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Weights and Measures Act


Published: 1976-05-31

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WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES 1

THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I. Preliminary

1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.

PART 11. Units and Standurds of Measurement

3. Units of measurament.
4. Jamaican reference standards.
5. Working standards and testing and stamping equipment.

5 ~ . Power d Minister to provide for metric convmion.

PART 111. Weighing and Measuring Equipment for use for Trade

6.
7.
8.
9.

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Weighing and measuring equipment used for trade.
Testing of weighing or measuring equipment on request.
Approval of patterns of weighing or measuring equipment.
General testing of weighing and measuring equipment.
Units of measurement lawful for use for trade.
Sale of goods by weight or measurement.
Sale of pre-packed goods by weight or measurement.
Seller to weigh or measure goods in buyer’s presence if requested.
Short weight, etc.
Deceptive packaging.

PART IV. lnspectors of Weights and Measures

Appointment of inspectors.
Powers of entry and inspection.
Directions to secure compliance.
Inspectors may act as arbitrators, etc.
Inspectors may make tests and reports on request.

2 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

21. Inspectors to account for and pay over fees received.

PART V. Miscellaneous

22. Regulations.
23. Offences.
24. Evidence of possession of equipment for use for trade.
25. Offences by corporations or associations.
26. Defence of mistake, accident, etc.
27. ORences due to default of third person.
28. Evidence of facts in certain documents.

SCHEDULE

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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 3

Acts
14 of 1976,
10 of 1993,
2 of 1996.

THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT

(31~2 May, 1976.1

PART I. Preliminary
1. This Act may be cited as the Weights and Measures Shorttitle-

Act.

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires- :&t;;Prcb-
“Bureau” means the Bureau of Standards established

by the Standards Act;
“container” includes any form of packaging of goods

for sale as single item, whether by way of wholly
or partly enclosing the goods or by way of attach-
ing the goods to, or winding the goods round,
some other article, and in particular includes a
wrapper or confining band;

“inspector” means a person appointed as an inspector
of weights and measures under this Act;

“mark” includes label;
“occupier”, in relation to any stall, vehicle, vessel or

aircraft or in relation to the use of any place for
any purpose, means the person for the time being
in charge of the stall, vehicle, vessel or aircraft or,
as the case may be, the person for the time being
using that place for that purpose;

“premises” includes any place and any stall, vehicle,
vessel or aircraft;

“pre-packed” means made up in advance ready for
retail sale in or on a container; and on any pre-
mises where articles of any description are so made
up, or are kept or stored for sale after being so

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4 WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES

made up, any articles of that description found
made up in or on a container shall be deemed to
be pre-packed unless the contrary is proved; and
it shall not be sufficient proof of the contrary to
show that the container has not been marked in
accordance with the requirements of this Act or
of any regulations made thereunder;

“stamp” means a mark for use as evidence of the
passing of weighing or measuring equipment as
fit for use for trade, whether applied by impressing,
casting, engraving, etching, branding, transfer or
by any other means;

“trade” includes any transaction for the transferring
or rendering of money or money’s worth in con-
sideration of money or money’s worth;

“weighing or measuring equipment” means equipment
for measuring in terms of length, area, volume,
capacity, weight or number, whether or not the
equipment is constructed to give an indication of
the measurement made or other infurmation deter-
mined by reference It0 that measurement.

PART II. Units and Standards of Measurement
Units of

211996

3.-(1) Subject to section SA, the yard or the metre shall
be the unit of measurement of length and the pound or the
kilogram shall be the unit of measurement of mass by refer-
ence to which any measurement involving a measurement
of length or mass shall be made in Jamaica; and

(a) the yard shall be 0.9144 metre exactly;
(6) the pound shall be 0.453 592 37 kilogram exactly.

rneasurc-
rnent.

s. 2.

First
Schedule.

(2) The First Schedule shall have effect for defining
for the purposes of measurements falling to be made in
Jamaica the units of measurement set out in that Schedule;
and for the purposes of any measurement of weight falling
to be so made, the weight of anything may be expressed,
/

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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

by reference to the units of measurement set out in Part
Y of that Schedule, in the same terms as its mass.

(3) The Minister may from time to time by order
amend the First Schedule by adding to or removing from
it any unit of measurement.

4.-(1) The Minister shall cause to be maintained, in Jamaican
feference accordance with the provisions of this section, standards stand=&.

which shall be known collectively as the Jamaican reference
standards.

(2) The Jamaican reference standards shall consist of
such of the measures and weights set out in the Second Second
Schedule as the Minister considers to be proper and suffi-
cient; and a reference standard of any linear or capacity
measure may, as the Minister thinks fit-

(a) be provided either as a separate standard or by
means of divisions marked on a standard of larger
measure; and

(b) either be marked in whole or in part with sub-
divisions representing any smaller unit of measure-
ment or multiples or fractions of such a unit or
have no such marking.

(3) The Jamaican reference standards shall be de-
posited at such places and shall be placed in the custody
of such persons as the Minister shall direct.

(4) Before being brought into use each Jamaican
reference standard shall have its value determined in such
manner as the Minister shall direct.

(5) The value of each Jamaican reference standard
shall, at intervals not exceeding ten years, be redetermined
in such manner as the Minister shall direct.

