METROLOGY ACT (standardsandmetrology)

METROLOGY

CHAPTER 454

METROLOGY ACT

To repeal and replace the Weights and Measures Ordinance.

15th September, 2006

ACT XXV of 2002 , as amended by Act XV of 2006 ; Legal Notices

427 of 2007 , 110 of 2010 and 190 of 2020 ; and Act VI of 2011 and

XXI of 2020 .

PART I

Preliminary

The short title of this Act is the Metrology Act.

Amended by

L.N. 110 of 2010;

(Article 14)

L.N. 190 of 2020

LEGAL UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

1. SI UNITS AND THEIR DECIMAL MULTIPLES AND SUBMULTIPLES

1.1

SI base units

QUANTITY

UNIT

Name

Symbol

Time

second

s

Length

metre

m

Mass

kilogram

kg

Electric current

ampere

A

Thermodynamic temperature

kelvin

K

Amount of substance

mole

mol

Luminous intensity

candela

cd

Definitions of SI base units

Unit of time

The second, symbol s, is the SI unit of time. It is defined by taking the fixed

numerical value of the caesium frequency

, the unperturbed ground-state

hyperfine transition frequency of the caesium 133 atom, to be 9 192 631 770 when

, which is equal to s –1.

expressed in the unit

Unit of length

The metre, symbol , is the SI unit of length. It is defined by taking the fixed numerical

value of the speed of light in vacuum to be 299 792 458 when expressed in the unit

,

where the second is defined in terms of

.

Unit of mass

The kilogram, symbol

, is the SI unit of mass. It is defined by taking the fixed

numerical value of the Planck constant to be 6.626 070 15 × 10 –34 when expressed

in the unit J s, which is equal to kg m 2 s –1 , where the metre and the second are

defined in terms of and

.

Unit of electric current

The ampere, symbol A, is the SI unit of electric current. It is defined by taking the

fixed numerical value of the elementary charge to be 1.602 176 634 × 10 –19 when

expressed in the unit C, which is equal to A s, where the second is defined in terms

of

.

Unit of thermodynamic temperature

The kelvin, symbol K, is the SI unit of thermodynamic temperature. It is defined

METROLOGY

by taking the fixed numerical value of the Boltzmann constant to be 1.380 649 ×

10 –23 when expressed in the unit J K –1 , which is equal to kg m 2 s –2 K –1 , where the

kilogram, metre and second are defined in terms of , and

.

Unit of amount of substance

The mole, symbol mol, is the SI unit of amount of substance. One mole contains

exactly 6.022 140 76 × 10 23 elementary entities. This number is the fixed numerical

, when expressed in the unit mol –1 and is called

value of the Avogadro constant,

the Avogadro number.

The amount of substance, symbol n, of a system is a measure of the number of

specified elementary entities. An elementary entity may be an atom, a molecule, an

ion, an electron, any other particle or specified group of particles.

Unit of luminous intensity

The candela, symbol cd, is the SI unit of luminous intensity in a given direction. It

is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the luminous efficacy of

monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 × 10 12 Hz,

, to be 683 when

expressed in the unit lm W –1 , which is equal to cd sr W –1 , or cd sr kg –1 m –2 s 3 ,

where the kilogram, metre and second are defined in terms of , and

1.1.1. Special name and symbol of the SI derived unit of temperature for

expressing Celsius temperature

QUANTITY

UNIT

Name

Symbol

Celsius temperature

degree Celsius

°C

Celsius temperature t is defined as the difference t = T – T 0 between the two

thermodynamic temperatures T and T 0 where T 0 = 273.15 K. An interval or difference of

temperature may be expressed either in kelvins or in degrees Celsius. The unit "degree

Celsius" is equal to the unit "kelvin".

1.2

SI derived units

Definitions of supplementary SI units

Unit of plane angle

The radian is the angle between two radii of a circle cut off on the circumference

of an arc equal in length to the radius.

Unit of solid angle

The steradian is the solid angle of a cone which, having its vertex in the centre of

a sphere, cuts off on the surface of the sphere an area equal to that of a square with

sides of length equal to the radius of the sphere.

1.2.1. (Deleted by Legal Notice 110 of 2010).

