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==United Kingdom==
==United Kingdom==
⚫
There have been many varieties of Weights and Measures Acts in force in the [[United Kingdom]] over the last one-thousand, or so, years. The act may, in addition to the specific requirements of the day, set out the circumstances under which the incumbent [[Minister of State|minister]] may amend the legislation by means of [[statutory instruments]]. Prior to the 1985 Act, Weights and Measures Acts were only concerned with [[trade law]] where the weight or size of the goods being traded is important. The 1985 Act however extended the scope of the act to encompass all aspects covered by the [[European units of measurement directives|EU directive 80/181/EEC]].
There have been many Weights and Measures Acts in the [[United Kingdom]].


⚫
As of 25 April 2012, the current primary legislation in the United Kingdom is the ''Weights and Measures Act 1985'' which was last amended by statutory instruments in 2011.<ref name=1985Act/> Other statutory instruments made under the authority of the act do not amend the act ''per se'', but do regulate particular areas covered by the Act.<ref>{{cite web
⚫
The act may set out the limitations under which the incumbent [[Minister of State|minister]] may amend the legislation by means of [[statutory instruments]]. Prior to the 1985 Act, Weights and Measures Acts were only concerned with [[trade law]] where the weight or size of the goods being traded is important. The 1985 Act however extended the scope of the act to encompass all aspects covered by the [[European units of measurement directives|EU directive 80/181/EEC]].

⚫
The terms of the acts are currently enforced by the 200 [[Trading Standards Institute#Structure|Trading Standards Office]]s managed by [[local authority|local authorities]] around the country. Definitions of units of measurements and the provision of the technical equipment relating to weights and measures are in the UK provided by the [[National Weights and Measures Laboratory]], an agency of the [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]].

⚫
As of 25 April 2012, the current primary legislation in the United Kingdom is the '''Weights and Measures Act 1985''' which was last amended by [[statutory instruments]] in 2011.<ref name=1985Act/> Other statutory instruments made under the authority of the act do not amend the act ''per se'', but do regulate particular areas covered by the Act.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Full Legislation List
|title = Full Legislation List
|publisher = Trading Standards Office
|publisher = Trading Standards Office
Line 14: Line 10:
|accessdate = 25 April 2012}}</ref>
|accessdate = 25 April 2012}}</ref>


⚫
The terms of the acts are currently enforced by the 200 [[Trading Standards Institute#Structure|Trading Standards Office]]s managed by [[local authority|local authorities]] around the country. Definitions of units of measurements and the provision of the technical equipment relating to weights and measures are in the UK provided by the [[National Weights and Measures Laboratory]], an agency of the [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]].
⚫
===Dual system of units of measure===

⚫
Although the Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act of 1897 authorised, but did not make compulsory, the use of metric units in trade,<ref>{{cite journal
⚫
===Permitted units of measure===
⚫
The Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act of 1897 made the provision that metric units could be used, in addition to the traditional imperial units, for trade.<ref>{{cite journal
| journal = The London Gazette
| journal = The London Gazette
| date = 10 August 1897
| date = 10 August 1897
Line 26: Line 24:
| date= 22 July 1897
| date= 22 July 1897
| column_start= 695
| column_start= 695
| column_end= 696}}</ref> in practice the actual choice of units was restricted by price marking orders which catalogued packaging size and pricing structure that may be used in specific circumstances - for example, as of April 2012, [[wine]] for consumption on premises may only be sold in [[litre|125, 175 and 250&nbsp;ml]] glasses while [[draught beer]] may only be sold in {{fract|1|3}}, {{fract|1|2}}, {{fract|2|3}} and one [[pint]] glasses. Prior to 1973 when the United Kingdom joined the [[European Economic Community|EEC]] such restrictions were almost all in imperial units. As part of the harmonisation process of the [[Internal Market]], the EU directive 80/181/EEC catalogued units of measure that could be used for ""economic, public health, public safety and administrative" purposes. In order to comply with this directive, the Weights and Measures Act of 1986 extended the scope of the [[Trading Standards]] from matters related only to trade to all aspects of the directive. For example, it was Trading Standards Office who criticised the use of sub-standard weighing machines in NHS hospitals.<ref>{{cite hansard
| column_end= 696}}</ref> In practice the actual choice of units was restricted by price marking orders which catalogued packaging size and pricing structure that may be used in specific circumstances. For example, as of April 2012, [[wine]] for consumption on premises may only be sold in [[litre|125, 175 and 250&nbsp;ml]] glasses while [[draught beer]] may only be sold in {{fract|1|3}}, {{fract|1|2}}, {{fract|2|3}} and one [[pint]] glasses. Prior to 1973 (the year that the United Kingdom joined the [[European Economic Community|EEC]]) such restrictions were almost all in imperial units.
As part of the EEC attempt to harmonise units of measure between the member states of its [[internal market]], the Europeam Commission (EC) issued directive 80/181/EEC which catalogued the units of measure that should be used for what it called "economic, public health, public safety and administrative" purposes. In order to comply with this directive, the Weights and Measures Act of 1986 extended the scope of the [[trading standards]] responsibilities from just matters related to trade to all aspects of the directive. For example, it was the trading standards office who criticised the use of sub-standard weighing machines in NHS hospitals.<ref>{{cite hansard
| house=House of Lords
| house=House of Lords
| url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100225-0001.htm
| url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100225-0001.htm
Line 33: Line 33:
| column_end = 1083 }}</ref>
| column_end = 1083 }}</ref>


