OpenLegislation

Weights and Measures Act 1985

1985 c. 72 · Enacted 30 October 1985 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 3 May 2023.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 1omittedProduct Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 s. 11(3)
s. 8(1)(a)omittedProduct Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 s. 11(3)
s. 25omittedProduct Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 s. 11(3)
Sch. 1omittedProduct Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 s. 11(3)

An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to weights and measures.

[30th October 1985]

C1C2C3C4Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spriritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

A Table showing the derivation of the provisions of this consolidation Act will be found at the end of the Act. The Table has no official status.

C2

Act amended by S.I. 1988/558, art. 2

C3

Act explained (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/1579, reg. 3(3)

C4

Act modified (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/1591, art.2.

Act modified (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/1592, art.2.

Act modified (1.1.1993) by S.I. 1992/1593, art.2.

Contents

  1. Part I: Units and Standards of Measurement
  2. 1Units of measurement.
  3. 2United Kingdom primary standards and authorised copies of the primary standards.
  4. 3Department of Trade and Industry secondary, tertiary and coinage standards.
  5. 4Local standards.
  6. 5Working standards and testing and stamping equipment.
  7. 6Testing of other standards and equipment.
  8. Part II: Weighing and Measuring for Trade
  9. General
  10. 7Meaning of “use for trade”.
  11. 8Units of measurement, weights and measures lawful for use for trade.
  12. 9Dual marking and conversion charts.
  13. 10Multiples and fractions of measures and units.
  14. Weighing or measuring equipment for use for trade
  15. 11Certain equipment to be passed and stamped by inspector.
  16. 11AApproval of persons to verify equipment manufactured etc by them.
  17. 11BTesting by official EEA testers.
  18. 12Approved patterns of equipment.
  19. 13Offences in connection with approved patterns of equipment.
  20. 14General specifications of equipment.
  21. Miscellaneous
  22. 15Regulations relating to weighing or measuring for trade.
  23. 15APre-test stamping by certain manufacturers.
  24. 16Offences in connection with stamping of equipment.
  25. 17Offences relating to false or unjust equipment or fraud.
  26. Part III: Public Weighing or Measuring Equipment
  27. 18Keepers of public equipment to hold certificate.
  28. 19Provision of public equipment by local authorities.
  29. 20Offences in connection with public equipment.
  30. Part IV: Regulation of Transactions in Goods
  31. Transactions in particular goods
  32. 21Transactions in goods mentioned in Schedules 4 to 7.
  33. 22Orders relating to transactions in particular goods.
  34. 23Regulations as to information.
  35. 24Exemption from requirements imposed under sections 21 to 23.
  36. 25Offences relating to transactions in particular goods.
  37. Quantity to be stated in writing
  38. 26Quantity to be stated in writing in certain cases.
  39. 27Exemption from requirements of section 26.
  40. General offences
  41. 28Short weight, etc.
  42. 29Misrepresentation. Repealed
  43. 30Quantity less than stated.
  44. 31Incorrect statements.
  45. 31ANon-compliance with certain requirements of the FIC Regulation
  46. 32Offences due to default of third person.
  47. Defences
  48. 33Warranty.
  49. 34Reasonable precautions and due diligence.
  50. 35Subsequent deficiency.
  51. 36Excess due to precautions.
  52. 37Provisions as to testing.
  53. Powers of inspectors
  54. 38Special powers of inspectors with respect to certain goods.
  55. 39Powers of inspectors with respect to certain documents.
  56. 40Powers of inspectors with respect to goods carried on road vehicles.
  57. Miscellaneous and supplementary
  58. 41Check-weighing of certain road vehicles.
  59. 42Power to make test purchases. Repealed
