Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Pakistan Weights and Measures (International System) Rules, 1974.

PAKISTAN
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
      (INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM)
           RULES, 1974

S.R.O. 633 (1) 174, dated the 25th May, 1974:In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 41 of the Weights and Measures (international System) Act, 1967 (V of 1967), the Federal Government is pleased to make the following rules, namek :‑‑


1. Short title: These rules may be called the Pakistan Weights and Measures (International System) Rules, 1974.

2. Definition: In these rules, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or ‑context,‑‑

(1) "Act" means the Weights and Measures (international System) Act, 1967 ;

(2) "Schedule" means a schedule appended to these rules;

(3) "National Physical laboratory" means the laboratory established by the Government of Pakistan.

3. National Prototypes : (1) The national prototypes of kilogram and meter shall be kept in safe and proper custody of the Controller and shall be kept and maintained at such place and in such manner that their accuracy is not tempered with.

(2) The national prototypes of kilogram and meter shall be got verified by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in terms of the International Prototypes of kilogram and meter as required under International recommendations.

4. Reference Standards : (1) The Controller shall maintain in duplicate, sets of reference standards of weights and reference standards of measures in the National Physical Laboratory.

(2) The originals of such sets shall be used for reference and for verifications of the accuracy of the duplicate sets and the duplicate sets shall be used for verification of the secondary standards.

(3) The reference standards shall conform, as regards denomination, material used in construction and designs, to the specifications laid down by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

5. Secondary standards : (1) The secondary standards shall conform, as regards denomination, material used in construction and design, to the specifications laid down in Schedule I.

(2) One set of secondary standards shall be kept at such places, In such custody and In such manner as the Controller may direct.

(3) The secondary standards shall, after every five years, be verified with the reference standards, adjusted, If necessary, stamped and marked with the date of such verification by the Controller.

(4) The limits of error which may be tolerated In the secondary standards on verification or re‑verification shall be as specified in Schedule I,

(5) The secondary standards shall be authenticated by the Controller before they are put to actual use.

6. Working Standards : (1) The working standards shall conform, as regards denomination material used in construction and designs, to the specifications laid down in Schedule II.
           
(2) The working standards shall be kept and maintained in the custody of the Inspector of the area concerned at such place and in such manner as the Controller many direct; and the Inspector shall maintain such standards in good and clean working condition so that their accuracy cannot be tampered with.

(3) The working standards shall, at least once a year, be verified with the secondary standards, adjusted, if necessary, stamped and marked with the date of such verification by the Controller or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf:

Provided that in the case of bullion and precious stones, the working standards shall be verified with the reference standards.

(4) The limits of error which may be tolerated in the verification or re‑verification after adjustment shall be as specified in Schedule II.

(5) The working standards shall be authenticated by the Controller before these are put to actual use.

7. Precision balances : (1) The Controller shall maintain a set of precision balances at the place where the reference standards are kept.

(2) The number, types, and specifications of such balances shall be as laid down in Schedule III.

(3) The Controller shall verify such balances at least once in a year, adjust them, If necessary, ensuring their correctness within the permissible limits of sensitiveness, certify and stamp them, if practicable, with the date of verification:

Provided that not more than one year shall Intervene between the verification in one year and the verification in the year next succeeding.

8. Secondary standard balances : (1) A set of secondary standard balances shall be kept and maintained at every place where the secondary standards are kept.

(2) The number, types and specifications of such balances shall be as laid down In Schedule III.

(3) The Controller shall, at least once In a year verify such balances, adjust them, If necessary, ensuring their correctness within the limits of sensitiveness and stamp them with the date of verification.

9. Working standard balances : (1) A set of working standard balances shall be kept with the Inspector for the purpose of verifying the commercial weights.

(2) The number, types and specifications of such balances shall be as laid down In Schedule IV.

(3) The Deputy Controller shall, at least once in a year, verify such balances, adjust them, if necessary, ensuring their correctness within the limits of sensitiveness and stamp them with the date of verification.