Schedule.

(6) Where it is proposed to send any Jamaican refer-
ace standard out of 'Jamaica temporarily, the Minister
shall cause to be provided, as a temporary reference stan-

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e WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

dard, an appropriate measure or weight of the denomination
of that Jamaican reference standard and shall by order
declare that measure or weight to be a temporary Jamaican
reference standard.

(7) The Minister may from time to time by order
amend the Second Schedule by adding to it or removing
from it any measure or weight.

Workins

andtesting

ingeqdp-
m a t

5 4 1 ) The Bureau shall provide for use by inspectors,
and shall maintain or from time to time replace, such
standards (in this Act referred to as working standards) of
such of the measures and weights set out in the Second
Schedule, such testing equipment, and such stamping equip
ment, as the Bureau may from time to time approve or
'require as being proper and sufficient for the efficient
dischafge by inspectors of their functions under this Act.

(2) Working standards and testing and stamping
equipment provided under this section shall be of material
and form approved by the Bureau and except so far as may
be necessary for the purpose of their use elsewhere, shall be
kept under such control as the Bureau may from time to
time direct or approve; and a working standard of a linear,
cubic or capacity measure may-

(a) be provided either as a separate standard or by
means of divisions marked on a standard of a
larger measure; and

(21) either be marked in whole or in part with sub-
divisions representing any smaller unit of measure-
ment or multiples or fractions of such a unit or
have no such markings.

(3) Working standards shall from time to time be
tested by comparison with Jamaican reference standards or
other working standards more recently tested and shall, if
necessary, be adjusted to within such limits of error as may
be prescribed.

standards

and stamp-

1

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7 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

(4) Testing equipment provided under subsection (1)
shall be tested and adjusted in accordance with such pro-
visions as may be prescribed.

SA. The Minister may by order published in the Gazette- Power Minister of to
notwithstanding anything to ,the contrary, amend p rovide for

metric con-

2 / 1996
any reference to measurement in imperial units in version.
any enactment to the corresponding measurement S. 3.
in metric units;
declare, in respect of any industry operating in
Jamaica and specified in the Order, the date on or
before which the units of measurement used in that
industry shall be converted to metric units.

PART In. Weighing and Measuring Equipment for use for

6. For the purposes of this Act, any weighing or measur- Weighing

(a) determining the weight, measurement or number Of for trade.
goods supplied, or acquired by way of trade on the
basis of weight, measurement or number; or

(b) computing the payment for work or services
rendered or for any tool or duty charged on the
basis of weight, measurement or number; or

(c) determining weight or measurement upon payment
of money; or

(4 grading agricultural produce by reference to weight
or measure, for the purpose of trade,

Trade

and m e a y -
mg equip-
ment used

ing equipment used in-

shall be deemed to be in use for trade.

7.-(1) Any person wishing to have any weighing or Testingof
measuring equipment passed as fit for use for trade shall measuring
submit the equipment to an inspector in such manner as onrequest,
the Bureau may direct and, subject to the provisions of
this Act and of any regulations made thereunder and after

weighing or

equipment

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8 WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES

payment by that person of such fee, if any, as may be pre-
scribed the inspector shall-

(a) test the equipment by means of such standards
and testing equipment as he considers appropriate
or, subject to any conditions which may be pre-
scribed, by means of other equipment which has
already been tested and which the inspector con-
siders suitable for the purpose; and

(b) if the equipment submitted falls within the pre-
scribed limits of error and satisfies the requirements
of this Act and of any regulations made thereunder,
give to the person submitting it a statement in
writing to the effect that it is passed as aforesaid;
md

(c) keep a record of the test.
(2) Any person who forges, alters or defaces a state-

ment in writing referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection
(1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Approval 8.-(1) Any person wishing to ascertain whether any
ofweighing pattern of weighing or measuring equipment is suitable for
equipment. use for trade may, in such manner as may be prescribed,

submit that pattern to the Bureau for examination.
(2) Where any pattern of weighing or measuring

equipment is submitted to the Bureau pursuant to sub-
section (1) the Bureau shall, on payment of such fee, if any,
as may be prescribed, examine the suitability for use for
trade of equipment of that pattern, having regard in
particular to the principle, materials and methods used or
to be used in its construction, and if the Bureau is satisfied
that equipment of that pattern is suitable for use for trade,
it shall issue a certificate of approval of that pattern and
cause notice of the approval to be published in the Gazette.

(3) The Bureau may from time to time authorize
such minor modifications as it thinks fit of any pattern of

of patterns

or measuring

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WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES 9

weighing or measuring equipment in respect of which a
certificate of approval has been granted under this section,
and shall cause notice of any modifications authorized by it
to be published in the Gazette.

(4) A certificate of approval may contain a condition
that equipment of the pattern in respect of which that certi-
ficate is granted shall be used for trade in only such place,
or for only such period, or for only such purpose, as is
specified in the certificate.

(5) The Bureau may at any time revoke any certificate
of approval granted under this section and shall cause notice
of the revocation of any certificate of approval to be pub-
lished in the Gazette.

