These Regulations amend the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Fees) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1300), by prescribing the fee to be charged by the Secretary of State for the performance of certain functions assigned to him by the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/186), the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/3236) and the Regulations which implement the Measuring Instruments Directive (2004/22/EC) (referred to in the 2004 Regulations as “the 2006 Measuring Instruments Regulations”).

The 2004 Regulations provide for the fees payable to the Secretary of State to be made up of a number of components, one of which is a “variable fee” calculated in accordance with Schedule 1 to those Regulations. One of the components of the variable fee is an hourly rate. Different hourly rates are prescribed depending on the work done and the seniority of the staff involved.

The Regulations increase the hourly rates for two of the three types of work for which variable fees are payable by £5. The new hourly rates take into account inflation since the last increase in 2006 and better reflect the costs which are incurred in the provision of each service.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has a negligible effect on business. The basis for calculating the variable fee (full cost recovery) remains unchanged.