L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT
CHAPTER 90:15
Act
15 of 1981
Amended by
O. 21/1998
O. 23/1998






1 – 44 ... 1/2012 (inclusive) by L.R.O.
Pages Authorised
Current Authorised Pages
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Index
of
Subsidiary Legislation
Page
Weights and Measures (Legal Force and Validity of Imperial and
Metric System) Order 2001
44
(4/2001)



Note
On
Repeal
This Act repealed the Weights and Measures Act, Cap. 90:14.
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CHAPTER 90:15
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
PART II
STANDARDS OF WEIGHT AND MEASURE
3. Standards.
4. Use of weight.
5. National Standards of Weight and Measure.
6. Custody of National Standards.
7. Secondary standards.
8. Working standards.
9. Periodic verification of National Standards.
PART III
CHIEF INSPECTOR AND INSPECTORS OF WEIGHTS AND
MEASURES
10. Appointment of Chief Inspector and Inspectors.
11. Verification of weights and measures by Inspector.
12. Certification of Weight etc.
13. Power to enter premises and to seize weight and measure.
14. Prohibition against adjustment.
PART IV
GENERAL
15. Duty to have weight and measure marked with their proper
denomination.
16. Sale of goods by weight or measurement.
17. Weight made of lead or pewter not to be stamped or used.
18. Sale of pre-packaged goods by weight or measurement.
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SECTION
19. Use of carat (metric).
20. Regulations.
PART V
OFFENCES, PROCEEDINGS AND REPEAL
21. Failure to weigh or measure when selling goods if so required.
22. Sales by authorised denominations.
23. Use of non-certified weight, etc.
24. Use of false or unjust weight, etc.
25. Fraud in use of weight, etc.
26. Forgery, etc.
27. Selling, etc. weight, etc. with forged or counterfeited stamps of
verification or certificates of justness.
28. Making or selling unjust weight, etc.
29. Obstructing Inspectors, etc. in the performance of their duties.
30. Costs.
31. Forfeitures.
32. Evidence as to possession.
33. Inspector stamping without verification.
34. Prohibition of giving short weight, measure or number.
35. Defence of mistake, accident, etc.
36. Penalty.
FIRST SCHEDULE—Base Units.
SECOND SCHEDULE—Supplementary Units.
THIRD SCHEDULE—Derived Units.
FOURTH SCHEDULE—Special (or permitted) Units.
FIFTH SCHEDULE—Prefixes for Multiples and Sub-multiples of SI.
SIXTH SCHEDULE—Definitions of Units of Measurement.
SEVENTH SCHEDULE—Weights and Measures Lawful for use in
Trade.
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EIGHTH SCHEDULE—Relationship Between Si and the Standards
of Weight and Measure Repealed.
NINTH SCHEDULE—Certificate of Appointment of Chief
Inspector/Inspector.
TENTH SCHEDULE—Table of Fees to be Taken by Inspectors of
Weights And Measures.
__________________________
CHAPTER 90:15
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT
15 of 1981 An Act to provide for the implementation of the
International System of Units (SI); and for purposes
connected therewith.
[1ST OCTOBER 1998]
Short title.
Interpretation.
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. This Act may be cited as the Weights and Measures
Act.
2. (1) In this Act—
“appointed day “ in relation to any area, undertaking or class
of undertaking means the date appointed by the
Minister for the purposes of this Act by order made
under section 3(3) in relation to that area, undertaking or
class of undertaking;
“carat” has the meaning assigned to it in Part V of the Sixth
Schedule;

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“Chief Inspector” means the Chief Inspector of Weights and
Measures appointed under section 10;
“container” means any form of packaging of goods for sale as
a single item, whether by way of wholly or partly
enclosing the goods or by attaching the goods to, or
winding the goods around, some other article, and
includes a wrapper or confining band;
“General Conference” means the General Conference of
Weights and Measures from time to time convened by
the International Bureau;
“Inspector” means an Inspector of Weights and Measures
appointed under section 10;
“International Bureau” means the International Bureau of
Weights and Measures;
“International System of Units” means the system of units
referred to in section 3 and adopted by the General
Conference;
“measuring instrument” includes an instrument for the
measurement of length, superficial area, capacity or
volume or for measurement by counting and such
instruments as are also constructed to calculate and
indicate the price in money;
“metric system” means the base, supplementary, derived and
special (or permitted) units, of the International System of
Units;
“National Standards” or “National Standards of Weight and
Measure” means the standard for use in weight and
measure authorised by the Minister under section 5;
“net weight” means the weight of an article excluding the
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Standards.
c. 90:14
weight of its container;
“purchaser” includes any person acting on behalf of the
purchaser;
“secondary standards” means the copies of the National
Standards prepared, verified and authenticated in
accordance with section 7;
“stamping” includes casting, engraving, etching,
branding, or otherwise marking, in such a manner as
to be, as far as practicable, indelible;
“trade” means dealing in goods, wares or merchandise sold
by weight or measure, or unit or performing the service
of weighing or measuring, or performing a service for
which payment is determined by weight or
measurement;
“weighing instrument” includes scales with weights
belonging thereto, scale beams, balances, steelyards,
weighing machines and other instruments for weighing
including such instruments as are also constructed to
calculate and indicate the price in money;
“working standards” means standards which,
standardised by comparison with secondary standards,
are kept for the purpose of verifying ordinary measuring
instruments, weighing instruments, weights or measures.
(2) The abbreviation SI shall be recognised as a
legal reference to the International System of Units.
PART II
STANDARDS OF WEIGHT AND MEASURE

3. (1) The standards of weight and measure as
established by section 3 of the Weights and Measures Act and
all multiples and parts thereof in force in Guyana
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First Schedule.

