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A reliable, well
regulated system for weights and measures controls is one of the
fundamental tenets of an effective regime of consumer protection.
It must be one in
which consumers can have confidence, so that when they make a
purchase they do so in the knowledge that they are not being sold
short weight or measure. Businesses, too, must be protected from
unscrupulous competitors who would seek to gain an unfair
competitive advantage by flouting the law.
In the UK,
transactions in goods by weight or measure are, in most cases,
regulated by the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and its secondary
legislation the Weights and Packaged Goods Regulations 1986.
Who Does What
Consumer &
Competition Policy Directorate at the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) is responsible for the policy on those provisions
of the Weights and Measures Act aimed at (i) protecting the consumer
against being sold shortweight; and (ii) providing consumers with
information about the weight or volume of goods before they commit
themselves to a purchase.
DTI's
National Weights
and Measures Laboratory is responsible for the provisions of
the Weights and Measures Act relating to measuring equipment and
definitions of units of measurement.
Trading Standards Departments of Local Authorities are
responsible for enforcing weights and measures law.
If you are a
business or member of the public who has a query or complaint
regarding the law on weights and measures you need to contact your
local Trading Standards Department.
 If you
would like to know more about weights and measures then click the
button to view our factsheet which includes answers to frequently
asked questions.
What’s New
March 2004 -
Consultation on proposed changes to
the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 1986 SI
1986/2049
This consultation
seeks views on proposals to simplify existing weights and measures
rules for packaged goods.
The main proposal
is the revision of the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods)
Regulations 1986 so that they are simpler and easier to understand.
Contact
| DTI
Enquiry Unit |
020 7215 5000 |
| National
Weights and Measures Laboratory |
020
8943 7272 |
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