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Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

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There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. Those changes will be listed when you open the content using the Table of Contents below. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART I INTRODUCTORY

    1. 1.Title and commencement

    2. 2.Interpretation

  3. PART II STANDARDS OF MEASUREMENT

    1. 3.Northern Ireland local standards

    2. 4.Northern Ireland working standards and testing and stamping equipment

  4. PART III WEIGHING AND MEASURING FOR TRADE

    1. 5.Meaning of “use for trade”

    2. 6.Units of measurement, weights and measures lawful for use for trade

    3. 7.Dual marking and conversion charts

    4. 8.Multiples and fractions of units

    5. 9.Weighing or measuring equipment for use for trade

    6. 9A.Approval of persons to verify equipment manufactured etc. by them

    7. 9B.Testing by official EEA testers

    8. 10.Approved patterns of equipment for use for trade

    9. 11.Provisions supplementary to Article 10

    10. 12.General specifications of equipment for use for trade

    11. 13.Regulations relating to weighing or measuring for trade

    12. 13A.Pre-test stamping by certain manufacturers

    13. 14.Offences in connection with stamping of equipment

    14. 15.Other offences in connection with equipment

  5. PART IV PUBLIC WEIGHING OR MEASURING EQUIPMENT

    1. 16.Keepers of public equipment to hold certificate

    2. 17.Provision of public equipment by district councils

    3. 18.Offences in connection with public equipment

  6. PART V REGULATION OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS IN GOODS

    1. 19.Transactions in particular goods

    2. 20.Offences in transactions in particular goods

    3. 21.Quantity to be stated in writing in certain cases

    4. 22.Short weight, etc.

    5. 23.Pleading of warranty as defence

    6. 24.Additional defences and safeguards for traders

    7. 25.Offences due to default of third person

    8. 26.Special powers of inspector with respect to certain goods

    9. 27.Powers of inspector with respect to certain documents

    10. 28.Check-weighing of certain road vehicles

    11. 29.Selling by quantity, making quantity known, and weighing in presence

  7. PART VI PACKAGED GOODS

    1. Interpretation of Part VI (1) In this Part— “goods”, in relation to a package,...

      1. 30.Interpretation of Part VI

    2. Quantity control

      1. 31.Duties of packers and importers of packages

      2. 32.Enforcement

      3. 33.Defences to offences under Article 32

      4. 34.Special provision for certain packages

    3. Co-ordination of control

      1. 35.Functions of the Department under Part VI

    4. Miscellaneous

      1. 36.Disclosure of information

      2. 37.Power to modify Part VI

      3. 38.Regulations under Part VI

  8. PART VII MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS

    1. 39.Function of Department

    2. 40.Inspectors of weights and measures

    3. 41.General powers of inspection and entry

    4. 42.Obstruction of inspectors

    5. 43.Power of Department to provide adjustment service

    6. 44.Employment of inspectors for provision of certain other services

    7. 45.Offences in connection with office of inspector

    8. 46.Prosecution of offences

    9. 47.Penalties

    10. 48.Regulations and orders

    11. 49.Department to report to Assembly

    12. 50.Application to Crown

    13. 51.Supplemental provisions with respect to fees

    14. Art. 52 rep. by 1996 NI 2

    15. 53.Other savings

    16. 54.Consequential amendments and repeals

  9. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      MEASURES AND WEIGHTS LAWFUL FOR USE FOR TRADE

      1. PART I LINEAR MEASURES

        1. Para. 1 rep. by SR 1995/227

        2. Metric system

          1. 2.Measures of— 50 metres 2 metres 30 metres 1.5 metres...

      2. PART II SQUARE MEASURES

        1. Para. 1 rep. by SR 1995/227

        2. Metric system

          1. 2.Measures of, or of any multiple of, 1 square decimetre....

      3. PART III CUBIC MEASURES

        1. Metric system

          1. 1.Measures of, or of any multiple of, 0.1 cubic metre....

          2. 2.Measures of— any multiple of 10 litres 10 litres 100...

      4. PART IV CAPACITY MEASURES

        1. Imperial system

          1. 1.Measures of— 16 pints 8 pints 4 pints 2 pints...

        2. Metric system

          1. 2.Measures of— any multiple of 10 litres 125 millilitres 10...

      5. PART V WEIGHTS

        1. Imperial system

          1. Para. 1 rep. by SR 1995/227

          2. 2.Weights of— 500 ounces troy 0.4 ounce troy 400 ounces...

        2. Metric system

          1. 3.Weights of— 25 kilogrammes 3 grammes 20 kilogrammes 2 grammes...

          2. 4.Weights of— 500 carats (metric) 1 carat (metric) 200 carats...

      6. PART VI SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS ON USE FOR TRADE

        1. 1.No person shall use the ounce troy for trade except...

        2. 2.No person shall use the carat (metric) for trade except...

