Explanatory note

The Weights and Measures Act 1985 (“the Act”) does not extend to the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Alderney which have their own weights and measures legislation.

This Order provides, however, that weighing or measuring equipment which would otherwise have to be stamped in accordance with the Act before it could be used for trade in Great Britain is, with the exception of certain non-automatic weighing instruments, to be treated as if it were so stamped when it has been stamped under weights and measures legislation in force in Guernsey and Alderney.

The Order also makes provision in relation to those provisions of the Act relating to the regulation of trade and weighing or measuring equipment used for trade which do not apply in relation to goods for “despatch to a destination outside Great Britain and any designated country”. It declares Guernsey and Alderney to be designated countries for the purposes of these and other provisions of the Act which refer to designated countries with the result that they apply to Guernsey and Alderney as they apply to Great Britain.

The Weights and Measures (Guernsey and Alderney) Law 1991, to which the Order refers, may be obtained from Her Majesty’s Greffier, Royal Court House, Guernsey.