Start a retail business - compliance essentials
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UK Act of Parliament
1985
United Kingdom
Weights and Measures Act 1985
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
46 compliance obligations, 4 practical guides · 2 journeys · 3 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
23 of 46 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 14 carry different penalties and 9 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 40
- Director or Officer 1
Plus 5 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Run a retail business
- 3 steps
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesSupporting — topic alignment
2 guidesMentioned in related content
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Directors and Officers also bound by 425 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 161 duties
- Companies Act 2006 2006 108 duties
- Insolvency Act 1986 1986 72 duties
- The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 2008 55 duties
- The Housing Administration (England and Wales) Rules 2018 2018 26 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Units and Standards of Measurement
Department of Trade and Industry secondary, tertiary and coinage standards.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must maintain and verify national measurement standards Crown / Minister / Government department
Local standards.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must maintain and certify local weights and measures standards Local authority
Working standards and testing and stamping equipment.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must provide and maintain weighing and measuring equipment Local authority
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part II — Weighing and Measuring for Trade
Units of measurement, weights and measures lawful for use for trade.
Fine up to £1,000- Use only approved units and measures for trade Any Person
Dual marking and conversion charts.
Unlimited fine- Fail to comply with dual marking or conversion chart rules Any Person
Multiples and fractions of measures and units.
Unlimited fine- Use illegal divisions on capacity measures Any Person
Certain equipment to be passed and stamped by inspector.
- Ensure trade weighing and measuring equipment is tested and stamped Any Person
Offences in connection with approved patterns of equipment.
Unlimited fine- Misuse or supply measuring equipment with expired or restricted approval Any Person
General specifications of equipment.
Unlimited fine- Use or sell measuring equipment that does not meet legal standards Any Person
Regulations relating to weighing or measuring for trade.
- Use unapproved weighing or measuring equipment for trade Any Person
Pre-test stamping by certain manufacturers.
Unlimited fine- Use a manufacturer's verification stamp without including a serial number Any Person
Offences in connection with stamping of equipment.
Unlimited fine- Tampering with official stamps on weighing or measuring equipment Any Person
Offences relating to false or unjust equipment or fraud.
Unlimited fine- Use false or unjust weighing equipment or commit fraud in weighing Any Person
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Meaning of “use for trade”.
Approval of persons to verify equipment manufactured etc by them.
Testing by official EEA testers.
Approved patterns of equipment.
Part III — Public Weighing or Measuring Equipment
Keepers of public equipment to hold certificate.
Fine up to £1,000- Use uncertified staff for public weighing or measuring Any Person
Offences in connection with public equipment.
Unlimited fine- Misuse or mismanagement of public weighing equipment Any Person
Browse 1 other section in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part IV — Regulation of Transactions in Goods
Regulations as to information.
Unlimited fine- Breach regulations on marking containers or vending machines Any Person
Offences relating to transactions in particular goods.
Unlimited fine- Sell goods in the wrong quantity or packaging Any Person
Quantity to be stated in writing in certain cases.
Unlimited fine- Fail to provide written statement of quantity for goods Any Person
Short weight, etc.
Unlimited fine- Deliver short weight or measure to a customer Any Person
Quantity less than stated.
Unlimited fine- Possess or sell goods containing less than the stated quantity Any Person
Incorrect statements.
Unlimited fine- Issue or use documents with incorrect weight or quantity statements Any Person
Non-compliance with certain requirements of the FIC Regulation
Unlimited fine- Failure to provide accurate food quantity information Any Person
Offences due to default of third person.
2 years imprisonment- Cause another person to commit a weights and measures offence Any Person
Warranty.
Unlimited fine- Give a false written warranty for goods Any Person
Check-weighing of certain road vehicles.
Fine up to £1,000- Refuse to check-weigh a road vehicle Any Person
Browse 17 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Transactions in goods mentioned in Schedules 4 to 7.
Orders relating to transactions in particular goods.
Exemption from requirements imposed under sections 21 to 23.
Exemption from requirements of section 26.
Misrepresentation.
Reasonable precautions and due diligence.
Subsequent deficiency.
Excess due to precautions.
Provisions as to testing.
Special powers of inspectors with respect to certain goods.