Second
Schedule.
immediately before the commencement of this Act shall,
subject to subsection (4), continue to be used in Guyana.
(2) From and after the date of the commencement
of this Act, the International System of Units shall have legal
force and validity in Guyana.
(3) The Minister may, by order, appoint a date from
and after which the standards of weight and measure
mentioned in subsection (1) shall cease to have legal force and
validity in Guyana and the Minister may appoint different
dates for different areas, undertakings or class of
undertakings specified in the order.

(4) From and after the appointed day, the standards
of weight and measure in subsection (1) shall cease to have
legal force and validity and the International System of Units
and certain units outside the International System of Units
specified in subsection (6) only shall continue to have legal
force and validity in Guyana in relation to the area,
undertaking or class of undertaking specified in the order
made under subsection (3).
(5) The International System of Units shall consist
of—

(a) base units; the physical quantities they
represent, their names, symbols and
definitions are set out in the First
Schedule;
(b) supplementary units; the physical
quantities they represent, their names,
symbols and definitions are set out in
the Second Schedule;
(c) derived units; being units derived only
from the base or supplementary units
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Third
Schedule.

Fourth
Schedule.

Fifth Schedule.
Sixth
Schedule.

Seventh
Schedule.
Eighth
Schedule.
or both by the process of
multiplication or division or both
without the introduction of any
coefficients, unity excepted. The
physical quantities they represent,
the names and symbols of the more
commonly used of such units are
set out in the Third Schedule.
(6) The certain units outside the International
System of Units referred to in subsection (4), are special (or
permitted) units and units used with the International System
of Units in specialised scientific fields. The physical quantities
they represent, their names, symbols and definitions are set
out in the Fourth Schedule. These units may be used in
conjunction with the base, supplementary and derived units
and their multiples and sub-multiples.
(7) The SI prefixes for multiples and sub-multiples
which may be used with the units of measurement set out in
the First, Second Third and Fourth Schedules and the symbols
therefor are as set out and defined in the Fifth Schedule.

(8) The Sixth Schedule shall have effect for the
purpose of defining the units of measurement set out in that
Schedule; and for the purposes of any measurement of
weight, that weight may be expressed by reference to the
units of measurement set out in Part V of that Schedule in the
same terms as its mass.
(9) The Seventh Schedule shall have effect for the
purpose of specifying the weights and measures that shall be
used for purposes of trade in Guyana.
(10) The Eighth Schedule shall have effect for the
purpose of showing the relationship between the
International System of Units and the standards of weight
and measure referred to in subsection (1).

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Use of weight.

National
Standard of
Weight and
Measure.
(11) The Minister may, by order, amend any
Schedule referred to in this section.
(12) Every reference in any other law, instrument or
document enacted or executed before the appointed day to a
weight or measure expressed in terms of a standard of weight
or measure in force in Guyana immediately before the
commencement of this Act shall, after the appointed day, be
read and construed as a reference to the equivalent
weight or measure expressed in terms of the corresponding
standard of weight or measure having legal force in Guyana
after the appointed day.
4. Where the quantity of anything weighed or
measured or to be up or weighed or measured is expressed in
any manner not authorised by this Act, in reference to any
such thing, the quantity so expressed shall be deemed to be
uncertain.
5. (1) The Minister shall authorise the use of such
standards of weight and measure as he considers necessary.
(2) Every standard referred to in subsection (1),
every secondary standard referred to in section 7 or every
working standard referred to in section 8—

(a) shall be of a denomination equivalent
to—
(i) a weight or measure authorised
by this Act: or
(ii) a multiple, aliquot part or sub-
multiple of such a weight or
measure;
(b) shall be verified by such competent
institution as the Minister directs;
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Custody of
National
Standards.

Secondary
standards.
and
(c) shall be made of such material, in
such manner and placed and kept in
such a receptacle as affords it, as far as
practicable, protection against
mechanical and atmospheric agencies
and any likely source of error.
(3) A standard of linear or capacity measurement
may, as the Minister considers fit—
(a) be provided either as a separate
standard or by means of divisions
marked on a standard of larger
measure; and
(b) be either marked in whole or in part
with sub-divisions representing any
smaller unit of measurement, or
multiples or sub-multiples of such a
unit, or have no such marking.
(4) Where a standard of weight or measure is about
to be brought into use in Guyana the Minister shall, by notice
published in the Gazette, declare that such standard of weight
or measure is about to be brought into use in Guyana and
specify therein the date on which that standard of weight or
measure shall become operative, and upon publication of the
notice, such standard shall become a National Standard of
Weight or Measure and shall, for all purposes, be
conclusively deemed to be true and accurate.

