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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.
Metric units of measurement are now used for most transactions regulated by the Weights and Measures Act 1985. In addition, it is Government policy to encourage the adoption of the metric system for other purposes, including public administration.
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
January 2006.
Guidance to the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations
2006.
January 2006
Statutory Instrument: Weights and
Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006.
January 2006.
Government
response to consultation on draft regulations to replace Part V
of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and the Weights and Measures
(Packaged Goods) Regulations 1986 relating to
a complete regime for the average
system of quantity control applied to packaged goods.
September
2005. Government
response to consultation on consolidating and simplifying the
weights and measures Food Orders and a summary of issues requiring
further work
July 2005. Consultation on draft regulations to replace Part V of
the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and the Weights and
Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 1986.
These draft
regulations set out a complete regime for the average
system of quantity control applied to packaged goods.
The aim is to simplify the legislation and rationalise
its scope as well as removing unnecessary burdens from
packers and importers of packaged goods.
Feedback from
an
earlier consultation carried out between March and
June 2004 on the principles behind the reform has been taken into account
in developing these draft regulations.
December 2004.
Further to our consultation on the Food Orders (see below), this
letter sought feedback on the Commission's proposal to simplify EU
law in relation to specified quantities for pre-packed products.
  DTI
letter to stakeholders (5 pages).
October 2004. Consultation on
consolidating and simplifying the food orders. This consultation
sought views on proposals to simplify weights and measures
regulations concerning the sale of foodstuffs and alcoholic drinks.
The main proposal was the revocation of three main orders and five
amending orders and their replacement with a single new order.
Deadline for Responses was 4 January 2005.
Outcome of consultation will follow.
Contact
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