PART IE+W+SGENERAL
Citation, commencement and revocationE+W+S
1.—(1) These regulations may be cited as the Measuring Equipment (Measures of Length) Regulations 1986 and shall come into operation on 27th October 1986.
(2) The Regulations specified in the Schedule to these Regulations are hereby revoked to the extent specified in column 2 of the Schedule.
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 1 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
InterpretationE+W+S
2. In these Regulations—
“the Act” means
“composite measure” means
“end measure” means
“measure of length” means
“nominal length” means
“prescribed limits of error”
“principal scale marks” mean
“the stamp” means
“terminal surface” means
Commencement Information
I2Reg. 2 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
ApplicationE+W+S
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, these Regulations apply to measuring equipment for use for trade of the following class namely measures of length, and such measures are hereby prescribed for the purposes of section 11(1) of the Act.
(2) Except for this paragraph, paragraph (3) and Regulation 20 below, these Regulations do not apply to measures of length which bear the mark of EEC initial verification.
(3) In this Regulation, “mark of EEC initial verification” means
Commencement Information
I3Reg. 3 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
PART IIE+W+SMATERIALS AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION AND MARKING OF MEASURES OF LENGTH
4. Subject to Regulation 5 below, every measure of length shall be made of—E+W+S
(a)carbon steel, including matt chrome-plated carbon steel, steel protected by a clear film or rust-resisting steel;
(b)brass;
(c)aluminium alloy, including anodised and stained aluminium alloy;
(d)glass-reinforced or opaque plastics;
(e)wood; or
(f)any other material of adequate stability.
Commencement Information
I4Reg. 4 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
5. Every measure of length shall be sufficiently strong and resistant to abrasion to withstand the wear and tear of ordinary use in trade.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I5Reg. 5 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
6. Where an end measure or composite measure is made of wood or other material of durability equal to or less than that of wood, the terminal surfaces shall have metal tips which shall be securely fixed to the wood or other material.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I6Reg. 6 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
7. The terminal surfaces of end measures and of composite measures shall be flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I7Reg. 7 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
8. Every rigid measure of length, including folding measures, shall be practically straight and free from flaws.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I8Reg. 8 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
9. Every flexible measure of length shall be constructed so that when it is stretched out on a flat surface its edges are practically straight and parallel.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I9Reg. 9 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
10. Winding devices for flexible measures of length shall be constructed so that they do not cause any permanent deformation of the measure.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I10Reg. 10 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
11. Where a measure of length is marked with a reference temperature, it shall be constructed so that a change of not more than 8 degrees Celsius above or below that temperature does not cause in normal use a variation in length exceeding the prescribed limit of error.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I11Reg. 11 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
12. Where a measure of length is marked with a tractive force, it shall be constructed so that a change of 10 per cent. above or below that force does not cause a variation in length exceeding the prescribed limit of error.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I12Reg. 12 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
13.—(1) Every measure of length which is graduated shall be graduated clearly, indelibly and, subject to paragraph (2) below, regularly, so as to enable unambiguous readings to be made easily.E+W+S
(2) Certain sections of a graduated measure of length may be subdivided more finely than other sections.
Commencement Information
I13Reg. 13 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
14. Where the scale marks on a measure of length are lines these shall be straight, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure of length and all of the same thickness, constant throughout their length.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I14Reg. 14 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
15. The numbering of graduated measures of length shall be—E+W+S
(a)(i)continuous; or
(ii)partly continuous and partly repetitive; and
(b)(i)parallel to the longitudinal axis of the measure of length; or
(ii)perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure of length, depending on how the measure is designed to be read.
Commencement Information
I15Reg. 15 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
16. Where a graduated measure of length is a folding measure, some of its numbering in close proximity to the joints may be omitted.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I16Reg. 16 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
17. Every measure of length shall be conspicuously, legibly and durably marked (in the case of a flexible measure, near the beginning of the measure) with the following items—E+W+S
(a)on each graduated side, its nominal length expressed in one only of the following units of measurement in full or by means of one of the following abbreviations or symbols only:—
metre | m |
centimetre | cm |
millimetre | mm |
yard | yd |
foot | ft |
inch | in; |
(b)the name or trade mark of the manufacturer of the measure; and
(c)its tractive force, if it is a flexible measure with a nominal length exceeding five metres in metric units or ten feet in imperial units.