6. The National Standards of Weight and Measure
shall be kept at such place, under such custody and under
such conditions as the Minister may direct.
7. (1) The Minister shall—

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Working
standards.
Periodic
verification of
National
Standards.
(a) cause to be prepared such copies of
the National Standards as he considers
fit;

(b) provide for the verification of any
copies so prepared;
(c) cause the verified copies to be
authenticated as secondary standards
in the prescribed manner; and
(d) cause such secondary standards to be
kept at such place and under such
custody as he may direct.
(2) Every secondary standard shall, until the
contrary is proved, be deemed to be true and accurate.
(3) Every secondary standard shall from time to
time be compared by the custodian thereof with the
corresponding National Standard, and shall if necessary, be
corrected and adjusted.
(4) The custodian of the National Standards may at
any time cancel any secondary standard and direct that it be
no longer used.
8. Working standards shall be used for the
verification or re-verification of weights, measures, measuring
instrument or weighing instruments.
9. (1) The Minister shall at least once in every five
years cause every National Standard to be verified as
provided in section 5(2)(b) and, if necessary, to be replaced.
(2) Where a National Standard is to be sent out of
Guyana for verification, the Minister shall cause a
corresponding secondary standard to be deposited with the
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Appointment
of Chief
Inspector and
Inspectors.
Ninth
Schedule.

Ninth
Schedule.
custodian of the National Standard and to be verified by
comparison with the National Standard and authenticated in
such manner as he considers proper, and that secondary
standard shall be deemed to be the National Standard during
such time as the National Standard is out of Guyana.
PART III
CHIEF INSPECTOR AND INSPECTORS OF WEIGHTS
AND MEASURES
10. (1) There shall be a Chief Inspector of Weights and
Measures, and such other Inspectors of Weights and
Measures as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act
and such Inspectors may be assigned to a particular area or
particular areas of Guyana.
(2) The Minister shall furnish the Chief Inspector
and every Inspector with a certificate of his appointment as
set out in the Ninth Schedule.
(3) The Minister, may by Order, amend the Ninth
Schedule.
(4) No maker, repairer or adjuster of weights,
measures, measuring instruments or weighing instruments
shall be appointed to any office mentioned in subsection (1).
(5) The Chief Inspector shall exercise general
supervision and control over every Inspector, and every
Inspector shall—
(a) make such returns and furnish such
information to the Chief Inspector as
the Chief Inspector shall require; and
(b) give effect to the directions of the
Chief Inspector.
(6) The Chief Inspector may exercise any power or
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Verification of
weights and
measures by
Inspector.
perform, any duty conferred or imposed on an Inspector by
or under this Act.
11. (1) The Chief Inspector shall deliver to each
Inspector such working standards as he considers necessary.
(2) The Chief Inspector shall by notice published in
the Gazette specify such date, time and place where an
Inspector shall attend for the purpose of examining weights,
measures, weighing instruments or measuring instruments
used or proposed to be used for purposes of trade.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), an Inspector
may at any time examine any weight, measure, weighing
instrument or measuring instrument that a person uses or
proposes to use for purposes of trade within the area assigned
to him and for that purpose may at all reasonable times enter
any premises where any such weight, measure, weighing
instrument or measuring instrument is reasonably believed to
be kept or found.
(4) The Chief Inspector shall provide for the use
of every Inspector good and sufficient stamps for stamping or
sealing weights, measures, measuring instruments or
weighing instruments and the stamps so provided shall be
taken to be the stamps of the area for which the Inspector is
assigned.
(5) Where, under this section, an Inspector
examines any weight, measure, weighing instrument or
measuring instrument, he shall verify such weight, measure,
weighing instrument or measuring instrument by
comparison with the working standard in his possession,
and subject to subsection (6), if he finds it to be in order,
stamp or seal it in the prescribed manner.
(6) An Inspector shall stamp or seal only—

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Tenth
Schedule.

Certification of
weight etc.

Power to enter
premises and
to seize weight
and measure.
(a) those denominations of weights or
measures that he determines to be
suitable for use in trade;
(b) those denominations of weights or
measures of which he has working
standards; and
(c) those weighing instruments or
measuring instruments that he
determines to be fit for use for
purposes of trade.
(7) The fees for the examination, comparison,
stamping or sealing of any weight, measure, weighing
instrument or measuring instrument shall be according to the
scale set out in the Tenth Schedule.
(8) The Minister may, by Order, amend the Tenth
Schedule.
12. Where an Inspector stamps or seals any
weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring
instrument under this Act, he shall deliver to the person
having custody of that weight, measure, weighing instrument
or measuring instrument, a certificate in such form as may be
prescribed to the effect that it is fit for use and such certificate
shall be valid for one year commencing from the date on
which it is delivered.

13. (1) Subject to subsection (2), an Inspector may
at any reasonable time, enter any shop, store, warehouse,
stall, yard or other place within the area assigned to him
wherein any goods are—
(a) bought, sold, kept or exposed for sale;
or
(b) weighed or measured for conveyance
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Prohibition
against
adjustment.
Duty to have
weight and
measure
or carriage, and
require the production of and examine any weight,
measure, measuring instrument or weighing instrument
therein.
(2) An Inspector shall, before entering any of the
premises mentioned in subsection (1), produce to the occupier
or the person in charge of such premises his certificate of
appointment furnished to him under section 10(2).
(3) An Inspector may seize and detain any weight,
measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument
examined by him under subsection (1) or section 11 that he
has reason to believe to be false or unjust or is liable to
forfeiture under section 27.
(4) An Inspector shall at the time of the seizure and
detention of the article under subsection (3) give written
notice to the person from whom the article was taken of the
grounds upon which the article was seized or detained.
(5) An Inspector shall, within three days of
seizing and detaining an article under subsection (3), either
make a complaint before the magistrate for the area in which
such seizure or detention takes place or return the article so
seized and detained, to the person from whom it was taken.
14. No Inspector shall repair, alter or adjust any
weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring
instrument examined by him.

