Weights and Measures Act 1985
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- Trading Standards
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 25 compliance obligations, 2 practical guides
What you must do
25 compliance obligations under this legislation — 2 can result in imprisonment.
Management duties 2
Ensure correct quantity statement on packaged goods
Unlimited fineIf you pack or import products for sale, you must make sure the quantity shown on the packaging is accurate. You need to check the weight or measure before the product leaves your control and keep evidence of those checks. This protects consumers and keeps you compliant with the law.
Mark containers with required weight and quantity information
If you pack or import goods, you must clearly label each container with the legally required details such as net weight, quantity and any other information required by the Weights and Measures Act. This lets customers and inspectors verify whatās inside the package and avoids a breach of the law.
Offences and prohibitions 23
Apply stamp without verifier's number
If you are a manufacturer (or any person) who puts a prescribed preātest stamp on weighing or measuring equipment, the stamp must show the approved verifierās number. Putting a stamp on without that number is a criminal offence, and the equipment can be seized. Failure to follow this rule can lead to prosecution.
Be liable for another's weightsāandāmeasures offence
2 years imprisonmentIf a breach of the Weights and Measures Act by someone else occurs because of something you did or failed to do, you can be charged with the same offence even if you were not the original offender. You may face the same penalties that apply to the person who actually committed the offence.
Breach regulations on marking containers or vending machines
If you do not follow any of the regulations made under this section about how containers, preāpacked goods or vending machines must be marked ā for example the quantity, units of measurement, or packer identification ā you commit a criminal offence. A court can impose a fine and, in more serious cases, imprisonment, with the exact penalties set by the judge.
Contravene vehicleādisplay regulations
If you break a regulation made under sectionāÆ23 about how quantity information must be shown on a vehicle carrying solid fuel, you commit an offence. The provision does not set a specific fine or prison term ā the penalty will follow the standard limits for the offence.
Fail to comply with a checkāweighing request
If a road vehicle is carrying goods that are being sold by weight to a single buyer, the buyer, seller or an authorised inspector can ask the person in charge of the vehicle to have it checkāweighed. The driver or operator must comply unless they have a reasonable excuse. Failing to do so is a criminal offence.
Fail to comply with netāquantity labelling rules
If your food business is covered by ArticleāÆ1(3) of the Food Information (FIC) Regulation and you do not follow the rules on stating the net quantity of food ā for example, you omit the mandatory netāquantity label or breach the specific requirements in ArticlesāÆ8,āÆ9(1)(e) or ChapterāÆV ā you commit a criminal offence. The offence does not apply where a recognised exemption or a preāBrexit UK measure covers the point in question. A conviction can result in a fine (potentially unlimited) and, in some cases, imprisonment.
Fail to comply with public weighing equipment duties
If you operate or provide weighing or measuring equipment that the public can use, you must ensure the appointed attendant carries out weighings on demand, does so fairly, provides a written statement and proper records, and keeps those records for at least two years. It is also an offence to give false measurements, commit fraud, refuse to give your name and address when asked, or to destroy or fail to produce the required records. Breaching any of these rules makes you guilty of a criminal offence and can lead to fines and/or imprisonment.
Fail to give written statement of quantity on sale
Unlimited fineWhen you sell goods that must be quoted by weight, volume or another measured quantity, the law requires you to give the buyer a written statement of that quantity (or leave it at the delivery site if the buyer is absent). If you do not provide this written statement as required, you and anyone acting on your behalf can be prosecuted.
Fail to provide required imperial conversion information
If your business sells goods using metric units, regulations made under this section may require you to display the equivalent imperial measurement or show conversion tables. Not providing the required information is a criminal offence. Penalties ā including fines, possible imprisonment and how the case is tried ā are set out in the specific regulations, not in the Act itself.
Give false written warranty for goods
If you sell goods and provide a written warranty that the quantity, preāpacking or other statement about the goods is false, you commit a criminal offence. The same applies if you deliberately attach a warranty that belongs to different goods. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, with the exact penalties set by the wider Weights and Measures legislation.
Insert or use documents with materially incorrect statements
If you knowingly, or ought to have known, that a required document (such as a label, packāstatement or specification) contains a statement that is materially incorrect, and you insert that statement, cause it to be inserted, or use the document for the purposes of the Weights and Measures Act while the incorrect statement remains, you commit an offence. A conviction can result in a fine and/or imprisonment, but the exact penalties are set out elsewhere in the Act.