1.2.2. General rule for derived units

Units derived coherently from SI base units are given as algebraic expressions in

the form of products of powers of the SI base units with a numerical factor equal to

1. METROLOGY

1.2.3. SI derived units with special names and symbols

Quantity

Unit

Expression

Name

Symbol

In terms of In terms of SI base

other SI units

units

m . m -1

Plane angle

radian

rad

m 2 . m -2

Solid angle steradian

steradian

sr

s -1

Frequency

hertz

Hz

m . kg . s -2

Force

newton

N

-2

m -1 . kg . s -2

Pressure, stress

pascal

Pa

N . m

m 2 . kg . s -2

Energy, work;

joule

J

N . m

quantity of heat

Power (1) , radiant flux

J . s -1

m 2 . kg . s -3

watt

W

Quantity of electricity,

coulomb

C

s . A

electric charge

W . A -1

m 2 . kg . s -3 . A -1

Electric potential,

volt

V

potential difference,

electromotive force

V . A -1

m 2 . kg . s -3 . A -2

Electric resistance

ohm



A . V -1

m -2 . kg -1 . s 3 . A 2

Conductance

siemens

S

-1

m -2 . kg -1 . s 4 . A 2

Capacitance

farad

F

C . V

m 2 . kg . s -2 . A -1

Magnetic flux

weber

Wb

V . s

-2

kg . s -2 . A -1

Magnetic flux density

tesla

T

Wb . m

-1

m 2 . kg . s -2 . A -2

Inductance

henry

H

Wb . A

Luminous flux

lumen

lm

cd . sr

cd

lm . m -2

m -2 . cd . sr

Illuminance

lux

lx

s -1

Activity

becquerel

Bq

(of a radionuclide)

J . Kg -1

m 2 . s -2

Absorbed dose, specific

gray

Gy

e n e rg y i m p o r t e d , k e r m a ,

absorbed dose index

J . Kg -1

m 2 . s -2

Dose equivalent

sievert

Sv

mol . s -1

Catalytic activity

katal

kat

(1) Special names for the unit of power: the name volt-ampere (symbol "VA") when it is used

to express the apparent power of alternating electric current, and var (symbol "var") when it

is used to express reactive electric power. The "var" is not included in GCPM resolutions.

Units derived from SI base units may be expressed in terms of the units listed in

Part I.

In particular, derived SI units may be expressed by the special names and symbols

given in the above table; for example, the SI unit of dynamic viscosity may be

expressed as m -1 . kg . s -1 or N . s . m -2 or Pa . s.

1.3 Prefixes and their symbols used to designate certain decimal multiples

and submultiples

Factor

Prefix

Symbol

Factor

Prefix

Symbol

10 24

10 -1

yotta

Y

deci

d

10 21

10 -2

zetta

Z

centi

c

10 18

10 -3

exa

E

milli

m

METROLOGY

10 15

10 -6

peta

P

micro

m

10 12

10 -9

tera

T

nano

n

10 9

10 -12

giga

G

pico

p

10 6

10 -15

mega

M

femto

f

10 3

10 -18

kilo

k

atto

a

10 2

10 -21

hecto

h

zepto

z

10 1

10 -24

deca

da

yocto

y’

The names and symbols of the decimal multiples and submultiples of the unit of

mass are formed by attaching prefixes to the word ‘gram’ and their symbols to the

symbol ‘g’.

Where a derived unit is expressed as a fraction, its decimal multiples and

submultiples may be designated by attaching a prefix to units in the numerator or the

denominator, or in both these parts.

Compound prefixes, that is to say prefixes formed by the juxtaposition of several

of the above prefixes, may not be used.

1.4 Special authorised names and symbols of decimal multiples and

submultiples of SI units

Quantity

Unit

Name

Symbol

Value

1 l = 1 dm 3 = 10 -3 m 3

Volume

litre

l or L

1 t = 1 Mg = 10 3 kg

Mass

tonne

t

1 bar = 10 5 Pa

Pressure, stress

bar

bar

Note: The prefixes and their symbols listed in 1.3 may be used in conjunction with

the units and symbols contained in Table 1.4.

2. UNITS WHICH ARE DEFINED ON THE BASIS OF SI UNITS BUT ARE

NOT DECIMAL MULTIPLES OR SUBMULTIPLES THEREOF

Quantity

Unit

Name

Symbol

Value

1 revolution = 2  rad

Plane angle

revolution

1 gon = /200 rad

grade or gon

gon



1 = /180 rad

degree



1 = /10800 rad

minute of angle



1 = /648000 rad

second of angle

Time

minute

min

1 min = 60 s

hour

h

1 h = 3600 s

day

d

1 d = 86400 s

Note: The prefixes listed in 1.3 may only be used in conjunction with the names

‘grade’ or ‘gon’ and the symbol ‘gon’.

