for the subsequent offences the fine shall be not less than two lakh rupees but may extend to four lakh rupees.
Introduction
The exception for an inscription permitted under the Act must be checked before categorising a device as non-standard. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Key takeaways
Core rule
The section covers manufacturing, causing manufacture, selling, offering, exposing or possessing for sale a nonconforming weight or measure, including a misleading non-standard inscription. The 2026 amendment establishes an improvement notice for the first offence.
Operational check
Compare the finished device and its inscriptions with the applicable legal standards before release.
Important limit
The exception for an inscription permitted under the Act must be checked before categorising a device as non-standard. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
When this section applies
The section covers manufacturing, causing manufacture, selling, offering, exposing or possessing for sale a nonconforming weight or measure, including a misleading non-standard inscription. The 2026 amendment establishes an improvement notice for the first offence.
Practical steps and records
Assess the physical measure and its inscription separately, then trace manufacture, stock, offers and exposure for sale.
- Compare the finished device and its inscriptions with the applicable legal standards before release.
- Trace the model, component and batch records where a mismatch is found; quarantine affected stock and correct listings.
- Address any improvement notice within its specified period and keep the corrective evidence.
Offence tiers and response
Enacted sequence: first offence—improvement notice; second—penalty up to one lakh rupees; subsequent—fine from two lakh to four lakh rupees.
The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Hypothetical example
Hypothetical: A dealer stocks scales marked in an impermissible unit. The stock may engage the possession-for-sale limb even before a customer purchases one.
How to read it with related law
The exception for an inscription permitted under the Act must be checked before categorising a device as non-standard. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Primary sources
Read the original central Act with the enacted and commenced amendments listed here. Rules made under the Act and State enforcement rules supply details where the provision says 'prescribed'.
Practical checklist
Do
- Compare the finished device and its inscriptions with the applicable legal standards before release.
- Trace the model, component and batch records where a mismatch is found; quarantine affected stock and correct listings.
- Address any improvement notice within its specified period and keep the corrective evidence.
Avoid
- Do not wait for a completed sale when the instrument has already been offered or possessed for sale.
- Do not overlook the statutory exception for conduct permitted under the Act.
Illustrative example
Hypothetical application of section 27
A dealer stocks scales marked in an impermissible unit. The stock may engage the possession-for-sale limb even before a customer purchases one.
Identify the duty
The section covers manufacturing, causing manufacture, selling, offering, exposing or possessing for sale a nonconforming weight or measure, including a misleading non-standard inscription. The 2026 amendment establishes an improvement notice for the first offence.
Check the evidence
Trace the model, component and batch records where a mismatch is found; quarantine affected stock and correct listings.
Resolve the issue
Address any improvement notice within its specified period and keep the corrective evidence.
Outcome
- The exception for an inscription permitted under the Act must be checked before categorising a device as non-standard. The enacted figure in the bare law should be read with the revision clauses in the Jan Vishwas Acts and any applicable notification before calculating a current payable amount.
Glossary
- Non-standard inscription
- A weight, measure or number marking that does not conform to standards established by or under the Act.
- Prescribed
- Specified in rules made under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Must a sale be completed?
No. The provision also names offers, exposure and possession for sale.
Can a nonconforming inscription be enough even if the instrument otherwise measures accurately?
The section separately covers an inscription of weight, measure or number that does not conform to prescribed standards, subject to its exception.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026