# Weights and Measures Acts (UK)

Weights and Measures Acts are acts of the British Parliament determining the regulation of weights and measures. It also refers to similar royal and parliamentary acts of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and the medieval Welsh states. The earliest of these were originally untitled but were given descriptive glosses or titles based upon the monarch under whose reign they were promulgated. Several omnibus modern acts have the short title "Weights and Measures Act" and are distinguished by the year of their enactment.

## Background

There have been many laws concerned with weights and measures in the United Kingdom or parts of it over the last 1,000 or so years. The acts may catalogue lawful weights and measures, prescribe the mechanism for inspection and enforcement of the use of such weights and measures and may set out circumstances under which they may be amended. Modern legislation may, in addition to specific requirements, set out circumstances under which the incumbent minister may amend the legislation by means of statutory instruments. Prior to the Weights and Measures Act 1985, weights and measures acts were only concerned with trade law where the weight or size of the goods being traded was important. The 1985 act, however, had a broader scope, encompassing all aspects covered by the European Economic Community (EEC) European Commission directive 80/181/EEC.
As of 25 April 2012, the current primary legislation in the United Kingdom is the 1985 act, which was last amended by statutory instrument in 2011. Statutory instruments made under the authority of the act do not amend the act per se, but regulate particular areas covered by the act.
The act is currently enforced by the 200 Trading Standards offices managed by local authorities around the country. Definitions of units of measurements and the technical equipment relating to weights and measures are provided by the National Measurement Office, an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

### Statute measure

Historically, many units had various customary definitions—by locality or trade, for example. Where these units also had a standard, legally defined definition, such as given in a weights and measures act, this was known as the statute measure. So a land area might be given as 24 acres—statute measure, to clarify that it was the acre defined in statute, rather than a customary acre of a different size, that was being used. Units that had statute-defined measures as well as customary measures were the acre, mile, perch, pole and ton. The level of legal enforcement of statute measures achieved between the mid nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries meant that only "statute mile" and "statute ton" needed qualifying beyond then. The statute mile still needed to be differentiated from the nautical mile, but the others, and the term "statute measure" itself, are now only used in a historical context.

## Metric units of measure

The Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act 1897 (60 & 61 Vict. c. 46) provided that metric units could be used in addition to the traditional imperial units for purposes of trade. In practice, the actual choice of units was restricted by price marking orders which listed packaging sizes and pricing structures that might be used in specific circumstances. For example, as of April 2012, wine for consumption on premises may only be sold in 125, 175, and 250 mL glasses while draught beer may only be sold as 1⁄3, 1⁄2, or 2⁄3 pint and integer multiples of 1⁄2 pint. Prior to 1973, when the United Kingdom joined the EEC, such specifications were almost all in imperial units.
As part of its attempt to harmonise units of measure between the member states of its Internal Market, the European Commission (EC) issued directive 80/181/EEC which set out the units of measure that should be used for what it called "economic, public health, public safety, and administrative" purposes. To comply with this directive, the Weights and Measures Act 1985 extended the scope of Trading Standards responsibilities from just matters related to trade to all aspects of the directive. For example, it was the Trading Standards Office that criticised the use of sub-standard weighing machines in NHS hospitals.
To help ease the EC's desired transition from sole use of imperial units to sole use of metric units, the directive permitted the use of what were termed "supplementary indicators"—the continued use of imperial units alongside the metric units catalogued by the directive (dual labelling). The initial intention was to prohibit dual labelling after the end of 1989, with metric units only being allowed after that date. This deadline was later extended: first to the end of 1999, then to the end of 2009. Finally, in 2007, the European Union (EU, as it had become) and the EC confirmed that the UK would be permitted to continue indefinitely to use imperial units such as pints, miles, pounds and ounces as at present. The Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Department confirmed the EU ruling that the previous deadline for ending dual labelling had been abolished.
There are still a few cases where imperial units are required to be used and where metric units are not permitted within the scope of the Weights and Measures Act, such as the pint for the sale of draught beer and cider, and miles and yards for distances on road signage. Milk in returnable containers may be sold by the pint and the troy ounce may be used for the sale of precious metals. In addition, British law specifies which non-metric units may be used with dual labelling (for example the imperial gallon, but not the US gallon).