As part of the conversion process from imperial to metric units, the directive permitted the use of "supplementary indicators" alongside those units catalogued by the directive. Initially the use of supplementary indicators use was permitted until the end of 1989. This deadline was first extended to 1999 and then to 2009. In 2007, in response to requests from British [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP's]] and requests from United States, the EU Commission proposed permitting the use of supplementary indicators indefinitely.<ref>{{cite news
To help ease their desired transition from sole use imperial units to sole use of metric units, the EC directive permitted the use of what were termed "supplementary indicators" - the continued use of imperial units alongside the metric units catalogued by the directive (dual labelling). The initial intention was to prohibit dual labelling after the end of 1989, with metric units only being allowed after that date. This deadline was first extended to 1999 and then to 2009, and then in 2007, in response to requests from British [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP's]] and requests from United States, the, bt then European Union (EU) and its commission (EC) sanctioned the continued use of supplementary indicators indefinitely.<ref>{{cite news
| first=Günter
| first=Günter
| last=Verheugen
| last=Verheugen
Line 40: Line 40:
| publisher=
| publisher=
| url = http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/press/frontpage/11092007_en.htm
| url = http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/press/frontpage/11092007_en.htm
| accessdate = 2007-11-10}}</ref> The subsequent reporting by the [[British press]] was sufficiently misleading that Roger Marles, Head of [British] [[Trading Standards]], issued the following statement:
| accessdate = 2007-11-10}}</ref> The subsequent reporting by the [[British press]] was sufficiently misleading that Roger Marles, Head of [British] [[Trading Standards]], issued the following statement: "The legal position on the use of Imperial measures has not changed. Pre-packed goods and goods sold loose from bulk, such as fruit and vegetables, are still required to be sold in metric quantities and weighing scales must be calibrated in metric units of measurement. Suggestions that goods can now be sold in pounds and ounces are incorrect."<ref>{{cite web
:"The legal position on the use of Imperial measures has not changed. Pre-packed goods and goods sold loose from bulk, such as fruit and vegetables, are still required to be sold in metric quantities and weighing scales must be calibrated in metric units of measurement. Suggestions that goods can now be sold in pounds and ounces are incorrect."<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/glos/metric.htm
|url = http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/glos/metric.htm
|title = Clearing Up the Metric Muddle
|title = Clearing Up the Metric Muddle
Line 48: Line 47:
|accessdate = 24 April 2012}}</ref>
|accessdate = 24 April 2012}}</ref>


