Fancy a pint? How about 2/3rd of a pint instead?

Tuesday 20 February 2018

Guernsey and Alderney's "out of date" weights and measures laws could be brought into line with the UK and Europe.

If the changes are made it would mean we can enjoy 2/3rd of a pint of beer instead of a half or full pint, and we could buy different sized loaves of bread to what is currently available.

Guernsey Trading Standards launched a six-week public consultation yesterday saying if approved, the "proposed changes to weights and measures legislation in the Bailiwick will bring Guernsey, Alderney and Herm into line with the UK and Europe, enabling businesses to compete on a level playing field."

It could mean changes including "the removal of all controls over the quantities in which the majority of pre-packed foods can be packed, changes to the rules relating to pre-packed and unwrapped bread, the introduction of 2/3 pint as a legal measure for the sale of draught beer and cider, the introduction of metric units and quantities to bring the law up-to-date and the removal of controls on pre-packed liquor produced for duty free sale outside the Bailiwick or the EU."

Whatever changes are introduced we are assured we will still be able to buy a pint of lager or a standard sized loaf of bread as imperial units of measurement, such as pounds and ounces or gallons and pints, will continue to be legal under the proposed changes. The changes would also allow the sale of herbs by net weight, by number, or by the bunch, to be introduced. 

Chief Trading Standards Officer, David Mullins, said the current Weights and Measures law in Guernsey and Alderney is out of date and needs updating:

"When first introduced in 1991, the Guernsey and Alderney Law was based on UK legislation. As the trading environment has changed since 1991, the UK has amended its legislation. The law in Guernsey has not kept pace with those changes and is now different from the law in the UK reducing its effectiveness and relevance. Because of this the Law Officers of the Crown have advised that the legislation should be changed. The Trading Standards Service now has the opportunity to do so."

Mr Mullins added that the public consultation would be vital in deciding what happens next:

"As the Trading Standards Service was aware of differences between Guernsey and UK legislation a review was carried out to identify the full extent of the amendments needed.  The consultation is intended to gather the views of businesses and consumers on the proposed changes. The changes are intended to ensure that Guernsey businesses are able to compete on a level playing field with UK and European competitors, and that the revised law is up to date for the modern trading environment."

If changed, the laws introduced in Guernsey and Alderney could closely reflect the current law in the UK "as this will help to ensure Guernsey and Alderney businesses are able to benefit from a single set of rules."

In explaining further, Mr Mullins said the changes would centre on three specific areas: "namely the deregulation of prescribed quantities, the modernisation of the law to reflect changes in trade practices, and a number of changes to how intoxicating liquor is regulated, including an update of definitions of intoxicating liquor to achieve consistency with Guernsey Customs and Excise legislation."

Some of the traditional Weights and Measures which could change pending the outcome of the consultation are: 

1. Prescribed quantities deregulated
2. Unwrapped bread – no longer limited to 400g/800g/1200g loaves. Other loaf weights will be allowed if the buyer is informed of the weight at which each loaf type is available
3. Prepacked bread – all controls on the weight of prepacked bread are removed
4. Introduction of 2/3 pint as a legal measure for sale of draught beer and cider
5. Prepacked wine and spirits – generally the range of prescribed quantities is reduced, taking bottles smaller than 100ml and larger than 2 litres outside the scope of control
6. Controls on pre-packages of intoxicating liquor produced for sale duty free outside the Bailiwick or the EU are totally removed
7. Metric units and quantities to be added to the Schedules of the Weights and Measures Law to bring them up-to-date with current trading practice, e.g. sale of lubricating oil in metric quantities, sale of ribbon and sewing thread by the metre
8. It is stressed that there is no intention to make it illegal to use imperial units of measurement, i.e. pounds and ounces or gallons and pints
9. Countable Produce (fruit and vegetables) – To accommodate new varieties of fruit and vegetables which might be available on the market and which are not listed in the schedule of countable produce, any item of fruit or vegetable which weighs no less than 175g can be sold by number
10. The seller will be able to decide whether to sell herbs by net weight, by number or by the bunch
11. Views are asked for on whether the Trading Standards Service should take account of developments in technology and consider ways to permit the use of electronic delivery documents when sand or ballast is sold
12. To ensure consistency in Guernsey law, where relevant, the definitions of intoxicating liquor used in weights and measures legislation are changed to those used in Customs and Excise legislation.

Full details on the consultation can be found here  

As well as the online consultation, Trading Standards is also offering to discuss the implications of the proposed changes with individual businesses and other interested parties if they wish.