PART IV
GENERAL
15. Any person who has in his possession for use for
purposes of trade any weight or measure shall—

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marked with
their proper
denomination.
Sale of goods
by weight or
measurement.

Weight made
of lead or
pewter not to
be stamped or
used.
(a) in respect of every such weight, have
the denomination of such weight
marked on the top or side thereof in
legible figures or letters in English
language except where the small size
of the weight renders such marking
impracticable; and
(b) in respect of every such measure,
whether of length or capacity, have
the denomination thereof marked on
the outside of such measure in legible
figures and letters in English
language.
16. (1) A person shall not sell any goods by weight or
measurement except by net weight or measurement.
(2) Any person who, before the appointed day,
sells any goods by weight or measurement expressed in
metric units shall inform the purchaser, in such manner as
may be prescribed, of the correct equivalent of the weight or
measurement in the units used before the commencement of
this Act.
17. To prevent frauds by the use of a weight made of
soft materials, no weight made of lead or pewter, or of any
mixture thereof, shall be stamped or used:
Provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the
use of lead or pewter, or of any mixture thereof, in the
manufacture of weights, if they are wholly and substantially
cased with brass, copper, or iron, and legibly stamped or
marked “cased”, or shall prevent the insertion of any plug of
lead or pewter into weights bona fide necessary for the
purpose of adjusting them and affixing thereon the stamp
mentioned in this Act.


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Sale of
prepackaged
goods by
weight or
measurement.

Sixth
Schedule.
Use of carat
(metric).
Sixth Schedule.
18. (1) Subject to the regulations, a person shall not
sell any pre-packaged goods by weight or measurement
unless the net weight or the capacity measurement of those
goods is marked on the container in the prescribed manner.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person
shall, before the appointed day, supply by way of trade any
goods in a container marked with any unit of weight or
measurement differing in name or size from the appropriate
units specified in the Sixth Schedule unless its correct
equivalent in units of weight or measurement so specified is
also marked on that container in the prescribed manner and
with equal prominence.
(3) For the purposes of this Part and Part V, goods
shall be deemed to be pre-packaged if they are made up in
advance ready for sale in or on a container; and articles of any
description that are so made up for sale and kept stored on
premises shall be deemed to be pre-packaged for sale unless
the contrary is proved.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), it shall not be
sufficient proof to the contrary to show that the container has
not been marked in accordance with the requirements of this
Act or the regulations.
19. (1) A person shall not use for purposes of
trade after the appointed day any unit of measurement that
is not contained in the Sixth Schedule.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a person shall not,
after the appointed day, use the carat unit for purposes of
trade except in transactions relating to precious stones or
pearls.
(3) The restrictions set out in this section do not
apply to any transaction affecting the export of goods to a
country where a system of units of measurement other than
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Regulations.
those authorised by this Act is used for purposes of trade.

20. The Minister may make regulations respecting—
(a) the exemption in whole or in part
from the provisions of this Act any
area, undertaking or class of
undertaking specified in the
regulations;
(b) the verification and stamping of
weights, measures, weighing
instruments or measuring
instruments, including the prohibition
of stamping in cases where the
nature, denomination, material or
principle of construction of the weight,
measure, weighing instrument or
measuring instrument appears likely
to facilitate the perpetration of fraud;
(c) the tests to be applied for the purpose
of ascertaining the accuracy and
efficiency of weight, measure,
weighing instrument or measuring
instrument;
(d) the limits of error to be allowed on
verification and tolerated either
generally or with respect to any trade;
(e) the custody of the set of standards
of weight and measure that are to be
maintained by Government and the
periodical verification and adjustment
thereof;
(f) the manner in which the value
expressed in terms of any weight or
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measure other than in terms of
standard weight and measure may be
converted;
(g) the enabling of Inspectors to carry out
their duties under this Act;
(h) the enforcement of the requirements
that relate to weighing instruments
and measuring instruments;
(i) the materials and principles of
construction of weighing instruments
or measuring instruments for use for
purposes of trade;
(j) the purpose for which particular types
of weighing instruments or measuring
instruments may be used for
purposes of trade;
(k) the manner of erecting, siting or using
weighing instruments or measuring
instruments used for purposes of
trade;
(l) the circumstances in which, conditions
under which, and manner in which
stamps or marks placed on weights,
measures, weighing instruments or
measuring instruments may be
obliterated or defaced;
(m) the abbreviations of or symbols for
units of measurement which may be
used for trade;
(n) the system of licensing for the
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Failure to
weigh or
measure when
selling goods if
so required.

Sales by
authorised
denomi-
nations.
Use of non-
certified
weight, etc.
control of the importation,
repairing, adjusting and
recalibrating of weights, measures,
weighing instruments and measuring
instruments;
(o) the quantities in which prescribed pre-
packaged goods may be sold;
(p) the prescribing of anything that is
by this Act authorised or required to
be prescribed; and
(q) generally, the carrying out of the
provisions of this Act.
PART V
OFFENCES, PROCEEDINGS AND REPEAL
21. (1) A person who sells by weight or measure
goods other than pre-packaged goods, whether on his own
behalf or on behalf of another person, shall, upon being
required by the person to whom the goods are to be delivered
and in the presence of that person, weigh or measure such
goods, as the case may be.
(2) A person who is required under this section to
weigh or measure any goods, other than pre-packaged goods,
and fails to do so is guilty of an offence.
22. A person who sells or exposes for sale by any
denomination of weight or measure other than the
denominations of weight or measure authorised by this Act is
guilty of an offence.
23. A person who uses for purposes of trade or has in
his possession for use for purposes of trade any weight,
measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument, in
respect of which—
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Use of false or
unjust weight,
etc.
Fraud in use of
weight, etc.
Forgery, etc.