10. Commercial Weights and Measures: All commercial weights, measures of length and measures of capacity shall conform, as regards denomination, material used in preparation, construction and designs, to the specifications laid down in Schedule V.

11. Weighing and measuring instruments: (1) All weighing Instruments and measuring instruments used or intended to be used in transactions of trade and commerce shall conform, as regards capacities, material and designs to the specifications laid down in Schedule VI.

(2) The limits of error which may be tolerated in such weighing and measuring instruments at the time of verification and inspection shall be as specified in Schedule VI.

(3) A beam scale used in transactions in trade and commerce shall be suspended to a stand or to a chain by a hook:

Provided that this sub‑rule shall not apply to hawkers and persons, other than shopkeepers, selling goods in weekly bazars.

12. Commercial weights, etc., to be verified periodically : (1) All weights, measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments used or intended to be used in transaction of trade and commerce in bullion and precious stones or by the Railway administration or by a factory, within the meaning of the Factories Act, 1934 (XXV of 1934), shall be verified and stamped in accordance with the provisions of these rules at least once in a year.

(2) All weights, measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments used or intended to be used in transactions of trade and commerce, other than those specified in sub­rule (1), shall be verified and stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Act and these rules at least once in every period of two years.

13. Inspection and verification of weights, etc.: (1) An Inspector shall visit every factory and place under his jurisdiction, where weights and measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments are used or kept for use in transactions of trade and commerce, for verifying the same at least once in a year, and may also from time to time make surprise visits which may be necessary for the proper discharge of his duties.

(2) II weights, measures weighting instruments and measuring instruments shall be verified and tested in clean condition, and the Inspector may require the owner or user of such instruments to clean them before such verification and test.

(3) Where a weight, measure weighing instrument or measuring instrument is brought to an Inspector for re‑verification, the Inspector shall proceed with the re‑verification in the same manner as in the case of verification, but it shall not be necessary for him to verify a glass or earthenware measure unless the original stamp has been defaced.

(4) The denomination or capacity of weights and measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments, if not marked in full, shall be indicated by using the abbreviations as specified in Schedule VII.

14. Stamping of commercial weights, etc. : (1) Before stamping any weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument used or intended to be used in transactions or trade and commerce, the Inspector shall satisfy himself that such weight or measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument complies with the provisions of the Act and these rules.

(2) Every weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument presented for verification shall be complete and shall not bear any mark which may be mistaken for the Inspector's stamp.

(3) The Inspector shall stamp every weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument with a uniform stamp supplied by the Controller, indicating clearly the area or district in which it has been stamped or the Inspector by whom it has been stamped or both Provided that no weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument shall be stamped which, in the opinion of the Inspector, is not sufficiently strong to withstand the wear and tear of its ordinary normal use in the trade:

Provided further that no weighing instrument or measuring instrument, other than beam scales of class "A" as specified in Schedule VI, manufactured after‑the coming into force of these rules, shall be so stamped unless a plug or stud of soft metal on which to place Inspector's stamp is so made by the manufacturer that it cannot be removed by under cutting or in any other manner.

(4) The Inspector shall mark the date of stamping on all weights, measures (other than glass, earthenware or enamelled metal measures), weighing instruments or measuring instruments verified and stamped by him except where the size of such weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument make it impracticable to do so.

(5) Where a weighing instrument has interchangeable or reversible parts, it shall not be stamped, unless the inter‑change or reversal does not affect the accuracy of the instrument.

(6) No weighing instrument with removable parts, the removal of which affects the accuracy of the instrument, shall be stamped, unless the parts are such that the instrument cannot be used without them.

(7) On completion of verification and stamping, the Inspector shall issue a certificate of verification in the form specified in Schedule VIII.

15. Requirement for verification : No weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument for which no special provision is made in these rules shall be verified and stamped unless it is of a pattern approved by the Controller.

