| Guvnor

Enforced by: Local Authority, OPSS, Trading Standards
Status: Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling: Imprisonment 23 of 48 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 14 carry different penalties and 11 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person41 Trader1 Director or Officer1

Plus 5 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 184 duties

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 144 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 104 duties

Communications Act 2003 92 duties

Road Traffic Act 1988 92 duties

Trader — also bound by 825 other Acts

Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 416 duties

Companies Act 2006 243 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 133 duties

Companies Act 1985 85 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 62 duties

Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 162 duties

Companies Act 2006 126 duties

Insolvency Act 1986 77 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 68 duties

Building Societies Act 1986 32 duties

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Units and Standards of Measurement

3 of 6 sections shown

s.003 Department of Trade and Industry secondary, tertiary and coinage standards. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must maintain and verify national measurement standardsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.004 Local standards. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must maintain and certify local weights and measures standardsLocal authority

s.005 Working standards and testing and stamping equipment. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must provide and maintain weighing and measuring equipmentLocal authority

3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.001 Units of measurement.

s.002 United Kingdom primary standards and authorised copies of the primary standards.

s.006 Testing of other standards and equipment.

Part 2

Weighing and Measuring for Trade

10 of 14 sections shown

s.008 Units of measurement, weights and measures lawful for use for trade. Prosecution

Use only approved units and measures for tradeAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.009 Dual marking and conversion charts. Prosecution

Fail to comply with dual marking or conversion chart rulesAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.010 Multiples and fractions of measures and units. Prosecution

Use illegal divisions on capacity measuresAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.011 Certain equipment to be passed and stamped by inspector. Regulated

Ensure trade weighing and measuring equipment is tested and stampedAny Person

s.013 Offences in connection with approved patterns of equipment. Prosecution

Misuse or supply measuring equipment with expired or restricted approvalAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.014 General specifications of equipment. Prosecution

Use or sell measuring equipment that does not meet legal standardsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.015 Regulations relating to weighing or measuring for trade. Regulated

Use unapproved weighing or measuring equipment for tradeAny Person

s.015 Pre-test stamping by certain manufacturers. Prosecution

Use a manufacturer's verification stamp without including a serial numberAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.016 Offences in connection with stamping of equipment. Prosecution

Tampering with official stamps on weighing or measuring equipmentAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.017 Offences relating to false or unjust equipment or fraud. Prosecution

Use false or unjust weighing equipment or commit fraud in weighingAny Person

Unlimited fine

4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.007 Meaning of “use for trade”.

s.011 Approval of persons to verify equipment manufactured etc by them.

s.011 Testing by official EEA testers.

s.012 Approved patterns of equipment.

Part 3

Public Weighing or Measuring Equipment

2 of 3 sections shown

s.018 Keepers of public equipment to hold certificate. Prosecution

Use uncertified staff for public weighing or measuringAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.020 Offences in connection with public equipment. Prosecution

Misuse or mismanagement of public weighing equipmentAny Person

Unlimited fine

1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.019 Provision of public equipment by local authorities.

Part 4

Regulation of Transactions in Goods

10 of 27 sections shown

s.023 Regulations as to information. Prosecution

Breach regulations on marking containers or vending machinesAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.025 Offences relating to transactions in particular goods. Prosecution

Sell goods in the wrong quantity or packagingAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.026 Quantity to be stated in writing in certain cases. Prosecution

Fail to provide written statement of quantity for goodsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.028 Short weight, etc. Prosecution

Deliver short weight or measure to a customerAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.030 Quantity less than stated. Prosecution

Possess or sell goods containing less than the stated quantityAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.031 Incorrect statements. Prosecution

Issue or use documents with incorrect weight or quantity statementsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.031 Non-compliance with certain requirements of the FIC Regulation Prosecution

Failure to provide accurate food quantity informationAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.032 Offences due to default of third person. Imprisonment

Cause another person to commit a weights and measures offenceAny Person

s.033 Warranty. Prosecution

Give a false written warranty for goodsAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.041 Check-weighing of certain road vehicles. Prosecution