## England
### Acts of the Witenagemot

Numerous acts of the Saxon kings are known to have been lost. Those that have survived include:

#### 10th century

2 Edgar c. 8 (sometime between 959 and 963):
The statute also survives in a few other Old English and Latin copies, some which omit mention of London and describe "the measure held at Winchester", an indication that a standard ell or yard was nominally in use:
John Quincy Adams's 1821 report on the history of English weights and measures notes of this act that "it was never observed".

### Acts of the Royal Council
#### 11th century

3 William I c. 7 (1068):

#### 12th century

9 Richard I c. 27 (1197):
   Assize of Measures
   It is established that woollen cloths, wherever they be made, be made of the same width, to wit, of two ells within the lists [selvages], and of the same good quality in the middle and at the sides. Also the ell shall be the same in the whole realm and of the same length and the ell shall be of iron.

### Acts of Parliament
#### Statutes of uncertain date

The statutes of uncertain date (Latin: Statuta temporis incerti) are generally dated to the mid-to-late 13th century.

##### The Assize of Bread and Ale (Assisa Panis et Cervisiae)

    Sometimes dated to 51 Henry III (1267–68). Statute I - Section III:
    By the Consent of the whole Realm of England, the measure of our Lord the King was made; that is to say, That the English Peny, called a Sterling, round and without clipping, shall weigh xxxii Wheat Corns in the midst of the Ear, and xx d. do make an Ounce, and xii Ounces one Pound, and Viii Pound do make a Gallon of Wine, and viii Gallons of Wine do make a London Bushel, which is the Eighth Part of a Quarter. Forasmuch as in our Parliament holden at Westminster, in the first Year of our Reign, we have granted that all good Statutes and Ordinances made in Times of our Progenitors aforesaid, and not revoked, shall be still held, we have caused, at the Request of the Bakers of our Town of Coventry, that the Ordinances aforesaid, by tenor of these Presents, shall be exemplified. In Witness whereof, &c. Whitness the King at Westminster, the xxii Day of March.

##### Tractatus de Ponderibus et Mensuris

    Also known as the Tractatus de Ponderibus, Compositio de Ponderibus ("The Composition of Weights"), Assisa de Ponderibus et Mensuris ("Assize of Weights and Measures") or the Weights and Measures Act 1303. In the Latin and English text, "hundred" (and the Latin numeral c.) is used for four separate concepts: the Germanic long hundred of 120, the short hundred of 100, several units of either value, and a separate unit (the hundredweight) of 108 pounds.
    The form in which it appears in Cotton MS Claudius D2 where it is dated to 31 Edw. I (1303) is:

##### Magna Carta

    Although signed in 1215, Magna Carta was not ratified by Parliament until 1225, by which time it had become substantially abridged. Chapter 35 of Magna Carta of 1215 (which dealt with weights and measures) became chapter 25 of Magna Carta of 1225.

#### 14th century
##### 14 Edw. 3 Stat. 1. c. 12 (1340)

    Bushels and Weights shall be made and sent into every Country.

##### 18 Edw. 3 Stat. 2. c. 4 (1344)

    Commissions to assay Weights and Measures shall be repealed, and none such granted.

##### 27 Edw. 3 Stat. 2. c. 10 (1353)

    A chapter of the Statute of the Staple that provides for justices to be appointed to hear charges of measuring fraud at the staple ports. Those found guilty were liable for quadruple damages and 2 years' imprisonment.

##### 31 Edw. 3 Stat. 1. c. 2 (1357)

    No Wool shall be bought by Fraud to abate the Price thereof. Weights shall be sent to all the Shires.

##### 4 Ric. 2. c. 1 (1380)

    All Vessels of Wine, Honey, and Oil brought into this realm shall be gauged.

##### 13 Ric. 2. Stat. 1. c. 9 (1389)

    There shall be but one Weight and one Measure throughout the Realm, saving in the County of Lancaster. The Weight of Wool, and the Refuse thereof.

##### 15 Ric. 2. c. 4. (1391)

    There shall be but eight Bushels of Corn striked to the Quarter.

##### 16 Ric. 2. c. 3. (1392)

    The Clerk of the Market shall carry with him all his Weights and Measures signed.

#### 15th century
##### United Kingdom legislationCorn Measure Act 1413Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act concerning the true Measure of Corn.Citation1 Hen. 5. c. 10Territorial extent England and WalesDatesRoyal assent9 June 1413Commencement14 May 1413Repealed10 August 1872Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872)Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 1 Hen. 5. c. 10 (1413),

    An Act concerning the true Measure of Corn.

