[ CAP. 454.

METROLOGY

1

CHAPTER 454
METROLOGY ACT
To repeal and replace the Weights and Measures Ordinance.

15th September, 2006
ACT XXV of 2002, as amended by Act XV of 2006; Legal Notices
427 of 2007 and 110 of 2010; and Act VI of 2011.

PART I
Preliminary
1.

The short title of this Act is the Metrology Act.

Short title.
Amended by:
XV. 2006.19.

2.

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires -Interpretation.
Amended by:
XV. 2006.20;
VI. 2011.163.
Cap. 510.

"Authority" means the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs
Authority as established by the Malta Competition and Consumer
Affairs Authority Act;
"calibration" refers to all the operations for the purpose ofdetermining the values of errors of a measuring instrument;"container" means a container in which goods are exposed,
packed, offered for sale or sold, including, in particular, a bag,case, carton, bottle, glass, box, can, envelope, net, sack or wrapper,
whether or not such wrapper fully encloses its contents;"conformity assessment procedures" has the meaning assigned to
it by article 8;"Court" means the Court of Magistrates sitting as a court ofcriminal judicature;"Director General" means the person appointed as Director
General (Standards and Metrology) by article 21 of the Malta
Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority Act;

Cap. 510.

"functions" includes powers and duties;"goods" means anything which may be the subject of trade or
manufacture;"inspector" means a person authorised or appointed under article
5 to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act;"Institute" means the Standards and Metrology Institute as
established by article 21 of the Malta Competition and Consumer
Affairs Authority Act;
"legal metrology" means that part of metrology which deals withunits of measurement, methods of measurement and of measuring
instruments in relation to the mandatory technical and legal
requirements which have the object of ensuring the appropriate
accuracy of measurements;

Cap. 510.

2

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY"mark" or "marking" includes any inscription, stamp or label
signifying conformity or otherwise of a measuring instrument withthis Act and regulations made thereunder whether applied byimpressing, casting, engraving, etching, branding or otherwise;"measurement standard" means a measuring instrument intended
to define, to represent physically, to conserve or to reproduce theunit of measurement of a quantity, or a multiple or sub-multiple ofthat unit in order to transmit it to other measuring instruments bycomparison;"measuring" means the act or process of appraising, assessing,calculating, calibrating, computing, estimating, evaluating or
gauging of length, volume, weight or magnitude, and"measurement" shall be construed accordingly;"measuring instrument" means a device intended to be used tomake measurements, alone or in conjunction with a supplementarydevice or devices;"Metrology" is the field of knowledge concerned withmeasurement, the principal fields of which are: units ofmeasurement and their measurement standards, measurements andmeasuring instruments;"Minister" means the Minister responsible for standards andmetrology and includes, to the extent of the authority given, any
person authorised by the Minister to act in that behalf for any
purpose of this Act;
"ordinary measuring instrument" means a measuring instrument
intended for ordinary use but not for the verification of othermeasuring instruments;"periodical verification" means a verification of a measuring
instrument, not being an initial verification, which is carried out
periodically, at such intervals and according to such procedures as
may be established by the Institute;"pre-package" means a product which has been placed in acontainer of whatever nature without the purchaser being present
and where the quantity of the product contained in the package has
a pre-determined value and cannot be altered without the package
either being opened or undergoing a modification;"prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made under thisAct;"prescribed purpose" refers to any of the purposes falling within
the terms of article 7(1);"sell" includes offer, expose, advertise or keep for sale, and to
supply by way of or for the purpose of consumption, and similar or
related words shall be construed accordingly;"SI System" means the International System of Units, "SI",namely, the coherent system of units adopted and recommended by
the 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures (Conférence
Générale des Poids et Mesures - CGPM) in 1960, and as may berevised from time to time;

METROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

3

"stamp" means a device used to apply a mark under this Act to ameasuring instrument to indicate that it conforms to therequirements of verification;"stamping" includes any operation adopted for the purpose of
applying to a measuring instrument the marks indicating that itconforms to the requirements of verification;"type approval" means the examination, including testing inaccordance with international practices, and approval of aparticular design or pattern of measuring instrument to show that it
is suitable for use for a prescribed purpose and is capable ofachieving the accuracies required;"unit verification" means the examination of a measuring
instrument, generally of a unique design and intended for a specificapplication, to establish that it satisfies legal metrologicalrequirements;"user" means the person or organisation responsible for the useof the measuring instrument for the purposes of this Act;"verification" means all the operations carried out by theInstitute, or by verifiers on its behalf, having the object ofascertaining and confirming that the measuring instrument entirely
satisfies the requirements of this Act in respect of verification;"verification mark" means a mark applied to a measuring
instrument certifying that the verification of the measuring
instrument was carried out with satisfactory results;"verifier" means a person authorised or appointed under article 5
to carry out verification within the meaning and for the purposes ofthis Act.
PART II
Administration
3. (1) The Director General (Standards and Metrology), asappointed by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs
Authority Act, shall have the responsibilities as may be assigned tohim by this Act, by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs
Authority Act, and by any other law.

Director General(Standards andMetrology).
Amemded by:
VI. 2011.163, 164.
Cap. 510.

(2) The Director General shall carry out such functions as are
assigned to him by this Act or by regulations made thereunder or by
any other law.
(3) The Director General shall furnish to the Authority suchinformation regarding the performance of his functions as the
Authority may from time to time request.
(4) The Director General and any other person as may be
employed or otherwise appointed by the Authority to exercise
functions under this Act shall not have any personal interest in themaking, adjusting or selling of measuring instruments.
4. (1) There shall be established a Metrology Advisory
Board, the functions of which shall be:(a) to provide advice of a scientific and technical nature to

The Metrology
Advisory Board.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

4

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY
the Director General and to provide assistance on
general matters of policy and organisation relating to
the functions and activities of the Institute; and(b) to submit proposals and recommendations for new
projects in the field of legal metrology.
(2) The number of members, manner of procedure of their
appointment and their terms of office shall be determined by the
Authority, provided that the members shall be appointed fromamong persons enjoying technical expertise in legal metrology.
(3) Administrative matters relating to the Metrology Advisory
Board shall be conducted by the Director General.