  60. 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not yet in force
  61. 44Selling by quantity.
  62. 45Making quantity known to a person.
  63. 46Weighing in presence of a person.
  64. Part V: Packaged Goods
  65. Quantity control
  66. 47Duty of packers and importers as to quantity. Repealed
  67. 48Duty of packers and importers as to marking of containers. Repealed
  68. 49Duties as to equipment, checks and documentation. Repealed
  69. Enforcement of control
  70. 50Offences, etc. Repealed
  71. 51Defences to certain charges under section 50. Repealed
  72. 52Enforcement of Part V by local weights and measures authority. Repealed
  73. 53Powers of inspectors and local weights and measures authority under Part V. Repealed
  74. Special provision for certain packages
  75. 54Special provision for certain packages. Repealed
  76. Co-ordination of control
  77. 55The national Metrological Co-ordinating Unit Repealed
  78. 56General duties of Secretary of State. Repealed
  79. 57Power of Secretary of State to require packers and importers to furnish particulars of marks. Repealed
  80. 58Duty of Secretary of State to prepare scheme allocating marks. Repealed
  81. 59Supervision by Secretary of State of certain functions of inspectors. Repealed
  82. 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  83. 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  84. 62Power to extend or transfer Unit’s functions and to abolish Unit. Repealed
  85. Instructions by inspectors
  86. 63Instructions by inspectors. Repealed
  87. Miscellaneous
  88. 64Disclosure of information. Repealed
  89. 65Power to modify Part V. Repealed
  90. 66Regulations under Part V. Repealed
  91. 67Service of documents. Repealed
  92. 68Interpretation of Part V. Repealed
  93. Part VI: Administration
  94. Local administration
  95. 69Local weights and measures authorities.
  96. 70Annual reports by local weights and measures authorities.
  97. 71Inspection of local weights and measures arrangements.
  98. Inspectors of weights and measures
  99. 72Appointment of inspectors.
  100. 73Certificate of qualification to act as inspector.
  101. 74Performance by inspectors of additional functions.
  102. 75Offences in connection with office of inspector.
  103. Fees
  104. 76Fees for performance of EU obligations. Repealed
  105. 77Reduction of fees.
  106. 78Fees received by inspectors.
  107. Part VII: General
  108. Enforcement and legal proceedings
  109. 79General powers of inspection and entry. Repealed
  110. 79AInvestigatory powers
  111. 80Obstruction of inspectors.
  112. 81Failure to provide assistance or information.
  113. 82Offences by corporations.
  114. 83Prosecution of offences.
  115. 84Penalties.
  116. 85Determination of certain questions by Secretary of State.
  117. Miscellaneous and supplementary
  118. 86Regulations and orders.
  119. 87Secretary of State to report to Parliament.
  120. 88Application to Crown.
  121. 89Saving for use of certain units in wholesale transactions.
  122. 90Saving for certain rights in City of London.
  123. 91Validity of contracts.
  124. 92Spelling of “gram”, etc.
  125. 93Powers under other Acts with respect to marking of food.
  126. 94General interpretation.
  127. 95Application to Northern Ireland.
  128. 96Transitional provisions and savings.
  129. 97Consequential amendments.
  130. 98Repeals and revocations.
  131. 99Short title and commencement.
  132. Schedule 1: Definitions of Units of Measurement
  133. IMeasurement of Length
  134. Metric units
  135. Part II: Measurement of Area
  136. Imperial units
  137. Metric units
  138. Part III: Measurement of Volume
  139. Metric units
  140. Part IV: Measurement of Capacity
  141. Imperial unit
  142. Metric units
  143. Part V: Measurement of Mass or Weight
  144. Imperial unit
  145. Metric units
  146. Part VI: Definitions of certain units which may not be used for trade except as supplementary indications
  147. Paragraph
  148. VIIMeasurement of Electricity
  149. Schedule 2: Existing United Kingdom Primary Standards andAuthorised Copies