Obstruct a weights and measures inspector
If you deliberately block, hinder or otherwise prevent a weights and measures inspector from carrying out their duties, you commit a criminal offence. A conviction can result in a fine and/or a prison term, depending on how the case is tried.
Operate public weighing/measuring equipment without a certificate
If you run weighing or measuring equipment that the public can use for a charge (for example a public weighing scale or measuring device) and you do not hold a certificate from the chief inspector proving you have the necessary knowledge, you commit an offence. The offence also covers anyone who allows another person to use the equipment in that way without a certificate. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, but the exact maximum penalties are not stated in this excerpt.
Sell goods in the wrong quantity or packaging
Unlimited fineIf you sell, offer or expose for sale any goods that must be preāpacked, labelled, or sold by a specific quantity, but you do so in a different quantity, packaging, or without the required information, you commit a criminal offence. The offence also covers possessing such goods for sale or delivery when the required specifications are not met. Conviction can lead to unlimited fines and/or imprisonment, depending on how the courts treat the offence.
Sell goods with less quantity than stated
If you (or anyone on your behalf) sell preāpacked goods, or goods with a written statement of quantity on the pack or accompanying document, and the actual amount inside is less than the amount shown, you commit a criminal offence unless you can prove the shortfall happened after the sale. The offence also covers those who marked the container with the quantity claim. Conviction can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment, and the case can be tried in either magistratesā or Crown Court.
Sell less weight or quantity than stated
2 years imprisonmentIf you sell goods by weight, measurement or number and give the buyer a smaller amount than you said you were selling, or less than the price charged implies, you commit a criminal offence. It covers any business that sells packaged items, loose goods or bread by weight or count. Conviction can attract an unlimited fine and up to two yearsā imprisonment.
Tamper with or misuse stamps on trade weighing/measuring equipment
If you mark, alter, forge, remove or otherwise tamper with the stamp, plug or seal on weighing or measuring equipment that is used for trade, or you sell or offer for sale equipment that carries a forged, transferred or defaced stamp, you are committing a criminal offence. On conviction the equipment can be confiscated and you may face a fine and/or imprisonment as set by the court.
Use false weighing equipment or commit fraud with measuring equipment
If you use, or keep for use, weighing or measuring equipment that is false or unjust for any trade activity, you commit a criminal offence. The same applies if you deliberately use such equipment to carry out fraud, or are a party to that fraud. Conviction can lead to the equipment being confiscated and, depending on the court, possible fines or imprisonment.
Use illegally marked capacity measures for trade
If your business uses a capacity measuring device (e.g., a jug or container) that has been marked with divisions or subādivisions to indicate smaller quantities, you are breaking the law. The offence applies to any person who does this, and the offending equipment can be seized. Conviction can lead to a fine or imprisonment as set out elsewhere in the legislation.
Use or supply equipment contrary to its approval certificate
Unlimited fineIf you knowingly use, let others use, sell, or give away weighing or measuring equipment that is subject to a condition on its certificate of approval ā or whose certificate has expired, been revoked, or been withdrawn ā you commit a criminal offence. The equipment can be confiscated and you may face unlimited fines and possibly imprisonment if convicted.
Use or supply nonāconforming weighing/measuring equipment
If you keep using, let others use, or sell weighing or measuring equipment for trade that you know no longer meets the specifications set by regulations, you commit a criminal offence. The equipment can be seized (forfeited) and you may be prosecuted. The same offence arises if you breach any condition attached to a special exemption for that equipment.
Use unapproved unit of measurement for trade
If you sell goods using a unit of measurement that is not listed in the authorised schedules (or you use a restricted unit such as the troy ounce, carat, certain millilitre capacities or the pint outside the allowed exceptions), you are committing an offence. Any illegal measuring device can be seized and you may be prosecuted, with penalties set by the courts.
Use unāpassed or unāstamped weighing/measuring equipment for trade
If you use weighing or measuring equipment for trade that has not been inspected, approved and stamped (or you use it after it has been reāinstalled without a fresh inspection), you commit a criminal offence. The equipment can be seized and forfeited, and you may face prosecution.
Penalties for non-compliance
24 penalties under this legislation. 2 can result in imprisonment. 6 carry an unlimited fine.