As of 24 April 2012, the only imperial units permitted for purposes that lie within the scope of the Weights and Measures Act, for which the United Kingdom (and the Republic of Ireland) have specific derogations, are the pint for the sale of draught beer and cider and of milk in returnable containers, the use of miles, yards, feet and inches for roads signs and distances and the use of troy ounces for the sale of precious metals. In addition, British legislation limits the use of supplementary indicators to certain units only (for example the imperial [[gallon]] is catalogued, but not the [[Customary units of measure|US gallon]]).<ref>{{Cite legislation UK
As of 24 April 2012, there are still a few cases where imperial units are required to be used and where metric units are optional within the scope of the Weights and Measures Act. These are the pint for the sale of draught beer and cider and of milk in returnable containers, the use of miles, yards, feet and inches for roads signs and distances and the use of troy ounces for the sale of precious metals. In addition, British legislation specifies which imperial units may be used with dual labelling (for example the imperial [[gallon]] is catalogued, but not the [[Customary units of measure|US gallon]]).<ref>{{Cite legislation UK
| type = si
| type = si
| year = 2006
| year = 2006

Revision as of 15:37, 9 May 2012

A Weights and Measures Act is an Act of Parliament determining the regulation of weights and measures. The acts may catalogue lawful weights and measures, prescribe the mechanism for inspection and enforcement of the use of such weights and measures and may set out circumstances under which they may be ammended.

United Kingdom

There have been many varieties of Weights and Measures Acts in force in the United Kingdom over the last one-thousand, or so, years. The act may, in addition to the specific requirements of the day, set out the circumstances under which the incumbent minister may amend the legislation by means of statutory instruments. Prior to the 1985 Act, Weights and Measures Acts were only concerned with trade law where the weight or size of the goods being traded is important. The 1985 Act however extended the scope of the act to encompass all aspects covered by the EU directive 80/181/EEC.

As of 25 April 2012, the current primary legislation in the United Kingdom is the Weights and Measures Act 1985 which was last amended by statutory instruments in 2011.[1] Other statutory instruments made under the authority of the act do not amend the act per se, but do regulate particular areas covered by the Act.[2]

The terms of the acts are currently enforced by the 200 Trading Standards Offices managed by local authorities around the country. Definitions of units of measurements and the provision of the technical equipment relating to weights and measures are in the UK provided by the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Permitted units of measure

The Weights and Measures (Metric System) Act of 1897 made the provision that metric units could be used, in addition to the traditional imperial units, for trade.[3][4] In practice the actual choice of units was restricted by price marking orders which catalogued packaging size and pricing structure that may be used in specific circumstances. For example, as of April 2012, wine for consumption on premises may only be sold in 125, 175 and 250 ml glasses while draught beer may only be sold in 1⁄3, 1⁄2, 2⁄3 and one pint glasses. Prior to 1973 (the year that the United Kingdom joined the EEC) such restrictions were almost all in imperial units.

As part of the EEC attempt to harmonise units of measure between the member states of its internal market, the Europeam Commission (EC) issued directive 80/181/EEC which catalogued the units of measure that should be used for what it called "economic, public health, public safety and administrative" purposes. In order to comply with this directive, the Weights and Measures Act of 1986 extended the scope of the trading standards responsibilities from just matters related to trade to all aspects of the directive. For example, it was the trading standards office who criticised the use of sub-standard weighing machines in NHS hospitals.[5]

To help ease their desired transition from sole use imperial units to sole use of metric units, the EC directive permitted the use of what were termed "supplementary indicators" - the continued use of imperial units alongside the metric units catalogued by the directive (dual labelling). The initial intention was to prohibit dual labelling after the end of 1989, with metric units only being allowed after that date. This deadline was first extended to 1999 and then to 2009, and then in 2007, in response to requests from British MEP's and requests from United States, the, bt then European Union (EU) and its commission (EC) sanctioned the continued use of supplementary indicators indefinitely.[6] The subsequent reporting by the British press was sufficiently misleading that Roger Marles, Head of [British] Trading Standards, issued the following statement: "The legal position on the use of Imperial measures has not changed. Pre-packed goods and goods sold loose from bulk, such as fruit and vegetables, are still required to be sold in metric quantities and weighing scales must be calibrated in metric units of measurement. Suggestions that goods can now be sold in pounds and ounces are incorrect."[7]