##### United Kingdom legislationGilding of Silver Act 1414Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleThere Shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of English Sterling.Citation2 Hen. 5. Stat. 2. c. 4DatesCommencement19 November 1414Repealed21 July 1856Other legislationRepealed byRepeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 2 Hen. 5. Stat. 2. c. 4 (1414)

    There Shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of English Sterling.
    First notice of troy weight in statute.

##### United Kingdom legislationWeights, etc. Act 1429Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleEvery City and Borough shall have a common Balance and Weight. Who may buy Wool and Yarn.Citation8 Hen. 6. c. 5DatesRepealed10 August 1861Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act (Ireland) 1872Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 8 Hen. 6. c. 5 (1429)

    Every City and Borough shall have a common Balance and Weight. Who may buy Wool and Yarn.

##### United Kingdom legislationVessels of Wine, etc. Act 1439Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleVessels of Wine, Oyl, and Honey, shall be gauged.Citation18 Hen. 6. c. 17 18 Hen. 6. c. 17 (1439)

    Vessels of Wine, Oyl, and Honey, shall be gauged.

##### United Kingdom legislationWeights and Measures Act 1495Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for Weights and Measures.Citation11 Hen. 7. c. 4DatesRepealed10 August 1872Other legislationRelates toStatute Law Revision (Ireland) Act 1872Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 11 Hen. 7. c. 4 (1494)

    An Act for Weights and Measures.
    The Names of the Cities and Towns limited for the keeping of Weights and Measures.

##### United Kingdom legislationWeights and Measures Act 1496Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for Weights and Measures.Citation12 Hen. 7. c. 5DatesRepealed28 July 1863Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1863Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 12 Hen. 7. c. 5 (1496)

    An Act for Weights and Measures.
    That the Measure of a Bushel contain viij. Gallons of Wheat, and that every Gallon contain viij. li. of Wheat of Troy Weight, and every Pound contain xij. Ounces of Troy Weight, and every Ounce contain xx. Sterlings, and every Sterling be of the Weight of xxxij. Corns of Wheat that grew in the Midst of the Ear of Wheat, according to the old Laws of this Land.

#### 16th century
##### Verdict of the Pyx 18 Henry VIII (1527)

    And whereas heretofore the merchaunte paid for coynage of every pounde Towre of fyne gold weighing xi oz. quarter Troye ii s. vi d. Nowe it is determyned by the king's highness, and his said councelle that the foresaid pounde Towre shall be no more used and occupied but al maner of golde and sylver shall be wayed by the pounde Troye, which maketh xii oz. Troy, which exceedith the pounde Towre in weight iii quarters of the oz.

##### United Kingdom legislationBrewers and Coopers Act 1531Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act that no Brewers of Beer or Ale shall make their Barrels, Kilderkins nor Firkins, within them; and how much the same Barrels, &c. shall contain.Citation23 Hen. 8. c. 4DatesRoyal assent14 May 1532Repealed28 July 1863Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1863Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 23 Hen. 8. c. 4 (1531)

    An Act that no Brewers of Beer or Ale shall make their Barrels, Kilderkins or Firkins within them, and how much the same Barrels, et cetera shall contain.

##### United Kingdom legislationSale of Flesh Act 1532Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for Flesh to be sold by Weight.Citation24 Hen. 8. c. 3DatesRoyal assent7 April 1533Status: Repealed 24 Hen. 8. c. 3 (1532)

    An Act for flesh to be sold by weight, and the prices limited.
    Beef, pork, mutton and veal shall be sold by weight called Haver-de-pois.

##### United Kingdom legislationFlax and Hemp Act 1532Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act concerning sowing of Flax and Hemp.Citation24 Hen. 8. c. 4DatesRoyal assent7 April 1533Repealed28 July 1863Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1863Status: Repealed 24 Hen. 8. c. 4 (1532)

    An Act concerning sowing of Flax and Hemp.
    An acre shall be counted 160 perches, and every perch 16-foot and a half.

