- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As made)
This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Measuring Equipment (Measures of Length) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 and shall come into operation on 27th October 1986.
(2) The Regulations specified in column 1 of the Schedule are hereby revoked to the extent specified in column 2.
2. In these Regulations—
“composite measure” means a measure of length where one of its principal scale marks is a surface and the other is a line, hole or mark;
“end measure” means a measure of length where its principal scale marks are formed by two surfaces;
“measure of length” means a linear measure set out in Part I of Schedule 1 to the Order;
“nominal length” means the maximum length in metric or imperial units which a measure of length is designed to measure in one measurement;
“prescribed limits of error” has the meaning set out in Regulation 23;
“the Order” means the Weights arid Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;
“principal scale marks” mean the two surfaces, lines, holes or marks (or combinations thereof) on a measure of length the distance between which is the nominal length of the measure;
“the stamp” means the stamp prescribed by the Weights and Measures (Prescribed Stamp) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1969(1); and
“terminal surface” means a surface forming one of the principal scale marks.
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), these Regulations apply to measuring equipment for use for trade of the following class name! y measures of length and such measures are hereby prescribed for the purposes of Article 9(1) of the Order.
(2) Except for this paragraph, paragraph (3) and Regulation 19, these Regulations do not apply to measures of length which bear the mark of EEC initial verification.
(3) In paragraph (2), “mark of EEC initial verification” means the mark described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1980(2).
4. Subject to Regulation 5, every measure of length shall be made of—
(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.
5. Every measure of length shall be sufficiently strong and resistant to abrasion to withstand the wear and teat of ordinary use in trade.
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.
7. The terminal surfaces-of end measures and of composite measures shall be flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the measure.
8. Every rigid measure of length, including folding measures, shall be practically straight and free from flaws.
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.
10. Winding devices for flexible measures of length shall be constructed so that they do not cause any permanent deformation of the measure.
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.
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.
13.—(1) Every measure of length which is graduated shall be graduated clearly, indelibly and, subject to paragraph "(2), regularly, so as to enable unambiguous readings to be made easily.
(2) Certain sections of a graduated measure of length may be subdivided more finely than other sections.
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.
15. The numbering of graduated measures of length shall be—
(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.
16. Where a graduated measure of length is a folding measure, some of its numbering in close proximity to the joints may be omitted.
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—
(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; |
and
(b)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.
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”.
19. A person shall not 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.
20. Every measure of length submitted for testing shall be in a clean condition.
21. Every measure of length shall be tested by comparison with an appropriate Northern Ireland 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—
(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.
22. An inspector shall test the nominal length and, in the case of a graduated measure, such other graduations as he considers necessary.
23. The prescribed limits of error relating to measures of length shall be as follows:—
(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.
24. A measure of length shall not be passed as fit for use for trade unless on testing—
(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.
25.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), 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.
(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) A measure of length shall not be stamped with the stamp if it bears—
(a)any mark Which 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 might reasonably be mistaken for an expression of approval or guarantee of accuracy by any body or person.
26. Stamps on any measure of length shall be obliterated 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:—
27.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an inspector shall obliterate the stamp on any measure of length which—
(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) An inspector shall not obliterate the stamp on any measure of length which falls within twice the prescribed limits of error and which was first stamped before 27th October 1986, notwithstanding that it fails to comply with any other appropriate requirement of these Regulations.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (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 have affected its accuracy or function, the inspector may obliterate the stamp on that measure.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Economic Development on 24th September 1986.
(L.S.)
Margaret L. Johnston
Assistant Secretary
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: