A significant change in the National Capital Territory of Delhi's regulation of adherence to weights, measures, and pre-packaged commodity standards is represented by the Delhi Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Amendment Rules, 2026. These regulations, published in the Delhi Gazette (Extraordinary) on January 27, 2026, modify the Delhi Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011 by replacing Schedule XI, which regulates compounding costs for certain crimes under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. To improve consumer protection and stop unfair trading practices across markets in Delhi, the amendment provides severe penalties, a tiered offender-based structure, and a more precise enforcement mechanism. 

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Legislative Background and Statutory Authority

The amendment has been notified by the Weights and Measures Department (Department of Legal Metrology), Government of NCT of Delhi, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 53 read with clause (q) of Section 2 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 
Before final notification, a draft of the amendment rules (2025) was published in the Delhi Gazette on 15 October 2025, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 30 days. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, in cooperation with the Central Government, publicly announced the final revision as the Delhi Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2026, after carefully considering the arguments received.
The recommendations were instantly applicable throughout the NCT on the day they were published in the Delhi Gazette.

Objective of the 2026 Amendment

The central purpose of the amendment is to revise compounding fees for offences that are covered under the Legal Metrology Act. Schedule XI of the 2011 Rules had remained unchanged for over a decade, during which time the scale of trade, inflation, and consumer transactions increased substantially.

The 2026 amendment seeks to:

• Introduce effective deterrence against non-compliance
• Ensure proportional penalties based on the nature and scale of the business
• Bring uniformity and clarity in enforcement
• Strengthen consumer confidence in trade and pricing mechanisms

This objective is achieved by restructuring penalties by offender category, including hawkers, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, petroleum industries, and government entities.

Substitution of Schedule XI: A Structural Reform

The most noteworthy modification introduced by the amendment is the total replacement of Schedule XI of the Delhi Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules, 2011. Compounding fees for 17 categories of infractions are outlined in the revised Schedule XI, which clearly maps each offence to the appropriate criminal section and cost. This eliminates ambiguity and gives enforcement officers and businesses a clear compliance framework.

Revised Penalties for Use of Non-Standard Weights and Measures

One of the most common violations under the legal metrology law is the use of non-standard weights, measures, or numeration (Section 8(3) of the Act).

Under the amended Schedule XI, penalties are now tiered as follows:

• Hawkers / Non-permanent establishments – ₹500
• Retailers – ₹5,000
• Wholesale dealers – ₹10,000
• Manufacturers / Packers / Importers – ₹25,000
• Petroleum industry (retail outlets, tank lorries, storage depots) – ₹50,000
• Others (Government organisations, PSUs, banks, cooperatives) – ₹25,000 

The above categorisation reflects the principle that entities with a larger consumer impact must face higher consequences for violations.

Strict Action Against Manufacture of Non-Standard Weights and Measures

The amendment takes a stringent stance against the manufacture and sale of non-standard weights and measures under Section 8(4).

The revised compounding fees are:

1. Dealer / Seller – ₹50,000
2. Manufacturer – ₹1,00,000 

They had the authority to impose a penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh on manufacturers. The rules target violations at the source, ensuring systematic correction rather than only retail-level enforcement.

Transactions Not Based on Prescribed Standards

Transactions, contracts, or dealings based on weights, measures, or numbers other than specified standards are forbidden according to Section 10 of the Legal Metrology Act.
With compounding fees ranging from ₹500 for hawkers to ₹50,000 for petroleum industry firms, the amendment applies the same graded penalty mechanism used for non-standard weights. Regardless of size, they ensure that all commercial transactions comply with legally accepted measurement standards.

Price Declaration and Use of Standard Units

Section 11 of the act clearly states that businesses are required to declare prices strictly in standard units of weight, measure, or numeration; any deviation, such as quoting prices in non-standard units, is penalised under Section 29.

The revised penalties again follow a tiered structure:

• ₹500 for hawkers
• ₹5,000 for retailers
• ₹10,000 for wholesalers
• ₹25,000 for manufacturers/importers
• ₹50,000 for petroleum industry entities 

The above provision plays an important role in preventing misleading pricing practices that can confuse or exploit consumers.

Pre-Packaged Commodities: Declarations and Net Quantity Compliance

The amendment significantly strengthens the enforcement of Section 18 for pre-packaged commodities.

1. Non-Compliance with Mandatory Declarations (Section 18(1))

• Retailers / Wholesale dealers – ₹5,000
• Manufacturers / Importers – ₹25,000 

2. Errors in Net Quantity (Section 18(2))

• Retailers / Wholesale dealers – ₹10,000
• Manufacturers / Importers – ₹50,000 

These provisions directly address consumer grievances regarding underweight or misleadingly packaged goods.

Licensing Violations: Manufacturing, Repair, and Sale

The amendment reinforces licensing compliance under Sections 23, 45, and 46:

• Manufacture of weights and measures without a licence – ₹20,000
• Repair or sale without licence – ₹5,000 

They ensure that only authorised, technically competent entities operate within the legal metrology ecosystem.

Use and Sale of Unverified Weights and Measures

To maintain accuracy in daily transactions, the amendment prescribes:

• Use of unverified weights/measures – ₹10,000
• Sale of unverified weights/measures – ₹10,000 

Verification remains a cornerstone of consumer trust, and these penalties highlight its importance.

False Information, Licence Tampering, and Residual Violations

Schedule XI also covers broader compliance failures:

• False information or false returns – ₹5,000
• Tampering with licence – ₹20,000
• Violation of any rule under the Act (Section 53(3)) – ₹5,000 

These provisions ensure that administrative and procedural integrity is maintained across the system.

Conclusion

To wrap up, the Delhi Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Amendment Rules, 2026, are a thorough revision of the Delhi legal metrology regime's punishment structure. The government has greatly improved enforcement capacity by replacing Schedule XI with a contemporary, tiered, and proportionate compounding fee structure. Compliance is no longer cheap or optional. The amendment offers several factors, including increased consumer protection, fairness, and transparency in routine transactions. These regulations set the stage for a more responsible, customer-focused trading environment as Delhi's markets continue to grow in size and complexity.