Weights & Measures (metrology)
Who is affected?
If you weigh or measure goods to sell to consumers the law states that your equipment must be both suitable and accurate. The law also covers the manufacture and approval of equipment and lays down requirements about specific quantities in which certain goods must be sold.
Top tips:
- The majority of food and drink and some other goods, such as certain types of fuel, sold to the public must have its quantity declared to the customer. Both loose goods which are weighed and measured as well goods already packaged are covered under the regulations.
- Nearly all measureable and weighable goods must be sold in metric quantities for example by kilogram, gram, metre, centimetre, litre or millilitre.
- Some products must be sold in prescribed quantities such as bread, and alcoholic drinks such as wine, gin, rum, vodka and whisky.
- Goods measured out for the customer such as material and textiles, rope and chains and carpets must be measured using suitable, accurate length measuring equipment
- Solid fuel and wood fuel sold door to door must have certain information detailed on the delivery note including the sellers name, address, type of fuel and weight being sold.
- Equipment used to weigh or measure goods for customers must be suitable for the amount being measured and must be tested for accuracy.
Useful links:
https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/weights-and-measures