        3. 3.No person shall use a capacity measure of 35 millilitres,...

        4. 4.No person shall use the pint for trade except for—...

        5. Para.5 rep. by SR 1995/227

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      UNITS OF MEASUREMENT LAWFUL FOR USE FOR TRADE

      1. PART I MEASUREMENT OF LENGTH

        1. Entry for imperial units rep. by SR 1995/226

        2. Metric units

          1. Kilometre

          2. Metre

          3. Decimetre

          4. Centimetre

          5. Millimetre

      2. PART II MEASUREMENT OF AREA

        1. Entry for imperial units rep. by SR 1995/226

        2. Metric units

          1. Hectare

          2. Decare

          3. Are

          4. Square metre

          5. Square decimetre

          6. Square centimetre

          7. Square millimetre

      3. PART III MEASUREMENT OF VOLUME

        1. Metric units

          1. Cubic metre

          2. Cubic decimetre

          3. Cubic centimetre

          4. Hectolitre

          5. Litre

          6. Decilitre

          7. Centilitre

          8. Millilitre

      4. PART IV MEASUREMENT OF CAPACITY

        1. Imperial unit Metric units ... Hectolitre ... Litre Pint Decilitre...

      5. PART V MEASUREMENT OF MASS OR WEIGHT

        1. Imperial unit

          1. ...

          2. Ounce troy

        2. Metric units

          1. Tonne

          2. Metric tonne

          3. Kilogramme

          4. Hectogramme

          5. Gramme

          6. Carat (metric)

          7. Milligramme

      6. PART VI SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS ON USE FOR TRADE

        1. 1.No person shall use the ounce troy for trade except...

        2. 2.No person shall use the carat (metric) for trade except...

        3. 3.No person shall use the pint for trade execpt for—...

        4. Paras. 4, 5 rep. by SR 1995/227

    3. SCHEDULE 2A

      APPROVALS UNDER ARTICLE 9A

      1. PART I APPROVALS: GENERAL

        1. Fees

          1. 1.Where— (a) any person makes an application for an approval,...

        2. Form, effect and conditions of approvals

          1. 2.(1) An approval shall be in writing and, unless previously...

        3. Suspension of approvals

          1. 3.(1) If it appears to an inspector that, otherwise than...

        4. Withdrawal of approvals

          1. 4.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the Department may by written...

        5. Grant of new approval following withdrawal

          1. 5.(1) Where the Department decides, whether in the light of...

        6. Application for further approval

          1. 6.(1) This paragraph applies where, not less than three months...

      2. PART II REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET BY APPROVED VERIFIERS

        1. Maintenance of quality system

          1. 7.(1) An approved verifier shall maintain in force such systems...

        2. Preparation etc. of quality system manual

          1. 8.(1) An approved verifier shall prepare and keep up-to-date a...

        3. Keeping of records

          1. 9.An approved verifier shall keep a record of every test...

      1. Schedule 3 rep. by SR 1989/69

    5. SCHEDULE 4

      SAND AND OTHER BALLAST

      1. PART I GENERAL PROVISIONS

        1. 1.In this Schedule, “ballast” means any of the following materials,...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, ballast shall be sold only by...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 2—...

        4. 4.Without prejudice to Article 13, no article shall be used...

        5. 5.In measuring any ballast against a calibration mark on such...

      2. PART II CARRIAGE OF BALLAST BY ROAD

        1. 6.The provisions of this Part shall have effect with respect...

        2. 7.(1) If any of the ballast is being carried for...

        3. 8.If all or any of the ballast on the vehicles...

        4. 9.Any document required by paragraph 7 or 8 shall at...

        5. 10.In the case of any document such as is mentioned...

    6. SCHEDULE 5

      SOLID FUEL

      1. PART I GENERAL

        1. 1.This Schedule applies to goods of any of the following...

        2. 2.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), solid fuel shall be sold...

        3. 3.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), solid fuel shall be made...

        4. 4.Solid fuel shall be sold by means of, or offered...

        5. 5.(1) This paragraph applies to any vehicle on or from...

        6. 6.Any person who, with intent to defraud or deceive, damps...

        7. 7.(1) This paragraph applies to any vehicle which is used...

        8. 8.An order under Article 19 may amend or repeal this...

      2. PART II WEIGHING OF SOLID FUEL AT BUYER'S REQUEST

        1. 9.If in the case of any solid fuel sold otherwise...

        2. 10.Where a request under paragraph 9 is made in respect...

        3. 11.Where after weighing in pursuance of a request under paragraph...

      3. PART III CARRIAGE OF SOLID FUEL BY ROAD

        1. 12.This Part shall have effect with respect to the carriage...

        2. 13.(1) If the vehicle is carrying any relevant goods for...

        3. 14.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), if all or any of...

        4. 15.Any document required by paragraph 13 or 14 shall at...

