Explanatory note

This Order implements amendments made by Council Directive 89/617/EEC (OJ No. L357, 7.12.89, p.28) to Council Directive 80/181/EEC (OJ No. L39, 15.2.80, p.40) (“the Directive”) which relates to the use of units of measurement for economic, public health, public safety or administrative purposes (“the specified circumstances”).

It amends the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988 “the Intoxicating Liquor Order”) and the Weights and Measures (Miscellaneous Foods) Order 1988 (“the Miscellaneous Foods Order”). One amendment made to the Intoxicating Liquor Order provides that the requirement for beer, cider and perry to be sold only in quantities of ½ pint, ½ pint or multiples of ½ pint will no longer apply to perry to which the derogation for the pint in the Directive does not apply.

The amendments made to the Miscellaneous Foods Order include the conversion of the imperial prescribed quantities for pre–packed coffee, honey, jam, marmalade, milk and potatoes to metric quantities. Milk in a returnable bottle may however still be pre– packed by reference to the pint.