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Weights And Measures

What we do

Part of our job is to ensure that the public receive the correct amount of any product they buy. Almost all goods today are sold by some reference to either their weight or measure, whether by:

• pint
• litre
• gram
• metre

This includes everyday items such as bread, petrol, beer, clothing material, sand or virtually anything else you can think of. Trading Standards enforce a complex set of 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
• routinely visiting businesses and checking weighing and measuring equipment
• checking products already in the shops
• reacting to complaints of short measure/weight

If you think you have received short measure from a business in the Borough Poole and would like to report it please email us or use the contact details on this page.

A review of weights and measures

In the UK, it has been estimated that goods to the value of a billion pounds are traded at retail level by some form of measurement of their quantity. However, do you stop to think why or how it is that they you have confidence in your purchases?

The law relating to weights and measures today evolved so that:

• security of uniform system of units of weights and measures could be established
• controls could be placed over weighing and measuring equipment in use for trade
• the public could be protected against short quantity in the sale of goods.

The system of weights and measures has developed through:

• legal frameworks
• adequate and even handed enforcement
• technological advances in equipment

History of weights and measures

Weighing originated as man's first assessment of

• weight - the load his strength could carry
• length - determined in terms of parts of body: breadth of palm, arm's length etc.

As things were made and traded, more accurate means of measurement became necessary.

How do I know that weights and measures are uniform throughout the UK?

There is a system of traceability in place to ensure that the kilogram and metre is the same throughout the nation.

• The working standard weights and measures that our officers take out with them to test weighing and measuring equipment are tested against local standards that never leave the office.
• Weights are tested using equipment that refers back to the copy of the international prototype of the kilogram kept at the National Weights and Measures Laboratory.
• The metre is defined by reference to natural constant - the speed of light. It is therefore a more perfect reference. All units are therefore defined by ultimate references to either the metre or kilogram.
• The National Weights and Measures Laboratory examine patterns of weighing and measuring equipment (submitted in the UK) to determine whether their design or manufacture is such to facilitate fraud.
• Once such equipment has a certificate, it must conform to the pattern and pass accuracy tests carried out by an Inspector.
• Once the equipment has been verified or stamped by an Inspector it may be used for trade (this system is known as verification).
• There is also a system of European Community approval removing technical barriers to trade.

Weights and measures inspections

We visit trade premises and carry out inspections and verification of weighing and measuring equipment.

Examples include:

• counter weighing machines
• weighbridges
• weights
• petrol pumps
• spirit measuring instruments
• wine and beer glasses
• metre measures to name some common examples
• prepacked goods, breads, textiles etc.

which are tested to ensure correct weight or measure.

Business guidance

Guidance leaflets for businesses on weights and measures are available at Trading Standards Central.

Special Weighing & Measuring Equipment