LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

METROLOGY ACT

CHAPTER 82:06

Act
18 of 2004

Current Authorised Pages

Pages Authorised
(inclusive) by L.R.O.
1–50 ..

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Index of Subsidiary Legislation

Page
Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations (LN 66/2015) … … 41

Note on Proclamation
At the date of the Revision of this Act, section 27 had not yet been proclaimed. All other
sections of the Act came into force on 1st May 2015. (See LN 62/2015).

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CHAPTER 82:06

METROLOGY ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

1. Short title and commencement.

2. Interpretation.
3. Units of measurement.
4. Use of units of measurement in connection with trade.
5. Representation units of measurement.
6. Appointment of Inspector of Metrology.
7. Powers of Inspectors.
8. Stamping by Inspectors.
9. Measuring devices used for trade.
10. Prohibition of false weight, measure or number in connection with trade.
11. Evidence of possession.
12. Register of public measuring devices.
13. Register of manufacturers, etc., of measuring devices.
14. Forgery.
15. Fraud in connection with measuring devices.
16. Prosecutions.
17. Penalties of offences.
18. Defences.
19. Disposal of seized articles.
20. Certificate of Chief Inspector to be prima facie evidence.
21. Functions of the Bureau.
22. Advisory Committee on Metrology.
23. Regulations.
24. Limitations.
25. Appeals.
26. Conversion measurement.

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS—Continued

SECTION

27. Application of Act to the Weights and Measures Inspectors.

28. Repeals.

FIRST SCHEDULE.
SECOND SCHEDULE.
THIRD SCHEDULE.
FOURTH SCHEDULE.
FIFTH SCHEDULE.
SIXTH SCHEDULE.

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CHAPTER 82:06

METROLOGY ACT

An Act to re-enact and revise the laws respecting Weights 18 of 2004.

and Measures and to give effect to the International
System of Units (SI units).

*[ASSENTED TO 25Th JUNE 2004]

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Metrology Act. Short title and
commencement.
62/2015.
†(2) With the exception of section 27 this Act came into
force on 1st May 2015.

2. (1) In this Act— Interpretation.

“accuracy” means the degree of conformity with one or more

Working, Secondary, National Reference or International
Standards as the context demands;
“article” includes a portion of goods;
“Bureau” means the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
established by section 3 of the Standards Act; Ch. 82:03.

“buyer” includes a person acting on behalf of a buyer;

“container” includes any form of packaging of goods for sale as
a single item, whether by way of wholly or partly enclosing
the goods or by way of attaching the goods to, or winding
the goods round, some other object, and in particular
includes a wrapper or confining band;
“forgery” has the meaning assigned to it by section 3(1) of the
Forgery Act, and “seals and dies” as mentioned in that Ch. 11:13.

section shall be deemed to include stamps;

“General Conference of Weights and Measures” means the
Conference Generale des Poids et Mesures established
under the Convention du Metre and serviced by the
International Bureau of Weights and Measures;
*See section 1(2) for date of commencement.
†See Note on page 2.

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“Inspector of Metrology” means any person appointed as an

Inspector of Metrology under section 6 and includes the
Chief Inspector of Metrology;
“International Bureau of Weights and Measures” means the
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, established
under the Convention du Metre, at Sevres in France;
“International System of Units” means the Metric system of
units as defined by the General Conference of Weights and
Measures and modified by the Minister for the purposes of
this Act;
“measuring device” means an instrument or object for use in the
measurement of any physical attribute and includes
instruments or objects for use in the measurement of
weight, volume, capacity, area, length, dimension, gauge,
number, time, electrical current, temperature, light intensity
and combinations thereof;
“Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for the
administration of Metrology is assigned;
“National Reference Standard” means an object which—
(a) represents or reproduces a unit of measurement
referred to in section 3;
(b) has been calibrated and certified to the
satisfaction of the Bureau by reference to
appropriate standards held, issued or certified
by the International Bureau of Weights and
Measures; and
(c) is or is to be used as a standard for determining
the accuracy of a Secondary Standard;
“net quantity” means the quantity of a commodity excluding any
materials, substances, or items not considered to be part of
the commodity;
“Permanent Secretary” means the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry responsible for administering matters relating to
Metrology;
“premises” includes any place, stall, vehicle, ship or aircraft;
“pre-packed” means made up in advance and ready for retail sale
in or on a container; and on any premises where articles of
any description are so made up, or are kept or stored for sale

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after being so made up, any article of that description found

made up in or on a container shall be deemed to be pre-
packed unless the contrary is proved;
“public measuring device” means a prescribed measuring
device, other than a person-weight or person-height
measure, which is made available for use by the public
whether on payment or not;
“public officer” means the holder of any office of emolument in
the public service and includes a person appointed to act in
such a post;
“Secondary Standard” means an object being a copy of, or object
equivalent to, a National Reference Standard which—
(a) has been calibrated and certified to the
satisfaction of the Bureau by reference to a
National Reference Standard; and
(b) is or is to be used as a standard for the purpose of
determining the accuracy of a Working Standard;
“stamp” means a mark, applied by an Inspector of Metrology, for
use as evidence that a measuring device is in conformity
with the Regulations, whether applied by impressing,
casting, engraving, etching, branding, transfer or by any
other means approved by the Bureau;
“trade” means the selling, purchasing, exchanging, leasing,
rendering, consigning or providing of any goods, land,
facility, service or work on the basis of measurement and
includes the collecting of tolls, duties and taxes on the basis
of measurement and the business of providing facilities for
measuring by means of a prescribed measuring device;
“trader” means any person who carries on trade in the course of
business;
“weight” means net weight namely the weight of an article
excluding any materials, substances, or items not
considered to be part of the article including containers,
bags, wrappers, packaging materials, labels, individual
piece coverings, decorative accompaniments and coupons;
“weight” and “mass” have the same meaning;

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“Working Standard” means an object being a copy of, or object

equivalent to, a Secondary Standard which—
(a) has been calibrated and certified to the
satisfaction of the Bureau by reference to one or
more Secondary Standards; and
(b) is or is to be used as a standard for the purpose
of determining the accuracy of measuring
devices other than National Reference or
Secondary Standards.
(2) The abbreviation “SI” shall be recognised as a legal
reference to the International System of Units.

Units of 3. (1) The International System of Units shall be the

measurement.
primary system of measurement in Trinidad and Tobago and all
units of measurement shall be determined on the basis of the
International System of Units.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the base, derived and
permitted units of measurement of the International System of
Units referred to in subsection (1) and the symbols therefor, are
First, Second as set out and defined in the First, Second and Third Schedules.
and Third
Schedules. (3) For the purposes of this Act, the multiples and
submultiples of the units of measurement referred to in
subsection (2) are determined by the application of the prefixes
Fourth set out and defined in the Fourth Schedule.
Schedule.
(4) In addition to the units of measurement otherwise
referred to in this section, the customary units of measurement
Fifith Schedule. and the symbols therefor set out and defined in the Fifth
Schedule shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act to have
been determined on the basis of the International System of
Units referred to in subsection (2).
(5) The Minister may, on the advice of the Bureau, from
time to time, by Order published in the Gazette add to, vary or
Schedules. amend the First to the Fifth Schedules inclusive.
(6) A Minister to whom responsibility for particular
subject is assigned, in consultation with the Minister, may by
Order published in the Gazette provide for the adaptation,
alteration, conversion or modification of any provisions in any

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enactment relating to the subject under his control for the

purpose of replacing references to units other than SI metric
units by references to dimensionally equivalent units of the
International System of Units or other permitted units which are
either arithmetically equivalent thereto or such approximations
thereto as appear to that Minister desirable for securing that the
enactments as adapted, altered, converted or modified are
expressed in convenient terms.
(7) No act or thing done prior to the making of an Order
under subsection (6) shall be challenged by reason only that the
act or thing was done in a unit other than a unit of the
International System of Units or other permitted units.