Commencement Information
I17Reg. 17 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
18. Every measure of length which is not graduated or subdivided shall be marked conspicuously, legibly and durably with the words “not graduated” or “not subdivided”.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I18Reg. 18 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
19.—(1) Every measure of length may be marked (in the case of a flexible measure, near the beginning of the measure) with one or more of the following items—E+W+S
(a)the reference temperature;
(b)where not required to be marked under Regulation 17 above, the tractive force;
(c)the number of the British Standard published by the British Standards Institution that specifies requirements for the measure or other specification reference;
(d)a model designation;
(e)the country of manufacture; and
(f)the material from which the measure has been made.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) above shall prohibit other markings on a measure of length, which do not cause confusion in use.
Commencement Information
I19Reg. 19 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
PART IIIE+W+SMANNER OF USE FOR TRADE
20. No person shall use a measure of length for trade in such a manner as to expose it to environmental or other influences which will adversely affect its accuracy or function.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I20Reg. 20 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
PART IVE+W+STESTING
21. Every measure of length submitted for testing shall be in a clean condition.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I21Reg. 21 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
22. Every measure of length shall be tested by comparison with an appropriate local or working standard linear measure using equipment and under conditions which are appropriate to the degree of accuracy required, taking the following factors into account—E+W+S
(a)the ambient temperature, when the standard and the measure of length being compared are of different materials;
(b)the tensioning and support of flexible measures of length; and
(c)the method of magnification for viewing.
Commencement Information
I22Reg. 22 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
23. The inspector shall test the nominal length and, in the case of a graduated measure, such other graduations as he considers necessary.E+W+S
Commencement Information
I23Reg. 23 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
PART VE+W+SSUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Prescribed limits of errorE+W+S
24. The prescribed limits of error relating to measures of length shall be as follows:—E+W+S
(a)where the measure is designed to measure in metric units, 0.6 millimetre plus 0.4 millimetre per metre (rounded up to the next whole metre) of nominal length; and
(b)where the measure is designed to measure in imperial units, 0.025 inch plus 0.015 inch per yard (rounded up to the next whole yard) of nominal length.
Commencement Information
I24Reg. 24 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
Passing as fit for use for tradeE+W+S
25. No measure of length shall be passed as fit for use for trade unless on testing—E+W+S
(a)it complies with all the appropriate requirements of these Regulations;
(b)it falls within the prescribed limits of error; and
(c)the inspector is of the opinion that it is not constructed in a manner which facilitates fraudulent use.
Commencement Information
I25Reg. 25 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
StampingE+W+S
26.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) below, measures of length shall be stamped with the stamp near one end or, in the case of graduated measures, near the beginning of the measure on each graduated side.E+W+S
(2) In the case of flexible measures of length the stamp may be placed on a metal plug, disc or label permanently secured to the measure.
(3) No measure of length shall be stamped with the stamp if it bears—
(a)any mark which, in the opinion of the inspector, might reasonably be mistaken for the stamp;
(b)any indication of a class of accuracy to which the measure belongs; or
(c)any other statement or mark (other than the stamp) which purports to be or, in the opinion of the inspector, might reasonably be mistaken for an expression of approval or guarantee of accuracy by any body or person.
Commencement Information
I26Reg. 26 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
Obliteration of stampsE+W+S
27. The stamp shall be obliterated on any measure of length by an inspector, in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, by means of punches or pincers of suitable sizes of a six-pointed star design as shown in the following illustration:—E+W+S
Commencement Information
I27Reg. 27 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
28.—(1) An inspector shall obliterate the stamp on any measure of length which—E+W+S
(a)fails upon testing to fall within twice the prescribed limits of error; or
(b)fails to comply with any other appropriate requirement of these Regulations:
(2) Where any measure of length has, since it was last stamped, been the subject of any adjustment, alteration, addition, damage or repair which could, in the opinion of the inspector, have affected its accuracy or function, he may obliterate the stamp on that measure.
Commencement Information
I28Reg. 28 in force at 27.10.1986, see reg. 1(1)
Michael Howard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Department of Trade and Industry