Trading standards - weights and measures

We estimate that every week in the UK over a billion pounds of goods are weighed and measured at retail level alone. Our officers are responsible for ensuring that these measurements are correct. Spot checks on businesses are carried out. These spot checks reassure both consumers and honest traders of a fair market place.

We undertake a variety of weights and measures work, including:

Testing of petrol pumps and shop scales
Checking for overloaded lorries
Advising traders on quantity control procedures in factories
Checking for misleading packaging sizes
Investigating complaints of short measure
Checking the weights of packaged goods
Checking out coal and oil deliveries

If you think you have received short measure, contact Consumer Direct with the details.

If you are a business and would like advice on these issues, call our business advice line.

The PDF on the right will tell you where to find your nearest public weighbridge if you need to weigh a vehicle.

Verification, calibration and hire service
Weighing and measuring equipment used by businesses must by law be approved before use. We offer this service to local businesses. If you would like an item of equipment verified contact us on our business advice line.