(6) Any equipment of a pattern in respect of which a
certificate of approval has been granted under this section
may, and in such cases as may be prescribed shall, be marked
in the prescribed manner so as to identify it with the pattern
to which the certificate relates.

9 .41) The Bureau may from t h e to time by notice G C U C ~
published in a daily newspaper printed and circulating in weighing
Jamaica, and published also in such other manner as the ~ ~ ~ $ ~ -
Bureau thinks fit, appoint a day (which shall not be earlier merit.
than the fourteenth day after the last publication of the
notice) on which an inspector will visit any district, village
or town specified in the notice to inspect and test weighing
and measuring equipment used for trade in that district,
village or town.

(2) On the day appointed under subsection (1) an
inspector-

(a) shall visit the district, village or town specified in
the notice referred to in that subsection, taking
with him such working standards, testing and
stamping equipment as he thinks necessary; and

(b) may enter any premises in which he reasonably

testing of

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10 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

believes any weighing or measuring equipment is
kept to be sold or used for trade; and

(c) may request any person in the premises to produce
for inspection and testing any weighing or measur-
ing equipment in the custody of that person for
sale or for use for trade; and

(d) may exercise any other power, and shall perform
any other duty, conferred or imposed by section 17
on an inspector.

(3) Any person to whom a request is made pursuant
to paragraph (c) of subsection (2) shall submit to the
inspector, for inspection and testing, all weighing and mea-
suring equipment in his custody.

(4) Where any weighing or measuring equipment is
submitted to an inspector for testing, the inspector shall-

(a) test the equipment by means of such working
standards and testing equipment as he considers
appropriate or, subject to any conditions which
may be prescribed, by means of other equipment
which has already been tested and which the
inspector considers suitable for the purpose; and

(b) if the equipment submitted falls within the pre-
scribed limits of error, give to the person sub-
mitting it a statement in writing to the effect that
it is passed as fit to be used for trade; and

(c) except as otherwise expressly provided by or
under this Act, cause the equipment to be stamped
with the prescribed stamp; and

(5) No weight or measure shall be-
(d) keep a record of the test.

(a) stamped as mentioned in paragraph (c) of sub-
section (4) unless it has been marked in the pre-
scribed manner with its purported value;

(b) stamped or marked if it is too small to be stamped
or marked.
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 11

(6) Any person who without reasonable cause fails
to comply with any requirement properly made of him
by an inspector under this section shall be guilty of an
offence.

10.41) No person shall use for trade any unit of mea- Unitsof
measure-
ment
lawful for

trade.

surement which is not included in the First Schedule.
(2) No person shall use the carat (metric) for trade usefor

except for the purposes of transactions in precious stones First
or pearls, and no person shall use the ounce troy for trade
except for the purposes of transactions in, or in articles
made from, gold, silver or other precious metals, including
transactions in gold or silver thread, lace or fringe.

(3) Any person who contravenes any of the pro-
visions of this section shall, subject to subsection (4), be
guilty of an offence, and any measure or weight used, or
in any person’s possession for use, in contravention of any
of those provisions shall be liable to be forfeited.

(4) This section shall not apply to any transaction
in connection with the export of goods to a country where
a system of units of measurment other than those author-
ized by this Act is used for trade.

11.41) No person shall sell any goods by weight or
measurement unless he does so by net weight or measure-
ment. ment.

(2) Any person who sells any goo& 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 imperial
units.

(3) Any person contravening this section shall be
guilty of an offence.

ed, no person shall sell any pre-packed goods by weight soodsby
12.-(1) Subject to such exemptions as may be prescrib- :;;Pafckea

weight or
measure-
ment.

[The inclusion of this page aS authorized by L.N. 96 / 19981

12 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

First
Schedule.

Seller to
weigh or
measure
goods in
buyer's
presence
if request-
ed.

Short
weight, etc.

Deceptive
packaging.

or measurement unless the net weight or the capacity
measurement of those goods is marked on the container in
the prescribed manner by reference to an imperial unit of
measurement included in the First Schedule.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person
shall 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
First Schedule unless its correct equivalent in units of
weight or measurement so specified are also marked on
that container-

(a) not less conspicuously than the unit of weight or

(b) in the prescribed manner.

section (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

measurement first mentioned; or

(3) Any person contravening subsection (1) or sub-

13.-(1) Any person selling by weight or measurement
any goods, other than pre-packed goods which satisfy the
requirements of section 12, shall weigh or measure the
goods in the presence of the buyer if requested by the
buyer to do so.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1)
shall be guilty of an offence.

14. Any person who, in selling or purporting to sell any
goods by weight or other measurement or by number,
delivers or causes to be delivered to the buyer a lesser
quantity than that purported to be supplied or than
corresponds with the price charged shall be guilty of an
offence.

15. Any person who supplies by way of trade goods in
or on a container which is so made, formed or filled as to
be misleading as to the nature or quantity of the contents
shall be guilty of an offence.

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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 13

PART IV. Inspectors of Weights and Measures
16.41) Subject to the provisions of the Standards Act, Appoint-

the Bureau may appoint, from among persons having such ::;:&S.
qualifications as may be prescribed, such number and
categories of inspectors of weights and measures as the
Bureau considers necessary for the efficient discharge of
the functions conferred or imposed on inspectors by or
under this Act.

