Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel and Lubricant) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (Hansard, 22 October 2003)

§ Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The draft regulations were subject to public consultation in January 2002. Some 70 organisations representing industry, enforcement and consumers were consulted and none suggested that the date was required. The final regulations reflect the wording of the consultation document.

If needed, the date on which an instrument was tested can be determined by requirements imposed by other legislation, for example, S.I. 1968 No 1615, the Weights and Measures (Prescribed Stamp) Regulations 1968, states that the stamp generally used by inspectors is required to have: (ii) in close proximity to the said crown, a date mark consisting of numerals indicating the year and (if so desired) the month in which the equipment is stamped;

Therefore, when the equipment is stamped, as a minimum the year date will be apparent, and it may be accompanied by the month. This combined with the inspector's identification mark, and the requirement in Section 11(6) of the Act, to keep a record of every test carried out by him, will allow complete traceability in the event of any dispute.