4. (1) The unit of the metric carat included in the Third Use of units of
Schedule shall be used only in connection with trade in precious
measurement in
connection with
stones and pearls, and no other unit of measurement of weight trade.

shall be used in connection with such trade.

Third Schedule.

(2) The unit of the troy ounce included in the Fifth Fifith Schedule.
Schedule shall be used only in connection with trade in gold, silver
or other precious metals including gold or silver thread, lace or
fringe, and no unit of measurement of weight other than the troy
ounce or the gramme shall be used in connection with such trade.
(3) Without prejudice to the legality of the use of metric
units of measurement, the barrel referred to in the Fifth Schedule Fifith Schedule.
shall be used only in connection with trade in petroleum.
(4) The Minister may by Order published in the Gazette
declare that certain units of measurement and no others shall be
used in connection with any one or more of the following:
(a) specified classes of undertakings;
(b) specified classes of trades;
(c) specified classes of goods;
(d) specified classes of services;
(e) specified classes of measuring devices; and
(f) specified classes of users of measuring devices.
(5) An Order published under subsection (4) may
appoint different dates of commencement in respect of—
(a) different areas of Trinidad and Tobago;

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(b) different parts of the Order; or

(c) both (a) and (b).
(6) A person is guilty of an offence who, in connection
with trade, uses or provides for use a unit of measurement other
than one of the units of measurement set out and defined in the
Schedules. First to the Fifth Schedules or uses or provides for use a unit of
measurement contrary to the provisions of subsection (1), (2) or
(3) or of any Order made under subsection (4).
(7) For avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that
unless such use is expressly prohibited by the Regulations it shall
always be legal to use a unit of count or number in connection
with trade if the numerals used for the expression of count or
number are those of the internationally used Arabic system of
numerals expressed either in figures or English words.

Representation 5. (1) The Minister shall procure and may, by Order

published in the Gazette, designate such National Reference
units of
measurement.
Standards as are necessary for the proper administration of this
Act and a standard existing at the time of the coming into force
of this Act may, by such an Order be designated a National
Reference Standard.
(2) A National Reference Standard or a Secondary
Standard representing a unit of measurement of length or
capacity or volume may be provided either as a separate standard
or by means of divisions marked on a standard representing
larger units of measurements.
(3) The accuracy of every National Reference Standard
shall at least once in every ten years be redetermined to the
satisfaction of the Bureau by reference to appropriate standards
held, issued or certified by the International Bureau of Weights
and Measures and the results of such redetermination shall be
announced by the Minister by Notice published in the Gazette.
(4) Before any National Reference Standard is sent out
of Trinidad and Tobago for the purpose of redetermining its
accuracy, or in any case where a National Reference Standard
has been lost, damaged or destroyed and replacement is
necessary, an appropriate Secondary Standard shall be

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designated by the Minister by Order published in the Gazette as

a temporary National Reference Standard until that
redetermination or replacement has been done.
(5) Every National Reference Standard and Secondary
Standard shall be kept in the custody of the Executive Director
of the Bureau at such place and under such conditions as the
Minister may, from time to time, direct.
(6) The Minister shall, from time to time, cause to be
procured such Secondary Standards as are necessary for the
proper administration of this Act.
(7) The accuracy of every Secondary Standard shall at
least once in every five years be redetermined by the Bureau by
reference to one or more of the National Reference Standards.
(8) The Minister shall, from time to time, cause to be
procured and maintained such Working Standards and such
testing equipment as may be necessary for use by the Bureau and
by Inspectors for the proper performance of their respective
duties under this Act.
(9) Working Standards and testing equipment shall be
of a material and form approved by the Bureau.
(10) The accuracy of every Working Standard and item
of testing equipment shall at least once in every year be
redetermined by the Bureau by reference to one or more
Secondary Standards and the Bureau shall issue a certificate in
respect of such redetermination.
(11) Where the accuracy of a Working Standard is found
not to be within such limits of error as may be prescribed, it shall
be adjusted or replaced.
(12) Every National Reference, Secondary and Working
Standard established and maintained in pursuance of this
section shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to be
accurate, and judicial notice shall be taken of every standard so
established and maintained.

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Appointment of 6. (1) There shall be appointed by the Bureau a Chief

Inspector of Metrology and such number of Inspectors of
Inspector of
Metrology.
Metrology as are necessary for the proper administration of this
Act, and the Chief Inspector shall generally supervise and direct
the Inspectorate for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A person appointed under subsection (1) shall not
engage in or be associated with any business of selling,
manufacturing, assembling, importing, repairing or adjusting of
measuring devices, except as authorised in writing by the
Executive Director of the Bureau.
(3) Every person appointed under subsection (1) shall
be provided with credentials in the prescribed form signed by or
on behalf of the Executive Director of the Bureau.
(4) The Chief Inspector of Metrology and Inspectors of
Metrology appointed under subsection (1) above shall be
deemed for all purposes, staff of the Bureau and the provisions
Ch. 82:03. of Part III of the Standards Act shall apply mutatis mutandis for
appointment and related matters.

Powers of 7. (1) Subject to subsection (2) and on production of his

credentials if so requested, an Inspector may at any
Inspectors.

reasonable time—
(a) subject to subsection (5), enter the premises of
any trader or any other place in which he has
reasonable cause to believe there are—
(i) measuring devices or documents that
are or are to be used in connection
with trade;
(ii) goods that are subject to control by
virtue of this Act;
(b) require the production of, and examine and
determine the accuracy of a measuring device
which is subject to control by virtue of this Act;
(c) subject to subsection (2)(b), seize and detain a
measuring device or goods by means of or in
relation to which he reasonably believes this
Act has been violated;

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(d) obliterate, in the circumstances and manner

prescribed, the stamp on a measuring device and
cancel the certificate issued in respect thereof;
(e) in the circumstances referred to in section 23(1)(e),
attach a mark or label bearing the words “not for
use in trade” to a measuring device the use of
which in trade has been prohibited;
(f) require the production of, examine and measure
any goods which are subject to control by virtue
of this Act and for the purpose of such
measurement open any container;
(g) purchase, with public funds allocated for that
purpose, any goods which, being subject to
control by virtue of this Act are offered for sale
or exposed or advertised in such a manner as to
constitute an invitation to treat;
(h) require the production of and examine any book,
document or other record kept in any premises
or place mentioned in this subsection which on
reasonable grounds he believes contains or is
likely to contain any information relevant to the
enforcement of this Act and make copies thereof
or extracts therefrom; and such copies or
extracts shall without more, be admissible in
evidence in any proceedings for an offence
under this Act as proof of the facts stated therein
unless and until the contrary is proved;
(i) examine any vehicle which he has reasonable
cause to believe is being used in connection
with trade and require the driver in charge to
proceed to the nearest measuring device
suitable for measuring the vehicle or its
contents or both; and
(j) give to any person who has for use in
connection with trade, goods, label or other
article which does not comply with this Act,
directions in writing requiring him to take such
steps as shall be specified in these directions to
secure compliance with those provisions.