3. UNITS USED WITH THE SI, WHOSE VALUES IN SI ARE OBTAINED

EXPERIMENTALLY

Quantity

Unit

Name

Symbol

Definition

METROLOGY

Energy

Electronvolt

eV

The electron volt is the kinetic

energy acquired by an electron in

passing through a potential

difference of 1 volt in vacuum

Energy

Unified atomic mass unit

u

The unified atomic mass unit

is equal to 1/12 of the mass of an

atom of the nuclide 12 C.

Note: The prefixes and their symbols listed in 1.3 may be used in conjunction with

these two units and with their symbols.

4. UNITS AND NAMES OF UNITS PERMITTED IN SPECIALISED FIELDS

ONLY

Quantity

Unit

Name

Symbol

Value

1 dioptre = 1 m -1

Vergency of optical systems

dioptre

1 metric carat = 2 x 10 -4 kg

Mass of precious stones

metric carat

Area of farmland and

are

a

1 a = 10 2 m 2

building land

Mass per unit length of textile

tex

tex

1 tex = 10 -6 kg . m -1

yarns and threads

Blood pressure and pressure

Millimetre of

mm Hg

of other body fluids

mercury

1 mm Hg = 133.322 Pa

1 b = 10 – 28 m 2

Effective cross-sectional area

Barn

b

Note: The prefixes and their symbols listed in 1.3 may only be used in conjunction

with the above units and symbols, with the exception of the millimetre of mercury

and its symbol. The multiple 10 2 a is, however, called a ‘hectare’.

5. COMPOUND UNITS

Combination of the units listed in this Schedule to this Act form compound units.

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires -

"Authority" means the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs

Authority as established by the Malta Competition and Consumer

Affairs Authority Act;

"calibration" refers to all the operations for the purpose of

determining the values of errors of a measuring instrument;

"container" means a container in which goods are exposed,

packed, offered for sale or sold, including, in particular, a bag,

case, carton, bottle, glass, box, can, envelope, net, sack or wrapper,

whether or not such wrapper fully encloses its contents;

"conformity assessment procedures" has the meaning assigned to

it by article 8;

"Court" means the Court of Magistrates sitting as a court of

criminal judicature;

"Director General" means the person appointed as Director

General (Standards and Metrology) by article 21 of the Malta

Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority Act;

"functions" includes powers and duties;

"goods" means anything which may be the subject of trade or

manufacture;

"inspector" means a person authorised or appointed under article

5 to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act;

"Institute" means the Standards and Metrology Institute as

established by article 21 of the Malta Competition and Consumer

Affairs Authority Act;

"legal metrology" means that part of metrology which deals with

units of measurement, methods of measurement and of measuring

instruments in relation to the mandatory technical and legal

requirements which have the object of ensuring the appropriate

accuracy of measurements;

METROLOGY

"mark" or "marking" includes any inscription, stamp or label

signifying conformity or otherwise of a measuring instrument with

this Act and regulations made thereunder whether applied by

impressing, casting, engraving, etching, branding or otherwise;

"measurement standard" means a measuring instrument intended

to define, to represent physically, to conserve or to reproduce the

unit of measurement of a quantity, or a multiple or sub-multiple of

that unit in order to transmit it to other measuring instruments by

comparison;

"measuring" means the act or process of appraising, assessing,

calculating, calibrating, computing, estimating, evaluating or

gauging of length, volume, weight or magnitude, and

"measurement" shall be construed accordingly;

"measuring instrument" means a device intended to be used to

make measurements, alone or in conjunction with a supplementary

device or devices;

"Metrology" is the field of knowledge concerned with

measurement, the principal fields of which are: units of

measurement and their measurement standards, measurements and

measuring instruments;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for standards and

metrology and includes, to the extent of the authority given, any

person authorised by the Minister to act in that behalf for any

purpose of this Act;

"ordinary measuring instrument" means a measuring instrument

intended for ordinary use but not for the verification of other

measuring instruments;

"periodical verification" means a verification of a measuring

instrument, not being an initial verification, which is carried out

periodically, at such intervals and according to such procedures as

may be established by the Institute;

"pre-package" means a product which has been placed in a

container of whatever nature without the purchaser being present

and where the quantity of the product contained in the package has

a pre-determined value and cannot be altered without the package

either being opened or undergoing a modification;

"prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made under this

Act;

"prescribed purpose" refers to any of the purposes falling within

the terms of article 7(1);

"sell" includes offer, expose, advertise or keep for sale, and to

supply by way of or for the purpose of consumption, and similar or

related words shall be construed accordingly;

"SI System" means the International System of Units, "SI",

namely, the coherent system of units adopted and recommended by

the 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures (Conférence

Générale des Poids et Mesures - CGPM) in 1960, and as may be

revised from time to time;