##### United Kingdom legislationWoollen Cloth Act 1551Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for the true making of Woolen Cloth.Citation5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 6Territorial extent England and WalesDatesRoyal assent15 April 1552Repealed21 July 1856Other legislationRepealed byRepeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 6 (1552)

    An Act for the true making of Woolen Cloth.
    XIV. And that all and every Broad Cloth and Clothes called Taunton Clothes, Bridgwaters, and other Clothes which shall be made after the said Feast in Taunton, Bridgwater or in other Places of like Sort, shall contain at the Water in Length betwixt twelve and thirteen Yards, Yard and Inch of the Rule, and in Breadth seven Quarters of a Yard: (2) And every narrow Cloth made after the said Feast in the said Towns or elsewhere of like Sorts, shall contain in the Water in Length betwixt three and twenty and five and twenty Yards, Yard and Inch as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard of like Measure; (3) and every such Cloth, both Broad and Narrow being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxxiv. li. the Piece at the least.XV. And that all Clothes named Check-Kersie and Straits, which shall be made after the said Feast shall contain being wet between seventeen and eighteen Yards, with the Inches as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard at the least at the Water; and being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxiv. li. the Piece at the least.

##### United Kingdom legislationWoollen Cloths Act 1557Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act towching the making of Wollen Clothes.Citation4 & 5 Ph. & M. c. 5DatesRoyal assent7 March 1558Other legislationRepealed byCity of London Courts of Justice Act 1815Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 4 & 5 Ph. & M. c. 5. par. IX (1557–58)

    An act touching the making of woolen clothes.
    IX. Item, That every ordinary kersie mentioned in the said act shall contain in length in the water betwixt xvi. and xvii. yards, yard and inch; and being well scoured thicked, milled, dressed and fully dried, shall weigh nineteen pounds the piece at the least: ...

##### United Kingdom legislationWax Act 1580Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act touching the true melting, making and working of Wax.Citation23 Eliz. 1. c. 8Territorial extent England and WalesDatesRoyal assent18 March 1581Repealed21 July 1856Other legislationRepealed byRepeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 23 Eliz. 1. c. 8 (1581)

    An Act touching the true melting, making and working of Wax.
    ... fill and sell or cause to be filled or sold or offered to be sold any Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin with Honey, for or in the Name of a Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin containing less than two and thirty Wine Gallons the Barrel, sixteen Wine Gallons the Kilderkin, and eight Wine Gallons the Firkin; every Person and Persons so offending shall forfeit and lose for every Half Gallon so lacking five Shillings of English Money.

##### United Kingdom legislationRestriction on Building Act 1592Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act against converting of great Houses into several Tenements, and for Restraint of Inmates and Inclosures, in and near about the City of London and Westminster.Citation35 Eliz. 1. c. 6Territorial extent England and WalesDatesRoyal assent10 April 1593Repealed27 March 1888Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1888Status: Repealed 35 Eliz. 1. c. 6 (1593)

    An Act against converting of great Houses into several Tenements, and for Restraint of Inmates and Inclosures, in and near about the City of London and Westminster.
    A Mile shall contain eight Furlongs, every Furlong forty Poles, and every Pole shall contain sixteen Foot and an half.
    This is the codification and namesake of the statute mile.

##### United Kingdom legislationCloth Act 1592Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn act for the reformation of sundry abuses in clothes, called Devonshire kersies or dozens, according to a proclamation of the thirty-fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen that now is.Citation35 Eliz. 1. c. 10DatesRoyal assent10 April 1593Other legislationRepealed byWoollen Manufacture Act 1809Status: Repealed 35 Eliz. 1. c. 10. par. III (1593)

    An act for the reformation of sundry abuses in clothes, called Devonshire kersies or dozens, according to a proclamation of the thirty-fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen that now is.
    (2) and each and every of the same Devonshire kersies or dozens, so being raw, and as it cometh forth off the weaver's loom (without racking, stretching, straining or other device to encrease the length thereof) shall contain in length between fifteen and sixteen yards by the measure of yard and inch by the rule, ...

#### 17th century
##### United Kingdom legislationClerk of the Market Act 1640Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for the better ordering and regulating of the Office of Clerk of the Market, allowed and confirmed by this Statutes; and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures.Citation16 Cha. 1. c. 19DatesRoyal assent10 August 1641Repealed28 July 1863Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1863Status: Repealed 16 Cha. 1. c. 19 (1640)

    An Act for the better ordering and regulating of the Office of Clerk of the Market, allowed and confirmed by this Statutes; and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures.

##### United Kingdom legislationMeasures Act 1670Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corne and Salt.Citation22 Cha. 2. c. 8DatesRoyal assent11 April 1670Commencement29 September 1670Repealed28 July 1863Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1863Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 22 Cha. 2 c. 8 (1670)

    An Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
    First mention of the Winchester bushel in statute.