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(2) The powers of an Inspector under this section shall

in no case include the power to—
(a) enter premises or any part of the premises, as the
case may be, used solely as a dwelling house;
(b) detain any measuring device or goods referred to
in subsection (1)(c) except pursuant to a warrant
issued by a Magistrate who, upon receiving
sworn written information, is satisfied that there
are reasonable grounds to believe that such
measuring device or goods are on the premises;
(c) purchase goods at a price other than that marked
or advertised; and
(d) stop a vehicle on a highway or require its driver
to travel more than such distance as may be
prescribed for the purpose of proceeding to a
measuring device.
(3) An Inspector entering any premises in exercise of
his powers under subsection (1) may take with him such other
public officers, authorised persons and such equipment as may
be reasonable in the circumstances.
(4) Any measuring device or goods seized by an
Inspector pursuant to subsection (1) may be kept or stored in the
building or place where seized or may be removed to any other
appropriate place by or at the direction of the Inspector who, in
the case of goods seized shall take all reasonable steps to ensure
that such goods do not alter in quality or quantity before the
conclusion of the proceedings arising out of seizure.
(5) Where a Magistrate or Justice of the Peace upon
receiving sworn written information is satisfied that there are
reasonable grounds to believe that any measuring device, goods
or documents referred to in subsection (1)(a) are on any premises,
or that any offence under this Act has been, is being or is about to
be committed on any premises, and is also satisfied that—
(a) admission to the premises has been refused, or
a refusal is apprehended, and that notice of the
intention to apply for a warrant has been given
to the occupier; or

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(b) that an application for admission, or the giving

of such a notice, would defeat the object of the
entry, or that the case is one of urgency, or that
the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is
temporarily absent,
the Magistrate may, by warrant under his hand authorise any
Inspector to enter the premises, if need be by force, and to exercise
any or all of the powers granted to him by virtue of this Act.
(6) Where entry has been made by an Inspector into any
unoccupied premises by virtue of a warrant in the circumstances
referred to in subsection (5), he shall on leaving the premises
ensure that they are as effectively secured against trespassers as
he found them.
(7) An Inspector who in the exercise of his powers
under this Act obtains information with regard to any
manufacturing process or trade secret and who, otherwise than in
the performance of his duties, communicates such information to
any person is guilty of an offence.
(8) An Inspector who in the course of his duties
knowingly exercises or attempts to exercise any power otherwise
than in accordance with this Act is guilty of an offence.
(9) A person who wilfully obstructs or hinders, or
wilfully attempts to obstruct or hinder an Inspector exercising
any of his powers under this Act is guilty of an offence.
(10) A person who, following a lawful request by an
Inspector, wilfully fails to produce any measuring device, goods,
books, document, or record which the Inspector is entitled to
examine by virtue of his powers under subsection (1), is guilty of
an offence.
(11) Any person who, not being an Inspector, acts or
purports to act as an Inspector, is guilty of an offence.

8. (1) The Chief Inspector shall appoint, and give public Stamping by
notice of, the times and places at which members of the
Inspectors.

Inspectorate shall attend with the necessary Working Standards,

testing and other equipment for the purposes of examining and
determining the accuracy of all prescribed measuring devices
submitted to them.

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(2) Where upon such examination and determination of

the accuracy referred to in subsection (1) an Inspector finds that
a prescribed measuring device satisfies the requirements of the
appropriate regulations made under section 23, he shall stamp it
in a manner prescribed and issue such certificate as may be
prescribed but a stamp applied in pursuance of this section shall
be valid only so long as the certificate referred to remains in
force, and has not been cancelled by an Inspector acting in
pursuance of section 7(1)(d).
(3) Where a prescribed measuring device is in the
opinion of the Inspector, too small or too delicate to be stamped
but nevertheless satisfies the requirements of the appropriate
Regulations made under this Act, he shall issue a certificate
endorsed to this effect.
(4) Where any prescribed measuring device cannot
reasonably be brought to the Inspector, he shall, if requested to
do so, attend at the premises where the measuring device is and
there deal with it in the manner referred to in subsection (2).
(5) An Inspector is guilty of an offence who—
(a) knowingly stamps a measuring device or issues
a certificate in respect thereof otherwise than in
accordance with the provisions of this Act;
(b) knowingly stamps or issues a certificate in
respect of a measuring device submitted to him
without collecting the prescribed fee; and
(c) acts in contravention of section 6(2) by engaging
in or being associated with any business of
selling, manufacturing, assembling, importing,
repairing or adjusting of measuring devices
except as authorised in writing by the Bureau.

Measuring 9. (1) A person is guilty of an offence who in

devices used
for trade. connection with trade uses or has in his possession for use, any—
(a) measuring device giving indications, results,
readings or information in or based on a unit of
measurement other than a unit referred to in
section 3;

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(b) prescribed measuring device which does not

bear a stamp or which bears a stamp that is no
longer valid having regard to the provisions of
section (2), or which has been obliterated by an
Inspector acting in pursuance of section 7(1)(d);
(c) measuring device which is false or fraudulent; or
(d) prescribed measuring device which, since last
stamping, has been altered or adjusted in such a
manner that could not be re-stamped.
(2) Where a person is charged with an offence under
subsection (1) it shall be a defence to prove—
(a) that a stamp properly applied on a measuring
device has become defaced through fair wear
and tear, and a certificate issued in pursuance of
section 8(2) remains in force; or
(b) that a certificate issued in pursuance of section 8(3)
remains in force.
(3) A person is guilty of an offence who sells, agrees to
sell, offers for sale or exposes or advertises in such a manner as
to constitute an invitation to treat, any measuring device for use
in connection with trade which is false or fraudulent or which is
not in conformity with the Regulations made under section 23.

10. (1) A person is guilty of an offence who, in the course Prohibition of

of the business of—

false weight,
measure or

(a) selling goods by quantity expressed in units of

number in
connection with
measurement sells any goods the quantity of
trade.

which, subject to the prescribed limits of error,

is less than the quantity contracted to be sold or
less than the quantity corresponding with the
price paid or to be paid;
(b) selling goods by quantity expressed in units of
measurement—
(i) sells or agrees to sell;
(ii) has in his possession for sale; or

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(iii) exposes or advertises in such a manner as

to constitute an invitation to treat,
any goods of a quantity, subject to the
prescribed limits of error, less than the quantity
declared, purported or implied;
(c) rendering a service or providing the use of a
facility on the basis of a measurement, renders
that service or provides that facility on the basis
of a lesser measurement than the measurement
on which the underlying contract is based or
less than that corresponding with the price paid
or to be paid; or
(d) carrying, removing, repairing, handling,
cleaning, cropping or otherwise processing any
goods, land or building on the basis of quantity
expressed in units of measurement—
(i) makes a misrepresentation; or
(ii) commits any other act calculated to
mislead any person,
as to the quantity of the goods, land or building
purported to be carried, removed, repaired,
handled, cleaned, cropped or otherwise processed.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) and subject
to any limits of error, a statement or declaration of the quantity of
a pre-packed article shall be deemed to be a statement as to the net
quantity of that article at the time of exposure for sale.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), unless expressly
prohibited by the Regulations, it shall be lawful for a statement
or declaration of quantity made in respect of a pre-packed article
to contain qualifying words purporting to specify that the
quantity declared was the net quantity at the time of pre-packing.
(4) Where a statement or declaration of quantity in
respect of a pre-packed article contains qualifying words as
mentioned in subsection (3), a person—
(a) selling or agreeing to sell that article;
(b) having that article in his possession for sale; or

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(c) exposing or advertising that article in such a

manner as to constitute an invitation to treat,
is guilty of offence if it is shown that the quantity at the time
of packing was, or must have been, less than the quantity
stated or declared.
(5) Unless otherwise agreed, where there is an
agreement to sell goods, not being a pre-packed article, any
statement or declaration as to the quantity of those goods shall be
deemed to be a statement or declaration of the net quantity at the
time when the seller is ready and willing to deliver those goods
to the buyer.
(6) Where a dispute arises as to whether or not goods
are pre-packed, the absence of any markings on the container, in
accordance with this Act, shall not be conclusive proof that the
goods are not pre-packed.

