Parliament on Tuesday passed the Standards of Weights and Measures Bill 2018, with the aim of bringing the weighing and measuring of products in line with international standards.
Under the bill, anyone found to be involved in changing the standards of weights and measures will have to suffer a maximum two years imprisonment, or pay a Tk50,000 fine, reports UNB.
Furthermore, anyone using non-standard weights will be awarded a maximum six months in jail, or a maximum Tk20,000 fine. The same offence in matters of export will result in a maximum one year imprisonment, or a Tk50,000 fine.
In addition, there is a provision in the draft law for one year in jail or a fine of Tk1 lakh for non-standard weights and measurements.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote.
Under the existing law, the punishment for using non-standard weights is six months in jail, or a Tk 3,000 fine.
The original Standard of Weights and Measures Ordinance 1982 has been translated into Bangla and modified by incorporating standards from international organisations such as Asia Pacific Meteorology Program (APMP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and International Electro-technical Commission (IEC).
Standards from the Codex Alimentarius Commission, South Asia Regional Standards Organisation (SARSO), International Bureau of Weights and Measures, and the International Organisation of Legal Meteorology were also incorporated in the draft law.d