Refuse to check-weigh a road vehicleAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

17 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.021 Transactions in goods mentioned in Schedules 4 to 7.

s.022 Orders relating to transactions in particular goods.

s.024 Exemption from requirements imposed under sections 21 to 23.

s.027 Exemption from requirements of section 26.

s.029 Misrepresentation.

s.034 Reasonable precautions and due diligence.

s.035 Subsequent deficiency.

s.036 Excess due to precautions.

s.037 Provisions as to testing.

s.038 Special powers of inspectors with respect to certain goods.

s.039 Powers of inspectors with respect to certain documents.

s.040 Powers of inspectors with respect to goods carried on road vehicles.

s.042 Power to make test purchases.

s.043 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.044 Selling by quantity.

s.045 Making quantity known to a person.

s.046 Weighing in presence of a person.

Part 5

Packaged Goods

0 of 22 sections shown

22 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.047 Duty of packers and importers as to quantity.

s.048 Duty of packers and importers as to marking of containers.

s.049 Duties as to equipment, checks and documentation.

s.050 Offences, etc.

s.051 Defences to certain charges under section 50.

s.052 Enforcement of Part V by local weights and measures authority.

s.053 Powers of inspectors and local weights and measures authority under Part V.

s.054 Special provision for certain packages.

s.055 The national Metrological Co-ordinating Unit

s.056 General duties of Secretary of State.

s.057 Power of Secretary of State to require packers and importers to furnish particulars of marks.

s.058 Duty of Secretary of State to prepare scheme allocating marks.

s.059 Supervision by Secretary of State of certain functions of inspectors.

s.060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.061 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

s.062 Power to extend or transfer Unit’s functions and to abolish Unit.

s.063 Instructions by inspectors.

s.064 Disclosure of information.

s.065 Power to modify Part V.

s.066 Regulations under Part V.

s.067 Service of documents.

s.068 Interpretation of Part V.

Part 6

Administration

2 of 10 sections shown

s.075 Offences in connection with office of inspector. Prosecution

Improperly acting as or interfering with a weights and measures inspectorAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.078 Fees received by inspectors. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Weights and measures inspectors must account for and pay over collected feesLocal authority

8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.069 Local weights and measures authorities.

s.070 Annual reports by local weights and measures authorities.

s.071 Inspection of local weights and measures arrangements.

s.072 Appointment of inspectors.

s.073 Certificate of qualification to act as inspector.

s.074 Performance by inspectors of additional functions.

s.076 Fees for performance of EU obligations.

s.077 Reduction of fees.

Part 7

General

4 of 22 sections shown

s.080 Obstruction of inspectors. Prosecution

Obstruction of a Trading Standards inspectorAny Person

Fine up to £1,000

s.081 Failure to provide assistance or information. Prosecution

Failure to assist or providing false info to a weights and measures inspectorAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.082 Offences by corporations. Imprisonment

Personal liability for corporate weights and measures offencesDirector or Officer

s.087 Secretary of State to report to Parliament. Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must report to Parliament on weights and measures functionsCrown / Minister / Government department

18 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.079 General powers of inspection and entry.

s.079 Investigatory powers

s.083 Prosecution of offences.

s.084 Penalties.

s.085 Determination of certain questions by Secretary of State.

s.086 Regulations and orders.

s.088 Application to Crown.

s.089 Saving for use of certain units in wholesale transactions.

s.090 Saving for certain rights in City of London.

s.091 Validity of contracts.

s.092 Spelling of “gram”, etc.

s.093 Powers under other Acts with respect to marking of food.

s.094 General interpretation.

s.095 Application to Northern Ireland.

s.096 Transitional provisions and savings.

s.097 Consequential amendments.

s.098 Repeals and revocations.

s.099 Short title and commencement.

