Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/72/body/2014-12-13
Timestamp: 2019-10-18 07:32:21
Document Index: 345646965

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 1', 'art. 7', 'art. 1', 'art. 7', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 4', 'art. 4', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 2', 'art. 4', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 1', 'art. 1', 'art. 7', 'art. 4', 'art. 2']

Point in time view as at 13/12/2014. This version of this Actcontains provisions that are prospective.
Weights and Measures Act 1985 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 October 2019. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
(1)The Secretary of State shall maintain secondary, tertiary and coinage standards in accordance with the provisions of this section, which shall be known collectively as the [F5Department for Business, Innovation and Skills standards].
(5)[F7Department for Business, Innovation and Skills standards] shall be provided or replaced by the Secretary of State from time to time as may appear to him necessary or expedient and shall be in such form and of such material, and be kept under his control at such place or places, as he may think fit.
F5Words in s. 3(1) substituted (13.11.2009) by The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2748), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(1) (with art. 7)
F7Words in s. 3(5) substituted (13.11.2009) by The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2748), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(1) (with art. 7)
(3)Where any container of goods is broken open under subsection (2) above and all requirements of, and of any instrument made under, this Part of this Act [F47or the FIC Regulation] which are applicable to those goods are found to have been complied with, then—
F47Words in s. 38(3) inserted (13.12.2014) by The Weights and Measures (Food) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2975), regs. 1, 9
F48S. 38(4) repealed by Food Safety Act 1990 (c. 16, SIF 53:1, 2), s. 59(1)(4), Sch. 3 para. 32, Sch. 5
(3)The powers conferred by subsection (2) above shall be exercised only to such extent as may appear to the inspector reasonably necessary in order to secure that the provisions of this Act F49... and of any instrument made under those provisions are duly observed.
F49Words in s. 40(3) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(5) (with reg. 21)
A local weights and measures authority shall have power to make, or to authorise an inspector to make on their behalf, such purchases of goods as may appear expedient for the purpose of determining whether or not the provisions of this Part of this Act and any instrument made under this Part, and the provisions of Parts II and III of this Act and any instrument made under either of those Parts [F50and the provisions of the FIC Regulation], are being complied with.
F50Words in s. 42 inserted (13.12.2014) by The Weights and Measures (Food) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2975), regs. 1, 10
F5143. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S
F51S. 43 repealed (1.1.1996) by 1994 c. 40, s. 14, Sch. 17; S.I. 1995/2835, art. 2
F5247 Duty of packers and importers as to quantity.E+W+S
F52Ss. 47-68 repealed (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (with reg. 21)
F5248 Duty of packers and importers as to marking of containers.E+W+S
F5249 Duties as to equipment, checks and documentation.E+W+S
F5250 Offences, etc.E+W+S
F5251 Defences to certain charges under section 50.E+W+S
F5252 Enforcement of Part V by local weights and measures authority.E+W+S
F5253 Powers of inspectors and local weights and measures authority under Part V.E+W+S
F5254 Special provision for certain packages.E+W+S
F52F5355 The national Metrological Co-ordinating UnitE+W+S
F53S. 55 repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 5 Group 20
F5256 General duties of Secretary of State.E+W+S
F5257 Power of Secretary of State to require packers and importers to furnish particulars of marks.E+W+S
F5258 Duty of Secretary of State to prepare scheme allocating marks.E+W+S
F5259 Supervision by Secretary of State of certain functions of inspectors.E+W+S
F54F5260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W+S
F54Ss. 60, 61 repealed by S.I. 1987/2187, art. 2(b), Sch. para. 6
F55F5261. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W+S
F5262 Power to extend or transfer Unit’s functions and to abolish Unit.E+W+S
F5263 Instructions by inspectors.E+W+S
F5264 Disclosure of information.E+W+S
F5265 Power to modify Part V.E+W+S
F5266 Regulations under Part V.E+W+S
F5267 Service of documents.E+W+S
F5268 Interpretation of Part V.E+W+S
(2)In Wales, the local weights and measures authority for each county shall be the county council [F56and for each county borough shall be the county borough council].
(3)In Scotland, the local weights and measures authority for [F57the area of each council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 shall be the council for that area].
F56Words in s. 69(2) added (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 75; S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
F57Words in s. 69(3) substituted (S.)(1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 144; S.I. 1996/323, art. 4
F58S. 69(6) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. IV
(b)such number of other inspectors of weights and measures, if any (who may, if the authority so desire, include a deputy chief inspector), as may be necessary for the efficient discharge in the authority’s area of the functions conferred or imposed on inspectors by or under this Act [F59and the packaged goods regulations].
