Weights and Measures

Summary

How can you tell that the scales your butcher uses to weigh the Sunday joint is accurate, or that the barman is giving you a fair measure from the beer meter behind the bar? The simple answer is that someone has checked them.

Trading Standards Officers carry out hundreds of visits each year, checking 1,000s of items of all types of weighing and measuring equipment to make sure they are accurate.

All sorts of weighing and measuring equipment can be tested, from thimble measures (used to measure spirits in pubs) to fuel tankers as well as tiny weights for gold jewellery and 60 tonne weighbridges, which weigh lorries.

We use computers and sensitive weighing equipment to check and examine 10,000 pre-packed foods and other products to make sure that the packs contain the stated weight. These tests are carried out before the product leaves the factory, or at the retailer's premises.

We can be asked to weigh all sorts of things, including:

• Boxers about to fight
• Horse drawn carriages
• Vehicles involved in fatal accidents
• Wooden dummies used when testing the safety of pushchairs
• A fisherman's weighing scale for him to confirm that his catch was a record!

 

Eligibility

This service is for:

• Any trader or business that wishes their weighing or measuring premises to be inspected for trading standards purposes
• Any member of the public who is concerned about the accuracy of weights and weighing equipment

 

Procedure

Please contact your local office for details.

 

Helplines

Regulatory Services, Trading Standards: 01226 772532 e-mail: Trading Standards Email

 

Charges/Fees

Verification & weighing and measuring equipment can be carried out by the service, fees will be charged.
Please contact us for up to date information.

 

Methods of Payment

Payment should be made on receipt of an invoice. Payment methods will be stated on the invoice.

 

Opening Times/Locations

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the customer can help

Traders must weigh and measure goods accurately. There are many legal controls covering all aspects of weighing and measuring.

All equipment used for determining the quantity of goods in a transaction must be legally approved. This includes shop scales, petrol pumps, pub optics and measuring tapes.

Most equipment must carry one or more of the following marks of approval:

• a crown stamp
• a European 'e' stamp
• a European green sticker

These marks are normally applied by Trading Standards officers and show that the equipment has been tested and found to be accurate.

Trading Standards officers have a duty to inspect equipment on trade premises. Inaccurate equipment will usually be marked with a six-pointed star and must not be used again until it has been repaired, re-tested and re-stamped.

Where minor inaccuracies are involved, the officer may instead issue a written notice requiring the equipment to be repaired within a specified period. You may continue to use the equipment during this period.

In most transactions the quantity of goods involved must be made known to the buyer. Most pre-packed goods will be already labelled with their quantity. In the case of loose goods they can be weighed or measured in the presence of the customer.

The equipment used should be clearly visible to the customer.

It is illegal to use weighing and measuring equipment in an incorrect or fraudulent way.

It is illegal to give short weight or measure.

It is illegal when determining the quantity of non pre-packed goods, to use any equipment, which does not carry one of the three marks of approval.

If you pre-pack goods in fixed quantities you must use approved equipment. You must also carry out adequate quantity checks and keep written records in most cases.

If you have weighing and measuring equipment which the public pay to use, e.g. a weighbridge, it can only be operated by a person holding a certificate of competence issued by a Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures.

Records of all such public weighing and measuring must be retained for inspection for not less than two years. These requirements do not apply to person weighing machines.

Other legal requirements cover specific goods in respect of:

• labelling and marking
• quantity
• documentation
• price indication

Ensure your weighing and measuring equipment is appropriate for the goods you sell, and is suitably located

Buy equipment from reputable suppliers.

Regularly check that the equipment is located in a suitable place and is clean and working correctly.

Train staff to use equipment correctly.

Make sure you know what, if any, special requirements apply to the goods you sell. If in doubt contact your Trading Standards Officer.

Ensure all your weighing and measuring equipment is clean and regularly maintained.

Ensure your equipment is approved and bears any stamps or stickers that are required.

Ensure all your staff are supervised adequately.

 

Leaflets

A range of advisory leaflets are available, as follows:

• Retail Sale of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
• Small Bakers and Average Weight
• Alcoholic Drinks
• Sale of Solid Fuel
• Prepacked Sugar Confectionary
• Use for Trade

 

 

Distribution Points

Leaflets are available from our offices (see Opening Times/Locations)

 

Legislation

• Weights and Measures Act 1985

 

Response Times/Next Steps

We will provide a service within 3 working days

 

Out of Hours procedure

Available by arrangement. Please contact our office (see Helplines or Opening times/Location)

 

Owner Officer contact details

Unit Manager, Trading Standards
3rd Floor,
Central Offices,
Kendray Street,
Barnsley,
S70 2TN.

 

Additional Notes

Our Officers will give talks to any business, consumer group, school or any other organisation on the work carried out by the Trading Standards service.

The average system is a weights and measures control for most pre-packed goods. Packages must be marked with the weight or volume of the contents and packers and importers must work to three rules.

• The contents of the packages must not be less, on average, than the nominal quantity (i.e. that marked on the label).
• Not more than one package in forty may contain less than the nominal quantity by more than an amount known as the tolerable negative error. This varies according to the quantity stated on the package.
• No packages are allowed to contain less than the nominal quantity by more than twice the tolerable negative error.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What legislation deals with the legal control of weights and measures?

A The Weights and Measures Act 1985 regulates the use of weights and measures used for trade.

Q Who enforces the Weights and Measures Act?

A Within your Council it will be the responsibility of the Trading Standards Service to enforce the Act.

Q I am setting up a new business. Where can I obtain help that will enable me to comply with the Weights and Measures law?

A Regulatory Services, Trading Standards. Please see Helplines and/or Opening Times/Location

Q I have brought a product and when I got home I weighed it on my own scales and the weight seems to be wrong. What can I do?

A You should contact us. Make sure you keep hold of the goods and any associated paperwork. However, please bear in mind that domestic scales are notoriously inaccurate so do not be surprised if the product is later found to be correct.

Q Can I still ask for goods in imperial units?

A Yes, but the trader can only measure them in metric units. To avoid confusion it is therefore a good idea to get used to asking in metric units.

Q How do I convert to metric units?

A Information on converting to metric units can be found on the National Weights and Measures Laboratory website.

Q I have just noticed an e symbol next to the weight declaration on a packaged item. What does this mean?

A Essentially, this symbol means that the item will have been packed using the average system of weights and measures.

Q What is the average system of Weights and Measures?

A Essentially, the average weight of items produced in a batch has to be above the declared weight on the package. The weight of any individual package cannot be below a level stated in regulations.

You can also complete our online form to report a problem on Weights and Measures - Report a problem

You can also complete our online form for a trader request for Equipment Inspection on Weights and Measures

 

Related Links:

• National Weights and Measures Laboratory

Last modified on 9/1/2009