(2) Every inspector shall be furnished with a certi-
ficate of appointment in the prescribed form.

17.41) An inspector may at any reasonable time enter e919,wy;f
any premises in which he reasonably believes any goods inspection.
are bought or sold or any weighing or measuring equip-
ment is kept to be used for trade and may, in those
premises-

(a) inspect and test any weighing or measuring equip-
ment therein;

(b) examine and test any goods therein and where
necessary break open any container of those
goods;

(c) require the production of all books, accounts or
documents relating to goods therein and inspect
and copy any of those books, accounts or docu-
ments;

(4 take such samples of any goods therein as may be
reasonably required by him for the proper per-
formance of his duties;

(e) make such other examination and enquiry as may
be necessary to ascertzin whether the provisions of
this Act or any regulations made thereunder have
been or are being complied with;

v) require any person in possession or control of any
goods therein to render such explanations and

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14 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

give such information relating to those goods as
may be reasonably required;

cs> seize, remove and detain any weighing or measur-
ing equipment, goods, book, account, document,
or other thing which he has reasonable cause to
believe will afford evidence of an offence against
this Act or any regulations made thereunder;

(h) make, on behalf of the Bureau, such purchases of
goods as may appear expedient for the purpose of
determining whether or not the provisions of this
Act or any regulations made thereunder are being
complied with.

(2) An inspector exercising or attempting to exercise
his power under this section shall, if the person in charge
of the premises requests him to do so, produce to that
person his certificate of appointment.

(3) An inspector entering any premises pursuant to
this section may take with him such other person and such
equipment as may appear to him necessary.

(4) Before removing any article under the provisions
of paragraph (9) of subsection (1) the inspector removing
it shall, at the request of the person in whose possession
or control the article is at the time of removal, furnish that
person with a written receipt therefor.

(5) Any person who-
(a) obstructs or hinders an inspector exercising his

powers under this section; or
(b) fails to comply with any requirement properly

made of him by an inspector under this section;
or

(c) gives to that inspector information which he
knows or ought to know to be false or mislead-
ing,

shall be guilty of an offence.
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WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES 15

(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
requiring a person to answer any question or give any
information if to do so might incriminate him.

1 8 4 1 ) An inspector may give to any person who has, Directions
to secure for use for trade- compliance.

(a) any weighing or measuring equipment; or
(b) any package or label or any other article of what-

ever kind,
which does not comply with the provisions of this Act or
of any regulations made thereunder, directions in writing
requiring him to take such steps as shall be specified in
those directions to secure compliance with those provisions.

(2) Any person aggrieved by any directions given
pursuant to subsection (1) may appeal in writing to the
Bureau within seven days after the date on which those
directions were given, and the Bureau may confirm, revoke
or amend those directions.

(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) any
person who fails to comply with directions given pursuant
to subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to
affect any proceedings which may be taken for failure to
comply, as respects anything referred to in paragraph (a)
or (b) of subsection (l), with the provisions of this Act or
any regulations made thereunder.

19.-(1) In any civil proceedings relating to the supply Inspecton
of goods and services, the court may, subject to any rules arbitraton,
of court, and with the agreement of the Bureau, require an etc.
inspector to act as arbitrator, assessor, or referee, or to
carry out any inspection, survey, measurement or weighing,
or to take any samples, or to make any observation, plan or
model, or to try any experiment.

(2) In any dispute relating to the supply of goods
and services, the parties to such dispute may request the

may ad as

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16 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Inspectors
may make
tests and
reports on
request.

Inspectors
to account
for and
pay over
fees re-
ceived.

Regulations.

Bureau to nominate an inspector to act as arbitrator or
umpire within the meaning of the Arbitration Act, and for
this purpose the Bureau may nominate such inspector as it
thinks fit.

20. An mpector may, at the request of any person and
subject to the payment by that person of such fee, if any,
as may be prescribed, carry out and submit to that person
a report on-

(a) a weighing or other measurement of any goods
submitted for the purpose by that person at such
place as the Bureau may direct or approve; or

(b) a test of the accuracy of any weighing or measuring
equipment so submitted.

21. Every inspector shall, at such times as the Bureau
may direct, account for and pay over to the Bureau all
fees taken by him under this Act.

PART V. Miscellaneous
22.-(1) The Minister may make regulations-

(a) with respect to-
the materials and principles of construction
of weighing or measuring equipment for use
for trade;
the purposes for which particular types of
weighing or measuring equipment may be
used for trade;
the manner of erection, siting or use of
weighing or measuring equipment used for
trade;
the circumstances in which, conditions under
which and manner in which stamps may
be obliterated or defaced;
the abbreviations of or symbols for units of
measurement which may be used for trade;

(b) with respect to the inspection, testing and passing
of any weighing or measuring equipment used for
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

the purpose of, or in connection with, the compu-
tation of tolls, rates, taxes, charges or payments
of any kind;
with respect to the inspection, testing, passing as
fit for use for trade and stamping or authentica-
tion of weighing or measuring equipment, includ-
ing-

(i) the prohibition of the stamping or authenti-
cation of such equipment in such cir-
cumstances as may be specified in the
regulations;