As of 24 April 2012, there are still a few cases where imperial units are required to be used and where metric units are optional within the scope of the Weights and Measures Act. These are the pint for the sale of draught beer and cider and of milk in returnable containers, the use of miles, yards, feet and inches for roads signs and distances and the use of troy ounces for the sale of precious metals. In addition, British legislation specifies which imperial units may be used with dual labelling (for example the imperial gallon is catalogued, but not the US gallon).[8]

Historic Acts of Witenagemot

Acts include (note this list may not be complete for very early date):

10th century

III Edgar 8 (959-63) [9][10][11]

The Magna Carta

In the Magna Carta of 1215 (The Great Charter) with the seal of King John, put before him by the Barons of England, King John agreed in Clause 35 "There shall be one measure of wine throughout our whole realm, and one measure of ale and one measure of corn--namely, the London quart;--and one width of dyed and russet and hauberk cloths--namely, two ells below the selvage…."[1].

Historic Acts of Curiae Regis

11th century

3° William I. Cap. 7. (1068) [12][13]

De mensuris et ponderibus
"Et quod habeant per universum regnum, mensuras fidelissimas et signatas, et pondera fidelissima et signata, sicut boni praedecessores statuerunt."
"We ordain and command that the weights and measures throughout the realm be as our worthy predecessors have established."

12th century

9° Richard I. Cap. 27. (1197) [14]

Assize of Measures
"It is established that woollen cloths, wherever they be made, be made of the same width, to wit, of two ells within the lists [selvages], and of the same good quality in the middle and at the sides. Also the ell shall be the same in the whole realm and of the same length and the ell shall be of iron."

Historic Acts of Parliament

Statutes of uncertain date

(generally mid-to-late 13th century, also known as Statuta temporis incerti)[15]

  • Assisa Panis et Cervisiae [16]
a.k.a. The Assize of Bread and Ale
a.k.a. 51° Henry III
  • Statutum de Pistoribus, et cetera [17]
a.k.a. Statute concerning Bakers, et cetera
  • Tractatus de Ponderibus et Mensuris [18][19]
a.k.a. Tractatus de Ponderibus
a.k.a. Compositio de Ponderibus
a.k.a. Assisa de Ponderibus et Mensuris
a.k.a. Assize of Weights and Measures
The Tractatus contains the first use of the word avoirdupois in England. However, the word does not refer to a specific weight system, but to a class of goods, i.e., heavy goods sold by weight rather than by capacity, by count, or by some other means. Since the Tractatus was written in Anglo-Norman French, it does not count as the first occurrence of the word in English.
  • Statutum de Admensuratione Terrase [20]
a.k.a. Statute for the Measuring of Land
a.k.a. An Ordinance for Measuring of Land
a.k.a. 33° Edward I. st. 6. (1305)
"When an Acre of Land contianeth x Perches in Length, then it shall be in Breadth xvi Perches."
  • Compositio Ulnarum et Perticarum (1266–1303) [21][22]
a.k.a. Composition of Yards and Perches
a.k.a. The statute of ells and perches
"It is ordained that 3 grains of barley dry and round do make an inch, 12 inches make 1 foot, 3 feet make 1 yard, 5 yards and a half make a perch, and 40 perches in length and 4 in breadth make an acre."
"Ordinatum est quod tria grana ordei sicca et rotunda faciunt pollicem, et duodecim pollices faciunt pedem, tres pedes faciunt ulnam, quinque ulne et dimidia faciunt perticam, et quadraginta pertice in longitudine, et quatuor in latitudine, faciunt unam acram." - BL, Cotton MS Claudius D.ii
"And be it remembered that the iron yard of our Lord the King containeth 3 feet and no more, and a foot ought to contain 12 inches by the right measure of this yard measured, to wit, the 36th part of this yard rightly measured maketh 1 inch neither more nor less and 5 yards and a half make a perch that is 16 feet and a half measured by the aforesaid yard of our Lord the King." - Liber Horn[23]
This document redefines the yard, foot, inch, and barleycorn to 10/11 of their previous values, but leaves the rod and acre unchanged. The rod thus becomes 16 1⁄2 feet instead of 15.