##### United Kingdom legislationMeasures (No. 2) Act 1670Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn additional Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.Citation22 & 23 Cha. 2. c. 12DatesRoyal assent22 April 1671Repealed28 July 1863Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1863Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 22 & 23 Cha. 2. c. 12 (1670)

    An additional Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.

##### 8 & 9 Will. 3 c. 22. s. 9 (1696–7)

    ... every round bushel with a plain and even bottom being eighteen inches and a half wide throughout and eight inches deep shall be determined a legal Winchester bushel according to the Standard of His Majesty's Exchequer.
    First definition of the Winchester bushel in statute (≈2,150.42 cubic inches).

#### 18th century
##### United Kingdom legislationAle Measures Act 1698Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act for the ascertaining the Measures for retailing Ale and Beer.Citation11 Will. 3. c. 15 (Ruffhead: 11 & 12 Will. 3. c. 15)DatesRoyal assent11 April 1700Repealed15 July 1867Other legislationRepealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1867Status: Repealed 11 Will. 3. c. 15 (1700)

    An Act for ascertaining the Measures for retailing Ale and Beer.

##### United Kingdom legislationWater Measure of Fruit Act 1702Act of ParliamentParliament of EnglandLong titleAn Act to ascertain the water measure of fruit.Citation1 Ann. c. 9 (Ruffhead: 1 Ann. St. 1. c. 15)DatesRoyal assent6 May 1702Repealed21 July 1856Other legislationRepealed byWeights and Measures Act 1824Repeal of Obsolete Statutes Act 1856Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted 1 Ann. c. 9 (1701)

    An Act to ascertain the Water Measure of Fruit.

## Great Britain
### Acts of Parliament
#### 18th century

Taxation (No. 5) Act 1706 (6 Ann. c. 27)
    An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions and Duties and for making Provisions therein mentioned to raise Money by Way of Loan for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions, and for ascertaining the Wine Measure.
    ... any Vessel containing two hundred thirty one cubical Inches and no more shall be deemed and taken to be a lawful Wine Gallon ...
    This statute is the origin of the US gallon, also known as the Queen Anne Gallon, Queen Anne Wine Gallon, or pre-1824 British gallon.
False Weights and Scales Act 1770 (10 Geo. 3. c. 44)
    An Act for more effectually preventing Traders in exciseable Commodities from using false Weights and Scales and for explaining and amending several Acts of Parliament relating to Hackney Coaches and Chairs.
Weights and Measures Act 1795 (35 Geo. 3. c. 102)
    An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.

##### United Kingdom legislationWeights and Measures Act 1797Act of ParliamentParliament of Great BritainLong titleAn Act to explain and amend an Act made in the thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, intituled, "An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances."Citation37 Geo. 3. c. 143DatesRoyal assent20 July 1797Commencement10 July 1797Repealed21 August 1871Other legislationAmendsWeights and Measures Act 1795Repealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1871Status: RepealedText of statute as originally enacted

Weights and Measures Act 1797 (37 Geo. 3. c. 143)
    An Act to explain and amend an Act made in the thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.