16. Margin of errors : (1) Permissible margin of error on re‑verification of weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments shall be the same as provided for verification.

(2) For capacities not stipulated in these rules, the permissible margin of error shall be proportional.

17. Procedure for inspections, etc. : In the discharge of his duties of inspection, verification and stamping of weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments, the Inspector shall observe the procedure laid down in Schedule IX.

18. Monthly report of Inspector : The Inspector shall submit a monthly report to the Controller showing the work done by him in such form as the Controller may specify.

19. Fee for verification and stamping : (1) The fee payable for verification or re-verification and stamping of weights, measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments at the office of the Inspector shall be as specified in Schedule X.

(2) If verification or stamping is done by the Inspector at the premises of any person, owner or user thereof, an additional fee at half the rate specified in Schedule X shall be charged from such person, owner or user, as the case may be; and he shall also pay the actual travelling expenses incurred by the Inspector for Visiting the premises and also the cost of transport of .the working standards, balances and other equipments.

Provided that no additional fee shall be charged for verification, re‑verification and stamping on site of‑‑

(i) petrol or measuring instruments, weigh‑bridges, dormant platform machines and such other instruments as may be specified by the Controller; and

(ii) weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments in the premises of a manufacturer or stockist of such weights and measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments.

(3) A weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument which, on verification, is found to be incorrect shall be returned to the person concerned for adjustment and when the necessary adjustment has been carried out, such weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument shall be re‑verified on payment of 50% of the fee prescribed for verification and shall, if found correct, be stamped.

20. No fee payable for re‑stamping within a specified period : Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 21, no fee shall be payable for re‑stamping of weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments within the period specified in rule 12 from the date on which it was last stamped.

21. Collection of fee and deposit into the treasury : (1) Before commencing the work of verification or re‑verification, the Inspector shall receive the prescribed fee from or on behalf of the person concerned and issue a receipt in the form to be laid down by the Controller, and twocopies of such receipt shall be kept on record.

(2) The Inspector shall maintain a register in the form to be laid down by the Controller and shall fill it daily showing the amount of fee and carriage charges collected during the day.

(3) The fee including the additional fee and other charges, if any, collected by the Inspector shall be paid into the Government treasury on every Monday and the Treasury receipt shall be pasted in the accounts register to be maintained by the Inspector and intimation to this effect shall be sent by him to the Deputy Controller of his area.

22. Seizure, detention and disposal of unauthorised weights, measures and instruments : (1) An Inspector shall seize and detain any weight, measure, weighing instrument, measuring instrument, beam scales, spring balance, counter machine and steelyard used or intended to be used in transactions of trade and commerce if he is satisfied that‑‑

(i) they are not of the same denominations as are specified in Schedules V and VI and do not fulfil any of the requirements of the Act or these rules;

(ii) they are false or defective;

(iii) fraud is committed in using them;

(iv) they are unstamped; and

(v) the stamp on them is forged or transferred.

(2) Anything seized and detained under these rules, which Is not the subject‑matter of any proceedings in a Court, shall, after the expiry of sixty days, be dealt with in accordance with the general or special orders of the Controller or, where an appeal or revision has been filed against such seizure and detention, after the decision of the appeal or revision, if any, in accordance with the decision in appeal or revision.

(3) Anything which is liable to seizure and detention under these rules and is or is likely to be required in connection with the proceedings in a Court shall be seized and detained by the Inspector for being produced before the Court and on, the conclusion of the proceedings, be dealt with in accordance with the Instructions issued by the Controller in this behalf.

23. Qualifications of Inspector : (1) No person shall be appointed as Inspector, unless—

(i) he is a graduate in Science or diploma‑holder in Mechanical or Instrumentation Engineering (with 3 years course) from a recognized Polytechnic Institute or a
University; and

(ii) after selection as Inspector he has successfully completed the prescribed training in the training Institute for Inspectors of Weights and Measures.

