Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Fees) Regulations 2004 (the principal Regulations), by prescribing the fee to be charged by the Secretary of State for approving a manufacturer’s quality system and carrying out EC surveillance under regulations 13 and 15 respectively of the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2000 (S.I.2000/3236).

The Regulations also replace the hourly rate element of the variable fee for all services to which the Regulations apply with a different hourly rate, depending on which service is being performed. The titles of the grades of officers involved have also been amended, to reflect more accurately the nature of their work. Officers of the lowest grade previously listed in paragraph (a) of Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations seldom provided the services, so the practical effect of the changes is that the increase will on average be between £5 and £10 per hour compared with the previous rates, depending on the grade of officer providing the relevant service – in some cases there will be a reduction. The new fees take into account inflation since the last time the fees were amended in 2004 and better reflect the costs which are incurred in the provision of each service.

A regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has a negligible effect on business. The basis for calculating the variable fee, namely full cost recovery, remains unchanged.