Archive · 2 Dec 2025
Working Group Proposes Allowing Customary Weights, Measures
A group of experts in India has suggested that the government should allow the use of traditional units like feet, yards, and dozen for measuring things, along with the usual metric system.
Right now, the law only allows the metric system, like meters and kilograms.
The group thinks this change will make it easier for people to understand measurements.
They want to list which traditional units can be used and let businesses use these units along with the standard ones.
The government is going to discuss these ideas soon.
A working group under the HLC-NFRR has proposed allowing the use of customary units like feet, yards, and dozen for weights and measures.
The current law, the Legal Metrology Act-2009, only recognizes the international metric system.
The group argues that the present law restricts manufacturers from using units familiar to consumers.
The proposed changes include publishing a list of customary units and recognizing the right of manufacturers to use non-standard units as supplementary statements.
The HLC-NFRR will discuss these proposals during its meeting on December 2.
- Who
- Working Group-6 under the HLC-NFRR headed by Rajiv Gauba
- What
- Proposed amendments to the Legal Metrology Act-2009 to allow the use of customary and supplemental units for weights and measures
- When
- Meeting to discuss proposals on December 2
- Where
- India
- Why
- To allow the use of units familiar to consumers and to restrict the ability of manufacturers to use units which are familiar to the consumer
- Working Group
- Working Group-6 under the HLC-NFRR
- Headed by
- Rajiv Gauba
- Proposed Changes
- Allow use of customary and supplemental units like feet, yards, and dozen
- Current Law
- Legal Metrology Act-2009
- Meeting Date
- December 2
- Sections to Amend
- Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 of the Legal Metrology Act-2009
- Recommendations
- Publish a list of customary units and recognise the right of manufacturers to use non-standard units as supplementary statements