11. Where a measuring device, subject to control by virtue Evidence of

of the provisions of this Act is found in the possession of any
possession.

person carrying on trade or at any place or on any premises

which are used in connection with trade, that person or, as the
case may be, the occupier of those premises or that place shall be
deemed for the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary is
proved, to have that measuring device in possession for use in
connection with trade.

12. (1) The Bureau shall maintain and publish annually a Register of
register of public measuring devices in Trinidad and Tobago.
public
measuring

(2) The Minister may cause to be provided and

devices.

maintained at public expense such public measuring devices as

appear to him to be necessary for the purposes of this Act.
(3) The Minister may by Regulation prescribe the fees,
if any, to be paid for the use of public measuring devices
provided under this section and the circumstances under which
such fees shall be paid.
(4) No person shall operate a public measuring device
unless he holds a certificate from the Bureau.
(5) A person who contravenes or who causes or permits
another to contravene subsection (4) is guilty of an offence.

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Register of 13. (1) The Bureau shall maintain and publish annually a
register of the names of persons carrying on the business in
manufacturers,
etc., of
measuring Trinidad and Tobago of selling, manufacturing, assembling,
importing, exporting, repairing or adjusting prescribed
devices.

measuring devices for use in trade.

(2) No person carrying on the business of selling,
manufacturing, assembling, importing, exporting, repairing or
adjusting prescribed measuring devices for use in trade shall be
eligible for inclusion in the register mentioned in subsection (1)
unless he holds a certificate from the Bureau certifying his
fitness to carry on such a business.
(3) A person employed in the business of repairing or
adjusting prescribed measuring devices as a person directly
responsible for such repair or adjustment, shall hold a certificate
from the Bureau, certifying his fitness for such employment.
(4) A person referred to in subsections (2) and (3) who
engages in business without having the certificate from the
Bureau is guilty of an offence.
(5) A person is guilty of an offence who knowingly
manufactures, assembles, imports or knowingly causes to be
manufactured, assembled or imported a measuring device for use
in connection with trade other than a prescribed measuring device.
(6) A person who, being a person carrying on the
business of repairing or adjusting prescribed measuring devices,
employs any other person to be directly responsible for such repair
or adjustment is guilty of an offence unless that other person so
employed holds a certificate referred to in subsection (3).
Forgery. 14. A person is guilty of an offence who—
(a) forges or counterfeits or causes to be forged or
counterfeited or is party to the forging or
counterfeiting of any stamp or certificate used
under this Act;
(b) knowingly sells, imports, exports, utters or
disposes of or is party to the selling, importing,
exporting, uttering or disposing of any
measuring device bearing a forged or

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counterfeit stamp or having a forged or

counterfeit certificate associated therewith; and
(c) removes or causes to be removed a stamp from
a measuring device and affixes or applies that
stamp to another measuring device.

15. (1) Where a fraud is committed in the use of a Fraud in

measuring device, the person committing the fraud and any
connection with
measuring
person who is a party thereto is guilty of an offence. devices.

(2) A person is guilty of an offence who—

(a) being a person employed to operate a measuring
device and in connection with trade, with intent
to deceive, either delivers a false statement of a
measurement made by him, or makes a false
record of any such measurement; or
(b) with intent to deceive the buyer or prospective
buyer of a motor vehicle in which an odometer
is installed, alters, adjusts or replaces that
odometer in such a manner that as a result of
such alteration, adjustment or replacement the
total distance indicated on the odometer is other
than the total distance travelled by the vehicle.

16. (1) Proceedings for offences under this Act may be Prosecutions.
instituted by or on behalf of an Inspector who may prosecute
before a Court of summary jurisdiction in respect of any
proceedings instituted.
(2) No proceedings for an offence under section 9 or 10
may be instituted after the expiration of the period of twelve
months beginning with the date of the alleged offence.
(3) For the purposes of this section the date of the
alleged offence is the date when the offence was detected.

17. (1) A person guilty of an offence under section 14 or 15 Penalties of

is liable—
offences.

(a) on summary conviction to a fine of five

thousand dollars or imprisonment for six
months or to both such fine and imprisonment;

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and in the case of a subsequent offence, to a fine of

ten thousand dollars or imprisonment for six
months or to both such fine and imprisonment; and
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine of twenty
thousand dollars or to imprisonment for two
years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) A person found guilty of an offence under this Act
or Regulations made hereunder, for which no penalty is
expressly provided by this Act, is liable on summary conviction
to a fine of two thousand dollars and in the case of a subsequent
offence to a fine of four thousand dollars.
(3) Where an offence under this Act which has been
committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been
committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be
attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager,
secretary or other similar officer, or any person purporting to act
in any such capacity, such officer or other person also commits
an offence.
(4) A person or body corporate found guilty of an
offence under subsection (3) is liable upon conviction—
(a) in the case of a person, to a fine of fifty
thousand dollars; and
(b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine of one
hundred thousand dollars.

(5) In this section “director” in relation to any body

corporate established by or under any enactment for the purpose
of carrying on, under national ownership, any industry or
undertaking, being a body corporate whose affairs are managed
by the members thereof, means a member of that body corporate.
Defences. 18. (1) In any proceedings for an offence under this Act it
shall be a defence, subject to subsection (2), for a person charged
to prove—
(a) that the commission of the offence was due to a
mistake or to reliance on information supplied
by another person whom he reasonably believed
to have had knowledge of or experience in the

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particular subject or to reliance on the act or

default of another person, or to an accident or
some other cause beyond his control; and
(b) that he took all reasonable precautions and
exercised all due diligence to avoid the
commission of the offence by himself or any
person under his control.

(2) Where the defence provided by subsection (1)

involves the allegation that the commission of the offence was
due to the act or default of another person or to reliance on
information supplied by another person, the person charged shall
not, without leave of the Court, be entitled to rely on that defence
unless, within the period ended fourteen clear days before the
hearing, he has served on the Chief Inspector notice in writing
giving information identifying or assisting in the identification of
that other person together with copies of any warranties or other
relevant written information supplied by that other person.

(3) Where it appears to the Chief Inspector that an

offence has been committed by some person, and the Chief
Inspector is reasonably satisfied that the offence was due to an
act or default of some other person and that the first-mentioned
person would establish a defence under subsection (1), the Chief
Inspector may authorise the taking of proceedings against that
other person without first taking or authorising the taking of
proceedings against the first-mentioned person; and in any such
proceedings that other person may be charged with, and, on
proof that the commission of the offence was due to his act or
default, be convicted of, the offence with which the first-
mentioned person might have been charged.

(4) In any proceedings under this Act in respect of any

alleged excess or deficiency in the quantity of any goods, the
Court shall, inter alia, have regard to—
(a) the average excess or deficiency, as the case
may be, in any goods of the same kind tested by
an Inspector following a prescribed procedure
for sampling and testing, on the occasion of the
alleged offence;

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(b) the number of articles tested by the Inspector by

comparison with the number of articles
available for testing on the occasion of the
alleged offence, where there is no prescribed
procedure for the sampling of the goods; and
(c) any relevant methods of examination and
measurement and any relevant prescribed limits
of error.
Disposal of 19. Where a person is convicted of an offence in respect of
any measuring device seized or any goods seized and detained by
seized articles.

an Inspector in pursuance of his powers under section 7, that

measuring device or those goods, as the case may be, shall be
liable to be forfeited and disposed of in such a manner as the
Court may direct.