(a) a certificate has not been issued in
pursuance of section 12; or
(b) such a certificate has been issued but
has expired,
is guilty of an offence.
24. A person who uses for purposes of trade or has in
his possession for use for purposes of trade any weight,
measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument that
is false or unjust, is guilty of an offence.
25. Where fraud is knowingly committed in the use of
a weight, measure, weighing instrument or measuring
instrument, the person committing the fraud and every
person who is a party to the fraud is guilty of an offence and
in addition to any penalty the court imposes, the weight,
measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument may
be forfeited.
26. A person who—
(a) forges or counterfeits or causes or
procures to be forged or counterfeited
a stamp issued pursuant to section 11
or a certificate issued pursuant to
section 12;
(b) utters or assists in uttering any
such forged or counterfeited stamp
or certificate;
(c) removes, or causes or procures the
removal of, any stamp or mark from
any weight, measure, weighing
instrument or measuring instrument,
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Selling, etc.,
weight, etc.
with forged or
counterfeited
stamps
of verification
or certificates
of justness.
Making or
selling unjust
weight, etc.
Obstructing
Inspectors, etc.
in the
performance of
their duties.
and places, causes or procures the
placing of such stamp or mark on
another weight, measure, weighing
instrument or measuring instrument;
or
(d) uses as a certificate issued to him in
respect of any weight, measure,
weighing instrument or measuring
instrument a certificate delivered to
him in respect of a different weight,
measure, weighing instrument or,
measuring instrument,
is guilty of an offence.

27. A person who knowingly sells, utters, disposes of,
or exposes for sale any weight, measure, weighing
instrument or measuring instrument with any forged or
counterfeited stamp or certificate resembling or purporting
to resemble any stamp or certificate used for the purposes of
this Act is guilty of an offence, and in addition to any
punishment the court imposes, the weight, measure,
weighing instrument or measuring instrument may be
forfeited.
28. A person who knowingly makes or sells, or
knowingly causes to be made or sold, any unjust weight,
measure, weighing instrument or measuring instrument is
guilty of an offence.
29. A person who—
(a) assaults, resists, hinders or obstructs
an Inspector entering any place or
premises mentioned in section 11 or
13;
(b) hinders or obstructs an Inspector in
the performance of his duties under
LAWS OF GUYANA
24 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012

Costs.
Forfeitures.
this Act;
(c) fails to comply with any request made
by an Inspector in the performance of
his duties under this Act;
(d) bribes or attempts to bribe an
Inspector, in connection with any
matter arising in the exercise or
performance of his duties under this
Act;
(e) being an Inspector, accepts or
attempts to solicit any bribe in
connection with any matter arising
in the performance of his duties
under this Act;
(f) uses indecent, abusive or insulting
language to an Inspector in the
exercise of his duties under this Act;
or
(g) contravenes or fails to comply with
any provision of this Act or the
regulations,
is guilty of an offence.
30. Costs shall not be imposed on any person
prosecuting a complaint under this Act, unless the complaint
is dismissed and deemed by the court to be frivolous or
vexatious.

31. All weights, measures, weighing instruments or
measuring instruments forfeited under this Act shall be
broken up and the materials thereof may be sold or
otherwise disposed of as the Minister may direct and the
LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 25
L.R.O. 1/2012

Evidence as to
possession.
Inspector
stamping
without
verification.
Prohibition of
giving short
weight,
measure or
number.
Defence of
mistake,
accident, etc.
proceeds of any sale shall be paid into the Consolidated
Fund.
32. Where any weight, measure, weighing instrument
or measuring instrument is found—
(a) in the possession of a person carrying
on trade; or
(b) on the premises used for trade, of any
person—
(i) whether or not such premises
are a building or in the open
air, or
(ii) whether or not such premises
are open or enclosed,
that person shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act, until
the contrary is proved, to have such weight, measure,
weighing instrument or measuring instrument in his
possession for use for purposes of trade.
33. An inspector who stamps any weight or measure
without duly verifying it by comparison with the proper
working standard in his possession, or stamps any
weighing instrument or measuring instrument without
having determined its suitability for use in trade, is guilty of
an offence.
34. A person who, in selling any article by weight,
measure or number, delivers or causes to be delivered to the
purchaser a less weight, measure, or number, as the case may
be, than is purported to be sold is guilty of an offence.
35. In any proceedings for an offence under this
Act or the regulations, it is a defence for the person charged
to prove—
LAWS OF GUYANA
26 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
Penalty.
(a) that the commission of the offence
was due to a mistake or to an accident
or some other cause beyond his
control; and
(b) that he took all reasonable
precautions and exercised all due
diligence to avoid the commission of
such an offence by himself or any
person under his control.

