Q I believe that in readiness for the changeover to metrication there have been some amendments to the Weights
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and Measures Act. Could you tell me what these amendments are and when they came into effect?
A Amendments have been made to Schedules 1, 3, 5 and 7 of the Weights and Measures Act 1963, some of them coming into force on January 1 this year.
The unit of weight equivalent to 1000 kilos (the metric ton) is to be known as the "tonne" or "metric tonne" and from January 1 1972 the term "metric ton" must no longer be used as a trade description.
Metric weights of 15 grammes and 150 milligrammes, metric linear measure of 50. 30, 5. 1.5 and 0.5 metres and metric cube measures of 0.1 cubic metre and any multiple thereof are to be added to the list of metric weights and measures which may be legally used in trade.
Sand and ballast may be sold in multiples of 0.2 cubic metres and ready-mixed cement and concrete may be sold in multiples of 0.1 cubic metre.
These changes mean that tipper vehicles which are at present calibrated for cubic yard measurement must also be calibrated to accommodate cubic metre measurement and that tipper, tanker and truck-mixer operators will need to adjust their measuring devices, whether dip-stick, meter or fixed calibration indicators to meet the likely changes in customer ordering patterns.