Size will definitely matter this Thursday (20th May) as it is World Metrology Day.
The day celebrates Metrology, which is the science of measurement, and marks the signing of the Metre Convention on 20th May 1875.
The Metre Convention created the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and its application in industry, science and society.
This day also serves as a reminder of the work that Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team carries out to ensure, for example, that your pint is actually a pint, and that you are getting true value for money.
Trading Standards has a legal, statutory duty to enforce Weights and Measures legislation within Caerphilly county borough to protect both consumers and businesses from short measure and fraudulent practice.
Last year they checked over 4,000 pieces of equipment for accuracy and compliance with legal requirements. Most were found to be correct, however the highest incidence of problems related to petrol pumps, where 15% of those tested were found not to comply with legal requirements.
Over the years, problems have also been found with, among other things, short weights/measures of beer, coal, turf, sand, cement, bread and meat.
Because the need of accurate measurements covers such a broad spectrum, from the day to day measurements made in companies, in the petrol station or in universities and colleges, through to the more sophisticated ones in national or international standards laboratories, the subject has a far-reaching impact on a wide range of people.
It has been estimated that the amount of retail goods sold by reference to measurement in the UK is £3.2 billion per week.
For further information, please call Trading Standards on 01495 235 291.
