Trading Standards - Weights and measures

Trading Standards Service

Trading Standards are required to ensure that all goods sold are correctly weighed and measured in accordance with current legislation. This is done by checking the accuracy of weighing/measuring equipment regularly, checking goods in stock are of the correct weight, investigating complaints of short measure.

Trading Standards regulates the way in which goods are bought and sold by enforcing the provisions of the Weights & Measures Act 1985. The Act lays down the system for trading in goods by quantity in Britain and amongst other things regulates the way in which many items of food and drink, fuel and other materials are sold. The Trading Standards service is also responsible for checking and verifying weighing or measuring equipment used by traders to ensure it is accurate and used in a fair manner so that consumers can be confident they will receive the quantity they have asked for. In addition to carrying out inspections of retail premises, Trading standards officers also visit importers and manufacturers to make quantity checks on products as they are made up and on the equipment used in manufacture.

If consumers (or traders) think they have received short weight or measure from a trader they can make a complaint to trading standards via “Consumer Direct” using the telephone number given above. This service operates from 8am till 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am till 1pm Saturday. The operators at consumer direct will give advice and recommend the next step the complainant should take. Any matter that requires further investigation or more detailed advice will be referred to the appropriate Trading Standards service for action. Any matter referred to Enfield Trading Standards should be acknowledged within 1 working day and the complainant will be advised how the matter will be investigated.

Traders requiring equipment to be verified (stamped) or calibrated can either contact the Service by telephone on 020 8379 8505 or use the booking form found at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/enfield the Enfield Trading Standards website. The fees charged for these services can also be found on the website.

Eligibility:
Consumer complaints: Complainant must either have bought goods/services in Enfield or be an Enfield resident.
Trader enquiries or calibration/verification requests: Must trade in Enfield.

Required customer information:
No proof needed but contact address or phone number needed for response

SLA and turnaround:
Standard service delivery times. Response to enquiries: 1^st contact within 1 working day.

More information about this service

Contact Us

Address:
Trading Standards & Licensing
PO Box 57, Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3XH
Map

Telephone:
Consumer Direct Enquiries:
08454 04 05 06

Business Enquiries:
020 8379 8505

Fax:
020 8379 8506

Opening Hours:
Office:
9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday
9.00 - 4.45pm Friday

Consumer Direct:
8am - 6pm Monday to Friday
9am - 1pm Saturday

Useful Links

www.nwml.gov.uk

www.oft.gov.uk

www.berr.gov.uk

www.tradingstandards.gov.uk