Appointment ofinspectors andverifiers.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

5. (1) The Authority may appoint any person being an officerof the Authority to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Institute may appoint any person, whether physical orotherwise, to be a verifier for the purposes of this Act.
(3) (a) The Institute shall provide for the holding of
examinations for the purpose of ascertaining whether persons
possess sufficient skill and knowledge for the proper performanceof the functions of inspectors and verifiers, and for the granting ofcertificates of qualification to persons who pass such examinations.
(b) The Institute shall establish the standard of skill andknowledge, as well as other requirements, needed for a person toqualify as inspector or verifier.
(4) The Institute shall ensure that the persons so appointed
continue to meet the requirements laid down in accordance with
subarticle (3).
(5) Every person appointed under subarticles (1) and (2) as aninspector or as a verifier shall be furnished with a certificate of his
appointment by the Institute. Such certificate shall be valid for such
period and may include such conditions as the Director General
may consider appropriate.
(6) The Institute may, if it deems fit, arrange with some otherperson to hold examinations for the purpose mentioned insubarticle (3).
(7) No certificate of qualification shall be issued to any person
who has not yet attained the age of eighteen.
(8) There shall be charged, in respect of any examination which
is held by the Institute under this article, such fees as the Authority
may from time to time determine.
(9) The Authority may, upon the recommendation of the
Director General, and under such conditions as may be prescribed,
at any time revoke an appointment made under this article, and insuch case, the person whose appointment is so revoked shallsurrender to the Institute the certificate furnished under this article.
(10) The Institute shall monitor the activities of the verifiers
appointed under this Act.

METROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

6. (1) An inspector duly appointed in terms of this Act, in the
discharge of his duties, shall have the following powers:(a) to enter and search any industrial establishment orcommercial premises or vehicles or vessels, where ameasuring instrument which is meant to be used forany prescribed purpose, is installed or kept, or where
there is reason to believe it is installed or kept;(b) to enter any premises or any other place, including avehicle or vessel, in which any activity in connection
with the manufacturing, processing, supplying,
distributing, importing or wholesale or retail selling ofgoods is carried on;(c) to inspect such premises and examine and test any
such measuring instruments or goods found thereon
for the purposes of establishing conformity with theprovisions of this Act;(d) to apply non-conformity marks to the measuring
instrument if, following any such inspection or testing,a measuring instrument is found not to be inconformity with the provisions of this Act;(e) to remove from the premises for examination, testing
and measuring any goods or measuring instrument towhich a non-conformity mark has been applied;(f) to require the owner, the person in charge or any
employee in charge of or at the place entered toprovide all reasonable assistance including personal
assistance, and to produce books, records and written
or electronic documents to enable the inspector tocarry out his functions under this Act;(g) to inspect and copy or take extracts from any suchbooks, records or other documents; and(h) in the case of any vehicle or vessel referred to inparagraph (a), to request the owner or operator thereof
to bring the vehicle or vessel for examination to alocation as may be indicated to him by the inspector.
(2) An inspector who removes a measuring instrument or goods
pursuant to subarticle (1)(e) shall notify forthwith, and issue areceipt to, the person from whose premises the measuring
instrument or goods are taken, or that person’s authorised
representative, indicating that the measuring instrument or goods,
as the case may be, are taken in pursuance of this Act.
(3) No entry and search shall be effected outside the normal
business hours of the establishment concerned, unless the Director
General has cause to believe that delay could cause the loss or
suppression of any evidence or may otherwise prejudice theoutcome of the search.
(4)

An inspector may seize and retain:(a) any article, measuring instrument, stamp or goods
which he believes to be in contravention of this Act;

Powers ofinspectors.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

5

6

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGYand(b) any document relating to a measuring instrument or
any document displayed with any goods offered or
exposed for sale which relates to the price or quantityof the goods, and which the inspector believes may berequired as evidence in any proceedings.

(5)

Any person who (a) obstructs or impedes an inspector in the exercise of his
functions, or does not comply with a requirement madeby an inspector in carrying out any of his functions
under this Act, or(b) refuses or fails to give an inspector any assistance orinformation which the inspector may request in theperformance of any of his functions under this Act, or(c) makes an incorrect, false or misleading statement,
either verbally or in writing, to an inspector who isengaged in carrying out any of his functions under thisAct,

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(6) Where it results to an inspector that a measuring instrument
or a measurement standard fails to give the correct measurement
which it purports to give or is otherwise faulty, the inspector may
give the person responsible a written notice ordering him that, until
such time as the said notice is withdrawn, the measuring instrument
shall not be used and, where applicable, shall be removed. Any
person who knowingly acts in contravention of such written notice
shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(7) The Director General may exercise any of the powers
conferred on an inspector under this article.
(8) In the course of any entry and search under this article, theDirector General may request the assistance of the Police.
(9) In the exercise of any powers conferred by this article, theinspector shall, if so requested, provide evidence of his
appointment.
(10) The inspector may be accompanied by such other persons
and take with him such instruments as are necessary for the purposeof carrying out his functions.
PART III
Control Procedures of Measuring Instruments, Measurements,
Product Quantities and Pre-packages
Metrologicalcontrols of
measuring
instruments.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

7. (1) Measuring instruments used or intended to be used forcertain measurements, including:(a) measuring instruments used for the verification ofordinary measuring instruments;(b) measuring instruments used for transactions in goods
and services, fiscal or postal transactions, or forMETROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

analogous or similar purposes in pursuance of a tradeor business;(c) measuring instruments used in or for the enforcementof this Act or of any other law; and(d) measuring instruments used in the field of publichealth, safety or environmental protection,as may be prescribed shall be subject to metrological controls.
(2) Only measuring instruments that have successfully
undergone the controls listed under article 8(2) and such othercontrols as may be established by the Institute may be used for any
prescribed purpose.
(3) Persons importing, manufacturing, repairing, selling,hiring, using or otherwise dealing in measuring instruments within
the meaning of subarticle (1), must inform the Institute of theiractivity and become registered with it within such timeframes as
the Institute may establish by notice in the Gazette, and different
timeframes may be established for different categories or classes ofmeasuring instruments. For this purpose, the Institute shallmaintain a register of such persons, and it shall have the power torequire any such person to furnish it with any information,
documentation and undertakings as it may deem fit.
(4) Any person who fails or neglects to comply with theprovisions of subarticles (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) Where, in the special circumstances of any particular case,
it appears to the Institute that it would be impracticable or
unnecessary that a particular measuring instrument be subjected tometrological controls in terms of this article, the Institute may, by
an exemption in writing, dispense with such requirement. The
Institute may attach any conditions, including a time limit, to any
such exemption and any person who contravenes any conditionattached to an exemption shall be guilty of an offence.
(6) For the purposes of this article, "measuring instrument"
shall include any measuring instruments used or offered for use by
private or public undertakings.
8. (1) Measuring instruments intended for use for any
prescribed purpose, including public weighing, shall be subject tosuch conformity assessment procedures as may be prescribed by
the Institute by notice published in the Gazette.
(2) The conformity assessment procedure may include suchcontrols as may be prescribed by the Institute, and may include:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(3)

type approval;
initial verification;verification after repair or modification;
periodical verification;
supervision of the procedures effecting the use oroperation of measuring instruments.

The Institute shall certify whether or not the measuring

Conformity
assessment
procedures.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

7

8

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY

instrument has successfully undergone the conformity assessment
procedures adopted in its regard in terms of subarticle (2):Provided that a certificate of conformity issued by aninspector or a verifier duly appointed in terms of article 5 shall bevalid and effective as if issued by the Institute.
Marking of
measuring
instruments.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

9. (1) Measuring instruments which have been subject to theconformity assessment and inspection procedures and which havebeen found to conform to the relative requirement shall haveaffixed, stamped, marked or otherwise applied on them marks
signifying their conformity to the relevant requirement or provided
with corresponding certificates and shall accordingly qualify as a"legally controlled measuring instrument". These marks, theirform, design, application or obliteration together with facilities forreceiving such marks shall be prescribed by the Institute which, forthe purposes of this subarticle, may impose additional requirements
in any matter related to the measuring instrument itself.
(2) A measuring instrument which has not undergone thesecontrols successfully may be given a rejection mark and must be
modified, repaired or withdrawn. These marks, their form, design,
application or obliteration together with facilities for receivingsuch marks shall be prescribed by the Institute.
(3) Only persons duly authorized by the Institute may mark or
stamp a measuring instrument with metrological control marks interms of subarticles (1) and (2).
(4) In the event that any marks that should be applied in termsof this article present any difficulty, the Institute may establish
alternative forms or means of application.
(5) Stamps shall be made of such material as is determined by
the Institute.
(6) Any measuring instrument to which a rejection mark has
been affixed, stamped, marked or otherwise applied in terms of thisarticle shall not be used for any prescribed purpose.
(7) Any person keeping or using, for any transaction fallingwithin any prescribed purpose, any false or inaccurate measuring
instrument or any measuring instrument which does not bear averification mark or which bears a rejection mark shall be guilty of
an offence.
(8)

For the purposes of this article:(a) "legally controlled measuring instrument" means ameasuring instrument which conforms to prescribed
requirements, in particular legal metrologicalrequirements; and(b) "rejection mark" means a mark or seal applied to ameasuring instrument in a conspicuous manner toindicate that the measuring instrument does notcomply with the statutory requirements andobliterating any previously applied verification mark.

METROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

10. (1) The calibration device on a measuring instrument shallbe secured in such a manner as to enable an adjustment to be
detected whether on verification or otherwise.
(2) The means by which a calibration device shall be secured
shall be provided by the manufacturer, supplier or user of themeasuring instrument.

9

Sealing andsecuring measuring
instruments.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

(3) The Institute may, from time to time, prescribe specificrequirements on the sealing or securing of measuring instruments.
11. (1) In circumstances as may be determined by theInstitute, any measuring instrument or particular type of measuring
instrument may be adjusted by an inspector.
(2) Where, on examination by an inspector, a measuring
instrument is found to be inaccurate, and adjustment of themeasuring instrument is necessary in order to render it
metrologically accurate, the inspector shall:

Adjusting of
measuring
instruments.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

(a) notify the owner of the measuring instrument or theowner’s authorised representative accordingly,
detailing the results of the examination; and(b) request the owner or his representative either to havethe work carried out by a third party or to empower theinspector to undertake the necessary adjustment.
(3) The owner or his representative shall bear any costs arisingfrom any adjustment as is referred to in subarticles (1) and (2).
12. (1) Any measurements that may result from the use of any
prescribed purpose may be subject to metrological controls.
(2) The Minister, acting on the advice of the Authority, may
define the measurements that are subject to such controls.

Liability of certain
measurements tometrologicalcontrols.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

(3) The Institute may establish the methods and procedures forthe undertaking of such controls as it may deem appropriate.
13. (1) Where a transaction may involve the delivery of adefinite quantity of a product or an offer for sale involving theindication or labelling of a definite quantity of the product, theseproduct quantities may be subject to metrological controls.
(2) The Institute may, from time to time, establish requirements
relating to the control methods and the metrological conditions
with which quantities of products and pre-packages must comply,
and may define permissible tolerances or variations on quantities.
(3) Any person who, for the purposes of trade or business,
sells, buys or offers to buy, delivers or causes to be delivered, any
goods by weight, by quantity, by number of items or by any othermeasure, which does not satisfy the requirements established under
this article or any other provision of this Act, shall be guilty of an
offence.

Metrologicalcontrol of productquantities and prepackages deliveredor exposed for sale.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

10

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGYPART IV
Authorised Units and Measurement Standards

Legal units ofmeasurement.

14. (1) The units of measurement which are authorised for the
purposes of this Act and for any other purposes of law shall bethose listed in the First Schedule. Such units shall be used for alltransactions which directly or indirectly involve a measurement.
(2) The only lawfully permissible linear, capacity and weightstandard measures that may be used for any prescribed purpose
shall be those set out in the Second Schedule.
(3) For all purposes of law, the conversion of a unit ofmeasurement listed in the First Schedule to another unit ofmeasurement not so listed shall be calculated on the basis of thetables of equivalence laid down in the Third Schedule.
(4) The Fourth Schedule shall be used in the interpretation andapplication of the provisions of the First Schedule.

Denominations ofmeasurement
standard.

15. (1) No person shall hold or have in his possession for any
prescribed purpose any linear, capacity or weight standard measure
which is not of a denomination shown in the Second Schedule.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subarticle(1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Measurement
standards.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

16. (1) The Authority shall provide, maintain or cause to be
maintained such measurement standards including facilities,
equipment and reference materials as are considered necessary
from time to time to facilitate the realisation and dissemination of
the SI System of Units of measurement, and to make funding
available for such purposes.
(2) For the purpose of subarticle (1), the Authority may, upon
the recommendation of the Director General, designate anddelegate other organisations to be responsible bodies in specialised
fields of measurement.
(3) The Director General may prescribe the measurement
standards maintained under subarticles (1) or (2) and the conditionsof their maintenance, including traceability, custody and theintervals within which the values of measurement standards shallbe determined.
(4) Where any doubt arises as to the continued conformity of ameasurement standard with the appropriate permissible limits oferror, the measurement standard shall not be used until its value has
been redetermined or it has been replaced by a measurement
standard conforming to the appropriate permissible limits of error.
An up-to-date certificate of traceability shall be maintained in
respect of every measurement standard or set of measurements t a n d a r d s m a i n t a i n e d b y t h e I n s t i t u t e o r a n y o rg a n i s a t i o n
designated under subarticle (2).
(5)

For the purposes of this article:(a) "reference material" means a material one or more ofwhose properties are sufficiently homogeneous to beMETROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

11

used for the calibration of an apparatus, the assessmentof a measurement method or the assignment of values
to materials; and(b) "traceability" means the property of the result of ameasurement which is related, through an unbroken
chain of comparisons, to international measurement
standards.
PART V
General provisions
17. (1) No person shall act as a public weigher unlessauthorised by the Institute.

Public weighers.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

(2) No authorisation shall be granted to any person in terms ofsubarticle (1) unless (a) he has attained the age of eighteen years;(b) he has been found guilty of fraud or of an offence
affecting public trust; and(c) he has passed a qualifying examination set by theInstitute.
(3) Any person acting as a public weigher without thenecessary authorisation from the Institute shall be guilty of an
offence.
(4) The Institute may, from time to time, issue requirements
and guidelines for persons undertaking the activity of publicweighers.
18. The officers of the Institute shall be deemed to be public
officers for all purposes of the Criminal Code.

Public officers.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.
Cap. 9.

19. (1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Authority,
make regulations -Regulations.

(a) imposing requirements in relation to any matter related
to the pre-packaging of goods, measuring containers,
quantities and capacities permitted for pre-packaged
products, the make-up by weight or volume of prepackaged goods, the make-up by volume of prepackaged liquids and measuring instruments; and(b) adopting and implementing any commitments andobligations relating to metrology arising out of orunder any treaty, convention or other international
agreement, whether bilateral, regional or multilateral,
to which Malta is a party.
(2) The Minister may, on the advice of the Authority, amend
any of the schedules annexed to this Act; and any such amendments
may contain such transitional or other incidental provisions as may
be prescribed.

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CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY

Fees.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.165.
Cap. 510.

20. The Authority may, by virtue of this Act and under the
powers conferred by article 48 of the Malta Competition andConsumer Affairs Authority Act, levy fees and other charges for
type approval, verification, inspection, certification and for any
authorisation and registration, or in respect of any other matterarising under this Act, and different fees or charges may be leviedfor different classes of cases or for different circumstances, andprovision may also be made for the imposition of additionalcharges in the event of delay or failure to pay such fees.

Language of
Schedules andregulations.

21. (1) The Schedules and regulations made under any
provision of this Act may be drawn up in the English language
only.
(2) In the event of conflict or incompatibility between the
Maltese and English texts of any Schedules and regulations madeunder this Act, the English language version shall prevail.
PART VI
Offences and Penalties

Forgery and false
marking.

22.

Any person who (a) forges or counterfeits any mark of a type used on any
measuring instrument used or intended to be used forany prescribed purpose;(b) applies to any measuring instrument a mark which isforged or counterfeit, or which is false or incorrect; or(c) uses, sells, utters or disposes of any measuring
instrument with such forged, counterfeit, false orincorrect mark thereon, or any mark liable to be
confused with marks authorised under the provisionsof this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence.
Tampering withmarks andmeasuring
instruments.

23.

Any person who (a) by any means renders a measuring instrument false or
inaccurate;(b) for any prescribed purpose, uses, supplies, sells, uttersor disposes of a false or inaccurate measuring
instrument; or(c) not being an inspector or verifier authorised under thisAct, attaches, affixes inscribes, inserts or otherwise
applies any mark or plate intended for marking, or
removes, defaces, obliterates or otherwise changes any
such mark or plate from a measuring instrument, or
attaches, affixes, inscribes or inserts such mark orplate into a measuring instrument other than themeasuring instrument on which the mark was lawfully
inscribed in terms of this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence.
Removing or
breaking of tags,
seals and devices.

24. Any person who unlawfully removes, defaces, obliterates,
breaks or otherwise changes any tag, seal or device that has been

METROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

13

placed, affixed or attached by an inspector or by a verifier to ameasuring instrument that is or is intended to be used for any
prescribed purpose shall be guilty of an offence.
25.

Any person who (a) sells any product by weight, measure or number where
the weight, measure or number of the goods sold isless than that purported to be sold or is less thancorresponds with the price charged;(b) in connection with a measuring instrument, makes afalse record of any measuring; or(c) commits any other fraud in connection with any
measuring by means of a measuring instrument,

Short measure on
sale.

shall be guilty of an offence.
26. (1) The Director General may assist and participate in theprosecution of offences under this Act.
(2) Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted
within twelve months from the commission of the offence.
27. (1) A person found guilty of an offence under articles
9(7), 22, 23, 24 and 25 shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine(multa) of not less than one thousand and one hundred and sixtyfour euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69) and not exceeding eleventhousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents(11,646.87), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years,
or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Prosecution of
offences.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.

Penalties.
Amended by:
L.N. 427 of 2007.

(2) A person found guilty of an offence under this Act, otherthan an offence listed in subarticle (1), shall, on conviction, be
liable to a fine (multa) of not less than one hundred and sixteen
euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) and not exceeding two
thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-sevencents (2,329.37), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six
months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of the Criminal Code,in any judgement given in proceedings instituted under this Act, theCourt may order the forfeiture, destruction or other method of
disposal of the goods or measuring instruments to which any of theoffences relates, as it may consider appropriate at the expense of
the person found guilty of the offence.
(4) Where it is satisfied that the circumstances so warrant, theCourt may, upon conviction for any offence committed under thisAct, additionally order the suspension or cancellation of any
license or licenses issued in favour of the person charged or in
respect of the premises involved in the proceedings.
(5) Any person convicted in relation to an offence under article
6(6) shall be liable to an additional fine (multa) of not more thanfour hundred and sixty-five euro and eighty-seven cents (465.87)
for each day that the notice has not been complied with.
(6) Where a person has been convicted of an offence under thisAct, the Court shall order that person to reimburse to the Authority,

Cap. 9.

14

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY

within such period as the Court shall stipulate, any costs incurred inconnection with the proceedings instituted against him. Such costs
shall include expenses incurred in the seizure, lifting, detention,
testing, analysis, inspection and examination of measuring
instruments and measurement standards involved in the said
proceedings.
(7) The Attorney General shall have the right to appeal fromany judgement given in proceedings instituted under this Act or inconnection with regulations made thereunder.
PART VII
Savings
Savings.
Amended by:
VI. 2011.163.
Cap. 39.

28. (1) Any references in any other law to the Weights andMeasures Ordinance* shall be construed as being references to thisAct; provided that any registrations, licences, authorisations,orders, regulations or other action whatsoever made or issued byvirtue of the said Ordinance shall continue in force as if made orissued under this Act in so far as applicable.
(2) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in any
other law, contract or other act in force at the commencement of
this Act to standard weights or measures in use in Malta shall bedeemed to be references to the respective equivalents ascertained interms of the First and Third Schedules to this Act.
(3) Verifications issued under the Weights and Measures
Ordinance which are valid immediately before the coming into
force of article 8 shall continue to be valid on or after that date forsuch period as may be prescribed by the Institute by notice
published in the Gazette.

*Repealed by this Act.

[ CAP. 454.

METROLOGYFIRST SCHEDULE(Article 14)

15

Amended by:
L.N. 110 of 2010.

LEGAL UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
1.

SI UNITS AND THEIR DECIMAL MULTIPLES AND SUBMULTIPLES

1.1. SI base units
Quantity

Unit
Name

LengthMass
Time
Electric current
Thermodynamic temperature
Amount of substanceLuminous intensity

metre
kilogram
secondamperekelvinmole
candelaSymbol
m
kg
s
A
K
mol
cd

Definitions of SI base units:
Unit of length
A metre is the length of the path travelled in a vacuum by light during 1/299 792
458 seconds.
Unit of mass
The kilogram is the unit of mass; it is equal to the mass of the international
prototype of the kilogram.
Unit of time
The second is the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding
to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium
133 atom.
Unit of electric current
The ampere is that constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel
conductors of infinite length, of negligible circular cross-article and placed one
metre apart in a vacuum, would produce between the conductors a force equal to 2 x
10-7 newton per metre of length.
Unit of thermodynamic temperature
The kelvin, unit of thermodynamic temperature, is the fraction 1/273,16 of thethermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water.
This definition refers to water having the isotopic composition defined by thefollowing amount-of-substance ratios: 0.00015576 mole of 2 H per mole of 1 H,
0.0003799 mole of 17 O per mole of 16 O and 0.0020052 mole of 18 O per mole of
16 O.
Unit of amount of substance1.
The mole is the amount of substance of a system which contains as many
elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kg of carbon 12.
2.

When the mole is used, the elementary entities must be specified and may be

16

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY

atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, other particles or specified groups of suchparticles.
Unit of luminous intensity
The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source which emits
monochromatic rays with a frequency of 540 x 1012 hertz and whose energy intensity
in that direction is 1/683 watt per steradian.
1.1.1 Special name and symbol of the SI derived unit of temperature forexpressing Celsius temperature
Quantity
Celsius temperature

Unit
Name
degree Celsius

SymboloC

Celsius temperature t is defined as the difference t = T - T 0 between the twothermodynamic temperatures T and T 0 where T 0 = 273,15 K. An interval ordifference of temperature may be expressed either in kelvins or in degrees Celsius.
The unit of "degrees Celsius" is equal to the unit "kelvin".
1.2

SI derived units

Definitions of supplementary SI units:
Unit of plane angle
The radian is the angle between two radii of a circle cut off on the circumferenceof an arc equal in length to the radius.
Unit of solid angle
The steradian is the solid angle of a cone which, having its vertex in the centre ofa sphere, cuts off on the surface of the sphere an area equal to that of a square withsides of length equal to the radius of the sphere.
1.2.1. (Deleted by Legal Notice 110 of 2010).
1.2.2. General rule for derived units
Units derived coherently from SI base units are given as algebraic expressions in
the form of products of powers of the SI base units with a numerical factor equal to1.
1.2.3. SI derived units with special names and symbols
Quantity

Plane angle
Solid angle steradianFrequency
Force
Pressure, stress
Energy, work;
quantity of heat
Power (1), radiant flux
Quantity of electricity,
electric charge

Unit
Name
Symbolradiansteradianhertz
newtonpascal
joule

rad
sr
Hz
N
Pa
J

watt
coulombW
C

Expression
In terms of In terms of SI baseother SI units
units
m . m-1
m2 . m-2
s-1
m . kg . s-2-2N.m
m-1 . kg . s -2N.m
m2 . kg . s-2
J . s-1

m2 . kg . s-3
s.A[ CAP. 454.

METROLOGYElectric potential,
potential difference,electromotive force
Electric resistance

volt

V

ohm

17

W . A-1

m2 . kg . s-3 . A -1

V . A-1

m2 . kg . s-3 . A -2


ConductancesiemensS
A . V-1m-2 . kg -1 . s3 . A 2-1
Capacitance
farad
F
C.V
m-2 . kg -1 . s4 . A 2
Magnetic flux
weber
Wb
V.s
m2 . kg . s-2 . A -1
-2
Magnetic flux density
teslaT
Wb . mkg . s-2 . A -1
-1
Inductancehenry
H
Wb . Am2 . kg . s-2. A -2
Luminous flux
lumen
lm
cd . sr
cd
Illuminancelux
lx
lm . m-2
m-2 . cd . sr
ActivitybecquerelBqs-1(of a radionuclide)
Absorbed dose, specificgray
Gy
J . Kg -1
m2 . s-2e n e rg y i m p o r t e d , k e r m a ,absorbed dose index
Dose equivalentsievertSv
J . Kg-1
m2 . s-2
Catalytic activity
katal
kat
mol . s-1
(1) Special names for the unit of power: the name volt-ampere (symbol "VA") when it is used
to express the apparent power of alternating electric current, and var (symbol "var") when it
is used to express reactive electric power. The "var" is not included in GCPM resolutions.

Units derived from SI base units may be expressed in terms of the units listed inPart I.
In particular, derived SI units may be expressed by the special names and symbols
given in the above table; for example, the SI unit of dynamic viscosity may be
expressed as m-1 . kg . s-1 or N . s . m-2 or Pa . s.
1.3 Prefixes and their symbols used to designate certain decimal multiples
and submultiples
Factor
1024
1021
1018
10 15
10 12
109
106
103
10 2
10 1

Prefix
yotta
zetta
exa
peta
tera
giga
mega
kilo
hecto
deca

Symbol
Y
Z
E
P
T
G
M
k
h
da

Factor
10-1
10-2
10-3
10-6
10-9
10-12
10-15
10-18
10-21
10-24

Prefix
deci
centi
milli
micro
nano
pico
femto
atto
zepto
yocto

Symbol
d
c
m
m
n
p
f
a
z
y’

The names and symbols of the decimal multiples and submultiples of the unit ofmass are formed by attaching prefixes to the word ‘gram’ and their symbols to thesymbol ‘g’.
Where a derived unit is expressed as a fraction, its decimal multiples andsubmultiples may be designated by attaching a prefix to units in the numerator or thedenominator, or in both these parts.
Compound prefixes, that is to say prefixes formed by the juxtaposition of several

CAP. 454.]

18

METROLOGY

of the above prefixes, may not be used.
1.4 Special authorised names and symbols of decimal multiples andsubmultiples of SI units
Quantity
Name
litre
tonne
bar

VolumeMass
Pressure, stress

Unit
Symboll or LtbarValue
1 l = 1 dm 3 = 10 -3 m3
1 t = 1 Mg = 10 3 kg
1 bar = 10 5 Pa

Note: The prefixes and their symbols listed in 1.3 may be used in conjunction withthe units and symbols contained in Table 1.4.
2.
UNITS WHICH ARE DEFINED ON THE BASIS OF SI UNITS BUT ARENOT DECIMAL MULTIPLES OR SUBMULTIPLES THEREOF
QuantityNamerevolution
grade or gon
degreeminute of angle
second of angle
minutehour
day

Plane angle

Time

Unit
Symbol
gon



min
h
d

Value
1 revolution = 2  rad
1 gon = /200 rad
1 = /180 rad
1 = /10800 rad
1 = /648000 rad
1 min = 60 s
1 h = 3600 s
1 d = 86400 s

Note: The prefixes listed in 1.3 may only be used in conjunction with the names‘grade’ or ‘gon’ and the symbol ‘gon’.
3.
UNITS USED WITH THE SI, WHOSE VALUES IN SI ARE OBTAINEDEXPERIMENTALLY
Quantity
EnergyName
Electronvolt

Unit
SymboleVEnergyUnified atomic mass unituDefinition
The electron volt is the kinetic
energy acquired by an electron inpassing through a potential
difference of 1 volt in vacuum
The unified atomic mass unit
is equal to 1/12 of the mass of an
atom of the nuclide 12C.

Note: The prefixes and their symbols listed in 1.3 may be used in conjunction withthese two units and with their symbols.
4.
UNITS AND NAMES OF UNITS PERMITTED IN SPECIALISED FIELDS
ONLY
Quantity
Vergency of optical systems
Mass of precious stones
Area of farmland andbuilding land

Unit
Name
dioptremetric carat
areSymbolaValue
1 dioptre = 1 m-1
1 metric carat = 2 x 10-4 kg
1 a = 102 m2

[ CAP. 454.

METROLOGY
Mass per unit length of textile
tex
yarns and threads
Blood pressure and pressure
Millimetre ofof other body fluids
mercury
Effective cross-sectional area
Barn

tex

19

1 tex = 10-6 kg . m-1

mm Hg
b

1 mm Hg = 133.322 Pa
1 b = 10 –28 m2

Note: The prefixes and their symbols listed in 1.3 may only be used in conjunction
with the above units and symbols, with the exception of the millimetre of mercury
and its symbol. The multiple 102 a is, however, called a ‘hectare’.
5.

COMPOUND UNITS

Combination of the units listed in this Schedule to this Act form compound units.

SECOND SCHEDULE(Article 14)
MEASURES AND WEIGHTS LAWFUL FOR USE
FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRADE IN MALTA
LINEAR MEASURES
Table I: Measures of 50 metres
30 metres
20 metres
10 metres
5 metres3 metres

2 metres
1.5 metres
1 metre0.5 metre
1 decimetre
1 centimetre

SQUARE MEASURES
Measures of, or of any multiple of, 1 square decimetre.
CUBIC MEASURES
1.

Measures of, or any multiple of, 0.1 cubic metre.

2.

Measures of any multiple of 10 litres.

3.