Schedules

17 of 166 shown

s.005 Solid Fuel Prosecution

Sell solid fuel by improper weight or volumeAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch003a (1) An approved verifier shall maintain in force such systems... Regulated

Maintain a quality system for verifying weighing and measuring equipmentAny Person

s.sch003a (1) An approved verifier shall prepare and keep up-to-date a... Regulated

Prepare and maintain a quality system manual for equipment verificationAny Person

s.sch003a An approved verifier shall keep a record of every test... Regulated

Keep records of all equipment testsAny Person

s.sch004 Subject to paragraphs 3 and 11 below ballast— Regulated

Sell ballast by volume or net weight onlyAny Person

s.sch004 Without prejudice to section 15 of this Act, no article... Regulated

Use non-compliant cubic measure for ballastAny Person

s.sch004 In measuring any ballast against a calibration mark on such... Regulated

Fail to level off ballast when measuring for tradeAny Person

s.sch004 (1) If any of the ballast is being carried for... Regulated

Fail to provide or record ballast delivery document detailsAny Person

s.sch004 Any document required by paragraph 7 or 8 above shall... Prosecution

Fail to carry or hand over ballast delivery documents during journeyAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch005 Any person who with intent to defraud or deceive damps... Prosecution

Dampen solid fuel with intent to defraudAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch005 If in the case of any solid fuel sold otherwise... Prosecution

Refuse to weigh solid fuel on buyer's requestAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch005 (1) If the vehicle is carrying any relevant goods for... Regulated

Fail to provide delivery document for bulk goods transportAny Person

s.sch005 Any document required by paragraph 17 or 18 above shall... Regulated

Fail to carry or hand over required documents during goods transportAny Person

s.sch005 Where, in the case of any rail vehicle used on... Regulated

Attach document with consignor details to rail vehicles carrying unpackaged solid fuelAny Person

s.sch005 (1) If paragraph 21 or 23 above is contravened, the... Regulated

Fail to comply with solid fuel transport document requirementsAny Person

s.sch005 (1) This paragraph applies where solid fuel is carried on... Prosecution

Fail to display solid fuel weight and seller details on vehicleAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 3 below, goods to which this Part... Regulated

Sell goods with correct net quantity markingTrader

149 other schedules

s.003 Measures and Weights Lawful for Use for Trade

s.006 Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods

s.008 Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V

s.011 Transitional Provisions and Savings

s.012 Consequential Amendments

s.013 Repeals and Revocations

s.sch001 Definitions of Units of Measurement

s.sch002 Existing United Kingdom Primary Standards andAuthorised Copies

s.sch003 Measures and Weights Lawful for Use for Trade

s.sch003 Weights of— 500 ounces troy 0·4 ounce troy 400 ounces...

s.sch003 Weights of— 25 kilograms 3 grams 20 kilograms 2 grams...

s.sch003 Weights of— 500 carats (metric) 1 carat (metric) 200 carats...

s.sch003a APPROVALS UNDER SECTION 11A

s.sch003a Where– (a) any person makes an application for an approval,...

s.sch003a (1) An approval shall be in writing and, unless previously...

s.sch003a (1) If it appears to an inspector that, otherwise than...

s.sch003a (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, the Secretary of State...

s.sch003a (1) Where the Secretary of State decides, whether in the...

s.sch003a (1) This paragraph applies where, not less than three months...

s.sch004 Sand and Other Ballast

s.sch004 In this Schedule, " ballast" means any of the following...

s.sch004 In the case of any document such as is mentioned...

s.sch004 (1) In Scotland, paragraph 2 above and Part II of...

s.sch004 There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 2...

s.sch004 This Part of this Schedule shall have effect with respect...

s.sch004 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, if all or any...

s.sch005 This Schedule applies to goods of any of the following...

s.sch005 (1) This paragraph applies to any vehicle which is used...

s.sch005 An order under section 22 of this act may amend...

s.sch005 Where a request under paragraph 13 above is made in...

s.sch005 Where after any weighing in pursuance of a request under...

s.sch005 This Part of this Schedule shall have effect with respect...

s.sch005 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, if all or any...

s.sch005 (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, solid fuel...

s.sch005 Where any seller of solid fuel causes that fuel to...

s.sch005 Subject to paragraphs 22 and 28 below, the vehicle shall...

s.sch005 (1) Paragraph 21 above shall not apply to any rail...

