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Weights and Measures Act 1987

Stamping, verification, and approval of weights and measures

24: Offence to use or possess false or unjust weight or measure

You could also call this:

“It's against the law to use or keep incorrect measuring tools for business”

You are not allowed to use or have for trading purposes any weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument that is false or unfair. This rule applies even if the item has been officially marked as verified. If you break this rule, you are committing an offence.

However, you can defend yourself against this charge if you can show two things. First, you need to prove that the weight, measure, or instrument had a valid certificate saying it was accurate. Second, you must show that you didn’t know, and had no reason to think, that the item was false or unfair.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM102588.

Topics:
Business > Fair trading Money and consumer rights > Consumer protection
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23: Notification of non-compliance, or

"Telling someone their scales or measuring tools don't follow the rules"

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25: Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, or

"The law used to have people who checked if weights and measures were correct"

Part 4 Stamping, verification, and approval of weights and measures

24Offence to use or possess false or unjust weight or measure

  1. Subject to subsection (2), every person commits an offence who uses for trade, or has in that person's possession for use for trade, any weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument which is false or unjust, notwithstanding that it is stamped with a mark of verification as required by this Act.

  2. It shall be a defence to a charge under subsection (1) if the person charged proves—

  3. that at the time of the offence there was in force in respect of the weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument a certificate of accuracy; and
    1. that that person neither knew, nor had any reason to suspect, that the weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument was false or unjust.

      Notes
      • Section 24(2): substituted, on , by section 8 of the Weights and Measures Amendment Act 1991 (1991 No 9).