The Weights and Measures Act of 1897 made the provision that metric units could be used in addition to the traditional imperial units for purposes of trade. In practice, the actual choice of units was restricted by price marking orders which listed packaging sizes and pricing structures that might be used in specific circumstances. For example, as of April 2012, wine for consumption on premises may only be sold in 125, 175, and 250 mL glasses while draught beer may only be sold in 1⁄3, 1⁄2, 2⁄3 and one pint glasses. Prior to 1973, when the United Kingdom joined the EEC, such specifications were almost all in imperial units.
As part of its attempt to harmonise units of measure between the member states of its Internal Market, the European Commission (EC) issued directive 80/181/EEC which set out the units of measure that should be used for what it called "economic, public health, public safety, and administrative" purposes. To comply with this directive, the Weights and Measures Act of 1986 extended the scope of Trading Standards responsibilities from just matters related to trade to all aspects of the directive. For example, it was the Trading Standards Office that criticised the use of sub-standard weighing machines in NHS hospitals.
To help ease the EC's desired transition from sole use of imperial units to sole use of metric units, the directive permitted the use of what were termed "supplementary indicators"—the continued use of imperial units alongside the metric units catalogued by the directive (dual labelling). The initial intention was to prohibit dual labelling after the end of 1989, with metric units only being allowed after that date. This deadline was later extended: first to the end of 1999, then to the end of 2009. Finally, in 2007, the European Union (EU, as it had become) and the EC, confirmed that the UK would be permitted to continue indefinitely to use imperial units such as pints, miles, pounds and ounces as at present. The Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Department confirmed the EU ruling that the previous deadline for ending dual labelling had been abolished.
As of 24 April 2012, there are still a few cases where imperial units are required to be used and where metric units are optional within the scope of the Weights and Measures Act. These are: the pint for the sale of draught beer and cider and of milk in returnable containers; miles and yards for road signs and distances; and troy ounces for the sale of precious metals. In addition, British law specifies which non-metric units may be used with dual labelling (for example the imperial gallon, but not the US gallon). Since March 2015, all new roadsigns showing height and width restrictions have to be labeled in both imperial and metric. Although the old ones with imperial only may remain until they need replacing.
Numerous acts of the Saxon kings are known to have been lost. Those that have survived include:
2 Edgar c. 8 (959 x 963)
The statute also survives in a few other Old English and Latin copies, some which omit mention of London and describe "
the measure held at Winchester", an indication that a standard ell or yard was nominally in use:
John Quincy Adams's 1821 report on the history of English weights and measures notes of this act that "it was never observed".
3 William I c. 7 (1068)
9 Richard I c. 27 (1197)
Assize of Measures
"It is established that woollen cloths, wherever they be made, be made of the same width, to wit, of two ells within the lists [selvages], and of the same good quality in the middle and at the sides. Also the ell shall be the same in the whole realm and of the same length and the ell shall be of iron."
The statutes of uncertain date (Latin: Statuta temporis incerti) are generally dated to the mid-to-late 13th century.
The Assize of Bread and Ale (Assisa Panis et Cervisiae), sometimes dated to 51 Henry III (1258).
Statute I - Section III.
Statutum de Pistoribus, et cetera
The Statute concerning Bakers, et cetera
Tractatus de Ponderibus et Mensuris
Also known as the
Tractatus de Ponderibus,
Compositio de Ponderibus ("The Composition of Weights"),
Assisa de Ponderibus et Mensuris ("Assize of Weights and Measures"). It is important to note when reading it that, in the Latin and English text, "hundred" (and the Latin numeral
c.) is used for four separate concepts: the Germanic long hundred of 120, the short hundred of 100, several units of either value, and a separate unit (the hundredweight) of 108 pounds.
The form in which it appears in Cotton MS Claudius D2 where it is dated to 31 Edw. I (1303) is:
The original
Tractatus was written in Latin. Some later English translation copies contain differences that change the meaning. One of the copies of the
Tractatus contains the first use of the word
avoirdupois in England. However, the word does not refer to a weight system but to a class of goods: viz., heavy goods sold by weight rather than by capacity, count, or other means. However, it does not count as the first occurrence of the word in English.
