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 me inclusion of this mge iS auhxizcd by L:N. 96/ 19981 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 attaching 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 premises where articles of any description are so made up, or are kept or stored for sale after being so ______ me inclusion of rhis page is authorized by L.N. 961 19981 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 consideration 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 determined 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 reference 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.
rneasurcrnent.
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, / inclusion of this page is authorized by L.N. 961 19981 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 sufficient; 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 subdivisions representing any smaller unit of measurement or multiples or fractions of such a unit or have no such marking.
(3) The Jamaican reference standards shall be deposited 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 referace standard out of 'Jamaica temporarily, the Minister shall cause to be provided, as a temporary reference stanihdusion d this page is apthorbtd by LN. 3 1 / 1 m 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 ingeqdpm 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 subdivisions representing any smaller unit of measurement 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 frap inclusion of this page iS authorited by W. 31/1977J 7 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
(4) Testing equipment provided under subsection (1) shall be tested and adjusted in accordance with such provisions 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 equipment used ing equipment used inshall 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 me inclusion of this page is authorized by L.N. 961 19981 8 WEIGHTS A N D MEASURES payment by that person of such fee, if any, as may be prescribed 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 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 prescribed 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 statement 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 subsection (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 __ _ _ ~ - me inclusion of this pge &I authorized by L.N. 96/ 19981 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 certificate 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 published 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 w inclusion iof ,SS page a~ au-4 by L.N. 96 I 19983 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 measuring 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 measuring 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 prescribed limits of error, give to the person submitting 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 subsection (4) unless it has been marked in the prescribed manner with its purported value;
(b) stamped or marked if it is too small to be stamped or marked.
_- - me inclusion of this page is authized by L.N. 96/1% 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 measurement 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 provisions 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 authorized 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 measurement. 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 measurement.
[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 requested.
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.
D inclusion of thia page is authorized by L.N. 96 / 19981 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 13
PART IV. Inspectors of Weights and Measures
16.41) Subject to the provisions of the Standards Act, Appointthe 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 certificate 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 equipment is kept to be used for trade and may, in those premises-
(a) inspect and test any weighing or measuring equipment 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 documents;
(4 take such samples of any goods therein as may be reasonably required by him for the proper performance 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 IJIw inclusion of this p g e k authoiized by L.N. 96 / 19981 14 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES give such information relating to those goods as may be reasonably required;
cs> seize, remove and detain any weighing or measuring 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 misleading, shall be guilty of an offence.
me inclusion d this page is aubrizcd by LN. 96 / 19981 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 whatever 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 me inclusion of ,this gmge is authorized by L.N. 96 / 19981 16 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Inspectors may make tests and reports on request.
Inspectors to account for and pay over fees received.
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 tothe 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 [?be inclusion oGks pge is authorized by L.N. 96/ 19981 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES the purpose of, or in connection with, the computation 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 authentication of weighing or measuring equipment, including-
(i) the prohibition of the stamping or authentication of such equipment in such circumstances as may be specified in the regulations;
(ii) the circumstances in which an inspector may remove or detain any weighing or measuring 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, manufacture, 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 measurement included in the First Schedule;
to prohibit the sale of any goods specified in the regulations except- First Schedule.
______ - [The inclusion of this m e is authorized by L.N. 96/ 19981 18 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
(i) by weight or measurement or number expressed in such manner as may be so specified; 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 imprisonment 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 recommendations in relation to that objection as it considers proper.
(6) The Minister shall, in making the regulations, consider any recommendations submitted to him in accordance 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 exceeding 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 conviction.
First Schedule.
[Theinclusion d this page is authorized by L.N. 96/1998] 2Q WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Evidence of possession of equipment for use for trade.
Offences by corporations 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 regulations 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 proceedings 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 inspection 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, measurement or number specified therein, shall, upon production thereof in evidence in any proceedings, 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 nonchromatic 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 thermodynamic 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 radionuclides) 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. magnetic, 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 circumference 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 ofany 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 ofany 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]