WEIGHTS AND MEASURES PART I GENERAL Citation, commencement and revocation 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Measuring Equipment (Measures of Length) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 and shall come into operation on 27th October 1986. 2 The Regulations specified in column 1 of the Schedule are hereby revoked to the extent specified in column 2. Interpretation 2 In these Regulations— “ composite measure ” means a measure of length where one of its principal scale marks is a surface and the other is a line, hole or mark; “ end measure ” means a measure of length where its principal scale marks are formed by two surfaces; “ measure of length ” means a linear measure set out in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Order; “ nominal length ” means the maximum length in metric or imperial units which a measure of length is designed to measure in one measurement; “ prescribed limits of error ” has the meaning set out in Regulation 23; “ the Order ” means the Weights arid Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981; “principal scale marks” mean the two surfaces, lines, holes or marks (or combinations thereof) on a measure of length the distance between which is the nominal length of the measure; “ the stamp ” means the stamp prescribed by the Weights and Measures (Prescribed Stamp) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1969 ; and “ terminal surface ” means a surface forming one of the principal scale marks. Application of Regulations and prescription of measures of length 3 1 Subject to paragraph (2), these Regulations apply to measuring equipment for use for trade of the following class name! y measures of length and such measures are hereby prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(1) of the Order. 2 Except for this paragraph, paragraph (3) and Regulation 19, these Regulations do not apply to measures of length which bear the mark of EEC initial verification. 3 In paragraph (2), “ mark of EEC initial verification ” means the mark described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1980 . PART II GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MATERIALS, PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION AND MARKING OF MEASURES OF LENGTH Materials of construction 4 Subject to Regulation 5, every measure of length shall be made of— a carbon steel, including matt chrome-plated carbon steel, steel protected by a clear film or rust-resisting steel; b brass; c aluminium alloy, including anodised and stained aluminium alloy; d glass-reinforced or opaque plastics; e wood; or f any other material of adequate stability. Strength and durability 5 Every measure of length shall be sufficiently strong and resistant to abrasion to withstand the wear and teat of ordinary use in trade. Certain measures of length to have metal tips on terminal surfaces 6 Where an end measure or composite measure is made of wood or other material of durability equal to or less than that of wood, the terminal surfaces shall have metal tips which shall be securely fixed to the wood or other material. Requirements in relation to terminal surfaces of end measures and composite measures 7 The terminal surfaces-of end measures and of composite measures shall be flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure. Rigid measures of length to be practically straight and free from flaws 8 Every rigid measure of length, including folding measures, shall be practically straight and free from flaws. Construction of flexible measures of length 9 Every flexible measure of length shall be constructed so that when it is stretched out on a flat surface its edges are practically straight and parallel. Construction of winding devices for flexible measures of length 10 Winding devices for flexible measures of length shall be constructed so that they do not cause any permanent deformation of the measure. Construction of measures of length marked with a reference temperature 11 Where a measure of length is marked with a reference temperature, it shall be constructed so that a change of not more than 8 degrees Celsius above or below that temperature does not cause in normal use a variation in length exceeding the prescribed limit of error. Construction of measures of length marked with a tractive force 12 Where a measure of length is marked with a tractive force, it shall be constructed so that a change of 10 per cent. above or below that force does not cause a variation in length exceeding the prescribed limit of error. Marking of graduated measures of length 13 1 Every measure of length which is graduated shall be graduated clearly, indelibly and, subject to paragraph "(2), regularly, so as to enable unambiguous readings to be made easily. 