Powers of inspectors with respect to certain documents.
Powers of inspectors with respect to goods carried on road vehicles.
Power to make test purchases.
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Selling by quantity.
Making quantity known to a person.
Weighing in presence of a person.
Part V — Packaged Goods
Browse 22 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Duty of packers and importers as to quantity.
Duty of packers and importers as to marking of containers.
Duties as to equipment, checks and documentation.
Offences, etc.
Defences to certain charges under section 50.
Enforcement of Part V by local weights and measures authority.
Powers of inspectors and local weights and measures authority under Part V.
Special provision for certain packages.
The national Metrological Co-ordinating Unit
General duties of Secretary of State.
Power of Secretary of State to require packers and importers to furnish particulars of marks.
Duty of Secretary of State to prepare scheme allocating marks.
Supervision by Secretary of State of certain functions of inspectors.
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Power to extend or transfer Unit’s functions and to abolish Unit.
Instructions by inspectors.
Disclosure of information.
Power to modify Part V.
Regulations under Part V.
Service of documents.
Interpretation of Part V.
Part VI — Administration
Offences in connection with office of inspector.
Unlimited fine- Improperly acting as or interfering with a weights and measures inspector Any Person
Fees received by inspectors.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Weights and measures inspectors must account for and pay over collected fees Local authority
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Local weights and measures authorities.
Annual reports by local weights and measures authorities.
Inspection of local weights and measures arrangements.
Appointment of inspectors.
Certificate of qualification to act as inspector.
Performance by inspectors of additional functions.
Fees for performance of EU obligations.
Reduction of fees.
Part VII — General
Obstruction of inspectors.
Fine up to £1,000- Obstruction of a Trading Standards inspector Any Person
Failure to provide assistance or information.
Unlimited fine- Failure to assist or providing false info to a weights and measures inspector Any Person
Offences by corporations.
6 months imprisonment- Personal liability for corporate weights and measures offences Director or Officer
Secretary of State to report to Parliament.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report to Parliament on weights and measures functions Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 18 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
General powers of inspection and entry.
Investigatory powers
Prosecution of offences.
Penalties.
Determination of certain questions by Secretary of State.
Regulations and orders.
Application to Crown.
Saving for use of certain units in wholesale transactions.
Saving for certain rights in City of London.
Validity of contracts.
Spelling of “gram”, etc.
Powers under other Acts with respect to marking of food.
General interpretation.
Application to Northern Ireland.
Transitional provisions and savings.
Consequential amendments.
Repeals and revocations.
Short title and commencement.
Schedules
Solid Fuel
Unlimited fine- Sell solid fuel by improper weight or volume Any Person
(1) An approved verifier shall maintain in force such systems...
- Maintain a quality system for verifying weighing and measuring equipment Any Person
(1) An approved verifier shall prepare and keep up-to-date a...
- Prepare and maintain a quality system manual for equipment verification Any Person
An approved verifier shall keep a record of every test...
- Keep records of all equipment tests Any Person
Without prejudice to section 15 of this Act, no article...
- Use non-compliant cubic measure for ballast Any Person
In measuring any ballast against a calibration mark on such...
- Fail to level off ballast when measuring for trade Any Person
(1) If any of the ballast is being carried for...
- Fail to provide or record ballast delivery document details Any Person
Any document required by paragraph 7 or 8 above shall...
Unlimited fine- Fail to carry or hand over ballast delivery documents during journey Any Person
Any person who with intent to defraud or deceive damps...
Unlimited fine- Dampen solid fuel with intent to defraud Any Person
If in the case of any solid fuel sold otherwise...
Unlimited fine- Refuse to weigh solid fuel on buyer's request Any Person
(1) If the vehicle is carrying any relevant goods for...
- Fail to provide delivery document for bulk goods transport Any Person
Any document required by paragraph 17 or 18 above shall...
- Fail to carry or hand over required documents during goods transport Any Person
Where, in the case of any rail vehicle used on...
- Attach document with consignor details to rail vehicles carrying unpackaged solid fuel Any Person
(1) If paragraph 21 or 23 above is contravened, the...
- Fail to comply with solid fuel transport document requirements Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies where solid fuel is carried on...
