(1) For the purpose of deriving the value of the kilogram, the Central Government shall cause to be prepared a national prototype of the kilogram and shall cause its accuracy to be certified by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in terms of the international prototype of the kilogram and shall deposit the same in such custody and at such place as that Government may think fit.
(2) For the purpose of deriving the value of the metre, the Central Government may cause to be prepared a national prototype of the metre and, where such prototype is caused to be made, shall also cause its accuracy to be certified by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and deposit the same in such custody and at such place as that Government may think fit.
Section 16 - National standards
(1) For the purpose of deriving the value of the base units, other than the base unit of mass, the Central Government shall cause to be prepared such objects or equipments, or both, as may be necessary for the purpose and shall cause the accuracy of such objects or equipments, or both, to be certified by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures at such periodical intervals as may be prescribed, and, shall, after such certification, deposit such objects or equipments, or both, in such custody and at such place as that Government may think fit.
(2) For the purpose of deriving the value of the supplementary and other units specified under section 12, the Central Government shall cause to be prepared such objects or equipments, or both, as may be necessary for the purpose and shall cause the accuracy of such objects or equipments, or both, to be certified at such periodical intervals and by such authority as may be prescribed, and, shall, after such certification, deposit such objects or equipments, or both, in such custody and at such place as that Government may think fit.
Section 17 - National prototype and national standard how to be kept
Every national prototype specified in section 15 and every object or equipment, or both, referred to in section 16, shall be kept in such manner and under such conditions as may be prescribed.
Section 18 - Reference, secondary and working standards
(1) Every
(a) reference standard,
(b) secondary standard, and
(c) working standard,
shall conform to the standards established by or under this Act and be verified and authenticated at such periodical intervals and in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) Every reference standard, every secondary standard and every working standard shall be kept in such manner and under such conditions as may be prescribed.
Section 19 - Power of Central Government to prescribe physical characteristics, etc., of weights and measures
(1) The Central Government shall, in relation to any weight or measure, prescribe the physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, equipment, performance, tolerances, methods or procedures of tests in accordance with the recommendations made by the International Organisation of Legal Metrology:
Provided that where no such recommendation has been made, the Central Government shall prescribe such physical characteristics, configuration, constructional details, materials, equipment, performance, tolerances, method or procedures of tests in relation to any weight or measure as it may think fit.
(2) Where it is not reasonably practicable to give effect to any recommendation made by the International Organisation of Legal Metrology, the Central Government may make such changes of a minor nature in the recommendation of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology as may appear to it to be necessary.