(ii) the circumstances in which an inspector may
remove or detain any weighing or measur-
ing equipment for inspection or testing;

(iii) the marking of any weighing or measuring
equipment found unfit for use for trade;

restricting or controlling the importation, manu-
facture, repairing or sale of any weighing or
measuring equipment designed to be used for trade
and providing for the issuing of licences for such
importation, manufacture, repairing or sale;
to prohibit the use for trade of any pattern of
weighing or measuring equipment specified in the
regulations unless a certificate of approval is
granted in respect of that pattern;
requiring that weighing or measuring equipment
of any type described in the regulations shall be
tested and passed by an inspector before that
equipment is sold or is used for trade;
prescribing what unit of measurement may be
treated, for use for trade, as the equivalent of or
of any multiple or fraction of, any unit of measure-
ment included in the First Schedule;
to prohibit the sale of any goods specified in the
regulations except-

First
Schedule.

______ -
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18 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

(i) by weight or measurement or number ex-
pressed in such manner as may be so speci-
fied; or

(ii) in such quantities as may be so specified;

(hh) [Deleted by Act 2 of 19961.

(8 prescribing any matter or anything which may
be, or is required by this Act to be, prescribed.

(2) Regulations made under this Act may contain-
(a) different provisions for different types of weighing

or measuring equipment and for different classes
or descriptions of goods;

(b) exemptions from any of the provisions of those
regulations.

(3) Regulations made under this Act may provide
in respect of the breach of any of the provisions thereof
that the offender shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two
thousand dollars and in default of payment to imprison-
ment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both
such fine and imprisonment.

(4) A draft of all regulations proposed to be made
under this section shall be published in the Gazette so as to
permit representations to be made to the Bureau by any
person concerning any provision of the draft regulations
to which that person objects.

(5) The Bureau shall consider any objection, made
in writing within thirty days after the publication of the
draft regulations, concerning any provision of the draft
regulations and shall submit to the Minister such recom-
mendations in relation to that objection as it considers
proper.

(6) The Minister shall, in making the regulations,
consider any recommendations submitted to him in accord-
ance with subsection (5).

[The inclusion d this m e is auhh;olized by L.N. 96/ 19981

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 19

23.-(1) Any person who uses for trade, or has in his Offences.
possession for use for trade, any weighing or measuring
equipment which is false or unjust shall be guilty of an
offence and the equipment shall be liable to be forfeited.

(2) If any fraud is committed in the using of any
weighing or measuring equipment for trade, the person
committing the fraud and any person who is party thereto
shall be guilty of an offence and the equipment shall be
liable to be forfeited.

(3) Any person who uses for trade, or has in his
possession for use for trade-

(a) any weight or any linear, square, cubic or capacity
measure which is not included in the Second
Schedule; or

(b) any weighing or measuring instrument constructed
to indicate in terms of some weight or measure
which is not included in the First Schedule,

shall be guilty of an offence and the weight, measure or
measuring instrument, as the case may be, shall be liable
to be forfeited.

(4) Any person who supplies to any other person
for use for trade any weighing or measuring equipment-

(a) which is false or unjust; or
(b) which does not comply with any requirement of

this Act or of any regulations made thereunder,
shall be guilty of an offence.

(5 ) Any person guilty of an offence under this Act
shall be liable on summary conviction before a Resident
Magistrate to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars and
in default of payment to imprisonment for a term not ex-
ceeding twelve months and, in the case of a continuing
offence, to a further fine not exceeding one hundred dollars
for every day on which the offence continues after con-
viction.

First
Schedule.

[Theinclusion d this page is authorized by L.N. 96/1998]

2Q WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Evidence
of posses-
sion of
equipment
for use
for trade.

Offences
by corpora-
tions or
associations.

Defence
of mistake,
accident,
etc.

Offencq
due to
default
of third
perSOn.

24. Where any weighing or measuring equipment is
found in the possession of any person carrying on trade or
on any premises which are used for trade, that person or,
as the case may be, the occupier of those premises shall be
deemed for the purposes of this Act, or of any regulations
made thereunder, unless the contrary is proved, to have
that equipment in his possession for use for trade.

25. Where an offence under this Act or under any regu-
lations made thereunder which has been committed by a
corporate body or by any association of persons (whether
incorporated or not) is proved to have been committed with
the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any
neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or
other similar officer of that body or association or any
person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he
as well as that body or association shall be liable to be
prosecuted and punished accordingly.

26. In any proceedings for an offence under this Act or
under any regulations made thereunder, it shall be a defence
for the person charged to prove-

(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.

27.-(1) A person against whom proceedings are brought
for an offence under this Act or under any regulations made
thereunder shall, upon information duly laid by him and
upon giving to the Clerk of the Courts not less than three
clear days’ notice of his intention to avail himself of the
provisions of this subsection, be entitled to have brought
before the court in those proceedings any other person to
whose act or default he alleges that the commission of the

LThe inclusion lob this mge is authorized by W. 96/1998]

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 21

offence was due; and if, after the offence has been proved
the original defendant proves that the commission thereof
was due to an act or default of that other person-

(a) that other person may be convicted of the offence;
and

(b) if the original defendant further proves that he
exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission
of the offence by him or any person under his
control, the original defendant shall be acquitted
of the offence.

