(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations amend the Measuring Equipment (Capacity Measures) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 so as to prescribe, and provide limits of error for, certain thimble measures of 70 millilitres for serving spirits (gin, rum, vodka and whiskey) (regulation 2).
The Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 provides for a single capacity measure of 70 millilitres to be used for dispensing a double measure. This amendment is provided as a result of changes to the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 by the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 1994 and to the Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order (Northern Ireland) 1989 by the said Order of 1994 which enabled a 35 millilitre measure of spirits to be sold for consumption on licensed premises.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment of the costs and benefits which will result from these Regulations has been prepared. Copies can be obtained from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Trading Standards Service, 176 Newtownbreda Road, Belfast BT8 6QS.