Table II: Measures of 10 litres
5 litres
2.5 litres
2 litres
1 litre500 millilitres
250 millilitres
200 millilitres

100 millilitres
50 millilitres
25 millilitres
20 millilitres
10 millilitres
5 millilitres
2 millilitres
1 millilitre

20

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGYCAPACITY MEASURES

1.

Measures of any multiple of 10 litres

2.

Table III: Measures of 10 litres
5 litres
2.5 litres
2 litres
1 litre500 millilitres
250 millilitres
200 millilitres
175 millilitres
150 millilitres

125 millilitres
100 millilitres
50 millilitres
25 millilitres
20 millilitres
10 millilitres
5 millilitres
2 millilitres
1 millilitre

WEIGHTS
1.

Table IV: Weights of 25 kilograms
20 kilograms
10 kilograms
5 kilograms
2 kilograms
1 kilogram
500 grams
200 grams
100 grams
50 grams
20 grams
15 grams
10 grams
5 grams
4 grams

2.

3 grams
2 grams
1 grams
500 milligrams
400 milligrams
300 milligrams
200 milligrams
150 milligrams
100 milligrams
50 milligrams
20 milligrams
10 milligrams
5 milligrams
2 milligrams
1 milligram

Table V: Weights of 500 carats (metric)
200 carats (metric)
100 carats (metric)
50 carats (metric)
20 carats (metric)
10 carats (metric)
5 carats (metric)
2 carats (metric)

1 carat (metric)
0.5 carat (metric)
0.25 carat (metric)
0.2 carat (metric)
0.1 carat (metric)
0.05 carat (metric)
0.02 carat (metric)
0.01 carat (metric)

METROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

21

THIRD SCHEDULE(Article 14)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON METRIC EQUIVALENTS
TABLE(a) of the values of the principal denominations of measures and weights on themetric system expressed by means of denominations of Maltese and Imperial
measures and weights; and(b) of the values of the principal denominations of measures and weights of the
Maltese and Imperial systems expressed by means of metric weights and measures.
(a)
MEASURES OF LENGTH
MetricMeasures

Equivalents in Imperial
Equivalents in Maltese
Measures
Measures
Miles Yards Feet Inches
Decimals
Qasab Xbar
Decimals
1 Kilometre
1093
1
10
113
477
1
70792
1 Hectometre
109
1
1
0113
47
5
770792
1 Decametre
10
2
9
70113
4
6
1770792
1 Metre3
3
370113381770792
1 Decimetre
3937011338177079
1 Centimetre
39370113038177079
1 Millimetre
039370113
0038177079

MEASURES OF SURFACES
Metric Measures
1 Hectare
1 Are
1 Square Metre

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures2.47106 Acres
119.60 Square yards
1.1960 Square yards

1 Square decimetre
1 Square centimetre

15.5 Square inches.15500 Square inches

Equivalents in Maltese
Measures.555988 ta’ Modd
.53375 ta’ Sieg].053375 ta’ Kejlaor .22773 ta’ Qasba Kwadra.14575 ta’ Xiber kwadru.0014575 ta’ Xiber kwadru

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 1
For Beer, Wine and Spirits
MetricMeasures

Equivalents in Imperial
Equivalents in Maltese
Measures
Measures
Gallons Quarts Pints
Decimals Bramel {arar Kwarti Krate`
Decimals
1 Kilolitre
219
3
1
80
23
0
1
1
15155504
1 Hectolitre
21
3
1
980
2
1
0
2
490155504
1 Decalitre
2
0
1
5980
1
4
0490155504
1 Litre1
75980
879901555
1 Decilitre
1759800879901555
1 centilitre
017598000879901555
1 Millilitre
00175980
000879901555

CAP. 454.]

22

METROLOGY

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 2
For Oil and Milk
MetricMeasures

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures
Gallons Quarts Pints
Decimals
1 Kilolitre
219
3
1
80
1 Hectolitre
21
3
1
980
1 Decalitre
2
0
1
5980
1 Litre175980
1 Decilitre
175980
1 Centilitre
0175980
1 Millilitre
00175980

Equivalents in Maltese
Measures
Kwarti Krate`
Decimals
32134715232213471521
3821347152
7821347152
07821347152
007821347152
0007821347152

Kaffisi48
4-

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR DRY GOODS
MetricMeasures

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures
Qrs. Bushels Gallons
Decimals
1 Kilolitre
3
3
3
975
1 Hectolitre
259975
1 Decalitre
2
19975
1 Litre219975
1 Decilitre
0219975
1 Centilitre
00219975
1 Millilitre
000219975

Equivalents in Maltese
MeasuresMdied Tmiem Sieg]an
Decimals
3
6
5
58
5
2
958
3
29962464
329962464
0329962464
00329962464
000329962464

CUBIC MEASURES
Metric Measures
1 Cubic metre

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures1.307954 Cubic yards

1 Cubic decimetre

35.3148 Cubic feet
0353148 Cubic feet

1 Cubic centimetre.061024 Cubic inches

Equivalents in Maltese
Measures55.64278 Xbar kubior.1086773 ta’ Qasba kuba
.0556427 ta’ Xiber kubu
or.0001086773 ta’ Qasba kuba
.0000556427 ta’ Xiber kubu

WEIGHTS
MetricWeights
100 Kilograms(1 quintal)
Kilogram
1 Hectogram
1 Decagram
1 Gramme
1 Decigram
1 Centigram
1 Milligram

Equivalents in Imperial
Weights
Cwts.
1

Qrs.
3

Lbs.
24

-

-

2
-

Decimals
46223
204622322046223
022046223
0022046223
00022046223
000022046223
0000022046223

Equivalents in Maltese
Weights
Qnatar Irtal Ewieq
1
25
29
-

1
-

7
3
-

Decimals
3525
79352
77935
3779350377935
00377935
000377935
0000377935

[ CAP. 454.