#### 19th century

Weights and Measures Act 1815 (55 Geo. 3. c. 43)
    An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of false and deficient Measures.
Weights and Measures Act 1824 (5 Geo. 4. c. 74)
    An Act for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures.
    And whereas not withstanding it is provided by the Great Charter, that there shall be but one Measure and one Weight throughout the Realm, and by the Treaty of Union between England and Scotland, that the same Weights and Measures should be used throughout Great Britain as were then established in England, yet different Weights and Measures, some larger, and some less, are still in use in various Places throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the true Measure of the present Standards is not verily known, which is the Cause of great Confusion and of manifest Frauds: For the Remedy and Prevention of these Evils for the future, and to the End that certain Standards of Weights and Measures should be established throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; be it therefore enacted ...
    This is the origin of Imperial units. This statute repeals nearly all previous weights and measures legislation, listing them in chronological order (by regnal year but without dates) beginning with "ancient statutes of uncertain date".
Weights and Measures Act 1825 (6 Geo. 4 c. 12)
    An Act to prolong the Time of the Commencement of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures and to amend the said Act.
Weights and Measures Act 1834 (4 & 5 Will. 4. c. 49)
    An Act to amend and render more effectual Two Acts of the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, relating to Weights and Measures.
Weights and Measures Act 1835 5 & 6 Will. 4. c. 63 (1835)
    Also known as the Weights and Measures Act 1835; originally entitled An Act to repeal an Act of the Fourth and Fifth Year of His present Majesty relating to Weights and Measures, and to make other Provisions instead thereof.
    Established the imperial stone and hundredweight of 14 and 112 lbs. respectively, based on the wool stone of Edward III.
Weights and Measures Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 72)
    An Act for legalising and preserving the restored Standards of Weights and Measures.
    The 1834 burning of Parliament had destroyed the physical standards referred to in earlier statues; the 1835 act ignored this fact. New copies were created in accordance with the advice of a scientific commission, and the 1855 act made them the "restored Standards".
    ... the Imperial Standard Pound Avoirdupois and shall be deemed to be the only Standard Measure of Weight from which all other Weights and other Measures having Reference ...
Weights and Measures Act 1859 (22 & 23 Vict. c. 56)
    An Act to amend the Act of the fifth and sixth years of King William the Fourth, chapter sixty-three, relating to weights and measures.
Metric Weights and Measures Act 1864 (27 & 28 Vict. c. 117)
    An Act to render permissive the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures.
Weights and Measures Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 49)
    An Act to consolidate the Law relating to Weights and Measures.
    This statute abolished the troy pound, effective January 1879.
Weights and Measures Act 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c. 21)
    An Act for amending the Law relating to Weights and Measures and for other purposes connected therewith.
Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c. 18)
Weights and Measures Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 19)
Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act 1897 (60 & 61 Vict. c. 46)
    An Act to legalise the Use of Weights and Measures of the Metric System.

##### Weights and Measures Acts of 1878 to 1893

    This collective title encompassed the following acts:
   * Weights and Measures Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c 49)
   * Weights and Measures Act 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c 21)
   * Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c. 18)
   * Weights and Measures Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 19)

#### 20th century

Weights and Measures Act 1904 (4 Edw. 7 c. 28)
Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 8)
Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act 1926 (16 & 17 Geo. 5 c. 63)
Weights and Measures Act 1963 (c. 31)
Weights and Measures etc. Act 1976 (c. 77)
Weights and Measures Act 1979 (c. 45)
    This act introduces the average quantity principle for packaged goods into UK law for the first time. The 1979 Act was replaced by Part V of the 1985 Act.
Weights and Measures Act 1985 (c. 72)
    The act defines the four primary units of measurement as the metre or the yard (defined in terms of the metre) for length, and the kilogram or pound (defined in terms of the kilogram) for mass. The act also requires standard physical examples to be maintained (known as "United Kingdom primary standards") for each of the four primary units.
    In addition, the definitions of units which are multiples or sub-multiples of the primary units are defined, in terms of the primary units, and given as: mile, foot, inch, kilometre, decimetre, centimetre, millimetre, acre, square yard, square foot, hectare, decare, are, square metre, square decimetre, square centimetre, square millimetre, cubic metre, cubic decimetre, cubic centimetre, hectolitre, litre, decilitre, centilitre, millilitre, gallon, quart, pint, gill, fluid ounce, pound, ounce, ounce troy, tonne, kilogram, hectogram, gram, carat (metric) and milligram.
    As originally enacted, the act also defined, in the same way, units which could not be used for trade as: furlong, chain, square mile, rood, square inch, cubic yard, cubic foot, cubic inch, bushel, peck, fluid drachm, minim, ton, hundredweight, cental, quarter, stone, dram, grain, pennyweight, ounce apothecaries, drachm, scruple, metric ton and quintal.
    As of January 2020, following multiple amendments over the years since enactment, the metre, yard, kilogram and pound remain as the primary defined units and with the requirement to maintain the "United Kingdom primary standards" for them.
    At the same time, all the imperial units, except pint and ounce troy (but including all of those which were originally defined as not to be used for trade) were reclassified as being available for use for trade as supplementary indications, namely: mile, furlong, chain, yard, foot, inch, square mile, acre, rood, square yard, square foot, square inch, cubic yard, cubic foot, cubic inch, bushel, peck, gallon, quart, gill, fluid ounce, fluid drachm, minim, ton, hundredweight, cental, quarter, stone, pound, ounce, dram, grain, pennyweight, ounce apothecaries, drachm, scruple and quintal. The tonne was also reclassified as being available for use for trade as a supplementary unit of measure,

## Northern Ireland

* Weights and Measures Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 (c. 6 (N.I.))
* Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (SI 1981/231)
* Weights and Measures (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2000 (c. 5 (N.I.))