Chapter V - Offences and Penalties
Section 29
Section 29: Penalty for quoting or publishing non-standard units
The offence is a violation of section 11, which governs quotations, announcements, invoices and related expressions of quantity in standard units. Section 11(2) has an export exception that must be considered before applying the rule.
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Need advice on Section 29?
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
Whoever violates section 11 shall be warned with an improvement notice and for the second offence shall be liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees and for the subsequent offences the fine shall be not less than one lakh rupees but may extend to two lakh rupees.
Introduction
A unit mentioned in ordinary discussion is not automatically a section 11 violation; analyse the listed statutory acts and context. 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 offence is a violation of section 11, which governs quotations, announcements, invoices and related expressions of quantity in standard units. Section 11(2) has an export exception that must be considered before applying the rule.
Operational check
Review quotations, advertising, price lists, invoices and digital displays for the units used.
Important limit
A unit mentioned in ordinary discussion is not automatically a section 11 violation; analyse the listed statutory acts and context. 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 offence is a violation of section 11, which governs quotations, announcements, invoices and related expressions of quantity in standard units. Section 11(2) has an export exception that must be considered before applying the rule.
Practical steps and records
Review each form of section 11 communication, including spoken quotations and ads, in its domestic or export context.
- Review quotations, advertising, price lists, invoices and digital displays for the units used.
- Check section 11 and its export exception against the precise document and transaction.
- Update templates and keep examples of corrected communications if an improvement notice is issued.
Offence tiers and response
Enacted sequence: first offence—improvement notice; second—penalty up to fifty thousand rupees; subsequent—fine from one lakh to two 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 domestic seller issues a price list in an impermissible unit. It checks section 11, corrects the list and records where the old version was circulated.
How to read it with related law
A unit mentioned in ordinary discussion is not automatically a section 11 violation; analyse the listed statutory acts and context. 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
- Review quotations, advertising, price lists, invoices and digital displays for the units used.
- Check section 11 and its export exception against the precise document and transaction.
- Update templates and keep examples of corrected communications if an improvement notice is issued.
Avoid
- Do not assume a correct final invoice cures an earlier non-standard advertisement.
- Do not apply the section 11 offence to an export without considering section 11(2).
Illustrative example
Hypothetical application of section 29
A domestic seller issues a price list in an impermissible unit. It checks section 11, corrects the list and records where the old version was circulated.
Identify the duty
The offence is a violation of section 11, which governs quotations, announcements, invoices and related expressions of quantity in standard units. Section 11(2) has an export exception that must be considered before applying the rule.
Check the evidence
Check section 11 and its export exception against the precise document and transaction.
Resolve the issue
Update templates and keep examples of corrected communications if an improvement notice is issued.
Outcome
- A unit mentioned in ordinary discussion is not automatically a section 11 violation; analyse the listed statutory acts and context. 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
- Standard unit
- A unit of weight, measure or numeration recognised under the Act.
- Prescribed
- Specified in rules made under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Does section 11 apply the same way to exports?
Section 11(2) states that subsection (1) does not apply to export of goods, things or service.
Does section 29 reach a non-standard oral price quotation?
It penalises a violation of section 11, which expressly includes a price or charge quoted or announced by word of mouth.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026