Statutum de Admensuratione Terrase
Also known as "A Statute for the Measuring of Land" or "An Ordinance for Measuring of Land" or "33 Edw. I st. 6. (1305)".
"When an Acre of Land contianeth 10 Perches in Length, then it shall be in Breadth 16 Perches."
The Statute on the Composition of Yards and Perches (Latin: Compositio Ulnarum et Perticarum, lit. "On the Composition of Arms [=Ells] and Perches") is dated to 1266 x 1303. Its content varies among surviving accounts. One reads:
The Liber Horn account reads:
This document seems to have had the effect of redefining the yard, foot, inch, and barleycorn to
10⁄11 of their previous values, but leaves the rod and acre unchanged. The rod thus became 16½ feet instead of 15.
9 Henry III c. 25 (1225)
The Magna Carta of 1215 was not ratified by Parliament until 1225, by which time it had become substantially abridged. Chapter 35 of the Magna Carta of 1215 (which dealt with weights and measures) became chapter 25 of the Magna Carta of 1225.
14 Edward III st. 1 c. 12 (1340)
"Bushels and Weights shall be made and sent into every Country."
18 Edward III st. 2 c. 4 (1344)
"Commissions to assay Weights and Measures shall be repealed, and none such granted."
25 Edward III st. 5 c. 9 (1350)
25 Edward III st. 5 c. 10 (1350)
27 Edward III st. 2 c. 10 (1353)
A chapter of the Statute of the Staple that provides for justices to be appointed to hear charges of measuring fraud at the staple ports. Those found guilty were liable for quadruple damages and 2 years' imprisonment.
31 Edward III st. 1 c. 2 (1357)
"No Wool shall be bought by Fraud to abate the Price thereof. Weights shall be sent to all the Shires."
4 Richard II st. 2 c. 1 (1380)
"All Vessels of Wine, Honey, and Oil brought into this realm shall be gauged."
13 Richard II st. 1 c. 9 (1389)
"There shall be but one Weight and one Measure throughout the Realm, saving in the County of Lancaster. The Weight of Wool, and the Refuse thereof."
15 Richard II c. 4. (1391)
"There shall be but eight Bushels of Corn striked to the Quarter."
16 Richard II c. 3. (1392)
"The Clerk of the Market shall carry with him all his Weights and Measures signed."
1 Henry V c. 10 (1413)
An Act concerning the true Measure of Corn.
2 Henry V st. 2. c. 4 (1414)
"There Shall be no gilding of Silver Ware but of the Allay of
English Sterling."
First notice of troy weight in statute.
8 Henry VI c. 5 (1429)
"Every City and Borough shall have a common Balance and Weight. Who may buy Wool and Yarn."
18 Henry VI c. 16 (1439)
"There shall be but one Measure of Cloth through the Realm by the Yard and the Inch, and not by the Yard and Handful, according to the London Measure."
"Item – come il foit meritorie & almoigne a departer la veritee de la desciet si come jatarde en un parlement tenuz a Westm' la fuist ouste un rayme..."
18 Henry VI c. 17 (1439)
"Vessels of Wine, Oyl, and Honey, shall be gauged"
11 Henry VII c. 4 (1494)
An Act for Weights and Measures.
"The Names of the Cities and Towns limited for the keeping of Weights and Measures."
12 Henry VII c. 5 (1496)
An Act for Weights and Measures.
"That the Measure of a Bushel contain viij. Gallons of Wheat, and that every Gallon contain viij. li. of Wheat of Troy Weight, and every Pound contain xij. Ounces of Troy Weight, and every Ounce contain xx. Sterlings, and every Sterling be of the Weight of xxxij. Corns of Wheat that grew in the Midst of the Ear of Wheat, according to the old Laws of this Land."
Verdict of the Pyx 18 Henry VIII (1527)
"And whereas heretofore the merchaunte paid for coynage of every pounde
Towre of fyne gold weighing xi oz. quarter Troye ii
s. vi
d. Nowe it is determyned by the king's highness, and his said councelle that the foresaid pounde
Towre shall be no more used and occupied but al maner of golde and sylver shall be wayed by the pounde Troye, which maketh xii oz. Troy, which exceedith the pounde
Towre in weight iii quarters of the oz."
