# The Measuring Equipment (Measures of Length) Regulations 1986, Paragraph 1: Inspection procedures


(1) The inspector shall use, at his election, one of the two inspection methods described in sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) below.
(2) The inspection methods referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above are a single submission scheme (“method A”) and a multiple submission scheme (“method B”). In the case of each method, the check to be carried out by the inspector shall consist of determining the number of defective measures in the sample taken by him.
(3) Where the inspector elects to use method A, he shall apply, for the purpose of accepting or rejecting the lot submitted, a sampling plan having the following characteristics, that is to say—
a standard quality level (SQL) between 0.40 and 0.90 per cent; and
a limiting quality level (LQ5) between 4.0 and 6.5 per cent.
The following are examples of sampling plans—
Single sampling plan
Sample size number
Acceptance number
Rejection number
LQ5
SQL
a
80
1
2
5.8
0.44
b
125
2
3
5.0
0.65
Double sampling plan
Sample size
Total size
Acceptance number
Rejection number
LQ5
SQL
a
First
50
50
0
2
Sample
5.8
0.44
Second
50
100
1
2
Sample
b
First
80
80
0
3
Sample
5.0
0.65
Second
80
160
3
4
Sample
Where the inspector rejects a lot, he may, if he considers it appropriate to do so and the person submitting it so agrees, inspect each measure of length comprised in the lot and pass, or refuse to pass, as appropriate, each such measure as fit for use for trade in accordance with regulation 25 of these Regulations.
(4) Where the inspector elects to use method B, he shall apply, for the purpose of accepting or rejecting the lot submitted, sampling plans in accordance with the table below—
Sampling plans
Order of submission
Sample size
Acceptance number
Rejection number
1
70
0
1
2
85
0
1
3
105
0
1
4
120
0
1
Where the inspector has accepted a lot, he shall test the next lot to be submitted to him in accordance with the parameters applicable to “Order of submission 1” in the above sampling plans.
Where the inspector has rejected a lot (and accordingly not passed the measures of length comprised in it as fit for use for trade), the person submitting it to the inspector may submit to him for inspection either the same or another lot. The inspector shall then inspect the lot submitted to him in accordance with the parameters of the line of the above sampling plans immediately below the one applied by the inspector to the lot rejected by him immediately before. If the inspector does not accept the lot after inspecting it in accordance with the parameters applicable to “Order of submission 4” in the above sampling plans, he shall, if the person submitting it so agrees, inspect each measure of length comprised in the lot.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1682/schedule/2/paragraph/1 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/measuring-equipment-measures-of-length-regulations-1986/schedule-2/paragraph-1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.