13th Century

Magna Carta
"There shall be but one Measure throughout the Realm"
The Magna Carta of 1215 was not ratified by Parliament until 1225, by which time it had become substantially abridged. Chapter 35 of the Magna Carta of 1215 (dealing with weights and measures) became chapter 25 of the Magna Carta of 1225.

14th Century

"Bushels and Weights shall be made and sent into every Country."
  • 18° Edward III. st. 2. Cap.4 (1344) [25]
"Commissions to assay Weights and Measures shall be repealed, and none such granted."
  • 25° Edward III. st. 5. Cap. 9. (1350) [26]
"The Auncel Weight shall be put out, and Weighing shall be by equal Balance."
"qe le sak de leine ne poise qe vint & sys peres & chescun pere poise quatorze livres" \ "so that the Sack of Wooll weigh no more but xxvi. Stones, and every Stone to weigh xiv. l."
  • 25° Edward III. st. 5. Cap. 10. (1350) [27]
"Every measure shall be according to the King's Standard, and shall be striked without Heap; saving the Rents of Lords."

"& contiene le quartre oct busselx par lestandard & neint plus." / "And the Quarter shall contain Eight Bushels by the Standard, and no more."

  • 27° Edward III. st. 2. Cap. 10. (1353) [28][29]
"There shall be but one Weight, Measure and Yard throughout the Realm."
  • 31° Edward III. st. 1. Cap. 2. (1357) [30]
"No Wool shall be bought by Fraud to abate the Price thereof. Weights shall be sent to all the Shires."
"All Vessels of Wine, Honey, and Oil brought into this realm shall be gauged."

"Le Roi a viscont de Kent saluz." / "Richard by the Grace of God, &c. to the Sheriff of Nottingham, Greeting."

  • 13° Richard II. st. 1. Cap. 9. (1389) [32]
"There shall be but one Weight and one Measure throughout the Realm, saving in the County of Lancaster. The Weight of Wool, and the Refuse thereof."
  • 15° Richard II. Cap. 4. (1391) [33]
"There shall be but eight Bushels of Corn striked to the Quarter."
  • 16° Richard II. Cap. 3. (1392) [34]
"The Clerk of the Market shall carry with him all his Weights and Measures signed."

15th Century

An Act concerning the true Measure of Corn.
  • 2° Henry V. stat. 2. Cap. 4. (1414) [36]
"There Shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of English Sterling."
first notice of troy weight in statute[37]
"Every City and Borough shall have a common Balance and Weight. Who may buy Wool and Yarn."

18° Henry VI. Cap. 16. (1439) [39]

"There shall be but one Measure of Cloth through the Realm by the Yard and the Inch, and not by the Yard and Handful, according to the London Measure."
"Item - come il foit meritorie & almoigne a departer la veritee de la desciet si come jatarde en un parlement tenuz a Westm' la fuist ouste un rayme..."

18° Henry VI. Cap. 17. (1439) [39]

"Vessels of Wine, Oyl, and Honey, shall be gauged"
"Item - Because all the Tuns, Pipes, Tertians and Hogsheads of Wine, Oyl, and Honey..."
"Item - pur ceo qe toutz les tonels pipes tertians & hoggeshedes de vin oyle & mele..."
An Act for Weights and Measures.
"The Names of the Cities and Towns limited for the keeping of Weights and Measures."
  • 12° Henry VII. Cap. 5. (1496) [41]
An Act for Weights and Measures.
"That the Measure of a Bushel contain viij. Gallons of Wheat, and that every Gallon contain viij. li. of Wheat of Troy Weight, and every Pound contain xij. Ounces of Troy Weight, and every Ounce contain xx. Sterlings, and every Sterling be of the Weight of xxxij. Corns of Wheat that grew in the Midst of the Ear of Wheat, according to the old Laws of this Land."