Certificate of 20. In any legal proceedings for an alleged offence under

this Act a certificate of the Chief Inspector of Metrology shall be
Chief Inspector
to be prima
facie evidence.
received as prima facie evidence as to—
(a) the accuracy of any measuring device;
(b) the quantity of any goods; or
(c) the accuracy of any measurement.
Functions of 21. Without prejudice to its powers and duties under the
Standards Act, the Bureau may—
the Bureau.
Ch. 82:03.
(a) establish a Metrology Laboratory equipped with
such metrological testing equipment as it may
require to carry out its functions under this Act;
(b) provide services for the calibration and
determination of accuracy of measuring devices
other than prescribed measuring devices and to
charge fees for such services;
(c) examine persons seeking certificates in
pursuance of the requirements of sections 12
and 13, and issue such certificates to persons
satisfying the Bureau as to their fitness for the
proper performance of the duties, business or
employment concerned;

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(d) examine patterns of measuring devices with a

view to certifying—
(i) whether or not they comply with the
appropriate Regulations made under
section 23(1)(h); or
(ii) whether or not they are suitable for use in
connection with any particular class or
classes of trade,
and may charge fees as may be prescribed for
such examination; and
(e) do all things as are necessary and expedient to
secure the proper execution of its functions
under this Act.

22. (1) There shall be established an Advisory Committee Advisory

on Metrology comprising the Permanent Secretary, or his

Committee on
Metrology.
representative, the Chief Inspector of Metrology or his
representative, the Executive Director of the Bureau or his
representative, a representative from the Ministry responsible for
Consumer Affairs and not more than four other persons with
knowledge in metrology as the Minister may direct.
(2) The Advisory Committee on Metrology established
in pursuance of subsection (1) may from time to time, and shall,
if directed by the Minister to do so, make recommendations
concerning any matter relating to—
(a) Regulations, Orders or technical specifications
to be made under this Act;
(b) the provision, maintenance, custody, methods
of storage or use of any National Reference
Standard, Secondary Standard or Working
Standard; and
(c) any other matter respecting the administration,
operation or enforcement of this Act.
(3) The members of the Committee referred to in this
section, one of whom shall be named by the Minister as
Chairman of the Committee, shall be appointed to serve for a
period of two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

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Regulations. 23. (1) The Minister may make Regulations which he

considers necessary for giving effect to this Act and may, in
particular, make Regulations with respect to—
(a) the circumstances in which, the conditions
under which and the manner in which stamps
may be obliterated with a view to the
cancellation of their validity;
(b) the devices and forms of devices to be included
in classes of prescribed measuring devices;
(c) the fees to be collected by Inspectors on the
stamping or issuing of certificates in respect of
measuring devices;
(d) the design of the stamps to be used for the
purposes of this Act;
(e) the form of the certificate to be issued by
Inspectors pursuant to the examination and
determination of accuracy of a measuring
device, and the circumstances under which such
certificates shall be cancelled;
(f) the materials and principles of construction of
prescribed measuring devices;
(g) the methods of inspection, testing and stamping
of prescribed measuring devices including the
limits of error to be permitted and methods of
sampling and testing of goods;
(h) the patterns of measuring devices that are
approved for manufacture, assembly,
importation or exportation, and those that are
prohibited for use in trades;
(i) the methods to be used and limits of error to be
allowed by Inspectors exercising their powers
under section 7 in relation to the examination
and measurement of goods;
(j) the manner of performance by the Bureau and
by Inspectors of their respective functions under
this Act; and
(k) any matter that is necessary to be prescribed
under this Act.

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(2) The Minister may also make Regulations in respect

of certain classes of transactions and in particular may by such
Regulations provide that—
(a) certain classes of goods shall be sold, agreed to
be sold or offered for sale or exposed or
advertised in such a manner as to constitute an
invitation to treat only by quantity, expressed in
a manner prescribed;
(b) certain classes of goods when pre-packed shall
be marked with a statement of quantity
expressed in a manner prescribed;
(c) certain classes of goods shall be pre-packed
only in quantities prescribed;
(d) certain classes of goods made up in or on a
container for sale or delivery after sale shall be
marked with such information as to quantity as
may be prescribed;
(e) certain classes of goods shall be made up in or
on a container for sale or delivery after sale,
only in quantities prescribed;
(f) certain classes of goods shall be made for sale
only in quantities prescribed;
(g) certain classes of goods shall not be sold, agreed
to be sold or offered for sale or exposed or
advertised in such a manner as to constitute an
invitation to treat, unless the quantity of the
goods, expressed in a manner prescribed, is
made known to the buyer or prospective buyer
at or before such time as may be prescribed;
(h) when a vending machine is used in connection
with the sale of certain classes of goods the
following information shall be prominently
displayed on that machine:
(i) the name and address of the seller of the
goods; and
(ii) a statement as to the net quantity
comprised in each item of the goods;

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(i) when a coin-operated machine is used in

connection with the provision of a service or
facility on the basis of measurement, the
following information shall be prominently
displayed on that machine:
(i) the name and address of the person
providing the service or facility; and
(ii) a statement as to the measurement on
the basis of which the service or facility
is offered.
(3) Regulations made under this section shall be subject
to negative resolution of Parliament.
(4) A person who contravenes this Act or Regulations
made under this section is guilty of an offence.

Limitations. 24. (1) Nothing in this Act shall operate to create an

offence—
(a) in respect of, or in connection with goods (other
than a measuring device) where it is shown that
they are intended exclusively and specifically
for export to a destination in a country outside
Trinidad and Tobago; and that they comply with
the relevant legal requirements in force in that
country; and
(b) in respect of the importation or exportation of a
measuring device by a person for his own use
and not for sale or use in connection with trade.

(2) Where goods intended specifically and exclusively

for export to a destination outside Trinidad and Tobago
subsequently are found not to have been exported, this Act and
the Regulations shall apply to such goods.
Appeals. 25. Any person who is refused a certificate after an
examination conducted by the Bureau in pursuance of its powers
under section 21 may, within twenty-one days appeal in writing
against the refusal to the Minister.

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26. A reference in any enactment to Imperial measurements Conversion

shall be read and construed as a reference to the metric
measurement.

equivalent and a reference to the Weights and Measures Ch. 31 No. 15.

Ordinance shall be read and construed as a reference to this Act.

27. (1) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Weights and Application of

Measures Ordinance, this Act shall apply to the persons who held
Act to the
Weights and
the positions of Inspector of Weights and Measures as if they Measures
Inspectors.
were appointed under it except that their powers and functions
shall be as prescribed by Regulations made under this Act and
their positions shall be Assistant Inspectors of Metrology.
(2) The Minister may make Regulations prescribing the
powers and functions of the Assistant Inspectors of Metrology.
(3) Until Regulations referred to in subsection (2) are
made, the Inspectors appointed under the Weights and Measures Ch. 31 No. 15.
Ordinance shall continue to exercise the powers and functions
assigned to them under that Ordinance as if that Ordinance had
not been repealed.
(4) For the purpose of this section the word “Inspectors”
shall include Principal and Senior Inspectors of Weights and
Measures.

28. The enactments set out in the first column of the Sixth Repeals.
Schedule are repealed to the extent indicated in the second
Sixth Schedule.

column of that Schedule.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION L.R.O.

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

 30
FIRST SCHEDULE Section 3(2).

BASE UNITS

Physical Quantity Name of Unit Unit Symbol Definition

Length Metre m The distance travelled by light in a vacuum during
1/299 792 458 of a second.
Chap. 82:06

Mass kilogramme kg The unit for the measurement of mass, being a mass of
the international prototype of the kilogramme
established in the year 1889 by the First General
Conference of Weights and Measures deposited as
the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

Time second s The unit for the measurement of time, being the
duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the
radiation corresponding to the transition between
the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
the caesium-133 atom.
Metrology
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Electric current ampere A The unit for the measurement of electric current, being

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

that constant current, which, if maintained in two
straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of
negligible circular cross-section and placed one
metre apart in vacuum, would produce between
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

these conductors a force equal to 2 x 10-7 newtons

per metre of length.

Thermodynamic kelvin K The unit for the measurement of thermodynamic temperature,

temperature being the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic
temperature of the triple point of water.
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 BASE UNITS

Physical Quantity Name of Unit Unit Symbol Definition

Luminous candela cd The unit for the measurement of luminous intensity,

intensity in a given direction of a source which emits
12
monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 10
hertz having a power flux in that direction of
1/683 watt per steradian.

Amount of mole mol The unit for the measurement of the amount of
substance substance of a system which contains as many
elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012
kilogrammes of carbon 12. When the mole is
Metrology

used, the elementary entities must be specified

and may be atoms, molecules, ions, electrons,
other particles or specified groups of such
particles.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

Chap. 82:06

L.R.O.
31
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 SECOND SCHEDULE Section 3(2). 32

PART I
SI Derived Units expressed in terms of Base Units

Quantity SI Unit Name Symbol

area square metre m2
volume cubic metre m3
Chap. 82:06

speed, velocity metre per second m/s, ms-1

acceleration metre per second squared m/s2, ms-2
wave number 1 per metre m-1
density, mass density kilogramme per cubic metre kg/m3, kgm-3
current density ampere per square metre A/m2, A/m-2
magnetic field strength ampere per metre A/m, A/m-1

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
Metrology

concentration (of amount of substance) mole per cubic metre mol/m3, mol m-3
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

specific volume cubic metre per kilogramme m3/kg, m3kg-1

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

luminance candela per square metre cd/m2, cd m-2
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 PART II
SI Derived Units with Special Names

Expression in Expression in
Quantity SI Unit Name Symbol terms of SI
terms of other units
Base Units
frequency hertz hz — s-1
force Newton N — mkgs-2
pressure, stress Pascal Pa N/m2 m-1kgs-2
energy, work quantity of heat Joule J Nm m2kgs-2
power Watt W J/s m2kgs-3
quantity of electricity charge Coulomb C — As
electric potential, volt, potential difference, Volt V W/A m2kgs-3 A-1
Metrology

electromotive force
capacitance Farad F C/V m-2kg-1s4 A2
electric resistance Ohm Ω V/A m2kgs-3 A-2
conductance siemens S A/V m-2kg-1s3 A2

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
magnetic flux Weber Wb Vs m2kgs-2 A-1
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angle, plane Radian rad — m/m=1

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

angle, solid Steradian sr — m2/m2 =1

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

magnetic flux density Tesla T Wb/m2 kgs-2 A-1
inductance henry h Wb/A m2kgs-2 A-2
luminous flux lumen lm — cdsr
illuminance lux lx lm/m2 m-2cdsr
Chap. 82:06

absorbed dose, specific energy imparted, Gray Gy J/kg m2s-2

kerma absorbed dose index

L.R.O.
celsius temperature Degree °C — K
Celsius
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 SECOND SCHEDULE—Continued 34

PART III
Examples of SI Derived Units Expressed by Means of Special Names and Base Units

Symbol Expression in terms

Quantity SI Unit Name
of SI Base Units

dynamic viscosity pascal second Pas m-1kgs-1

Chap. 82:06

moment of force metre newton Nm m2kgs-2

surface tension newton per metre N/m kgs-2
power density, heat flux density, irradiance watt per square metre W/m2 kgs-3
heat capacity, entropy joule per kelvin J/K m2kgs-2K-1
specific heat capacity specific entropy joule per kilogramme kelvin J/(kg.K) m2s-2K-1
specific energy joule per kilogramme J/kg m2s-2
thermal conductivity watt per square metre W/(mK) mkgs-3K
kelvin

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
Metrology

energy density joule per cubic metre J/m3 m-1kgs-2

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

electric field strength volt per metre V/m mkgs-3A-1

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

electric charge density coulomb per cubic metre C/m3 m-3sA
electric flux density coulomb per square metre C/m2 m-2sA
permittivity farad per metre F/m m-3kg-1s4A2
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permeability henry per metre h/m mkgs-2A-2

molar energy joule per mole J/mol m2kgs-2mol-1
molar entropy, molar heat capacity joule per mole kelvin J/(mol.K) m2kgs2K-1mol-1
exposure (X and Y rays) coulomb per kilogramme C/kg kg-1sA
absorbed dose rate gray per second Gy/s m2s-3
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 THIRD SCHEDULE Section 3(2).

PART I
Permitted Units

Physical Quantity Name of Unit Unit Symbol Definition

time Minute Min 1 min = 60 s

hour h 1 h = 60 min
Day D 1 d = 24 h
Week Wk 1 wk = 7 d
calendar year Yr 1 yr = 365 d or 366 d
(leap year)
plane angular measure degree ° 1°= π radian
180
Metrology

1°
Minute ' 1'= 60

Second '' 1''= 1'

60
volume of capacity Litre L 1 L = 1 dm3 = 10-3 m3

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
mass Tonne T 1 t = 1 000 kg
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pressure Bar bar 1 bar = 100 000 Pa

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

Standard Atmosphere Atm 1 atm = 101 325 Pa
area Are A 1 are = 100 m2
hectare ha 1 hectare = 10 000 m2
temperature degree Celsius °C 1°C = 1 K
Chap. 82:06

marine and aerial nautical mile nautical mile 1 nautical mile = 1852 m
navigation knot knot 1 knot = 1 nautical mile

L.R.O.
per hour

Note—Permitted units are internationally-agreed units which are deviations from strict SI. They are permitted either because of their practical importance or
35
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because of their use in specialised scientific fields.

 THIRD SCHEDULE—Continued 36
PART II
Units used with SI in specialised scientific fields

Name of Unit Unit Symbol Value in SI Units

Electronvolt eV leV = 1.6021733 x 10-19 J

Chap. 82:06

unified atomic mass u 1 u = 1.6605402 x 10-27 kg

astronomical unit AU 1 AU = 149597.870 x 106 m
parsec pc 1 pc = 30857 x 1012 m
ångström Å 1Å = 10-10 m
barn b 1 b = 10-28 m2
curie Ci 1 Ci = 3.7 x 1010s-1 (Exactly)

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
gal Gal 1 Gal = 10-2 ms-2
Metrology

metric carat CM 1 CM = 2 x 10-4 kg

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

röntgen R 1 R = 2.58 x 10-4 Ckg-1
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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 FOURTH SCHEDULE Section 3(3).