  150. IDescription of United Kingdom primary standard of the yard
  151. IIDescription of United Kingdom primary standard of the pound
  152. Part III: Description of United Kingdom primary standard of the metre
  153. Paragraph
  154. IVDescription of United Kingdom primary standard of the kilogram
  155. Part V: Authorised copies of United Kingdom primary standards of the yard and pound
  156. Paragraph
  157. Schedule 3: Measures and Weights Lawful for Use for Trade
  158. Part I: Linear Measures
  160. Metric system
  161. Part II: Square Measures
  163. Metric system
  164. Part III: Cubic Measures
  165. Metric system
  166. Part IV: Capacity Measures
  167. Imperial system
  168. Metric system
  169. Part V: Weights
  170. Imperial system
  171. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  172. 2Paragraph 2
  173. Metric system
  174. 3Paragraph 3
  175. 4Paragraph 4
  176. Schedule 3A: APPROVALS UNDER SECTION 11A
  177. Part I: APPROVALS: GENERAL
  178. Fees
  179. 1Paragraph 1
  180. Form, effect and conditions of approvals
  181. 2Paragraph 2
  182. Suspension of approvals
  183. 3Paragraph 3
  184. Withdrawal of approvals
  185. 4Paragraph 4
  186. Grant of new approval following withdrawal
  187. 5Paragraph 5
  188. Application for further approval
  189. 6Paragraph 6
  190. Part II: REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET BY APPROVED VERIFIERS
  191. Maintenance of quality system
  192. 7Paragraph 7
  193. Preparation etc. of quality system manual
  194. 8Paragraph 8
  195. Keeping of records
  196. 9Paragraph 9
  197. Schedule 4: Sand and Other Ballast
  198. Part I: General Provisions
  199. 1Paragraph 1
  200. 2Paragraph 2
  201. 3Paragraph 3
  202. 4Paragraph 4
  203. 5Paragraph 5
  204. Part II: Carriage of Ballast by Road
  205. 6Paragraph 6
  206. 7Paragraph 7
  207. 8Paragraph 8
  208. 9Paragraph 9
  209. 10Paragraph 10
  210. Part III: Application to Scotland
  211. 11Paragraph 11
  212. Schedule 5: Solid Fuel
  213. Part I: General
  214. Introductory
  215. 1Paragraph 1
  216. Sales by net weight
  217. 2Paragraph 2
  218. Quantities in containers
  219. 3Paragraph 3
  220. Indication of quantity
  221. 4Paragraph 4
  222. Loads on vehicles
  223. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  224. Information about containers . . .
  225. 6Paragraph 6
  226. Exemptions
  227. 7Paragraph 7
  228. Vending machines
  229. 8Paragraph 8
  230. Byelaws
  231. 9Paragraph 9
  232. Damping of fuel
  233. 10Paragraph 10
  234. Sale of fuel from vehicles
  235. 11Paragraph 11
  236. 12Paragraph 12
  237. Part II: Weighing of Solid Fuel at Buyer’s Request
  238. 13Paragraph 13
  239. 14Paragraph 14
  240. 15Paragraph 15
  241. Part III: Carriage of Solid Fuel by Road
  242. 16Paragraph 16
  243. 17Paragraph 17
  244. 18Paragraph 18
  245. 19Paragraph 19
  246. Part IV: Carriage of Solid Fuel by Rail
  247. 20Paragraph 20
  248. 21Paragraph 21
  249. 22Paragraph 22
  250. 23Paragraph 23
  251. 24Paragraph 24
  252. 25Paragraph 25
  253. 26Paragraph 26
  254. 27Paragraph 27
  255. 28Paragraph 28
  256. Schedule 6: Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods
  257. Part I: Liquid Fuel and Lubricants
  258. 1Paragraph 1
  259. 2Paragraph 2
  260. 3Paragraph 3
  261. Part II: Ready-Mixed Cement Mortar and Ready-Mixed Concrete
  262. 4Paragraph 4
  263. 5Paragraph 5
  264. 6Paragraph 6
  265. 7Paragraph 7
  266. Part III: Agricultural Liming Materials, Agricultural Salt and Inorganic Fertilisers
  267. 8Paragraph 8
  268. 9Paragraph 9
  269. 10Paragraph 10
  270. Part IV: Wood Fuel
  271. 11Paragraph 11
  272. 12Paragraph 12
  273. 13Paragraph 13
  274. 14Paragraph 14
  275. Part V: COSMETIC PRODUCTS Repealed
  276. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  277. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  278. Part VI: Soap
  279. 16AParagraph 16A
  280. 17Paragraph 17
  281. 18Paragraph 18
  282. Part VII: Miscellaneous Goods to be Sold by or Marked with Length
  283. 19Paragraph 19
  284. 20Paragraph 20
  285. 21Paragraph 21
  286. Part VIII: Miscellaneous Goods to be Sold by or Marked withNet Weight