s.sch005 (1) Subject to subparagraph (2) and paragraph 24 below ,...

s.sch005 (1) Paragraph 23 above shall not apply to any vehicle...

s.sch005 (1) The following provisions of this paragraph apply—

s.sch005 (1) Paragraph 21 above shall not apply to any rail...

s.sch005 (1) Solid fuel— (a) if made up in advance ready...

s.sch005 (1) This paragraph applies to solid fuel made up in...

s.sch005 Solid Fuel

s.sch005 There shall be exempted from all the requirements of paragraphs...

s.sch005 Solid fuel shall be sold by means of, or offered...

s.sch005 A local weights and measures authority may make byelaws, subject...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to—

s.sch006 Paragraph 4 and 5 of Schedule 4 to this Act...

s.sch006 Subject to paragraphs 12 and 13 below—

s.sch006 (1) ) Paragraph 11 above shall not have effect in...

s.sch006 There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 11...

s.sch006 Paragraphs 9 and 10 of Schedule 5 to this Act...

s.sch006 Miscellaneous Goods other than Foods

s.sch006 (1) In this Part of this Schedule “soap” does not...

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 18 below— (a) soap in the form...

s.sch006 There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to goods of any...

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 21 below, goods to which this Part...

s.sch006 There shall be exempted from all requirements of paragraph 20...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to—

s.sch006 Subject to paragraphs 24 and 25 below, goods to which...

s.sch006 The following shall be exempted from the requirements of this...

s.sch006 Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 24 above, nails—

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to—

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 28 below, goods to which this Part...

s.sch006 There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to antifreeze fluid for...

s.sch006 Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 2 above, liquid fuel—

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 31 below, goods to which this Part...

s.sch006 There shall be exempted from all requirements of this Part...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to enamel, lacquer, liquid...

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 34 below, goods to which this Part...

s.sch006 The following shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies to—

s.sch006 Subject to paragraph 37 below, goods to which this Part...

s.sch006 The following shall be exempted from all the requirements of...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies— (a) to cheroots, cigarettes...

s.sch006 Subject to paragraphs 40 and 41 below, goods to which...

s.sch006 This Part of the Schedule applies to ready-mixed cement mortar...

s.sch006 In relation to postal stationery, the reference to number in...

s.sch006 There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...

s.sch006 (1) Subject to the following provisions of this Part of...

s.sch006 Part II of Schedule 4 to this Act, except sub-paragraph...

s.sch006 Paragraph 5 and 6 above shall not have effect in...

s.sch006 This Part of this Schedule applies— (a) to agricultural liming...

s.sch006 (1) ) Goods to which this Part of this Schedule...

s.sch007 Composite Goods and Collections of Articles

s.sch007 (1) This paragraph applies to any goods which, not being...

s.sch007 (1) This paragraph applies to aerosol products containing any goods...

s.sch007 (1) This paragraph applies to any collection of two or...

s.sch007 There shall be exempted from any requirement of paragraph 1,...

s.sch008 Powers of Inspectors and Local Weights and MeasuresAuthority Under Part V

s.sch009 . ..

s.sch010 Provisions Relating to Northern Ireland

s.sch010 The following provisions of this Act shall extend to Northern...

s.sch010 (1) ) The Department of Economic Development for Northern Ireland...

s.sch010 For the purposes of providing the Northern Ireland primary standards...

s.sch010 The Secretary of State shall from time to time as...

s.sch010 Any Northern Ireland primary standard maintained under this Part of...

s.sch011 In this Schedule— “the 1963 Act” means the Weights and...

s.sch011 Any equipment to which section 11 of this Act applies...

s.sch011 (1) Each of the following instruments, namely—

s.sch011 (1) Weighing equipment (including weights) which weighs wholly or partly...

s.sch011 (1) Nothing in section 8 of this Act shall prevent...

s.sch011 (1) Weighing equipment (including weights) which weighs wholly or partly...

s.sch011 Paragraphs 12(1) and 14(1) and (2) above have effect notwithstanding...

