These Regulations replace the Weights and Measures (Local and Working Standard Weights and Testing Equipment) Regulations 1983. They prescribe the methods of testing and adjusting, and the limits of error for, working standard weights and certain testing equipment used for weighing by inspectors of weights and measures. They also make provision for limits of error for local standard weights and for the period of validity of certificates of fitness of those local standards.
The Regulations make the following changes of substance:
a
test weights may be tested by either the method of substitution or the method of comparison (previously by substitution only) (Regulation 5);
b
testing equipment consisting of weighing machines shall be tested for repeatability and for discrimination threshold within six months before use (previously 12 months) (Regulation 6);
c
the requirements for testing equipment consisting of weighing machines have been changed so that the inspector has a wider choice, provided requirements as to repeatability and discrimination threshold are met (previously the minimum sensitiveness for balances, beamscales and platform machines was prescribed) (Regulation 7); and
d
the prescribed limits of error for test weights in excess of 56 lb or 20 kg are doubled (Regulation 8 and Schedule 2, Table 6).