(3)A chief inspector shall be responsible to the local weights and measures authority for the custody and maintenance of the local standards, working standards and testing and stamping equipment provided for the area for which he was appointed and generally for the operation of the arrangements made to give effect in that area to the purposes of this Act [F60and the packaged goods regulations].
F59Words in s. 72(1) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(6)(a) (with reg. 21)
F60Words in s. 72(3) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(6)(b) (with reg. 21)
F61S. 73(3) repealed (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 1(1), Sch. 9 (with regs. 44-46)
(1)The arrangements made by a local weights and measures authority to give effect in their area to the purposes of this Act [F62or the packaged goods regulations] may include the provision under the supervision of the chief inspector for their area of a service for the adjustment of weights and measures, but not of other weighing or measuring equipment.
(4)F63. . ., a local weights and measures authority may make arrangements whereby an inspector may, at the request of any person and subject to payment by that person of such fee, if any, as the authority may think fit, carry out and submit to that person a report on—
[F64(5)A local weights and measures authority may also make arrangements whereby an inspector may, at the request of the Secretary of State and subject to payment by him of such fee, if any, as the authority may think fit, provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State in connection with the carrying out by him of any audit or inspection under section 11A(3) above or paragraph 7(3) of Schedule 3A to this Act.
(6)Subsections (4) and (5) above are without prejudice to the functions of local weights and measures authorities or inspectors under any other provision of this Act [F65or any provision of the packaged goods regulations].]
F62Words in s. 74(1) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(7)(a) (with reg. 21)
F63Words in s. 74(4) omitted (29.3.1999) by virtue of S.I. 1999/503, art. 2(10)
F64S. 74(5)(6) inserted (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 2(11)
F65Words in s. 74(6) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(7)(b) (with reg. 21)
(a)stamps any weighing or measuring equipment in contravention of any provision of this Act [F66or the packaged goods regulations] or of any instrument made under this Act or without duly testing it, or
[F67(1A)Any approved verifier who–
(b)commits any breach of any duty imposed on him by or under this Act [F68or the packaged goods regulations],
F66Words in s. 75(1)(a) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(8) (with reg. 21)
F67S. 75(1A)(2)(3) substituted for s. 75(2) (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 2(12)
F68Words in s. 75(1A)(b) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(8) (with reg. 21)
76 Fees for performance of [F69EU] obligations.E+W+S
(a)for services or facilities provided by them, or by the inspectors appointed for their area, in pursuance of [F69an EU] obligation, and
(b)for authorisations, certificates or other documents issued by the authority or any such inspector in pursuance of [F69an EU] obligation.
F69Words in Act substituted (22.4.2011) by The Treaty of Lisbon (Changes in Terminology) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1043), arts. 2, 3, 6 (with art. 3(2)(3), 4(2), 6(4)(5))
(a)inspect and test any weighing or measuring equipment which is, or which he has reasonable cause to believe to be, used for trade or in the possession of any person or upon an premises for such use, [F70or which has been, or which he has reasonable cause to believe to have been, passed by an approved verifier, or by a person purporting to act as such a verifier, as fit for such use].
(b)any document or goods which the inspector has reason to believe may be required as evidence in proceedings for an offence under this Act F71... .
(a)is satisfied that there is reasonable ground to believe that any such equipment, goods, articles or documents as are mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) above are on any premises, or that any offence under this Act or any instrument made under it F72... has been, is being or is about to be committed on any premises, and
F70Words in s. 79(1) inserted (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 2(13)
F71Words in s. 79(2)(b) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(9)(a) (with reg. 21)
F72Words in s. 79(3)(a) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(9)(b) (with reg. 21)
Any person who wilfully obstructs an inspector acting in pursuance of this Act [F73or the packaged goods regulations] shall be guilty of an offence.
F73Words in s. 80 inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(10) (with reg. 21)
(1)[F74In] England and Wales, proceedings for any offence under this Act or any instrument made under this ActF75... shall not be instituted except by or on behalf of a local weights and measures authority or the chief officer of police for a police area.