s.sch011 (1) Nothing in section 8 of this Act shall prevent...

s.sch011 (1) This paragraph applies to any pattern of weighing equipment—...

s.sch011 (1) This paragraph applies to any agreement which—

s.sch011 Subsection (3) of section 35 of the Local Government Act...

s.sch011 Any reference, whether express or implied, in any enactment, instrument...

s.sch011 Transitional Provisions and Savings

s.sch011 (1) Any person who immediately before the commencement of section...

s.sch011 Nothing in the definition of “gallon” or “litre” in Schedule...

s.sch011 Any byelaws made by a local authority for any of...

s.sch011 Any provision contained in a byelaw made under paragraph 5...

s.sch011 In any of the following, namely— (a) any byelaw made...

s.sch011 Where any byelaw to which paragraph 25 above applies contains...

s.sch011 Any reference, whether express or implied, in any enactment, instrument...

s.sch011 Where a period of time specified in an enactment repealed...

s.sch011 In any Act passed before 31st July 1963—

s.sch011 Any local Act passed before 31st July 1963 shall continue...

s.sch011 Where an enactment contained in any local Act passed before...

s.sch011 Any standard which immediately before the commencement of this Act...

s.sch011 A certificate of fitness for use as a local standard...

s.sch012 In section 20(1) of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, for...

s.sch012 (1) The Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 shall...

s.sch012 In paragraph 15 of Schedule 8 to the Local Government...

s.sch012 Consequential Amendments

s.sch012 n section 17(5)(b) of the Greater London Council (General Powers)...

s.sch012 Consequential Amendments

s.sch012 (1) Section 12 of the Weights and Measures &c. Act...

s.sch012 In section 14 of the Weights and Measures &c. Act...

s.sch012 In Schedule 6 to the Weights and Measures &c. Act...

s.schedule/13/part/3/paragraph/wrapper4n2 (1) This Table does not take into account transfers of...

s.schedule/1/part/vi/paragraph/wrapper1n2 Measurement of length Mile = 1760 yards. Furlong = 220...

s.schedule/2/part/iii/paragraph/wrapper2n2 The British copy of the prototype metre, being a bar...

s.schedule/2/part/v/paragraph/wrapper3n2 Copies of the bar and cylinder described in Parts I...

15 other provisions

s.para.106 A solid bronze bar, about 38 inches long and about...

s.para.107 A platinum cylinder about 1.35 inches in height and about...

s.para.109 The British copy of the prototype kilogram, being a solid...

s.para.111 1.. . .

s.para.112 2. Measures of—

s.para.113 1.. . .

s.para.114 2. Measures of, or any multiple of, 1 square decimetre....

s.para.115 1. Measures of, or of any multiple of, 0\1 cubic...

s.para.116 2. Measures of—

s.para.117 any multiple of 10 litres

s.para.118 1. Measures of—

s.para.119 any multiple of 1 gallon

s.para.120 2.Measures of—

s.para.121 any multiple of 10 litres

s.para.271 Notes:

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Start a retail business - compliance essentials

A comprehensive compliance onboarding journey for new retailers. Covers consumer rights, pricing law, age-restricted sales, product safety, data protection, accessibility duties, and …

Run a retail business

Ongoing compliance and operational guidance for established retail businesses

Product safety and labelling requirements

General Product Safety Regulations 2005, UKCA marking, weights and measures compliance, and labelling obligations for retailers selling in Great Britain.

3 more guides that reference this instrument

Comply with Trading Standards and Consumer Rights Run a compliant retail business Specialist retail licences and registrations

Connected legislation

Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.

The Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 SI 2010/728

The Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 SI 2012/751

The Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 SI 2014/568

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.

Weights and Measures Act 1985

Does it bind you?

Other Acts binding the same actors

What it requires

Units and Standards of Measurement

Weighing and Measuring for Trade

Public Weighing or Measuring Equipment

Regulation of Transactions in Goods

Packaged Goods

Administration

General

Schedules

Help complying

Start a retail business - compliance essentials

Run a retail business

Product safety and labelling requirements

Connected legislation