EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Introduction
These Regulations provide for the control of packages containing products packed in constant nominal quantities. They provide for the average system to apply to the quantity contained in each batch of packages which is made up. The Regulations implement European Union Directives on prepackaged goods and on the units of measurement to be applied to such packages.

Previous legislation
These Regulations repeal the previous legislation on packaged goods contained in Part VI of the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and the regulations made thereunder: the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990 (S.R. 1990 No. 410) as amended by S.R. 1992 No.485 and S.R. 1994 No.321.

EU Directives implemented
These Regulations re-implement the following Directives in whole or part:
a
Council Directives: 75/106/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making-up by volume of certain prepackaged liquids (as amended by Commission Directive 78/891/EEC (OJ No L311, 4.11.1978, p. 21), and Council Directives 79/1005/EEC (OJ No L308, 4.12.1979, p. 25), 85/10/EEC (OJ No L4, 5.1.1985, p. 20), 88/316/EEC (OJ No. L143, 10.6.1988, p. 26) and 89/676/EEC (OJ No L398, 30.12.1989, p. 18);
b
Council Directive 76/211/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making-up by weight or by volume of certain prepackaged products (OJ No L46, 21.2.1976, p. 1) as amended by Commission Directive 78/891/EEC (OJ No L311, 4.11.1978 p. 21); and
c
Council Directive 80/181/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to units of measurement (OJ L39, 15.2.1980, p. 40) as amended by Directives 85/1/EEC (OJ L2, 3.1/1986, p. 11), 89/617/EEC (OJ L357, 7.12.1989, p. 28) and 1999/103/EC (OJ L34, 9.2.200, p. 17) as it applies to packaged goods.

Provisions of the Regulations
These Regulations apply to packages which are packed in constant nominal quantities by weight or volume which are predetermined by the packer and are not less than 5 grams or 5 millilitres and not more than 25 kilograms or 25 litres (regulation 3). They also apply to “outer containers” containing at least one package and to bread which is unwrapped. Regulation 3 also sets out exceptions to the application of the regulations.
Regulation 4 sets out the three rules with which packers must comply in making up packages. Compliance with the rules is to be determined by the reference test set out in Schedule 2. Regulations 5 and 6 set out the information which must be marked on packages and outer containers and the circumstances in which the E-mark (the form of which is shown in Schedule 4) may be marked on a package or outer container. Regulation 7 provides that a person other than a packer or importer who marks an indication of nominal quantity on a package will become liable under the Regulations as though he were a packer or importer. Regulation 8 sets out specific requirements as to the marking of weight or volume on packages.
Regulation 9 imposes duties on packers and importers as to the measurement of the contents of packages, the checking of the contents and keeping of records. Regulations 10 to 12 provide for the enforcement of the Regulations by the Department and matters connected therewith. Additional powers of inspectors of weights and measures and the Department are set out in Schedule 7. Regulation 13 lays down penalties in respect of the making up and marking of packages and outer containers and keeping records of proposed markings. Regulation 14 lays down penalties in respect of the knowing sale of packages containing short measure or of packages which come from a batch that has failed the reference test. Regulation 15 prohibits the marking of the E-mark on packages except as permitted by the Regulations. Regulation 16 makes the unauthorised disclosure of information concerning trade secrets and secret manufacturing processes an offence. Regulations 17 to 20 contain provisions supplementary to the offence provisions.
Regulation 21 contains transitional provisions in respect of the application of the pre-existing law to packages made up or actions taken before the Regulations come into force and provides a one year transitional period in respect of the application of the E-mark under the pre-existing law.