Weights and Measures info
Trading Standards officers routinely check the accuracy of
scales, spirit measuring instruments, petrol pumps and other
weights and measures equipment used by businesses.
Almost all goods today are sold by some reference to quantity-
either it's weight or measure, whether by the pint, litre, gram or
metre. This includes everyday items such as bread, petrol, beer,
clothing material, sand or virtually anything else you can think
of. Trading Standards enforce a complex set of regulations designed
to ensure that the public and businesses can have confidence in
their purchases and ensures fair competition.
This is done by:
- Verifying that weighing and measuring
equipment is initially accurate
- Routinely visiting businesses and checking
weighing and measuring equipment
- Checking products already in the shops
- Checking products when they are being
manufactured or imported
- Investigating complaints of short
measure
The National Weights and Measures Laboratory
examine patterns of weighing and measuring equipment (submitted in
the UK) to determine whether their design or manufacture is such to
facilitate fraud. Once such equipment has a certificate, it must
conform to the pattern and pass accuracy tests carried out by a
licensed verifier or an Inspector. Once the equipment has been
verified or stamped it may be used for trade (this system is known
as verification). There is also a system of European Community
approval removing technical barriers to trade.
So, Inspectors of Weights and Measures (or Trading Standards
Officers as they are more commonly known) visit trade premises and
carry out inspections and verification of weighing and measuring
equipment. Examples include weighing machines, weighbridges,
weights, petrol pumps, spirit measuring instruments, wine and beer
glasses and metre measures to name some common examples. Pre-packed
goods, breads, textiles etc., are tested to ensure correct weight
or measure.