Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Weights and Measures Act 1987

1A: Purpose

You could also call this:

“This law explains how weights and measures keep buying and selling fair for everyone”

This law aims to create a fair trading environment for you and businesses. It wants to protect your interests as a consumer, help businesses compete fairly, and make sure everyone feels confident when buying and selling things.

To do this, the law sets up a system of weights and measures that must be used when trading goods. This means when you buy something, you can trust that the weight or amount you’re getting is accurate. The law also makes sure that everyone follows these rules when they’re selling things.

By having these rules, the law helps make sure that you’re not cheated when you buy things, and that businesses can compete with each other fairly. It’s all about making sure that when you go shopping or when businesses sell their products, everything is measured correctly and honestly.

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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=DLM5859602.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Consumer protection Business > Fair trading
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1: Short Title and commencement, or

"This law's name and when it started working"

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2: Interpretation, or

"Explaining important words and ideas in the Weights and Measures Act"

1APurpose

  1. The purpose of this Act is to contribute to a trading environment in which—

  2. the interests of consumers are protected; and
    1. businesses compete effectively; and
      1. consumers and businesses participate confidently.

        1. To this end, the Act—

        2. establishes a system of weights and measures to be used for trade; and
          1. regulates the use of weights and measures for trade.

            Notes
            • Section 1A: inserted, on , by section 5 of the Weights and Measures Amendment Act 2013 (2013 No 145).