(2) Where a defendant seeks to avail himself of the
provisions of subsection (1)-

(a) the prosecutor, as well as the person whom the
defendant charges with the offence, shall have the
right to cross-examine the defendant, if he gives
evidence, and any witness called by him in support
of his pleas, and to call rebutting. evidence;

(b) the court may make such order as it thinks fit for
the payment of costs by any p.arty to the proceed-
ings to any party thereto.

28. A document purporting to be signed by an inspector Evidenco
of factr and certifying- in certain

(0) that any weighing or measuring equipment speci- documontr,
fied therein was inspected and tested by him on a
date specified therein, and the result of the inspec-
tion and test; or

(b) that any goods specified therein were weighed,
measured or counted by him on a date specified
therein and were found to be of a weight, measure-
ment or number specified therein,

shall, upon production thereof in evidence in any proceed-
ings, be evidence of the facts certified therein and in the
absence of evidence in rebuttal thereof shall be conclusivt
evidence of those facts.

[The inclusion of this page is authorized by L.N. 146/1999]

22

L.N
34c/1998.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

FIRST SCHEDULE (Section 3)

Definitions of Units of Measurement

PART I

Base Units

Unit
Quantity and Symbol

amount of mole (mol)

-

substance

electric
current

length

luminous
intensity

ampere (A)

metre (m)

candela (cd)

mass kilogram (kg)

thermodynamic kelvin (k)
temperature

time second (s)

Definition
of Unit

The amount of substance of a system
which contains as many elementary
entities as there are atoms in 0.012
kilogram of carbon.
Note: 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.
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 them a force
equal to 2x 1 0-' newton per metre of
length.
The length of the path travelled by light
in vacuum during a time interval of
11299 792 458 of a second.
The luminous intensity in a given
direction of a source that emits non-
chromatic radiation of a frequency,
540 x 10'* hertz and that has a radiant
intensity in that direction of 11683
watt per steradian.
The unit of mass, which is equal to
the mass of the international
prototype of the kilogram.
The fraction, 1 R73.16 of the thermo-
dynamic temperature of the triple
point of water.
The duration of 9 192 63 1 770 periods
of the radiation corresponding to the
transition between the two hyperfine
levels of the ground state of the
cesium 133 atom.

[ n e inclusion ofthis page is authorized by L.N. 146/1999]

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

FIRST SCHEDULE, c o d
PART I I

Derived Units

Physical Unit Definition
Quantity and Symbol Derivation of Unit

23

L.N.
34cll998.

absorbed dose

activity (of
radionu-
clides)

capacitance
electric

electric charge,
quantity of
electricity

gray (GY) J/kg The energy imparted by
ionizing radiation to a mass
of matter corresponding to
one joule per kilogram.

bacquerel S The activity of a radionuclide
(Bq) having one spontaneous

nuclear transition per second.

farad (F) C/V-A. s/V The electric capacitance
that exists between two
conductors when the transfer
of an electric charge of one
coulomb from one to the
other changes the potential
difference between them by
one volt.

coulomb (C) A.s The quantity of electric
charge that is transferred
each second by an electric
current of one ampere.

electric siemens ( S ) Q-1 The electric conductance
of a conductor that has an
electrical resistance of one
ohm.

electric volt (V) W/A-J/C The potential difference
potential that exists between two
difference points on a conductor

carrying an unvarying
electric current of an
ampere when the power
dissipated between those
points is equal to one watt.

electric ohm (Q)V/A The electric capacitance
resistance that exists between two

points on a conductor
which does not contain any
source of electromotive

conductance

('l'hc inclusion ol'this pi\gc is iiutliorixcd by I..N 14(1/lOo()~

24 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

PART I I , contd

Physical Unit
Quantity and Symbol Derivation
- -

force newton (N)

frequency hertz (Hz)

illuminance, lux (Ix)
illumination

inductance henry (H)

luminous tlux lumen ( lm)

magnetic tlux weber (Wb)

kg.m/s2

S-'

Im/m'

V. sJA

cdsr

V.S

Definition
of Unit

force when a constant
potential difference of one
v o It m a i n t a i n ed between
those points results i n a
current of one ampere in the
conductor.

The force which when
applied to a body having a
mass of one kilogram
causes an acceleration of
one metre per second in the
direction of application of
the force.

The frequency of a periodic
phenomenon of which the
period is one second.

The illumination of one
lumen per square metre.

The electric inductance of
a closed circuit in which an
electromotive force of one
volt is produced when the
electric current that
traverses the circuit varies
uniformly at the rate of one
ampere per second.

The luminous flux emitted
into uni t solid angle by an
isotropic point source
having a luminous intensity
of one candela.

The flux which linking a
circuit of one turn produces
in it an electromotive force
of one volt as it is reduced
to zero at a uniform rate in
one second.

(The inclusion oftliis page is nuthorizcd hy I .N . I J b / I Y Y Y ]

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 25

PART 11, contd

Physical Unit
Quantity and Symbol Derivation
- - -

magnetic flux telsa (T) . Wb/m2
density. magne-
tic, induction

plane angle

power, radiant
flux

pressure stress

solid angle

work, energy,
quantity of
heat

radian (rad)

watt (W)

pascal (Pi)

steradian

joule (J)

Definition
of Unit
-

The density of one weber of
magnetic flux per square
metre.