16th Century

"And whereas heretofore the merchaunte paid for coynage of every pounde Towre of fyne gold weighing xi oz. quarter Troye ii s. vi d. Nowe it is determyned by the king's highness, and his said councelle that the foresaid pounde Towre shall be no more used and occupied but al maner of golde and sylver shall be wayed by the pounde Troye, which maketh xii oz. Troy, which exceedith the pounde Towre in weight iii quarters of the oz."
  • 23° Henry VIII. Cap. 4. (1531) [43]
An Act that no Brewers of Beer or Ale shall make their Barrels, Kilderkins or Firkins within them, and how much the same Barrels, et cetera shall contain.
  • 24° Henry VIII. Cap. 3. (1532) [44]
An Act for flesh to be sold by weight, and the prices limited.
"Beef, pork, mutton and veal shall be sold by weight called Haver-de-pois."
  • 24° Henry VIII. Cap. 4. (1532) [44]
"An acre shall be counted 160 perches, and every perch 16 foot and a half.
  • 5° & 6° Edward VI Cap. 6. (1552) [45]
An Act for the true making of Woolen Cloth.
"XIV. And that all and every Broad Cloth and Clothes called Taunton Clothes, Bridgwaters, and other Clothes which shall be made after the said Feast in Taunton, Bridgwater or in other Places of like Sort, shall contain at the Water in Length betwixt twelve and thirteen Yards, Yard and Inch of the Rule, and in Breadth seven Quarters of a Yard: (2) And every narrow Cloth made after the said Feast in the said Towns or elsewhere of like Sorts, shall contain in the Water in Length betwixt three and twenty and five and twenty Yards, Yard and Inch as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard of like Measure; (3) and every such Cloth, both Broad and Narrow being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxxiv. li. the Piece at the least."
"XV. And that all Clothes named Check-Kersie and Straits, which shall be made after the said Feast shall contain being wet between seventeen and eighteen Yards, with the Inches as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard at the least at the Water; and being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxiv. li. the Piece at the least."
  • 4° & 5° Philip and Mary Cap. 5. par. IX. (1557-8)[46]
An act touching the making of woolen clothes.
"IX. Item, That every ordinary kersie mentioned in the said act shall contain in length in the water betwixt xvi. and xvii. yards, yard and inch; and being well scoured thicked, milled, dressed and fully dried, shall weigh nineteen pounds the piece at the least:..."
  • 23° Elizabeth. Cap. 8. (1581) [47]
An Act touching the true melting, making and working of Wax.
"...fill and sell or cause to be filled or sold or offered to be sold any Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin with Honey, for or in the Name of a Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin containing less than two and thirty Wine Gallons the Barrel, sixteen Wine Gallons the Kilderkin, and eight Wine Gallons the Firkin; every Person and Persons so offending shall forfeit and lose for every Half Gallon so lacking five Shillings of English Money."
  • 35° Elizabeth. Cap. 8. (1593) [48]
"A mile shall contain eight Furlongs, every Furlong forty Poles, and every Pole shall contain sixteen Foot and an half."
This is the origin of the statue mile.
  • 35° Elizabeth. Cap. 10. par. III. (1593) [49]
An act for the reformation of sundry abuses in clothes, called Devonshire kerjies or dozens, according to a proclamation of the thirty-fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen that now is.
"(2) and each and every of the same Devonshire kersies or dozens, so being raw, and as it cometh forth off the weaver's loom (without racking, stretching, straining or other device to encrease the length thereof) shall contain in length between fifteen and sixteen yards by the measure of yard and inch by the rule,..."

17th century

An Act for the better ordering and regulating of the Office of Clerk of the Market, allowed and confirmed by this Statutes; and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures.
An Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
First mention of Winchester bushel in statute.
  • 22° & 23° Charles II. Cap. 12. (1670) [52]
An additional Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
  • 8° & 9° William III. Cap. 22. s. 9. (1696-7) [53][54]
"...every round bushel with a plain and even bottom being eighteen inches and a half wide throughout and eight inches deep shall be determined a legal Winchester bushel according to the Standard of His Majesty's Exchequer."
First definition of Winchester bushel in statute (≈2150.42 cubic inches).

