Weights and Measures

• Weights and Measures Inspection
  Verification and testing of weighing and measuring equipment such as petrol pumps, optics, pint measures etc.

• Checking prepacked and non-prepacked food and non-food for the accuracy of quantity of statements

• European Metrological 'e' mark

The earliest assessment of weight was simply the load which a person could carry. Measures of length, and thus area, were also assessed in relation to the body - the foot, a hand or a pace. Accurate measurement was only required by rulers who would weigh the treasures in the Royal strong room, whilst for ordinary people trade continued by barter.

The oldest known weights date back to around 8000 B.C. and by 3000 B.C., trade weighing had begun. This spread from the Indus civilisation and by 2500 B.C. the whole Babylonian and Egyptian empires were weighing goods for trade transactions. With the development of coinage around 700 B.C. the need for accuracy and standardisation became more important.

In England various systems of weights have come and gone. Different systems were used in different areas and in different trades. By Tudor times no fewer than six different measures of the pound weight were in use, according to what was to be weighed and in which industry.

In the field of length measurement there were similar variations. In the Thirteenth Century four different measures of the foot were in use in England and Wales, according to the area where they were used and whether they were used for building or land measurement.

Over the following centuries a slow process of standardisation followed with Monarchs and Parliament passing statues with the aim of producing conformity and accuracy. Standard weights and length measures were produced and maintained to provide accurate standards against which copies could be assessed.

In the 1790s in France the Metric system was introduced both for weighing and measuring. This system, based on natural constants, was adopted by 18 countries in 1875. In 1897 the Metric system became legal for trade use in Great Britain.

Today the United Kingdom, along with the United States, are the only major trading nations not solely using the Metric system. This however is changing. Already pre-packed goods are sold in Metric units, and by the beginning of the next millennium only a few transactions, such as the sale of pints of beer, will be in Imperial units.

FOOD AND DRINK

Apart from the systems of weights and measures the area of trading standards work with the longest history of regulation has been the composition and sale of food and drink.

The Assize of Bread and Ale of 1266 regulated the weight of the Farthing Loaf, and the quantity of a Penny of Ale according to the price of the ingredients. Bakers or Brewers who gave short measure could be fined, put in the pillory or flogged.

Over the following centuries, further legislation was enacted covering the selling of a wide variety of foodstuffs such as wine, cheese, fish, salt and tea. These acts covered the quantities products were to be sold in, and the measures to be used. Further acts covered the checking of equipment and weights used in trade transactions.

Legislation was also passed to ensure the quality of foodstuffs and outlaw adulteration. Unscrupulous producers and traders would add sawdust to bread dough, grease to coffee and even sulphuric acid to vinegar. Where adulteration resulted in widespread serious illness or even death the tradesmen could be executed.

By the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, mill owners were complaining their workers were performing badly due to the poor quality, adulterated food. This again led to legislation being passed throughout the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Today the quality, weight and description of foodstuffs are covered by a wide range of laws. Trading Standards Officers inspect factories and retail outlets to ensure standards are maintained.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

From the 1960s onwards legislation was passed concerning consumer safety and consumer protection. This legislation includes the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 which prohibits false descriptions about goods and services; The Consumer Credit Act 1974 which regulates the provision of credit, and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which covered the safety of consumer goods and also dealt with misleading prices.

In the 1990s legislation has largely been from the European Parliament or has enacted European Directives. This has included the General Product Safety Regulations which has the requirement that consumer products are safe.

ADMINISTRATION

In the Middle Ages, enforcement of weights and measures, and food statutes was in the hands of the Monarch’s local agents. This could mean the local courts, magistrates or sheriffs. Trade Guilds often regulated food transactions in order to control quality.

In 1340 the post of the Clerk of the Market was established. The postholder in each town was responsible for ensuring that all false weights and measures were destroyed.

Acts of Parliament in 1834 and 1835 established the post of Inspector of Weights and Measures, and the Adulteration of Food and Drugs Act 1872 created the position of Food Sampling Officers.

Today Inspectors of Weights and Measures, or Trading Standards Officer as they are now known, are employed by Local Authorities.

Thank you to West Yorkshire Trading Standards for supplying this information.

Animal Health and Welfare

Link to our Animal Health and Welfare pages

Fair Trading

• Checking the accuracy of Trade Descriptions

• Protecting Trade Marks against counterfeiting

• Checking Goods are price marked and that price claims do not mislead

• Guarding against Trading Malpractices (Rogue Traders)

• Enforcing Consumer Credit Controls

Consumer Safety

• Ensuring the general safety of consumer goods

• Sampling and testing of products

• Protecting the validity of the European 'CE' mark

• Enforcing weight limits for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV's)

• Unroadworthy vehicles

• Explosives registration

Advice

• Consumer advice and education

• Advice to businesses

• Promoting the LACORS 'Home Authority Principle'

Underage Sales

• Promoting Proof of Age Membership Schemes - Validate
• Carrying out underage sales test purchasing exercises
• Liasion with Schools

The sale or supply of certain products and/or services is age restricted. Some examples of the minimum age for the supply such goods or services are detailed below. If you would like more information about the provison of age restricted goods click here to contact us

Dangerous Chemicals

• Cigarette Lighter Fuel - 18 years
• Intoxicating Solvents - 18 years
• Petrol - 16 years

Alcohol

• Alcohol - 18 years
• Confectionary containing alcohol, including liqueur chocolates - 16 years

Videos and DVDs

• It is illegal to sell, rent or supply a video cassette or DVD unless it has been given legal classification by the British Board of Film Classification.
• You cannot sell, rent or supply video cassettes or DVDs to any person under the age of 12, 15 and 18 years unless the material has been classified as suitable for that particular age.

Tattooing

• Tattooing - 18 years
• Body piercing - The Government currently has no plans to make body piercing of minors a criminal offence. However it is recommended good practice in the industry that body piercing should not be carried out on children without parental consent.

Gambling

• National Lottery - 16 years
• Scratch Cards - 16 years
• Gaming Machines - 18 years
• Betting Shops - 18 years
• Pools Competitions - 16 years

Fireworks

• Fireworks and Sparklers - 18years
• Party poppers/cap/cracker snaps - 16years

Medicines

• There is no specific legal restrictions on the sale of medicine to children
• Aspirin is not recommended for use by children under the age of 12 years