METROLOGY23(b)
MEASURES OF LENGTH
MalteseMeasures

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures
Feet
Inches
Decimals
6
1050

1 Qasba(8 ixbar)
1 Xiber
1 Pulzier
1 Mil

5280

10
equal toEquivalents in MetricMeasures
Metres
Decimal
209549817

3125
859375yds. 1760

1609
orkilometres

26193727
021828105
334
1.6093

MEASURES OF SURFACE
MalteseMeasuresAcres
1 Modd1 Tomna1 Sieg]1 Kejla1 Qasba kwadra
1 Xiber kwadru

4-Equivalents in Imperial
MeasuresRoods Poles
Sqr.
Sqr.
Yards
Feet
1
31
3
3
1
4
13
3
7
12
2
22
3
5
2
-

Equivalents in metricMeasures
Decimals
249
9
916
6
2656257385162

1.798599928 hectares
11.2412495 acres
187.35416 Sqr. Metres
18.735416 Sqr. Metres
4.3911126 Sqr. Metres
6.8611 Sqr. Decimetres

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 1
For Beer, Wine and Spirits
Maltese Measures

1 Barmil (4 [arar)
1 {arra (2 kwarti)
1 Kwarta (3/4Krate`)
1 Karto`` (2 infas)
1 Nofs (2 terzi)
1 Terz (2 pinet)
1 Pinta

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures
Gallons
Decimals
9
50
2
375
1
1875
2500
1250
0625
03125

Equivalents in metricMeasures
Litres
Decimals
4318664945
10
7966623625
539833118125
1
13649077500
56824538750
28412269375
142061346875

24

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 2
For Oil and Milk
Maltese Measures

1 Qafiz (4 kwarti)
1 Kwarta ( 3/4 Krate`)
1 Karto`` (2 infas)
1 Nofs (2 terzi)
1 Terz (2 kejliet)
1 Kejla (4 kwartini)
1 Kwartin

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures
Gallons
Decimals
4
50
1
125
28125
140625070312502812500703125

Equivalents in metricMeasures
Litres
Decimals
2045683395
51142084875
1278552121875
6392760609375
31963803046875
1278552121875
031963803046875

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR DRY GOODS
Maltese Measures

1 Modd (16-il tomna)
1 Tomna (6 sieg]an)
1 Sieg] (10 kejliet)
1 Kejla (10 lumini)
1 LuminEquivalents in Imperial
Measures
Quarters
Decimals
1
0625
010416001041600010416

Equivalents in MetricMeasures
Hectolitres
Decimals
2
90942
18183875
03030645
003030645
0003030645

CUBIC MEASURES
Maltese Measures
1 Qasab kubu
1 Xiber kubu
1 Pulzier kubu

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures324.9511 Cubic feet
.63467 Cubic feet
.63467 Cubic inches

Equivalents in MetricMeasures9.201556 Cubic metres
17.9717 Cubic decimetres10.4 Cubic centimetres

WEIGHTS
Maltese Measures

1 Qantar or `ental (20 wi\na)
1 Wi\na (5 irtal)
1 Ratal (30 Maltese uqija)
1 Uqija (4 Kwarti)
1 Kwart (2 ottavi)
1 Ottav
1 Pe\ata (3 qnatar)
1 Ton (weight) 1280 (ratal)

Equivalents in Imperial
Measures
Lbs.
Decimals
175
8
75
1
75
058333301458333
007291666
525
2240
-

Equivalents in metricMeasures
Kilograms
Decimals
79
37867525
39689337625
7937867525
026459558416
00661489604
003307444802
238
13602575
1016-

METROLOGY[ CAP. 454.

25

FOURTH SCHEDULE(Article 14)
NAMES AND SYMBOLS USED IN
THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS "SI"1.

Definition"SI" shall have the meaning assigned to it in article 2 of the Act.

2.

SI unit symbols
SI unit symbols (and also many non-SI unit symbols) are written as follows:

2.1. Roman (upright) type is used for the unit symbols. In general, unit symbols
are written in lower case, but, if the name of the unit is derived from the proper nameof a person, the first letter of the symbol is a capital. When the name of a unit isspelled out, it is always written in lower case, except when the name is the first wordof a sentence or is the name "degree Celsius".
2.2. Unit symbols are unaltered in the plural.
2.3. Unit symbols are not followed by a full stop (period), except as normalpunctuation at the end of a sentence.
3.

Algebra of SI unit symbols

In accord with the general principles adopted by ISO/TC 12 (ISO 31), the
CIPM recommends that algebraic expressions involving SI unit symbols be
expressed in standard forms.
3.1. Half-high dots or spaces are used to express a derived unit formed from two
or more other units by multiplication.
Example: N · m or N m.
3.2 A solidus (oblique stroke, /), a horizontal line, or a negative exponent isused to express a derived unit formed from two other units by division.
Example: m/s or m - s or m · s-1.
3.3. The solidus is not followed by a multiplication sign or by a division sign on
the same line unless ambiguity is avoided by parentheses. In complicated cases,
negative exponents or parentheses are used to avoid ambiguity.
Examples: m/s2 or m · s-2 but not m/s/s
m · kg/(s3 · A) or m · kg · s-3 · A -1 but neither m · kg/s3 /A
nor m · kg/s3 · A.
4.

Rules for using SI prefixes

In accord with the general principles adopted by the ISO (ISO 31), the CIPM
recommends that the following rules be observed when using the SI prefixes:
4.1. Prefix symbols are printed in roman (upright) type with no space between
the prefix symbol and the unit symbol.
4.2. The grouping formed by the prefix symbol attached to the unit symbol
constitutes a new inseparable symbol (of a multiple or submultiple of the unit
concerned) which can be raised to a positive or negative power and combined withother unit symbols to form compound unit symbols.
Examples:26

CAP. 454.]

METROLOGY

1 c m3 = (10-2 m )3 = 10-6 m3
1 μ s-1 = (10-6 s )-1 = 106 s -1
1 V/cm = (1 V) / (10-2 m) = 102 V / m
1 cm-1 = (10-2 m)-1 = 102 m -1.
4.3. Compound prefixes, i.e. prefixes formed by the juxtaposition of two or more
SI prefixes, are not used.
Example: 1 nm but not 1 mμm.
4.4. A prefix is never used in isolation.
Example: 106 /m 3 but not M/m3.