The plane angle between
two radii of a circle which
cut off on the circum-
ference an arc equal in
length to the radius.

The power used when work
is done or energy is
expended at the rate of one
joule per second.

The pressure or stress
which arises when a force
of one newton is applied
uniformly over an area of
one square metre.

The solid angle which
having its vertex in the
centre of a sphere, cuts off
an area of the surface of
sphere equal to that of a
square with sides of length
equal to the radius of the
sphere.

The work done or the
energy expended when a
force of one quantity
newton moves the point of
application a distance of
one metre in the direction
of that force.

[The inclusion ofthis page is authorized by I. .N. 146/19YO~

26 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

L.N.
34c/1998.

PART 111

Special or Perniitted Units

Physical Unit Equivalent
Quantity and Symbol Derivation of Unit
- - -

area are a I are=100m2

hectare ha 1 hectare= 10 OOOm2

marine and nautical nautical 1 nautical mile= 1852m
aerial mile mile

mass tonne t It= I OOOkg

navigation knot knot I knot= I nautical mile per
hour

plane angular degree 0 1°= x
measure 180 radian

minute 9 ]'-E
60

!J second 99 10 -I
60

pressure bar bar 1 bar=100 000 Pa

standard atm 1 atm=
atmosphere 101 325 Pa

temperature degree "C 1 O C = l K [temperature
Celsius intervals)

time minute min 1 min=60'
hour h I h=60m
day d 1 d-24h
week wk 1 wk=7d
calendar
year Yr ly1=365d or 366d (leap year)

volume litre L IL=ldm'
capacity

Note: Special or permitted units are internationally agreed units which are
deviations from the strict Internationally System of Units. They are
permitted either because of their practical importance or because of
their I I W in snecialized scientific fields.

(The inclusion ofthis page i s authorized by L.N. 146/19W]

27

L.N.
34c/1998.

Name of
Unit

L.N.
34cll998

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

PART IV

Units used with the International System of Units
in Specialized Scientrfic Fields

Unit
Symbol Definition

-
angstrom A" I A" = 10-lOm

astronomical unit A U 1 AU = 149600x106m

barn b 1 b = 1@28m?

curie Ci 1 Ci=3.7 x 10'"-'
electronic eV 1 eV = 1.602 I9 x IOl9J

gal Gal 1 Gal = 1 0.2 metre per (second)'

metric carat C M 1 C M = 2 x 104kg

parsec PC I PC = 3 086 x 1013m
rontgen R 1 R = 2.58 x 104 C kg-'
unified atomic U 1 U = 1.66044~ 1OZ7kg

mass

PART V

Customary Units of measurement deemed to be derived
from the International System of Weights and Measures

Base SI Unit
Abbreviation from which

Unit or Symbol derived Value
- - -

AREA

square mile - metre 2.5899 sq kilometres
acre - metre 4046.86 sq metres
square rod sq rd metre 24.687 sq metres

square yard sq Yd metre 0.8361 sq metre

square foot sq ft metre 0.0929 sq metre

square inch sq in metre 645.16 sq millimetres

[The inclusion ofthis page is authorized by L.N. 146/1999]

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 28

.0

PART V, contd.

Base SI Unit
Abbreviation from which

Unit or Symbol derived
- -

CAPACITY MEASUREMENT

barrel

gallon

minim

fluid drachm

( 1 /76,800 gal)

(1/1,280 gal)

pint (U8 gal)

quart (114 gal)

LENGTH

Yard
mile (1,760 yds)

chain (22 yds)

foot ( I /3 yd) ft

rod, pole or
perch (5 1/2 yds)
inch (1136 yd) in

metre

metre

metre )
1
1

metre )
)

metre )

metre )

metre

metre )

metre )

1

metre )

metre )
1

metre )

Value
-

0. I5987294 cubic metre

0.00454609 cubic metre

The value of the respective
units is proportionate to
the value of the gallon

0.9 I44 metre

The value of the
respective units is
proportionate to the value
of the yard

MASS

AVOIRDUPOIS SERIES

pound Ib kilogram 0.4535 I237 kg
(kg)

[The inclusion of this page is authorized by L.N. 146/1999]

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

PART V . contd

29

Abbreviation
Unit or Symbol
-

grain (l/7OOO Ib)
ounce ( ] / I6 Ib)

stone (14 Ibs)

quarter (28 Ibs)

hundredweight
( I 12 Ibs)

ton (2,240 Ibs)

TROY SERIES
ounce troy

(121175 Ib)

VOLUME
cubic yard

cubic foot
(1 0 7 cu yd)

cubic inch
(1146,656 cu yd)

gr
OZ

St

qr
cwt

oz tr

cu yd

cu A

cu in

Base S1 Unit
from which

derived Value - -
kilogram )

kilogram)

kilogram) The valueofthe respective
units is proportionate to

kilogram) the value of the pound.

kilogram)
1

kilogram)

kilogram

metre

metre

metre

0.764554857 cubic metre

) The valueofthe respective
) units is proportionate to

the value of the cubic
yard.