2 Certain sections of a graduated measure of length may be subdivided more finely than other sections. Marking of scale marks on measures of length 14 Where the scale marks on a measure of length are lines these shall be straight, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure of length and all of the same thickness, constant throughout their length. Numbering of graduated measures of length 15 The numbering of graduated measures of length shall be— a i continuous; or ii partly continuous and partly repetitive; and b i parallel to the longitudinal axis of the measure of length; or ii perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure of length, depending on how the measure is designed to be read. Numbering of folding graduated measures of length 16 Where a graduated measure of length is a folding measure, some of its numbering in close proximity to the joints may be omitted. Marking of nominal length and, where appropriate, tractive force 17 Every measure of length shall be conspicuously, legibly and durably marked (in the case of a flexible measure, near the beginning of the measure) with the following items— a on each graduated side, its nominal length expressed in one only of the following units of measurement in full or by means of one of the following abbreviations or symbols only:— metre m centimetre cm millimetre mm yard yd foot ft inch in; and b its tractive force, if it is a flexible measure with a nominal length exceeding five metres in metric units or ten feet in imperial units. Marking of measures of length which are not graduated or subdivided 18 Every measure of length which is not graduated or subdivided shall be marked conspicuously, legibly and durably with the words “not graduated” or “not subdivided”. PART III MANNER OF USE FOR TRADE Measure of length not to be exposed to environmental or other influences which will adversely affect its accuracy or function 19 A person shall not use a measure of length for trade in such a manner as to expose it to environmental or other influences which will adversely affect its accuracy or function. PART IV TESTING Cleanliness of measures of length 20 Every measure of length submitted for testing shall be in a clean condition. Method and manner of testing measures of length 21 Every measure of length shall be tested by comparison with an appropriate Northern Ireland local or working standard linear measure using equipment and under conditions which are appropriate to the degree of accuracy required, taking the following factors into account— a the ambient temperature, when the standard and the measure of length being compared are of different materials; b the tensioning and support of flexible measures of length; and c the method of magnification for viewing. Extent of testing 22 An inspector shall test the nominal length and, in the case of a graduated measure, such other graduations as he considers necessary. PART V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS Prescribed limits of error 23 The prescribed limits of error relating to measures of length shall be as follows:— a where the measure is designed to measure in metric units, 0.6 millimetre plus 0.4 millimetre per metre (rounded up to the next whole metre) of nominal length; and b where the measure is designed to measure in imperial units, 0.025 inch plus 0.015 inch per yard (rounded up to the next whole yard) of nominal length. Passing as fit for use for trade 24 A measure of length shall not be passed as fit for use for trade unless on testing— a it complies with all the appropriate requirements of these Regulations; b it falls within the prescribed limits of error; and c the inspector is of the opinion that it is not constructed in a manner which facilitates fraudulent use. Stamping 25 1 Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), measures of length shall be stamped with the stamp near one end or, in the case of graduated measures, near the beginning of the measure on each graduated side. 2 In the case of flexible measures of length the stamp may be placed on a metal plug, disc or label permanently secured to the measure. 3 A measure of length shall not be stamped with the stamp if it bears— a any mark Which might reasonably be mistaken for the stamp; b any indication of a class of accuracy to which the measure belongs; or c any other statement or mark (other than the stamp) which purports to be or might reasonably be mistaken for an expression of approval or guarantee of accuracy by any body or person. Obliteration of stamps 26 Stamps on any measure of length shall be obliterated by an inspector, in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, by means of punches or pincers of suitable sizes of a six-pointed star design as shown in the following illustration:— Inspectors' powers and duties regarding obliteration of stamps 27 1 Subject to paragraph (2), an inspector shall obliterate the stamp on any measure of length which— a fails upon testing to fall within twice the prescribed limits of error; or b fails to comply with any other appropriate requirement of these Regulations. 2 An inspector shall not obliterate the stamp on any measure of length which falls within twice the prescribed limits of error and which was first stamped before 27th October 1986, notwithstanding that it fails to comply with any other appropriate requirement of these Regulations. 3 Notwithstanding paragraph (2), where any measure of length has, since it was last stamped, been the subject of any adjustment, alteration, addition, damage or repair which could have affected its accuracy or function, the inspector may obliterate the stamp on that measure. Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Economic Development on 24th September 1986. (L.S.) Margaret L. Johnston Assistant Secretary