(a)unless there has been served on the person charged a notice in writing of the date and nature of the offence alleged andF77..., where the proceedings are in respect of one or more of a number of articles of the same kind tested on the same occasion, of the results of the tests of all those articles; or
F74Word in s. 83(1) substituted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(11)(a)(i) (with reg. 21)
F75Words in s. 83(1) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(11)(a)(ii) (with reg. 21)
F76S. 83(2) repealed (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(11)(b) (with reg. 21)
F77Words in s. 83(3) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(11)(c) (with reg. 21)
[F78section 15A(3);]
(a)under section 17(3) [F79or 20(3)(b) above], or
(5)A person guilty of an offence under section F80... 79(7) above shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.
F78Entry inserted in s. 84(2) (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 4(2)
F79Words in s. 84(4)(a) substituted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(12)(a) (with reg. 21)
F80Words in s. 84(5) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(12)(b) (with reg. 21)
(1)Where in any proceedings for an offence under this Act or any instrument made under itF81... any question arises as to the accuracy of any weighing or measuring equipment, the court shall at the request of any party to the proceedings, and may if it thinks fit without any such request, refer the question to the Secretary of State, whose decision shall be final.
F81Words in s. 85(1) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(13) (with reg. 21)
(a)an order under any provision of this Act except section 11(16), F82. . . F83... 69(4) or 94(2) or paragraph 7 of Schedule 11, or
(b)regulations under section 9 F84...,
(5)An order under any provision of this Act except section 11(16), F82. . . 69(4) or 94(2) or paragraph 7 of Schedule 11 shall not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
F82Words in s. 86(2)(a)(5) repealed (1.1.1996) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1995/2835, art. 2
F83Word in s. 86(2)(a) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(14)(a) (with reg. 21)
F84Words in s. 86(2)(b) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(14)(b) (with reg. 21)
F85S. 86(4) repealed (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(14)(c) (with reg. 21)
The Secretary of State shall from time to time, and in any event not less than once in every five years, lay before each House of Parliament a report on the exercise of his functions under this ActF86....
F86Words in s. 87 omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(15) (with reg. 21)
Any power to make provision by statutory instrument with respect to the marking of any food which is conferred on any person other than the Secretary of State by any Act passed before 31st July 1963 or by the [F87Food Safety Act 1990]shall not extend to the marking of such food with a statement of its quantity by weight or other measurement or by number.
F87Words substituted by Food Safety Act 1990 (c.16, SIF 53:1, 2), s. 59(1), Sch. 3 para. 34
[F88“approved verifier” has the meaning given by section 11(6A) above;]
“container” F89... includes any form of packaging of goods for sale as a single item, whether by way of wholly or partly enclosing the goods or by way of attaching the goods to, or winding the goods round, some other article, and in particular includes a wrapper or confining band;
[F90“ [F91Department for Business, Innovation and Skills standards] ” means the secondary, tertiary and coinage standards maintained by the Secretary of State under section 3 above;]
“drugs” and “food” have the same meanings respectively as for the purposes of the [F92Food Safety Act 1990];
[F93“the FIC Regulation” means Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers;]
[F94“packaged goods regulations” means the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006;]
“stamp” means [F95, subject to section 15A(4) above,] a mark for use as evidence of the passing of weighing or measuring equipment as fit for use for trade, whether applied by impressing, casting, engraving, etching, branding, or otherwise, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;
F88S. 94(1): definition of “approved verifier” inserted (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 2(14)
F89Words in s. 94(1) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(16)(a) (with reg. 21)
F90Words in s. 94(1) substituted (12.12.2007) by The Secretaries of State for Children, Schools and Families, for Innovation, Universities and Skills and for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/3224), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(2)
F91Words in s. 94(1) substituted (13.11.2009) by The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2748), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 4(2) (with art. 7)
F92Words substituted by Food Safety Act 1990 (c.16, SIF 53:1, 2), s. 59(1), Sch. 3 para. 34
F93Words in s. 94(1) inserted (13.12.2014) by The Weights and Measures (Food) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2975), regs. 1, 11
F94Words in s. 94(1) inserted (6.4.2006) by The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/659), reg. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2(16)(b) (with reg. 21)
F95S. 94(1): words in the definition of “stamp” inserted (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 4(3)
F96Definitions of "standard scale" and "statutory maximum" in s. 94(1) repealed (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(1), Sch. 1 Pt. XIV
(2)F97. . . this Act shall come into force at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which it is passed.
F97Words in s. 99(2) repealed (1.1.1996) by 1994 c. 40, s. 81, Sch. 17; S.I. 1995/2835, art. 2