23 Henry VIII c. 4 (1531)
An Act that no Brewers of Beer or Ale shall make their Barrels, Kilderkins or Firkins within them, and how much the same Barrels, et cetera shall contain.
24 Henry VIII c. 3 (1532)
An Act for flesh to be sold by weight, and the prices limited.
"Beef, pork, mutton and veal shall be sold by weight called Haver-de-pois."
24 Henry VIII c. 4 (1532)
"An acre shall be counted 160 perches, and every perch 16-foot and a half.
5 & 6 Edward VI c. 6 (1552)
An Act for the true making of Woolen Cloth.
"XIV. And that all and every Broad Cloth and Clothes called Taunton Clothes, Bridgwaters, and other Clothes which shall be made after the said Feast in Taunton, Bridgwater or in other Places of like Sort, shall contain at the Water in Length betwixt twelve and thirteen Yards, Yard and Inch of the Rule, and in Breadth seven-Quarters of a Yard: (2) And every narrow Cloth made after the said Feast in the said Towns or elsewhere of like Sorts, shall contain in the Water in Length betwixt three and twenty and five and twenty Yards, Yard and Inch as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard of like Measure; (3) and every such Cloth, both Broad and Narrow being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxxiv. li. the Piece at the least."
"XV. And that all Clothes named Check-Kersie and Straits, which shall be made after the said Feast shall contain being wet between seventeen and eighteen Yards, with the Inches as is aforesaid, and in Breadth one Yard at the least at the Water; and being well scowred, thicked, milled and fully dried, shall weigh xxiv. li. the Piece at the least."
4 & 5 Philip and Mary c. 5. par. IX (1557–8)
An act touching the making of woolen clothes.
"IX. Item, That every ordinary kersie mentioned in the said act shall contain in length in the water betwixt xvi. and xvii. yards, yard and inch; and being well scoured thicked, milled, dressed and fully dried, shall weigh nineteen pounds the piece at the least:..."
23 Elizabeth c. 8 (1581)
An Act touching the true melting, making and working of Wax.
"...fill and sell or cause to be filled or sold or offered to be sold any Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin with Honey, for or in the Name of a Barrel, Kilderkin or Firkin containing less than two and thirty Wine Gallons the Barrel, sixteen Wine Gallons the Kilderkin, and eight Wine Gallons the Firkin; every Person and Persons so offending shall forfeit and lose for every Half Gallon so lacking five Shillings of English Money."
35 Elizabeth c. 6 (1593)
An Act against converting of great Houses into several Tenements, and for Restraint of Inmates and Inclosures, in and near about the City of
London and
Westminster.
"... A Mile shall contain eight Furlongs, every Furlong forty Poles, and every Pole shall contain sixteen Foot and an half."
This is the codification and namesake of the statute mile.
35 Elizabeth c. 10. par. III (1593)
An act for the reformation of sundry abuses in clothes, called Devonshire kerjies or dozens, according to a proclamation of the thirty-fourth year of the reign of our sovereign lady the Queen that now is.
"(2) and each and every of the same Devonshire kersies or dozens, so being raw, and as it cometh forth off the weaver's loom (without racking, stretching, straining or other device to encrease the length thereof) shall contain in length between fifteen and sixteen yards by the measure of yard and inch by the rule, ..."
16 Charles I c. 19 (1640)
An Act for the better ordering and regulating of the Office of Clerk of the Market, allowed and confirmed by this Statutes; and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures.
22 Charles II c. 8 (1670)
An Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
First mention of Winchester bushel in statute.
22 & 23 Charles II c. 12 (1670)
An additional Act for ascertaining the Measures of Corn and Salt.
8 & 9 William III c. 22. s. 9 (1696–7)
"...every round bushel with a plain and even bottom being eighteen inches and a half wide throughout and eight inches deep shall be determined a legal Winchester bushel according to the Standard of His Majesty's Exchequer."
First definition of Winchester bushel in statute (≈2150.42 cubic inches).
11 and 12 William III c. 15 (1700)
An Act for ascertaining the Measures for retailing Ale and Beer.
1 Anne st. 1. c. 15 (1701)
An Act to ascertain the Water Measure of Fruit.