(2) Nothing in sub‑rule (1) shall apply to persons who were working as Inspectors immediately before the coming into force of these rules.

24. Duties of Inspectors : The duties of an Inspector shall be as follows:‑‑

(i) Verification, re‑verification and stamping of weights, measures, weighing
instruments and measuring instruments;

(ii) Inspections as provided in these rules;

(iii) collection of fees and other charges and the deposit of such amount into Government treasury;

(iv) preparation and submission of such reports and returns as are required by these rules or as may be directed by the Controller;

(v) keeping and maintaining such books, records and forms as may be supplied by the Controller;

(vi) safe and proper custody of the working standards and other instruments, equipments and articles entrusted to him or seized and detained by him in connection with the discharge of his duties;

(vii) popularizing the enforcement of the standards of weights and measures;

(viii) surveying of traders, industrial establishments, manufacturers, repairers and other dealers coming within the purview of the Act and these rules;

(ix) conducting of prosecution under the Act; and

(x) any other duty that may be assigned to him by the Controller.

25. Articles to be provided to Inspectors : (1) Every Inspector shall be provided with working standards, scale beams and balances for verifying weights, measures, weighing instruments, measuring instruments adequate instrumental equipment, and travelling kit and such other material and forms as the Controller may consider necessary for inspection.

(2) Every Inspector shall be provided with such dies, punches, stencil plates, branding irons, etching and engraving and other implements as may be necessary for affixing the local verification stamp, the design and number of which shall be specified by the Controller.

26. Licensing of manufacturers, repairers and dealers of weights and measures, etc. : (1) Every manufacturer or repairer of, or dealer in, weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments shall obtain a licence from the Controller in the appropriate form specified in Schedule XI.

(2) The fee payable for such licences and for their renewal shall be as specified in Schedule XII.

(3) The Controller may, by order in writing, refuse to grant or renew a licence, or suspend or Cancel the licence of a manufacturer or, repairer of or dealer in, weights, measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments if he is satisfied that such manufacturer, repairer or dealer has no proper and adequate workshop facilities or staff, or is otherwise incompetent or has failed to comply with any provision of the Act or these rules:

Provided that no such order shall be made without giving the aggrieved person a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

(4) Any person aggrieved by an order made under sub‑rule (3) may, within sixty days of such order, prefer an appeal to the Federal Government.

(5) An appeal under sub‑rule (4) shall be preferred in the form of a memorandum setting forth the grounds of appeal.

(6) The Controller shall maintain a register of licenced manufacturers and repairers of, and, dealers in, weights, measures, weighing instruments and measuring instruments in the form set out in Schedule XIII.

27. Revision : Any person aggrieved by a decision on appeal under the Act or these rules may, within thirty days of such decision, apply for revision,‑‑

(a) if it is a decision of the Deputy Controller, to the Controller; and

(b) if it is a decision of the Controller, to the Federal Government.

28. Records to be maintained by manufacturers, etc. : Every manufacturer or repairer of, or dealer in, weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments shall maintain such records in such forms, and submit such returns, as the Controller may direct.

29. Certificate of verification to be exhibited :Every person to whom a certificate of verification is issued shall exhibit the same at a conspicuous place in the premises where the weights, measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments to which the certificate relates are used, and, in the case of a hawker, such certificate Shall be kept on his person.

30. Pre‑packed articles to bear net weight on its wrapper : No person shall sell, or have in his possession for sale, any pre‑packed article unless the wrapper or container bears thereon a true statement in plain characters of the net weight of the article contained therein.

31. The value expressed in terms of any weight or measure, other than in terms of standards of measure, may be converted according to the Conversion Table given in Schedule XIV.

32. An Inspector shall issue a receipt in the prescribed form in respect of all articles seized and detained by him and shall maintain a record thereof in a prescribed register.

33. Penalty : Any person who contravenes any provision of these rules shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees.

Note : For Schedule 1 to XIV, See razetle of Pakistan p. 1974, Ext. pp. 797‑895.




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