Be liable for another's weightsāandāmeasures offence
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Sell less weight or quantity than stated
Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment
Ensure correct quantity statement on packaged goods
Unlimited fine
Fail to give written statement of quantity on sale
Unlimited fine
Sell goods in the wrong quantity or packaging
Unlimited fine
Use or supply equipment contrary to its approval certificate
Unlimited fine
Apply stamp without verifier's number
Penalty applies
Breach regulations on marking containers or vending machines
Penalty applies
Contravene vehicleādisplay regulations
Penalty applies
Fail to comply with a checkāweighing request
Penalty applies
Fail to comply with netāquantity labelling rules
Penalty applies
Fail to comply with public weighing equipment duties
Penalty applies
Fail to provide required imperial conversion information
Penalty applies
Give false written warranty for goods
Penalty applies
Insert or use documents with materially incorrect statements
Penalty applies
Obstruct a weights and measures inspector
Penalty applies
Operate public weighing/measuring equipment without a certificate
Penalty applies
Sell goods with less quantity than stated
Penalty applies
Tamper with or misuse stamps on trade weighing/measuring equipment
Penalty applies
Use false weighing equipment or commit fraud with measuring equipment
Penalty applies
Use illegally marked capacity measures for trade
Penalty applies
Use or supply nonāconforming weighing/measuring equipment
Penalty applies
Use unapproved unit of measurement for trade
Penalty applies
Use unāpassed or unāstamped weighing/measuring equipment for trade
Penalty applies
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Product safety and labeling requirements
General Product Safety Regulations 2005, UKCA marking, weights and measures compliance, and labeling obligations for retailers selling in Great Britain.
Comply with Trading Standards and Consumer Rights
Your legal obligations under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, Consumer Contracts Regulations, and trading standards law. Covers goods, services, digital ā¦
Sections and provisions
118 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 6
- s.3 Department of Trade and Industry secondary, tertiary and coinage standards. such standard
- s.47 Duty of packers and importers as to quantity. packers and importers as
- s.48 Duty of packers and importers as to marking of containers. packers and importers as
- s.58 Duty of Secretary of State to prepare scheme allocating marks. Secretary of State
- s.78 Fees received by inspectors.
- s.87 Secretary of State to report to Parliament.
Offences and penalties 32
- Schedule 5 Solid Fuel
- s.8 Units of measurement, weights and measures lawful for use for trade.
- s.9 Dual marking and conversion charts.
- s.10 Multiples and fractions of measures and units.
- s.11 Certain equipment to be passed and stamped by inspector.
- s.13 Offences in connection with approved patterns of equipment.
- s.14 General specifications of equipment.
- s.15A Pre-test stamping by certain manufacturers.
- s.15 Regulations relating to weighing or measuring for trade.
- s.16 Offences in connection with stamping of equipment.
- s.17 Offences relating to false or unjust equipment or fraud.
- s.18 Keepers of public equipment to hold certificate.
- s.20 Offences in connection with public equipment.
- s.23 Regulations as to information.
- s.25 Offences relating to transactions in particular goods.
- s.26 Quantity to be stated in writing in certain cases.
- s.28 Short weight, etc.
- s.30 Quantity less than stated.
- s.31A Non-compliance with certain requirements of the FIC Regulation
- s.31 Incorrect statements.
- ... and 12 more offences and penalties
Powers 28
- s.1 Units of measurement.
- s.6 Testing of other standards and equipment.
- Schedule 8 Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
- Schedule 11 Transitional Provisions and Savings
- s.11A Approval of persons to verify equipment manufactured etc by them.
- s.12 Approved patterns of equipment.
- s.19 Provision of public equipment by local authorities.
- s.22 Orders relating to transactions in particular goods.
- s.24 Exemption from requirements imposed under sections 21 to 23.
- s.27 Exemption from requirements of section 26.
- s.38 Special powers of inspectors with respect to certain goods.
- s.40 Powers of inspectors with respect to goods carried on road vehicles.
- s.42 Power to make test purchases.
- s.45 Making quantity known to a person.
- s.62 Power to extend or transfer Unitās functions and to abolish Unit.
- s.65 Power to modify Part V.
- s.69 Local weights and measures authorities.
- s.70 Annual reports by local weights and measures authorities.
- s.71 Inspection of local weights and measures arrangements.
- s.72 Appointment of inspectors.
- ... and 8 more powers
Definitions 10
- s.2 United Kingdom primary standards and authorised copies of the primary standards.
- s.4 Local standards.
- Schedule 6 Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods
- s.7 Meaning of āuse for tradeā.
- s.39 Powers of inspectors with respect to certain documents.
- s.68 Interpretation of Part V.
- s.90 Saving for certain rights in City of London.
- s.94 General interpretation.
- s.96 Transitional provisions and savings.
- Schedule 1 Definitions of Units of Measurement