Weights and measures

How we enforceweights and measure regulations

When selling or purchasing goods that have been weighed or measured in some way, how can you be assured that the quantity you have sold or received is correct and what can you do if it is not correct? If you are a trader selling goods by reference to weight or a measure or a consumer buying goods by such reference there is Weights and Measures legislation in place to help ensure that the correct weight or quantity is given and Westminster Trading Standards enforces this legislation.

Almost all goods today are sold by some reference to either its weight or measure, whether by the pint, litre, gram or metre.

This includes everyday items such as bread, petrol, beer, clothing material, sand or virtually anything else you can think of. Trading Standards enforces regulations designed to ensure that the public and businesses can have confidence in their purchases and ensures fair competition.

We do this by:

• verifying that weighing and measuring equipment is initially accurate
• visiting businesses and checking weighing and measuring equipment
• checking products in the shops and other business premises
• reacting to complaints of short measure

Guidance

For guidance on the rules on selling goods by weight or measure  including weighing and measuring equipment, quantity marking and prescribed quantities please visit the Business Companion website. 

The links below will take you to specific guidance for different products or services:

• Packaged goods: average quantity
• Providing price information
• Refill shops
• Small bakers and average weight
• The sale and delivery of oil and gas
• The sale of alcohol in licensed premises
• The sale of solid fuel and wood fuel
• Units of measurement
• Weighing equipment for legal use
• Weights and measures for butchers
• Weights and measures for fishmongers
• Weights and measures for greengrocers