18th Century

An Act for ascertaining the Measures for retailing Ale and Beer.
An Act to ascertain the Water Measure of Fruit.
  • 5° & 6° Anne. Cap. 27. (1706) [57]
An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions and Duties, and for making Provisions therein mentioned to raise Money by Way of Loan for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions, and for ascertaining the Wine Measure.
"...any Vessel containing two hundred thirty one cubical Inches and no more shall be deemed and taken to be a lawful Wine Gallon..."
This statute is the origin of the US gallon, also known as the Queen Anne Gallon, Queen Anne Wine Gallon, or pre-1824 British gallon.
  • False Weights and Scales Act 1770 10° George III Cap. 44[58]
An Act for more effectually preventing Traders in exciseable Commodities from using false Weights and Scales and for explaining and amending several Acts of Parliament relating to Hackney Coaches and Chairs
An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.
  • Weights and Measures Act 1797 37° George III. Cap. 143 [60]
An Act to explain and amend an Act made in the thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.

19th century

  • Weights and Measures Act 1815 55° George III. Cap. 43 [61]
An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of false and deficient Measures.
An Act for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures.
This is the origin of Imperial units. This statute repeals nearly all previous weights and measures legislation, listing them in chronological order (by regnal year but without dates) beginning with "ancient statutes of uncertain date."
  • Weights and Measures Act 1825 6° George IV. Cap. 12 [63]
An Act to prolong the Time of the Commencement of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures and to amend the said Act.
An Act to amend and render more effectual Two Acts of the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, relating to Weights and Measures.
  • Weights and Measures Act 1835 5° & 6° William IV. Cap. 63 [65]
An Act to repeal an Act of the Fourth and Fifth Year of His present Majesty relating to Weights and Measures, and to make other Provisions instead thereof.
  • Weights and Measures Act 1855 18 & 19 Victoria. Cap. 72.[66]
An Act for legalizing and preserving the restored Standards of Weights and Measures
"...the Imperial Standard Pound Avoirdupois and shall be deemed to be the only Standard Measure of Weight from which all other Weights and other Measures having Reference..."
  • Weights and Measures Act 1859 22° & 23° Victoria. Cap. 56 [67]
An Act to amend the Act of the fifth and sixth years of King William the Fourth, chapter sixty-three, relating to weights and measures.
  • Metric Weights and Measures Act 1864 27° & 28° Victoria. Cap. 117 [68]
An Act to render permissive the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures.
  • Weights and Measures Act 1878 41° & 42° Victoria. Cap. 49 [69]
An Act to consolidate the Law relating to Weights and Measures.
This statute abolished the troy pound, effective January 1879.[70]
  • Weights and Measures Act 1889 52° & 53° Victoria. Cap. 21 [71]
An Act for amending the Law relating to Weights and Measures and for other purposes connected therewith.
  • Weights and Measures Act 1897 60° & 61° Victoria. Cap. 46. [72]
An Act to legalize the Use of Weights and Measures of the Metric System.

20th Century

  • Weights and Measures Act 1904 4° Edward 7. Cap. 28. [73]
  • Weights and Measures Act 1926 16° & 17° George V Cap.63
Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act.
  • Weights and Measures Act 1963 [74][75][76]
  • Weights and Measures etc Act 1976 [77]
  • Weights and Measures Act 1985 [1] This act removed from use for retail sales by weight or measure many traditional and Imperial units as part of the process of metricating retail sales[78].

Comparable laws in other countries

Canada

Weights and measures in Canada are legally defined by its Weights and Measures Act.[79]

India

  • The Indian Weights and Measures of Capacity Act 1871.[80]
An Act to regulate the Weights and Measures of Capacity of British India.
  • Measures of Length Act 1889.[81]
An Act to declare the Imperial Standard Yard for the United Kingdom to be the legal standard measure of length in British India.

Ireland

  • Weights and Measures Act 1936.[82]

United States

In the United States, a regular meeting of the states (the National Conference on Weights and Measures) maintains several handbooks, which are available at the website of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.[83] Most of the states have enacted these handbooks into law.[84]

References

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  5. ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100225-0001.htm. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Lords. 25 February 2010. col. 1081–1083. {{cite book}}: |chapter-url= missing title (help)
  6. ^ Verheugen, Günter (11 September 2007). "Exclusive: Your pint safe in EU hands". Retrieved 2007-11-10.
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  9. ^ www.sizes.com
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