Panel Suggests Legalizing Traditional Weights and Measures for Specific Goods
A working group has recommended amending laws to permit the use of customary weights and measures for certain goods, alongside the metric system.
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Quick Revision
Working group formed by Department of Consumer Affairs.
Proposed amendment to Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Aims to allow customary units of weights and measures for specific goods.
BIS to develop standards for these customary units.
Current law mandates metric system for commercial transactions.
Key Numbers
Visual Insights
Evolution of Legal Metrology in India & Current Proposal
This timeline illustrates India's journey from diverse traditional measurement systems to the modern metric system, highlighting key legislative milestones and the recent proposal to re-introduce customary units for specific international trade.
India's journey in legal metrology reflects a global trend towards standardization (metric system) for fair trade and consumer protection. The current proposal marks a significant policy discussion, balancing global standardization with specific trade facilitation needs and traditional practices.
- Pre-1956Diverse traditional weights & measures (e.g., seer, maund, tola) prevalent across regions, leading to inconsistencies in trade.
- 1956Parliament passes Standards of Weights and Measures Act, adopting the metric system (International System of Units - SI) for India.
- 1960sPhased implementation of the metric system across India, replacing traditional units.
- 1976Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 enacted, establishing national standards for weights and measures.
- 1985Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985 enacted, focusing on enforcement of these standards.
- 2009Legal Metrology Act, 2009 replaces previous acts, modernizing the legal framework for weights and measures, emphasizing consumer protection and SI units.
- 2013WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) adopted (Bali Package), promoting harmonization of standards and procedures for international trade.
- 2016Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016 enacted, strengthening BIS's role as the national standards body.
- 2024Working group (Dept. of Consumer Affairs) proposes amending Legal Metrology Act, 2009 to allow customary units for specific internationally traded goods, with BIS developing standards.
Proposed Amendment to Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Interconnections
This mind map illustrates the key stakeholders, proposed changes, rationale, and potential implications of amending the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, to allow customary units for specific goods.
Proposed Amendment: Legal Metrology Act, 2009
- ●Origin: Department of Consumer Affairs (Working Group)
- ●Core Change: Allow Customary Units
- ●Key Player: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- ●Rationale for Amendment
- ●Concerns & Challenges
- ●Potential Impact
Exam Angles
Legislative changes and their implications (Legal Metrology Act, 2009)
Role of government bodies (Department of Consumer Affairs, BIS)
Economic impact (trade facilitation, standardization, consumer protection)
Historical evolution of weights and measures in India
Constitutional provisions related to weights and measures
Balance between traditional practices and modern standardization
View Detailed Summary
Summary
A working group, formed by the Department of Consumer Affairs, has proposed amending the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, to allow the use of customary units of weights and measures for specific goods, particularly those traded internationally. This means that alongside the standard metric system (like kilograms and meters), traditional units could also be legally recognized for certain transactions.
The group also suggested that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) should develop standards for these customary units. This move aims to facilitate trade and acknowledge traditional practices, but it also raises questions about standardization and consumer protection.
Background
India has a long history of weights and measures, evolving from ancient indigenous systems to the adoption of the metric system. The metric system was officially adopted in India in 1956 with the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956, and its use became mandatory from 1962.
This was a significant step towards national standardization and international alignment. The current overarching legislation is the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, which regulates weights and measures in trade and commerce to ensure accuracy and consumer protection.
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. With reference to the recent proposal regarding weights and measures in India, consider the following statements: 1. The proposal suggests amending the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, to allow customary units for specific goods. 2. The primary aim of this amendment is to promote domestic trade within states using traditional units. 3. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is proposed to develop standards for these customary units. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct as the news explicitly mentions amending the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, to allow customary units for specific goods. Statement 2 is incorrect; the summary states the proposal is particularly for 'goods traded internationally', not primarily for domestic trade promotion. Statement 3 is correct as the group suggested BIS should develop standards for these customary units. Therefore, 1 and 3 are correct.
2. Consider the following statements regarding the history and regulation of weights and measures in India: 1. The metric system was officially adopted in India through the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956. 2. The subject of 'weights and measures' falls exclusively under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. 3. Prior to the adoption of the metric system, India had a uniform system of weights and measures across all princely states and British provinces. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct. The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956, formally adopted the metric system in India. Statement 2 is incorrect. While 'Establishment of standards of weights and measures' is in the Union List (Entry 50), 'Weights and measures except establishment of standards' is in the Concurrent List (Entry 33). This means both the Union and State governments have roles. Statement 3 is incorrect. Historically, India had diverse and non-uniform systems of weights and measures, which was a major challenge for trade and administration, leading to the eventual adoption of the metric system. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
3. In the context of standardization and consumer protection in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India responsible for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.
- B.The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, primarily aims to ensure accuracy in weights and measures used in trade and commerce, thereby protecting consumers.
- C.The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is an intergovernmental treaty organization that promotes the global harmonization of legal metrology procedures.
- D.The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, explicitly prohibits the use of any non-metric units for trade and commerce in India under all circumstances.
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement A is correct. BIS is indeed the national standards body with the stated responsibilities. Statement B is correct. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, is fundamental for ensuring fair trade practices and consumer protection through accurate measurements. Statement C is correct. OIML plays a crucial role in international harmonization of legal metrology. Statement D is NOT correct. While the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, mandates the use of metric units, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, does not explicitly prohibit non-metric units 'under all circumstances'. The current news itself discusses a proposal to *allow* customary units for specific goods, indicating that the prohibition is not absolute or immutable, and the Consumer Protection Act focuses more broadly on consumer rights against unfair trade practices, defective goods, etc., rather than dictating specific units of measurement.