Approved measures
Metric system
When a product is sold by weight or measure, the sale must be
made in units of the metric system, eg kilograms, grams, litres,
millilitres, etc.
Net weight or measure
When a product is sold by weight or measure, the sale must be
made on the basis of NET weight or measure only. That is, only the
product is charged for by weight or measure, and not the container
or wrapping.
Goods sold or exposed for sale by weight or measure enclosed in a
bag must have any statement of the net weight or measure clearly
printed on the bag or on a label affixed to the bag. But if, for
example, less than nine apples are packed in a clear bag and the
number can be easily identified, the bag does not need to be marked.
You are not required to state the net weight on a container of
raw fruit or vegetables weighing less than 500 grams.
Qualified statements of weight or measure
The statement of weight or measure must be in a form which can
allow the weight or measure of the goods to be accurately verified.
For example, it is not acceptable to qualify the statement by
saying, eg 'approximately 3 kgs'.
Number
Where goods are sold by number, the purchaser must receive that
number.
Seller's responsibilities
Traders MUST use weighing or measuring instruments of a type
approved by the Measurement and Product Safety Service (MAPSS) when
a sale of goods is made using a weighing or measuring instrument.
The instrument MUST also have the mark of verification stamped on
it. The mark of verification is a crown or the letters 'AP' followed
by a number.
MAPSS strongly recommends you have your equipment tested annually
and issued with a Certificate of Accuracy. Testing is undertaken by
Accredited Persons operating as private companies.
Purchaser to see measurement
If goods are sold by weight or measure at the time of the sale,
the purchaser must be able to see the goods being weighed or
measured.
OR
If the goods are not weighed or measured in the presence of the
purchaser (i.e. the goods are pre-packed), you must weigh or measure
the goods in their presence if they request this.
Penalties
For giving short weight or measure for pre-packaged goods an
infringement offence notice (issued by the Ministry), the fee for
which is $500.
For using an incorrect weighing or measuring instrument an
infringement offence notice (issued by the Ministry), the fee for
which is $500.
Alternatively, a fine up to a maximum of $5,000 on conviction in
the District Court.
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