    7. SCHEDULE 6

      MISCELLANEOUS GOODS OTHER THAN FOODS

      1. PART I LIQUID FUEL AND LUBRICANTS

        1. 1.This Part applies to— (a) liquid fuel, lubricating oil and...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, goods to which this Part applies—...

        3. 3.Notwithstanding anything in paragraph 2, liquid fuel—

      2. PART II READY-MIXED CEMENT MORTAR AND READY-MIXED CONCRETE

        1. 1.This Part applies to ready-mixed cement mortar and ready-mixed concrete....

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, any goods to which this Part...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 2...

        4. 4.Part II of Schedule 4 except sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph...

      3. PART III AGRICULTURAL LIMING MATERIALS, AGRICULTURAL SALT AND INORGANIC FERTILISERS

        1. 1.This Part applies— (a) to agricultural liming materials, other than...

        2. 2.(1) Goods to which this Part applies which are not...

        3. 3.Paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 4 shall have effect...

      4. PART IV PEAT AND WOOD FUEL

        1. 1.Subject to paragraph 2,— (a) peat or wood fuel which...

        2. 2.There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 1...

        3. 3.Any person, who with intent to defraud or deceive, damps...

      5. PART V COSMETIC PRODUCTS

        1. 1.In this Part, “cosmetic product” means any substance or preparation...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, cosmestic products shall be pre-packed only...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from the requirements of paragraph 2—...

        4. 4.Cosmetic products which are not pre-packed shall be sold only...

      6. PART VI SOAP

        1. 1.Subject to paragraph 2,— (a) soap in the form of...

        2. 2.There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part—...

        3. 3.In this Part “soap” does not include any soap which...

      7. PART VII MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE SOLD BY OR MARKED WITH LENGTH

        1. 1.This Part applies to goods of any of the following...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, goods to which this Part applies—...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from all requirements of paragraph 2...

      8. PART VIII MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE SOLD BY OR MARKED WITH NET WEIGHT

        1. 1.This Part applies to— (a) distemper; (b) articles offered as...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3 goods to which this Part applies—...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from all requirements of this Part—...

      9. PART IX MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE MARKED WHEN PRE-PACKED WITH NET WEIGHT

        1. 1.This Part applies to— (a) Portland cement;

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, goods to which this Part applies...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...

      10. PART X MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE SOLD BY OR MARKED WITH CAPACITY MEASUREMENT

        1. 1.This Part applies to antifreeze fluid for internal combustion engines,...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3 goods to which this Part applies—...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from all requirements of this Part...

      11. PART XI MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE MARKED WHEN PRE-PACKED WITH CAPACITY MEASUREMENT

        1. 1.This Part applies to enamel, lacquer, liquid detergents, liquid paint...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3, goods to which this Part applies...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part—...

      12. PART XII MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE SOLD BY OR MARKED WITH NET WEIGHT OR CAPACITY MEASUREMENT

        1. 1.This Part applies to— (a) polishes; (b) dressings analogous to...

        2. 2.Subject to paragraph 3 goods to which this Part applies—...

        3. 3.There shall be exempted from all the requirements of this...

      13. PART XIII MISCELLANEOUS GOODS TO BE MARKED WHEN PRE-PACKED WITH QUANTITY BY NUMBER

        1. 1.This Part applies— (a) to cheroots, cigarettes and cigars;

        2. 2.Subject to paragraphs 3 and 4, goods to which this...

        3. 3.In relation to postal stationery, the reference to number in...

        4. 4.There shall be exempted from the requirements of this Part...

    8. SCHEDULE 7

      COMPOSITE GOODS AND COLLECTIONS OF ARTICLES

      1. 1.(1) This paragraph applies to any goods which, not being...

      2. 2.(1) This paragraph applies to any goods which, not being...

      3. 3.(1) This paragraph applies to aerosol products containing any goods...

      4. 4.(1) This paragraph applies to any collection of two or...

      5. 5.There shall be exempted from any requirement of paragraph 1,...

    9. SCHEDULE 8

      INSTRUCTIONS UNDER ARTICLE 32(3)

      1. 1.Instructions given to a person by an inspector in pursuance...

      2. 2.Where in pursuance of paragraph 1 a person gives to...

      3. 3.Where instructions are referred to the Department in pursuance of...

    10. SCHEDULE 9

      POWERS AND DUTIES OF INSPECTORS, ETC.

      1. 1.(1) An inspector may, on production if so requested of...

      2. 2.Where a justice of the peace, is satisfied by complaint...

      3. 3.(1) An inspector entering any premises by virtue of paragraph...

      4. 4.Where an inspector has reasonable cause to believe that an...

      5. 5.(1) The Department may purchase goods, and may authorise any...

      6. 6.A person who wilfully obstructs an inspector acting in pursuance...

      1. Schedule 10—Amendments

      1. Schedule 11—Repeals

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