  287. 22Paragraph 22
  288. 23Paragraph 23
  289. 24Paragraph 24
  290. 25Paragraph 25
  291. Part IX: Miscellaneous Goods to be Marked when Pre-Packed with Net Weight
  292. 26Paragraph 26
  293. 27Paragraph 27
  294. 28Paragraph 28
  295. Part X: Miscellaneous Goods to be Sold by or Marked with Capacity Measurement
  296. 29Paragraph 29
  297. 30Paragraph 30
  298. 31Paragraph 31
  299. Part XI: Miscellaneous Goods to be Marked when Pre-Packed with Capacity Measurement
  300. 32Paragraph 32
  301. 33Paragraph 33
  302. 34Paragraph 34
  303. Part XII: Miscellaneous Goods to be Sold by or Marked With Net Weight of Capacity Measurement
  304. 35Paragraph 35
  305. 36Paragraph 36
  306. 37Paragraph 37
  307. Part XIII: Miscellaneous Goods to be Marked When Pre-PackedWith Quantity by Number
  308. 38Paragraph 38
  309. 39Paragraph 39
  310. 40Paragraph 40
  311. 41Paragraph 41
  312. Schedule 7: Composite Goods and Collections of Articles
  313. 1Paragraph 1
  314. 2Paragraph 2
  315. 3Paragraph 3
  316. 4Paragraph 4
  317. 5Paragraph 5
  318. Schedule 8: Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V Repealed
  319. Powers of entry and inspection Repealed
  320. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  321. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  322. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  323. Power of seizure Repealed
  324. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  325. Power to require information Repealed
  326. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  327. Purchase of goods Repealed
  328. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  329. Failure to provide assistance or information Repealed
  330. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  331. Schedule 9. . .
  332. Schedule 10: Provisions Relating to Northern Ireland
  333. Part I: Provisions of this Act Extending to Northern Ireland
  334. 1Paragraph 1
  335. Part II: Standards in Northern Ireland
  336. 2Paragraph 2
  337. 3Paragraph 3
  338. 4Paragraph 4
  339. 5Paragraph 5
  340. Schedule 11: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  341. General
  342. 1Paragraph 1
  343. 2Paragraph 2
  344. 3Paragraph 3
  345. 4Paragraph 4
  346. Acts passed before 31st July 1963
  347. 5Paragraph 5
  348. 6Paragraph 6
  349. 7Paragraph 7
  350. Standards, etc.
  351. 8Paragraph 8
  352. 9Paragraph 9
  353. Stamping of equipment
  354. 10Paragraph 10
  355. Approved patterns of equipment
  356. 11Paragraph 11
  357. Weighing equipment passed etc. before 27th April 1978
  358. 12Paragraph 12
  359. Products and equipment used etc. before 1st December 1980
  360. 13Paragraph 13
  361. 14Paragraph 14
  362. 15Paragraph 15
  363. 16Paragraph 16
  364. 17Paragraph 17
  365. Joint local weights and measures authorities in Greater London
  366. 18Paragraph 18
  367. Relaxation of Ministerial controls
  368. 19Paragraph 19
  369. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  370. Inspectors
  371. 21Paragraph 21
  372. “Gallon” and “litre”
  373. 22Paragraph 22
  374. Byelaws
  375. 23Paragraph 23
  376. 24Paragraph 24
  377. 25Paragraph 25
  378. 26Paragraph 26
  379. Schedule 12: Consequential Amendments
  380. The Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928
  381. 1Paragraph 1
  382. The Agriculture Act 1967
  383. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  384. The Trade Descriptions Act 1968
  385. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  386. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  387. The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972
  388. 5Paragraph 5
  389. The Fair Trading Act 1973
  390. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  391. The Weights and Measures &c. Act 1976
  392. 7Paragraph 7
  393. 8Paragraph 8
  394. 9Paragraph 9
  395. The Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
  396. 10Paragraph 10
  397. The Local Government Act 1985
  398. 11Paragraph 11
  399. Schedule 13: Repeals and Revocations
  400. IRepeals
  401. IIRevocations
  402. TABLE OF DERIVATIONS
  403. Paragraph