36. (1) A person who is guilty of an offence under this
Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand
dollars or to imprisonment for six months.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in section 13 (5),
proceedings for an offence under this Act shall not be
commenced except by the Chief Inspector or any person
authorised in writing by the Chief Inspector.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 27
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 3(5)
[O. 21/1998]
[O. 23/1998]
FIRST SCHEDULE
BASE UNITS
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Definition
Length Metre M
the metre is the
length of the
path travelled
by light in
vacuum during
a time interval
of 1/299 792 458
of a second.
Mass Kilogram Kg to the mass of
the kilogram is
the unit of
mass: it is equal
international
prototype of the
kilogram.
time

Second S
the second is
the duration of
9 192 631 770
periods of the
radiation
corresponding
to the transition
between the
two hyperfine
levels of the
ground state of
the caesium-133
atom.

LAWS OF GUYANA
28 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Definition
electric
current
Ampere A
the ampere is
that constant
current, which,
if maintained in
two straight
parallel
conductors of
infinite length,
of negligible
circular cross-
section, and
placed one
metre apart in
vacuum would
produce
between these
conductors a
force equal to 2x
10-7 newton
per metre of
length.
Thermo-
dynamic
temperature
Kelvin
K
the kelvin, unit of
thermo-
dynamic temper-
ature, is the
fraction 1/273.16
of the thermo-
dynamic
temperature of
the triple point of
water.
amount of
substance
Mole Mol
The mole is the
amount of
substance of a
system which
contains as many
LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 29
L.R.O. 1/2012
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name
Unit
Symbol
Definition
elementary
entities as there
are atoms in
0.012 kilogram of
carbon 12.
When the mole is
used the
elementary
entities must be
specified and
may be atoms,
molecules, ions,
electrons, other
particles or
specified groups
of such particles.
luminous
intensity
Candela Cd
the candela is
the luminous
intensity, in a
given direction,
of a source that
emits monochro-
matic radiation of
frequency 540 x
1012 hertz and
that has a radiant
intensity in that
direction of
(1/683) watt per
steradian.
____________


LAWS OF GUYANA
30 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 3(5)
[O. 21/1998
O. 23/1998]
s. 3(5)
[O. 21/1998
O. 23/1998]
SECOND SCHEDULE
SUPPLEMENTARY UNITS
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Definition
Plane angle and solid angle which were previously classified as
Supplementary Units are now classified as Derived Units
with Special Names.
______________
THIRD SCHEDULE
DERIVED UNITS
SI DERIVED UNITS EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF BASE
UNITS
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Area
square metre m²
Volume
cubic metre
m³
Speed, velocity metre per second m/s; m.s -1
Acceleration meter per second
squared m/s
2 ; m.s
-2
Wave Number 1 per metre;
reciprocal metre m
-1
Density, mass
density
kilogram per cubic
metre kg/m
3 ;
kg.m -3
Current density
ampere per square
metre
A/m²; A.m -2
LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 31
L.R.O. 1/2012
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Concentration (of
amount of
substance)
mole per cubic
metre
Mol/m3 ;
mol.m-3
Specific volume cubic metre per
kilogram
m3/kg;
m3.kg-1
Luminance candela per square
metre
cd/m2; cd.m-
2
Moment of inertia kilogram square
metre
kg.m2
Kinetic viscosity metre squared per
second
m2.s-1
Magnetic moment ampere square
metre
A.m2
SI DERIVED UNITS WITH SPECIAL NAMES
Physical
Quantity
Unit
Name
Unit
Symbol
Expression
in terms
of other
Units
Expression
in terms of
SI base
Supplement
-ary Units
Plane angle
radian
rad
-
rad
Solid angle steradian sr - Sr
Frequency
hertz Hz - s -1
or 1/s
Force
newton N - kg.m/s 2 ;
kg.m.s-2
Pressure, stress
pascal Pa N/m 2
kg.m -1
.s -2
Energy, work,
quantity of heat
joule J N.m
kg.m 2 ,s
-2
Power watt W J/s
kg.m
2 .s
-3
Quantity of
electric charge
coulomb C - A.s

LAWS OF GUYANA
32 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
Physical
Quantity
Unit
Name
Unit
Symbol
Expression
in terms
of other
Units
Expression
in terms of
SI base
Supplement
-ary Units
Capacitance farad F C/V kg -1
.m -2
.s 4 .A
2
Electric
Resistance
ohm Ω V/A kg.m 2 .s
-3 .A
-2
Conductance siemens S A/V kg -1
.m -2
.s 3 .A
2
Magnetic flux weber
Wb V.s kg.m 2 .s
-2 .A
-1
Magnetic flux
density
tesla T Wb/m
2
kg.s-2.A-1
Inductance henry H Wb/A kg.m 2 .s
-2 .A
-2
Luminous flux lumen
lm - cd.sr
Illuminance lux Lx lm/m 2 cd.sr.m
-2
Absorbed dose
of ionizing
radiation
gray Gy J/kg m2.s-2
Activity
(radionuclide)
becquerel Bq - s -1
Celsius
temperature
degree
Celsius °C - K
Volume
litre L
- dm3

LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 33
L.R.O. 1/2012
SI DERIVED UNITS EXPRESSED BY MEANS OF SPECIAL
NAMES AND BASE UNITS AND SUPPLEMENTARY UNITS
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Expression in
terms of Base
and
Supplementary
Units
Angular
acceleration
radian per
square second rad.s
-2 s-2
Angular speed radian per
second rad.s
-1 s-1
Dynamic
viscosity
pascal second Pa.s kg.m -1
.s -1
Moment of
force
newton metre N.m kg.s -2
.m 2
Surface
tension
newton per
metre
N/m kg.s -2
Power density,
heat flux
density,
irradiance
watt per
square metre W/m
2 kg.s
-3
Heat capacity,
entropy
joule per
kelvin
J/K m 2 .kg.s
-2 .K
-1
Specific heat,
capacity,
specific
entropy
joule per
kilogram
kelvin
J/(kg.K) m 2 .s
-2 .K
-1
Specific energy joule per
kilogram
J/kg m 2 .s
-2
Thermal
conductivity
watt per metre
kelvin
W/(m.K
) m.kg.s
-3 .K
-1
Energy density joule per cubic
metre J/m
3 m
-1 .kg.s
2
Electric field
strength
volt per metre V/m kg.m.s 3 .A
1
LAWS OF GUYANA
34 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
Physical
Quantity
Unit Name
Unit
Symbol
Expression in
terms of Base
and
Supplementary
Units
Electric flux
density
coulomb per
square metre C/m
2
m-2.s.A
Permittivity farad per metre F/m kg-1.m-3.s4.A2
Permeability henry per
metre
H/m kg.m.s-2.A-2
Molar energy
joule per mole J/mol kg.m2.s-2.mol -1
Molar entropy,
molar heat
capacity
joule per mole
kelvin
J/(mol.K)
kg.m2.s-2.K
-1 .
mol -1
Exposure (X
and Y rays)
coulomb per
kilogram
C/kg kg -1
.s.A
Absorbed dose
rate
gray per
second
Gy/s m2.s-3
Conductivity
(electrical)
siemens per
metre
S/m kg-1.m-3.s3.A2
Radiant
intensity
watt per
steradian
W/sr m 2 .s
-3 .kg.sr
-1
Radiance
watt per
steradian
square metre
W/(sr.m 2 ) kg.s
-3 .sr
-1

LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 35
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 3(6)
[O. 21/1998
O. 23/1998]
FOURTH SCHEDULE
PART I
SPECIAL (OR PERMITTED) UNITS
Physical
Quantity
Unit
Name
Unit
Symbol
Definition
Time Minute min 1 min = 60 s
Hour h 1 h = 60 min
Day d 1 d = 24h
Week wk 1 wk = 7 d
calendar
year
yr 1 yr = 365 d
(366 d in leap yr)
plane angular
measure Degree ° 1° = π/180 rad
minute ’l’= 1°/60 rad
Second “ 1”=1’/60 rad
Revolution r 1 r = 2π rad
Mass Tonne t 1 t = 1000kg
=1Mg
Area Hectare ha 1 hectare = 10 000 m²
temperature Degree
Celsius
°C
1°C = 1 K
(for temperature
intervals)
marine and
aerial
nautical
mile
M 1 M =1 852m
navigation Knot knot 1 knot = 1 M/h
linear density Tex
tex
1 tex =1 g/km
NOTE: Special (or permitted) units are internationally agreed
units which are deviations from strict SI. They are
permitted either because of their practical importance or
because of their use in specialised scientific fields.

LAWS OF GUYANA
36 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 3(7)
[O. 21/1998
O.23/1998]
PART II
UNITS USED WITH SI IN SPECIALISED SCIENTIFIC
FIELDS
Unit Name Unit
Symbol
Definition
Electronvolt eV 1 eV =1.602 177 33 x 10 -19 J
Unified atomic mass U 1 u = 1.660 540 2 x 10 -27 kg
astronomical unit AU 1 AU = 149.597 870 x 10 9
m
Parsec Pc 1 pc = 30.857 x 10 15 m
FIFTH SCHEDULE
PREFIXES FOR MULTIPLES AND SUB-MULTIPLES OF
SI
Prefix Symbol Definition Yotta Y 1024
Zetta Z 1021
Exa E 1018
Peta P 10 15
tera T 1012
giga G 109
mega M 106
kilo K 103
hector H 102
deca Da 101
deci D 10-1
centi C 10-2
milli M 10-3
micro µ 10-6
nano N 10-9
Pico
P 10-12
LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 37
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 3(8)
[O. 21/1998]
[O. 23/1998]
Prefix
Symbol Definition
Femto F 10-15
Atto A 10-18
Zepto Z 10-21
Yocto Y 10-24
SIXTH SCHEDULE
DEFINITIONS OF UNITS OF MANAGEMENT
PART I
Measurement of length
kilometre (km) = 1 000 m
metre (m) = as defined in First Schedule
decimetre (dm) = 0.1 m
centimetre (cm) = 0.01 m
millimetre (mm) = 0.001 m

PART II
Measurement of Area
hectare (ha) = 10 000 m2
square metre (m2) = a superficial area
equal to that of a
square each side of
which measures one
metre
square decimetre (dm2)= 0.01 m2
square centimetre (cm2)= 0.01 dm2
square millimetre (mm2) = 0.01 cm2

LAWS OF GUYANA
38 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
PART III
Measurement of Volume and Capacity
Cubic metre (m3)
=
A volume equal to that of a cube
each edge of which measures one
metre
cubic decimetre
(dm3)
= 0.001 m3
cubic
(cm3)
= 0.001 dm3
hectolitre (hL)
(hL)
litre (L)
=
100 L
The capacity equal to that of a
cube each
litre (L) = A capacity equal to that of a cube each edge of which measures
1 decilitre
(dL)
= 0.1 L
centilitre
(cL)
= 0.01 L
millilitre
(mL)
= 0.001 L

