Advice to business - Weighing and measuring goods

Traders must weigh and measure goods accurately. There are many legal controls covering all aspects of weighing and measuring.

Advice and support for consumers in Solihull is now provided by Consumer Direct.
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities in The West Midlands and by Government.

Consumer Direct works in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Advice Services offering first level advice and information on a wide range of consumer issues. More complex problems, or complaints requiring further investigation or assistance are referred to Trading Standards or other advice services

To speak to a Consumer Direct adviser, please call 08454 04 05 06. Opening hours are 8.00 a.m. and 6.30p.m. Monday - Friday or 9.00a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturdays. (Minicom users should call on 08451 28 13 84).

A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Consumer Direct website at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

What the law says

• All equipment used for determining the quantity of goods in a transaction must be legally approved. This includes shop scales, petrol pumps, pub optics and measuring tapes.
• Most equipment must carry one of the following marks of approval:
• A crown stamp
• A European 'e' stamp
• A European green sticker

• These marks are normally applied by Trading Standards officers and show that the equipment has been tested and found to be accurate.

• Trading Standards officers have a duty to inspect equipment on trade premises. Inaccurate equipment will usually be marked with a six pointed star and must not be used again until it has been repaired, retested and restamped.
• Where minor inaccuracies are involved, the officer may instead issue a written notice requiring the equipment to be repaired within a specified period. You may continue to use the equipment during this period.
• In most transactions the quantity of goods involved must be made known to the buyer. Most prepacked goods will be already labelled with their quantity. In the case of loose goods they can be weighted or measured in the presence of the customer. The equipment used should be clearly visible to the customer.
• It is illegal to use weighing and measuring equipment in an incorrect or fraudulent way.
• It is illegal to give short weight or measure
• It is illegal when determining the quantity of non prepacked goods, to use any equipment which does not carry one of the three marks of approval
• If you prepack goods in fixed quantities you must use approved equipment. You must also carry out adequate quantity checks and keep written records in most cases.
• If you have weighing and measuring equipment which the public pay to use, eg a weighbridge, it can only be operated by a person holding a certificate of competence issued by a Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures. Records of all such public weighing and measuring must be retained for inspection for not less than two years. These requirements do not apply to person weighing machines.

Other legal requirements cover specific goods in respect of:

• Labelling and marking
• Quantity
• Documentation
• Price induction

How to Comply with the Law

• Ensure your weighing and measuring equipment is appropriate for the goods you sell, and is suitably located
• Buy equipment from reputable suppliers
• Regularly check that the equipment is located in a suitable place and is clean and working correctly
• Train staff to use equipment correctly
• Make sure you know what, if any, special requirements apply to the goods you sell. If in doubt contact your Trading Standards officer.

Important

• Ensure all your weighing and measuring equipment is clean and regularly maintained
• Ensure your equipment is approved and bears any stamps or stickers that are required
• Ensure all your staff are supervised adequately

Contact Details

Consumer Advice and Information in Solihull, is now provided by our partners at Consumer Direct. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities (Trading Standards) and Central Government. If you do need support or assistance from Trading Standards, you will of course be referred to them by Consumer Direct.