1
1

me inclusion ofthis paga is authorized by L.N. 146/19991

30 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Prefix

yotta

zetta

exa

peta

tera

gigs
mega

kilo

hecto

deca

deci

centi

milli

micro

nano

pico

femto

atto

zepto

yocto

PART VI

Prefucs for multiples and sub-multiplies of base
supplementary and derived units of measurement

Symbol
-

Y
Z

E

P

T

G

M
k

h

da

d

C

m

U

n
P
f

a

z

Y

Definition

I 0 2 4

102'

1 0 ' 8

10'5

IO'?
I 09

106

10'

101

10'

10-1

10-2

I 0-'

1 O-h

1 0-"
IO.'?

10.15

IO-'R
10.21

1 0 - 2 4

Note: The International System of Units (SI) prefixes are not applicable
to the base unit kilogram but are applicable to the one-thousandth
part thereof, that is to say, the gram. and may be used in conjunction
with some of the units specified in Part IV.

[The inclusion ofthis page is nuthorizcd hy L.N. 116/1999]

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

PART V11

Measurement of Time

31

Hour
Minute
SECOND

= 60 minutes
= 60 seconds

shall have the meaning from
time to time assigned by order
of the Minister, being the
meaning appearing to the
Minister to reproduce in
English the international
definition of the second in
force at the date of the making
of the order

(Section 4) SECOND SCHEDULE

Reference Standards of Measures and Weights

PART I

Linear Measures

Imperial System
Measures of-

100 feet

66 feet

50 feet
33 feet

20 feet

10 feet

8 feet
6 feet

5 feet
4 feet

1 yard

2 feet

1 foot

6 inches

I inch

Metric System
Measures of-

50 metres 2 metres

30 metres 1.5 metres

20 metres I metre
10 metres 0.5 metre

5 metres I decimetre

3 metres 1 centimetre

[The inclusion ofthis page i s authorized by L.N. 14U19991

L.N.
34~11998.

32 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

PART I I

Square Measures

Imperial System

Metric System

Measures of, or of any multiple of, 1 square foot.

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

PART III

Cubic Measures

Imperial System

Metric System

Measures of, or of any multiple of, 'A cubic yard and 1 cubic foot.

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

PART IV
Capacity Measures

Imperial System
Measures of-
any multiple of 1 gallon
1 gallon
% gallon
1 quart
1 pint
% pint
8 fluid ounces
6 fluid ounces
1 gill
4 fluid ounces
% gill
2 fluid ounces
'A gill
1 fluid ounce

[The inclusion ofthis pnge i s authorized by L.N. 146/1999]

W E I G H Z AND MEASURES

SECOND SCHEDULE, contd.

PART IV, contd.

33

Metric System
Measures of-
any multiple of 10 litres
10 litres
5 litres
2% litres
2 litres
I litre

500 millilitres
250 millilitres
200 millilitres

Imperial System
Weights of-
1 ounce

2 ounces
4 ounces
8 ounces
1 pound
2 pounds
5 pounds
10 pounds
20 pounds
50 pounds
Troy Weights of-
500 ounces
400 ounces
300 ounces
200 ounces
100 ounces
50 ounces
40 ounces
30 ounces

100 millilitres
50 millilitres
25 millilitres
20 millilitres
10 millilitres
5 millilitres
2 millilitres
1 millilitre

PART V
Mass or Weights

10 grains

20 grains
30 grains
50 grains
I00 grains
0.5 dram
1 dram
2 drams
4 drams
8 drams

L.N.
34~11998.

0.03 grain
0.02 grain
0.01 grain
0.05 grain
0.1 grain
0.2 grain
0.3 grain
0.5 grain
1 grain
2 grains
3 grains
5 grains

0.5 ounce
0.4 ounce
0.3 ounce
0.2 ounce
0.1 ounce
0.05 ounce
0.04 ounce
0.03 ounce

[The inclusion oftliis page is authorized by L.N. 140//1999]

WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES
SECOND SCHEDULE, conrd.

PART V, contd.

34

Troy Weights of-contd.
20 ounces
10 ounces
5 ounces
4 ounces
3 ounces
2 ounces
1 ounce

Metric System
Weights of-

20 kilograms
10 kilograms

5 kilograms
2 kilograms
1 kilogram

500 grams
200 grams
I00 grams
50 grams
20 grams
15 grams
10 grams
5 grams
4 grams
3 grams
2 grams
1 gram

500 milligrams
400 milligrams
300 milligrams
200 milligrams
150 milligrams
100 milligrams

0.02 ounce
0.01 ounce
0.005 ounce
0.004 ounce
0.003 ounce
0.002 ounce
0.001 ounce

50 milligrams
20 milligrams
10 milligrams

5 milligrams
2 milligrams
1 milligram

500 carats (metric)
200 carats (metric)
100 carats (metric)
50 carats (metric)
20 carats (metric)
10 carats (metric)
5 carats (metric)
2 carats (metric)
1 carat (metric)

0.5 carat (metric)
0.25 carat (metric)
0.2 carat (metric)
0. I carat (metric)

0.05 ,carat (metric)
0.02 carat (metric)
0.01 carat (metric)

[The inclusion ofthis page is authorized hy I..N. 14h/lW]