5 & 6 Anne c. 27. (1706)
An Act for continuing several Subsidies, Impositions and Duties and for making Provisions therein mentioned to raise Money by Way of Loan for the Service of the War, and other Her Majesty's necessary and important Occasions, and for ascertaining the Wine Measure.
"...any Vessel containing two hundred thirty one cubical Inches and no more shall be deemed and taken to be a lawful Wine Gallon..."
This statute is the origin of the US gallon, also known as the Queen Anne Gallon, Queen Anne Wine Gallon, or pre-1824 British gallon.
False Weights and Scales Act 1770 or 10 Geo. III c. 44
An Act for more effectually preventing Traders in exciseable Commodities from using false Weights and Scales and for explaining and amending several Acts of Parliament relating to Hackney Coaches and Chairs
Weights and Measures Act of 1795 or 35 Geo. III c. 102
An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.
Weights and Measures Act of 1797 or 37 Geo. III c. 143
An Act to explain and amend an Act made in the thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of his present Majesty, intituled,
An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the use of defective Weights, and of false and unequal Balances.
Weights and Measures Act of 1815 or 55 Geo. III c. 43
An Act for the more effectual Prevention of the Use of false and deficient Measures.
Weights and Measures Act of 1824 or 5 Geo. IV c. 74
An Act for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures.
This is the origin of Imperial units. This statute repeals nearly all previous weights and measures legislation, listing them in chronological order (by regnal year but without dates) beginning with "ancient statutes of uncertain date."
Weights and Measures Act of 1825 or 6 Geo. IV c. 12
An Act to prolong the Time of the Commencement of an Act of the last Session of Parliament, for ascertaining and establishing Uniformity of Weights and Measures and to amend the said Act.
Weights and Measures Act of 1834 or 4 & 5 William IV. c. 49
An Act to amend and render more effectual Two Acts of the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, relating to Weights and Measures.
5 & 6 William IV c. 63
Also known as the Weights and Measures Act of 1835; originally entitled "An Act to repeal an Act of the Fourth and Fifth Year of His present Majesty relating to Weights and Measures, and to make other Provisions instead thereof".
Established the imperial stone & hundredweight of 14 and 112 lbs. respectively, based on the wool stone of Edward III
Weights and Measures Act of 1855 or 18 & 19 Vict. c. 72.
An Act for legalising and preserving the restored Standards of Weights and Measures
"...the Imperial Standard Pound Avoirdupois and shall be deemed to be the only Standard Measure of Weight from which all other Weights and other Measures having Reference..."
Weights and Measures Act of 1859 or 22 & 23 Vict. c. 56
An Act to amend the Act of the fifth and sixth years of King William the Fourth, chapter sixty-three, relating to weights and measures.
Metric Weights and Measures Act 1864 27 & 28 Vict. c. 117
An Act to render permissive the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures.
Weights and Measures Act of 1878 or 41 & 42 Vict. c. 49
An Act to consolidate the Law relating to Weights and Measures.
This statute abolished the troy pound, effective January 1879.
Weights and Measures Act of 1889 or 52 & 53 Vict. c. 21
An Act for amending the Law relating to Weights and Measures and for other purposes connected therewith.
Weights and Measures Act of 1897 or 60 & 61 Vict. c. 46.
An Act to legalise the Use of Weights and Measures of the Metric System.
"The Weights and Measures Acts of 1878 to 1893" was the collective title of the following Acts:The Weights and Measures Act of 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c 49)
The Weights and Measures Act of 1889 (52 & 53 Vict. c 21)
The Weights and Measures (Purchase) Act of 1892 (55 & 56 Vict. c. 18)
The Weights and Measures Act of 1893 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 19)
Weights and Measures Act of 1904 or 4 Edward VII c. 28.
Weights and Measures Act of 1926 or 16 & 17 Geo. V c. 63
Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act.
Weights and Measures Act of 1963
Weights and Measures etc. Act of 1976
Weights and Measures Act of 1985
This act excluded weight or measure by the bushel; chain; cubic inch, foot, or yard; dry or fluid dram; furlong; grain; short or long hundredweight; square mile; apothecary's ounce; peck; pennyweight; quarter; quintal; rood; scruple; stone; or short or long ton or the phrase "metric ton" from commercial use as part of the process of metricating retail sales.