Unlimited fine- Fail to display solid fuel weight and seller details on vehicle Any Person
Browse 151 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Measures and Weights Lawful for Use for Trade
Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Transitional Provisions and Savings
Consequential Amendments
Repeals and Revocations
Definitions of Units of Measurement
Existing United Kingdom Primary Standards andAuthorised Copies
Measures and Weights Lawful for Use for Trade
Weights of— 500 ounces troy 0·4 ounce troy 400 ounces...
Weights of— 25 kilograms 3 grams 20 kilograms 2 grams...
Weights of— 500 carats (metric) 1 carat (metric) 200 carats...
APPROVALS UNDER SECTION 11A
Where– (a) any person makes an application for an approval,...
(1) An approval shall be in writing and, unless previously...
(1) If it appears to an inspector that, otherwise than...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the Secretary of State...
(1) Where the Secretary of State decides, whether in the...
(1) This paragraph applies where, not less than three months...
Sand and Other Ballast
In this Schedule, " ballast" means any of the following...
In the case of any document such as is mentioned...
(1) In Scotland, paragraph 2 above and Part II of...
Subject to paragraphs 3 and 11 below ballast—
There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 2...
This Part of this Schedule shall have effect with respect...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, if all or any...
This Schedule applies to goods of any of the following...
(1) This paragraph applies to any vehicle which is used...
An order under section 22 of this act may amend...
Where a request under paragraph 13 above is made in...
Where after any weighing in pursuance of a request under...
This Part of this Schedule shall have effect with respect...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, if all or any...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, solid fuel...
Where any seller of solid fuel causes that fuel to...
Subject to paragraphs 22 and 28 below, the vehicle shall...
(1) Paragraph 21 above shall not apply to any rail...
(1) Subject to subparagraph (2) and paragraph 24 below ,...
(1) Paragraph 23 above shall not apply to any vehicle...
(1) The following provisions of this paragraph apply—
(1) Paragraph 21 above shall not apply to any rail...
(1) Solid fuel— (a) if made up in advance ready...
(1) This paragraph applies to solid fuel made up in...
Solid Fuel
There shall be exempted from all the requirements of paragraphs...
Solid fuel shall be sold by means of, or offered...
A local weights and measures authority may make byelaws, subject...
This Part of this Schedule applies to—
Paragraph 4 and 5 of Schedule 4 to this Act...
Subject to paragraphs 12 and 13 below—
(1) ) Paragraph 11 above shall not have effect in...
There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 11...
Paragraphs 9 and 10 of Schedule 5 to this Act...
Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods
Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods
(1) In this Part of this Schedule “soap” does not...
Subject to paragraph 18 below— (a) soap in the form...
There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...
This Part of this Schedule applies to goods of any...
Subject to paragraph 3 below, goods to which this Part...
Subject to paragraph 21 below, goods to which this Part...
There shall be exempted from all requirements of paragraph 20...
This Part of this Schedule applies to—
Subject to paragraphs 24 and 25 below, goods to which...
The following shall be exempted from the requirements of this...
Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 24 above, nails—
This Part of this Schedule applies to—
Subject to paragraph 28 below, goods to which this Part...
There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...
This Part of this Schedule applies to antifreeze fluid for...
Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 2 above, liquid fuel—
Subject to paragraph 31 below, goods to which this Part...
There shall be exempted from all requirements of this Part...
This Part of this Schedule applies to enamel, lacquer, liquid...
Subject to paragraph 34 below, goods to which this Part...
The following shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph...
This Part of this Schedule applies to—
Subject to paragraph 37 below, goods to which this Part...
The following shall be exempted from all the requirements of...
This Part of this Schedule applies— (a) to cheroots, cigarettes...
Subject to paragraphs 40 and 41 below, goods to which...
This Part of the Schedule applies to ready-mixed cement mortar...
In relation to postal stationery, the reference to number in...
There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...
(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Part of...
Part II of Schedule 4 to this Act, except sub-paragraph...
Paragraph 5 and 6 above shall not have effect in...
This Part of this Schedule applies— (a) to agricultural liming...
(1) ) Goods to which this Part of this Schedule...
Composite Goods and Collections of Articles
(1) This paragraph applies to any goods which, not being...
(1) This paragraph applies to any goods which, not being...
(1) This paragraph applies to aerosol products containing any goods...
(1) This paragraph applies to any collection of two or...
There shall be exempted from any requirement of paragraph 1,...
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V
. ..
Provisions Relating to Northern Ireland
The following provisions of this Act shall extend to Northern...
(1) ) The Department of Economic Development for Northern Ireland...
For the purposes of providing the Northern Ireland primary standards...
The Secretary of State shall from time to time as...
Any Northern Ireland primary standard maintained under this Part of...
In this Schedule— “the 1963 Act” means the Weights and...
Any equipment to which section 11 of this Act applies...
(1) Each of the following instruments, namely—
(1) Weighing equipment (including weights) which weighs wholly or partly...
(1) Nothing in section 8 of this Act shall prevent...
(1) Weighing equipment (including weights) which weighs wholly or partly...
Paragraphs 12(1) and 14(1) and (2) above have effect notwithstanding...
(1) Nothing in section 8 of this Act shall prevent...
(1) This paragraph applies to any pattern of weighing equipment—...
(1) This paragraph applies to any agreement which—
Subsection (3) of section 35 of the Local Government Act...
Any reference, whether express or implied, in any enactment, instrument...
Transitional Provisions and Savings
(1) Any person who immediately before the commencement of section...
Nothing in the definition of “gallon” or “litre” in Schedule...
Any byelaws made by a local authority for any of...
Any provision contained in a byelaw made under paragraph 5...
In any of the following, namely— (a) any byelaw made...
Where any byelaw to which paragraph 25 above applies contains...
Any reference, whether express or implied, in any enactment, instrument...
Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...
In any Act passed before 31st July 1963—
Any local Act passed before 31st July 1963 shall continue...
Where an enactment contained in any local Act passed before...
Any standard which immediately before the commencement of this Act...
A certificate of fitness for use as a local standard...
In section 20(1) of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, for...
(1) The Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 shall...
In paragraph 15 of Schedule 8 to the Local Government...
Consequential Amendments
Consequential Amendments
Consequential Amendments
n section 17(5)(b) of the Greater London Council (General Powers)...
Consequential Amendments
(1) Section 12 of the Weights and Measures &c. Act...
In section 14 of the Weights and Measures &c. Act...
In Schedule 6 to the Weights and Measures &c. Act...
(1) This Table does not take into account transfers of...
Measurement of length Mile = 1760 yards. Furlong = 220...
The British copy of the prototype metre, being a bar...
Copies of the bar and cylinder described in Parts I...
Other sections — not classified into a Part
These sections sit outside the numbered Parts — usually provisions added or moved by later amendments.
Browse 15 other sections
A solid bronze bar, about 38 inches long and about...
A platinum cylinder about 1.35 inches in height and about...
The British copy of the prototype kilogram, being a solid...
1.. . .
2. Measures of—
1.. . .
2. Measures of, or any multiple of, 1 square decimetre....
1. Measures of, or of any multiple of, 0\1 cubic...
2. Measures of—
any multiple of 10 litres
1. Measures of—
any multiple of 1 gallon
2.Measures of—
any multiple of 10 litres
Notes:
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Measuring instruments regulations and non-automatic weighing instruments regulations (opens in a new tab) from OPSS Detailed Guidance
- Weights and measures for businesses (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Business Companion - Product Safety (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 - Digital content rights (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Accepting returns and giving refunds (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab) from CMA Detailed Guidance
- Product recalls and alerts (opens in a new tab) from OPSS Detailed Guidance
- General Product Safety Regulations 2005 - detailed guidance (opens in a new tab) from OPSS Publication
- Online and distance selling (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Local Authority
PrimaryLocal Authority (Environmental Health / Licensing / Planning)
Local councils enforce food safety (via Environmental Health Officers), issue alcohol licences, grant planning permission, and regulate certain business activities at local …
Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product safety regulator responsible for ensuring consumer products are safe. Enforces product safety regulations, UKCA marking requirements, and works with market surveillance …
Trading Standards (Local Authority)
Enforces consumer protection legislation including food labelling, weights and measures, product safety, and fair trading. Part of local authority structure. Investigates food …
Connected legislation
3 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.