Weights and measures
Introduction
If your business sells goods by weight or another measure such as volume or length you must comply with a range of rules. These rules are designed to help customers understand how much they are buying and to ensure they receive the amount of goods they are entitled to.
The rules are particularly relevant to businesses that sell food or drink - whether that's a greengrocer, a butcher or a bar. But other businesses such as DIY shops and petrol stations are also affected.
This guide gives an overview of weights-and-measures legislation. It includes rules on fixed-weight packages of goods and on using metric weights and measures, as well as information for specific types of business.
Subjects covered in this guide
- Introduction
- Use metric weights and measures
- Fixed-weight packaged goods: what you must do
- Rules for bakers
- Rules for butchers
- Rules for greengrocers
- Rules for pubs, restaurants and cafes

Actions
- Look up your local Trading Standards office at the Trading Standards Central website - Opens in a new window
- Use our interactive Regulation checklist to create a personalised list of regulations that affect your business
- Use our licence and permit checklist to find out which licences and permits could apply to your business
- View local and national events linked to this topic