Prefixes* for multiples and sub-multiples of base, supplementary

and derived units of measurement

Prefix Symbol Definition

exa E 1018
peta P 1015
tera T 1012
giga G 109
mega M 106
kilo k 103
Metrology

hecto h 102
deka da 101
deci d 10-1

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
centi c 10-2
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

milli m 10-3

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

micro u 10-6
nano n 10-9
pico p 10-12
Chap. 82:06

femto f 10-15
atto a 10-18

L.R.O.
NOTE: *SI prefixes are not applicable to the base unit—“kilogramme” but applicable to the one-thousandth part thereof,
namely the “gramme”. SI prefixes may be used in conjunction with some of the units provided in the Fourth
Schedule.
37
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 FIFTH SCHEDULE Section 3(4). 38

Customary Units of measurement deemed to be derived from the International

System of Weights and Measures (SI)

Base SI Unit
Abbreviation of
Name of Unit from which Value
Symbol
derived
Chap. 82:06

UNIT OF MASS
(a) Avoirdupois Series:
Pound lb kilogramme (kg) 0.45359237 kilogramme
Grain (1/7,000 lb) gr do.
Ounce (1/16 lb) oz do.
Stone (14 lb) St do.
Quarter (28 lb) Qr do. These units shall have proportional
values based on the value of
hundredweight (112 lb) Cwt do.
the pound

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
Ton (2,240 lb) — do.
Metrology

(b) Troy Series:

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

*Ounce Troy (12/175 lb) oz tr do.

UNIT OF LENGTh
Yard yd metre
} 0.9144 metre
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Mile (1,760 yd) — do. These units shall have proportional

Foot (1/3 yd) ft do. values based on the value of
Inch (1/36 yd) in do. the yard
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}
*For specialised use—see section 4(2).
 Customary Units of measurement deemed to be derived from the International System
of Weights and Measures (SI)

Base SI Unit
Abbreviation of
Name of Unit from which Value
Symbol
derived

UNIT OF CAPACITY MEASUREMENT

Gallon (UK or Imperial) metre 0.00454609 cubic metre (m3)
Gallon (US) metre 0.003785412 cubic metre (m3)
Minim (1/76,800 gal) do.
Fluid drachm (1/1,280 gal) fl dr do. These units shall have proportional
Metrology

Fluid ounce (1/160 gal) fl oz do. values based on the value of

the gallon
Pint (1/8 gal) pt do.
Quart (1/4 gal) qt do.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
*Barrel bbl met 0.1589873 cubic metre (m3)
}
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

UNITS OF VOLUME
Cubic yard cu yd metre 0.7645548757 cubic metre (m3)
Cubic foot (1/27 cu yd) cu ft do. These units shall have proportional
Cubic inch (1/46,656 cu yd) cu in do. values based on the value of
Chap. 82:06

the cubic yard

}

L.R.O.
*For specialised use—see section 4(3).
39
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 FIFTH SCHEDULE—Continued 40

Customary Units of measurement deemed to be derived from the International

System of Weights and Measures (SI)

Base SI Unit
Abbreviation of
Name of Unit from which Value
Symbol
derived
Chap. 82:06

UNIT OF AREA
Square mile — metre 2.5899 square kilometres (km2)
Acre — metre 4046.87 square metres (m2)
Square yard sq yd metre 0.8361 square metre (m2)
Square foot sq ft metre 0.0929 square metre (m2)
Square inch sq in metre 645.16 square millimetres (mm2)

UNOFFICIAL VERSION
Metrology

Section 28.
MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

SIXTH SCHEDULE

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

ENACTMENTS REPEALED AS FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS ACT

Chapter of Enactment Short Title Extent of Repeal

LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Ch. 31, No. 15 The Weights and Measures Ordinance The whole Ordinance
Chap. 87:54 The Spirits and Spirit Compounds Act (a) section 27
(b) in section 30(1) delete “27”
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 LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Metrology Chap. 82:06 41

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

METROLOGY (QUANTITIES OF GOODS) REGULATIONS

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

REGULATION
1. Citation.
2. Interpretation.
3. Application.
4. Sale of goods.
5. Declaration of quantity.
6. Expression of quantity.
7. Limitations.
8. Vending machines.

SCHEDULE 1.
SCHEDULE 2.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION L.R.O.

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

 LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

42 Chap. 82:06 Metrology

MINISTRY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt

[Subsidiary]

66/2015. METROLOGY (QUANTITIES OF GOODS) REGULATIONS

made under section 23(2)

Citation. 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Metrology

(Quantities of Goods) Regulations.
Interpretation. 2. In these Regulations—
“Act” means the Metrology Act;
“drained weight” means the weight of a solid or semi-solid product
representing the contents of a package obtained after a
prescribed method for removal of the liquid has been employed;
“label” means any written, printed, or graphic matter affixed to,
attached to, blown into, formed or moulded into, embossed
on, or appearing upon a package containing any product for
purposes of branding, identifying, or giving any
information with respect to the product or to the contents of
the package;
“multi-piece package” means a package comprised of two or
more pre-packed articles;
“net quantity”, in relation to goods, means the quantity of the
identified goods in a package exclusive of wrappers and any
other material packed with the goods;
“net weight”, in relation to a pre-package, means the weight of the
contents of the pre-package without its container or wrapping;
“nominal quantity” means the weight or volume indicated on
the pre-package as the quantity of goods which the pre-
package contains;
“pre-package” means the combination of a product and the
packing material in which it is pre-packed for sale; and
“purported quantity” means the net quantity of a pre-packed
product as declared, stated or implied.
Application. 3. These Regulations apply to quantities and the expression
of those quantities in connection with the trade in certain classes
of goods.
Sale of goods. 4. On the sale of goods of one of the classes set out in
Schedule 1, the seller shall make known to the buyer the quantity
Schedule 1.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

 LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Metrology Chap. 82:06 43

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Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations [Subsidiary]

of the goods expressed in the applicable units of measurement

shown in that Schedule.

5. (1) The seller shall ensure that all pre-packed goods Declaration of
bear a declaration of the net quantity of the goods on the
quantity.

principal display panel.

(2) A declaration of net quantity shall be conspicuous
and legible—
(a) at the initial place of packaging;
(b) at importation; or
(c) at the place where the good is offered for sale.
(3) Where the dimension, weight, or combination
thereof, of a pre-packed good has a relationship to the price of
those goods, the seller shall ensure that the declaration of net
quantity on the package containing that good includes a
declaration as to such dimension, weight or combination.
(4) Where pre-packed goods are not likely to undergo
any variation in weight or measure on account of the
environmental conditions, the seller shall ensure that the net
quantity declared on the package shall correspond to the net
quantity which will be received by the buyer, and the declaration
of net quantity of the goods on the package shall not be qualified
by the words “when packed” or the like.
(5) Where pre-packed goods are likely to undergo
variations in weight or measure on account of environmental
conditions and such variation is negligible, the seller shall ensure
that the declaration of net quantity in relation to the package shall
be made after taking into account the variation in order that the
buyer may receive not less than the net quantity of the goods as
declared on the package, and the declaration of net quantity on
the package shall not be qualified by the words “when packed”
or the like.
(6) Subject to subregulation (7), the seller shall ensure
that a multi-piece package is labelled both with the number of
pre-packed articles they comprise and the net quantity of each,
expressed in the applicable units of measurement.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION L.R.O.

