Simple terms explainer

Local authorities must uphold weights and measures legislation to ensure fairness and accuracy in trade. This includes verifying and maintaining the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment including shop scales, medical scales, trade scales, weighbridges, fuel pumps and various measuring containers. This ensures they meet legal standards and ensure that they do not disadvantage consumers or businesses. Enforcement action can be taken where non compliance and discrepancies are found.

Legal status

Statutory

Duty category

Trading Standards

Duty type

Compliance

Social determinant of health

Economic Stability

Emerging policy and legislation


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National bodies with shared interest

Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS)

National Measurement and Regulation Office (NMO)

Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)

Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS)

Standards and frameworks



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