PART IV
Measurement of Mass or Weight
metric ton or tonne (t)
kilogram (kg)
=
=
1000 kg
as defined in First
Schedule
gram (g)
carat milligram (mg)
=
=
=
0.001 kg
200 mg
0.001 g
centimetre
1 decimetre
(mL)
(cL)
(dL)
LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 39
L.R.O. 1/2012
s 3(9)
[O. 21/1998
O. 23/1998]
PART V
Measurement of Electricity
Ampere (A) = as defined in First
Schedule
Ohm (Ω) = as defined in Third
Schedule
Volt (V) = as defined in Third
Schedule
Watt (W) = as defined in Third
Schedule
kilowatt (kW) = 1 000 W
megawatt (MW) = 1 000 000 W
PART VI
Measurement of Time
Hour (h) = 60 min
minute (min) = 60 s
Second (s) = as defined in First Schedule
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LAWFUL FOR USE IN
TRADE

1. For Linear Measures, the measures shall be millimetres
(mm), centimetres (cm), metres (m), or kilometres (km).
2. For Square Measures, the measures shall be square
LAWS OF GUYANA
40 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 3(10)
[O. 21/1998]
[O. 23/1998]
centimetres (cm2), square decimetres (dm2), square metres
(m2), or the hectare (ha).
3. For Capacity or Volume Measures, the measures shall be
millilitres (mL), litres (L) or cubic metres (m3)
4. For Weights or Mass Measures, the measures shall be
grams (g), kilograms (kg), or tonnes (t). For transactions
relating to precious stones or pearls, the measure shall be the
carat.
5. For Electrical Energy, the measure shall be the kilowatt
hour (kW.h).
6. For Time Measures, the measures shall be the second (s),
minute (min), hour (h), or day (d).
EIGHTH SCHEDULE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SI AND THE STANDARD OF
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPEALED
The relationship between the SI and the standards of weights
and measures repealed shall be calculated using the
following:
1 yard = 9 144/10,000 metre
1 gallon = 454 609/100 000 000 cubic metre
1 pound = 45 359 237/100 000 000 kilogram

LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 41
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 10 (2)
[O. 21/1998]
[O. 23/1998]
s. 11(7)
[O. 21/1998]
[O. 23/1998]
NINTH SCHEDULE
CERTIFICATE OF APPOINTMENT OF *CHIEF
INSPECTOR/*INSPECTOR
In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by
section 10(2) of the Weights and Measures Act I hereby
certify that Cde.......................................... has been appointed as
*Chief Inspector/*an Inspector for the purposes of this Act.

..................................................................
Signature of *Chief Inspector/*Inspector
.........................................................
Date
..................................
Minister
..................................
Date
* Delete where inapplicable
____________________
TENTH SCHEDULE
TABLE OF FEES TO BE TAKEN BY INSPECTORS OF
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
1. For examining, comparing and stamping all
weights within their respective
jurisdiction—

LAWS OF GUYANA
42 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
(a) Each weight
from half a
hundred-weight
to a stone, both
included, or 25
kg to 5 kg
$150
(b) Each weight
under a stone to
a pound, or 10 kg
to 500 g
$80
(c) Each set of
weights of a
pound and
under, or 1 kg or
under
$60
(d) Each weighing
machine and
steelyard
$60
2. For examining, comparing and stamping all
wooden measures within their respective jurisdictions—
(a) Each bushel or 4 L (litres)
$100
(b) Each half bushel or 2 L (litres)
$100
(c) Each peck, and all under 1 L (litre) or
under
$100
(d) Each yard or metre $100
3. For examining, comparing and stamping all
measures of capacity of liquids made of copper or other
metal, within their respective jurisdictions—

LAWS OF GUYANA
Weights And Measures Cap. 90:15 43
L.R.O. 1/2012
(a) Each five-
gallon or 25 L
(litres)
$100
(b) Each four-
gallon or 20 L
(litres)
$100
(c) Each three-
gallon or 15 L
(litres)
$100
(d) Each two-
gallon or 10 L
(litres)
$100
(e) Each gallon or
5 L (litres)
$100
(f) Each half
gallon or 2 L
(litres)
$100
(g) Each quart or
one litre and
under
$100
4. For examining, comparing and sealing all petrol
pumps:
(a) Each petrol
pump
$1000
____________________

LAWS OF GUYANA
44 Cap. 90:15 Weights And Measures
L.R.O. 1/2012
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
_________________
O. 4 of 2001
Citation.
Interpretation.

Application of
Imperial
System and
Metric System.

Application of
Metric System
only.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (LEGAL FORCE AND
VALIDITY OF IMPERIAL AND METRIC SYSTEM)
ORDER
made under section 3
1. This Order may be cited as the Weights of Measures
(Legal Force and Validity of Imperial and Metric System)
Order.
2. In this Order –
“appointed day” means January 1, 2002;
“Imperial System” means the Guyana standards of weights
and measures referred to in section 3 (1) of the Act;
“Metric System” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the
Act.
3. Subject to clause 4, the Imperial System and Metric
System shall continue to have legal force and validity in
Guyana.
4. From and after the appointed day, the Metric
System only shall apply in Guyana and the Imperial System
shall cease to have legal force and validity.
__________________