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

 LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

44 Chap. 82:06 Metrology

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[Subsidiary] Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations

(7) Where individual pieces contained in a multi-piece

package are packaged or labelled separately and are capable of
being sold separately, the seller shall ensure that each piece bears
a declaration of net quantity.
(8) In the case of solid goods contained in a free flowing
liquid which is sold as such, the seller shall ensure that the
declaration of net quantity is in terms of the drained weight of the
solid goods.
(9) The seller shall ensure that the net quantity of goods
is expressed in terms of the largest whole unit of mass, volume,
length, area, or a combination of these units as would give
accurate and adequate information to the buyer with regard to the
quantity of the goods contained in the package.
(10) The abbreviations of units of measurement and the
Schedules. symbols to be used are set out in the First to the Fifth Schedules
of the Act.
(11) The declaration of net quantity of a good shall be
expressed as—
(a) volume, if the good is liquid or viscous or if
sold by cubic measure;
(b) mass, if the good is solid, semi-solid or viscous,
a mixture of solid and liquid, or the solid part of
a mixture of a solid and liquid;
(c) length, if the good is sold by linear measure;
(d) area, if the good is sold by area measure; and
(e) number, if the good is sold by number.
(12) In the case of goods packed in a container designed
to deliver the goods under pressure, the declaration of net
quantity shall be expressed in kilogram, gram or milligram and
shall state—
(a) the net quantity in mass that will be expelled
when the instructions for use are followed; and
(b) that the propellant is included in the net quantity.
Expression of 6. (1) Goods of the classes set out in Schedule 1 are to be
sold only by net quantity expressed as prescribed in that Schedule.
quantity.
Schedule 1.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

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Metrology Chap. 82:06 45

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Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations [Subsidiary]

(2) Subject to regulation 7, where a pre-packed article

comprises a mixture of goods of more than one of the classes set
out in Schedule 1, the seller shall ensure that the net quantity of Schedule 1.
the whole pre-packed article is expressed on the label in units of
measurement of mass.
(3) Pre-packed goods of the classes set out in Schedule 2 Schedule 2.
shall not be labelled with a statement of purported quantity that is
qualified as provided for in section 10(3) of the Act.

7. Nothing in regulations 4 and 6 applies to— Limitations.

(a) food which, not being a pre-packed good, is

sold for consumption on, or in the vicinity of the
premises of the seller;
(b) food which, not being a pre-packed good, is
cooked on the premises of the seller and ready
for immediate consumption;
(c) baked confectionery; and
(d) goods of the classes permitted to be sold and
pre-packed by quantity expressed by number
when the number sold or pre-packed is one.

8. (1) The owner of a vending machine which dispenses Vending

pre-packed goods shall ensure that the vending machine

machines.

indicates—
(a) the net quantity of each article of the good; and
(b) the name and address of the seller.
(2) The requirements of subregulation (1)(a) and (b)
shall be met either by the display on the package or by
information posted on the outside of the vending machine.
(3) The owner of a coin-operated machine which is used
in connection with the provision of a service or facility on the
basis of measurement shall ensure that the coin-operated
machine displays the following information:
(a) the name and address of the person providing
the service or facility; and
(b) a statement as to the measurement on the basis
of which the service or facility is offered.

UNOFFICIAL VERSION L.R.O.

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

 LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

46 Chap. 82:06 Metrology

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[Subsidiary] Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations

SCHEDULE 1
TABLE 1—CLASSES OF GOODS WHICH ARE TO BE SOLD ONLY BY NET
QUANTITY EXPRESSED IN UNITS OF VOLUME, MASS,
NUMBER, LENGTH

PART (A) MEASUREMENT OF VOLUME

CLASS NO. DESCRIPTION

1A All liquid foods, ice cream, water ices

2A Liquid fuels other than LPG, white spirit; turpentine;

turpentine substitute; liquid rust removers; paint thinners;
cleaning fluids

3A Automobile lubricating oil; automobile automatic

transmission fluid

4A Non-food oils other than those included in Class 3A

5A Paints; varnishes; cellulose; enamels; lacquers; wood

preservative fluids (including fungicides). (Good packed in
aerosol dispensers excluded)

6A Brake fluid; automobile engine additives for fuel and

lubricating oil; automobile engine coolant goods; battery
electrolyte; distilled and de-ionized water

7A Liquid perfumery and toilet preparations. (Good packed in

aerosol dispensers excluded)

8A Liquid soaps; liquid detergents; liquid bleaches

9A Liquid fertilizers of the soil

10A Liquid pesticides and insecticides (Good packed in aerosol

containers excluded)

11A Liquid polishes (Good packed in aerosol containers excluded)

12A Liquid adhesives

13A Liquid inks; liquid dyes; correcting fluid

14A Liquid disinfectants

UNOFFICIAL VERSION

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

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Metrology Chap. 82:06 47

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Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations [Subsidiary]

PART (B) MEASUREMENT OF MASS OR VOLUME

1B Foods, comprising solids in an immediate liquid packing medium

2B Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

3B Dentifrices

4B Solid or semi-solid perfumes and toilet preparations

PART (C) MEASUREMENT OF MASS AND OF NUMBER

1C Tea bags (total net weight and number of bags to be expressed)

2C Table eggs (weight to be expressed by grade marking)

3C Coffee bags (total net weight and number of bags to be expressed)

PART (D) MEASUREMENT OF MASS OR VOLUME

1D Ballast

2D Organic fertilizers of the soil

3D Ready-mixed mortar and ready-mixed concrete

PART (E) NORMAL MEDICAL OR PhARMACEUTICAL PRACTICE

1E Drugs

PART (F) MEASUREMENT OF MASS OR NUMBER

CLASS NO. DESCRIPTION

1F Fresh fruits and vegetables

2F Nails

3F Pins

4F Bread rolls and “hops”, each weighing less than 100g

UNOFFICIAL VERSION L.R.O.

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

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48 Chap. 82:06 Metrology

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[Subsidiary] Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations

SCHEDULE 1—Continued
TABLE 1—CLASSES OF GOODS WHICH ARE TO BE SOLD ONLY BY NET
QUANTITY EXPRESSED IN UNITS OF VOLUME, MASS,
NUMBER, LENGTH

PART (G) MEASUREMENT OF MASS

1G Foods other than:

(a) foods included in classes 1A and 1B

(b) bread

(c) table eggs

(d) tea bags

(e) coffee bags

2G Loaves of bread weighing more than 100g

3G All aerosol goods

4G Inorganic fertilizers of the soil

5G Cement

6G Bar and tablet soap

7G Soap powder, detergent powders, cleaning and scouring powders

8G Seeds for planting

9G Feeding stuffs for animals (including birds and fish)

10G Adhesives other than adhesives included in class 12A

11G Knitting yarns

12G Pipe tobaccos

13G Lubricating greases

UNOFFICIAL VERSION

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

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Metrology Chap. 82:06 49

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Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations [Subsidiary]

PART (h) NUMBER

1h Postal stationery (number of sheets, cards or envelopes to be

expressed)

2h Sanitary paper goods; tissues; paper napkins (number of sheets or

perforated sections and number of piles to be expressed)

3h Still photographic film (number of exposures to be expressed)

4h Cigarettes; cigars; cheroots

PART (J) MEASUREMENT OF LENGTh

1J Rolls of foil, plastic film and wrapping paper

2J Sewing thread; bias binding; ribbon; tape; elastic fabric;

crochet thread

3J Electrical cable (excluding specialised connectors); wire;

wire netting; rope of hemp; wire or nylon

4J Textile fabrics

5J Adhesive tape

6J Moving photographic film (useable length to be expressed)

UNOFFICIAL VERSION L.R.O.

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015

 LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

50 Chap. 82:06 Metrology

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[Subsidiary] Metrology (Quantities of Goods) Regulations

SCHEDULE 2
TABLE 1—CLASSES OF GOODS WHICH WHEN PRE-PACKAGED
SHALL NOT BE LABELLED AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 10(3)
OF THE ACT

1 All classes of goods set out and numbered in Part D of Table 1, except
goods of Classes 1D and 3D

2 All classes of goods set out and numbered in Part F of Table 1, except
goods of Classes 1F and 4F

3 All classes of goods set out and numbered in Part G of Table 1, except
goods of Classes 11G and 12G

UNOFFICIAL VERSION

UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2015