METROLOGY

"stamp" means a device used to apply a mark under this Act to a

measuring instrument to indicate that it conforms to the

requirements of verification;

"stamping" includes any operation adopted for the purpose of

applying to a measuring instrument the marks indicating that it

conforms to the requirements of verification;

"type approval" means the examination, including testing in

accordance with international practices, and approval of a

particular design or pattern of measuring instrument to show that it

is suitable for use for a prescribed purpose and is capable of

achieving the accuracies required;

"unit verification" means the examination of a measuring

instrument, generally of a unique design and intended for a specific

application, to establish that it satisfies legal metrological

requirements;

"user" means the person or organisation responsible for the use

of the measuring instrument for the purposes of this Act;

"verification" means all the operations carried out by the

Institute, or by verifiers on its behalf, having the object of

ascertaining and confirming that the measuring instrument entirely

satisfies the requirements of this Act in respect of verification;

"verification mark" means a mark applied to a measuring

instrument certifying that the verification of the measuring

instrument was carried out with satisfactory results;

"verifier" means a person authorised or appointed under article 5

to carry out verification within the meaning and for the purposes of

this Act.

PART II

Administration

(Article 14)

MEASURES AND WEIGHTS LAWFUL FOR USE

FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRADE IN MALTA

LINEAR MEASURES

Table I: Measures of -

50 metres

2 metres

30 metres

1.5 metres

20 metres

1 metre

10 metres

0.5 metre

5 metres

1 decimetre

3 metres

1 centimetre

SQUARE MEASURES

Measures of, or of any multiple of, 1 square decimetre.

METROLOGY

CUBIC MEASURES

1. Measures of, or any multiple of, 0.1 cubic metre.

2. Measures of any multiple of 10 litres.

3. Table II: Measures of -

10 litres

100 millilitres

5 litres

50 millilitres

2.5 litres

25 millilitres

2 litres

20 millilitres

1 litre

10 millilitres

500 millilitres

5 millilitres

250 millilitres

2 millilitres

200 millilitres

1 millilitre

CAPACITY MEASURES

1. Measures of any multiple of 10 litres

2. Table III: Measures of -

10 litres

125 millilitres

5 litres

100 millilitres

2.5 litres

50 millilitres

2 litres

25 millilitres

1 litre

20 millilitres

500 millilitres

10 millilitres

250 millilitres

5 millilitres

200 millilitres

2 millilitres

175 millilitres

1 millilitre

150 millilitres

WEIGHTS

1. Table IV: Weights of -

25 kilograms

3 grams

20 kilograms

2 grams

10 kilograms

1 grams

5 kilograms

500 milligrams

2 kilograms

400 milligrams

1 kilogram

300 milligrams

500 grams

200 milligrams

200 grams

150 milligrams

100 grams

100 milligrams

50 grams

50 milligrams

20 grams

20 milligrams

15 grams

10 milligrams

10 grams

5 milligrams

METROLOGY

5 grams

2 milligrams

4 grams

1 milligram

2. Table V: Weights of -

500 carats (metric)

1 carat (metric)

200 carats (metric)

0.5 carat (metric)

100 carats (metric)

0.25 carat (metric)

50 carats (metric)

0.2 carat (metric)

20 carats (metric)

0.1 carat (metric)

10 carats (metric)

0.05 carat (metric)

5 carats (metric)

0.02 carat (metric)

2 carats (metric)

0.01 carat (metric)

(1) The Director General (Standards and Metrology), as

appointed by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs

Authority Act, shall have the responsibilities as may be assigned to

him by this Act, by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs

Authority Act, and by any other law.

(2) The Director General shall carry out such functions as are

assigned to him by this Act or by regulations made thereunder or by

any other law.

(3) The Director General shall furnish to the Authority such

information regarding the performance of his functions as the

Authority may from time to time request.

(4) The Director General and any other person as may be

employed or otherwise appointed by the Authority to exercise

functions under this Act shall not have any personal interest in the

making, adjusting or selling of measuring instruments.

(Article 14)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON METRIC EQUIVALENTS

TABLE

(a) of the values of the principal denominations of measures and weights on the

metric system expressed by means of denominations of Maltese and Imperial

measures and weights; and

(b) of the values of the principal denominations of measures and weights of the

Maltese and Imperial systems expressed by means of metric weights and measures.

(a)

MEASURES OF LENGTH

Metric

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Measures

Measures

Measures

Miles Yards Feet Inches

Decimals

Qasab Xbar

Decimals

1 Kilometre

-

70792

1 Hectometre

-

770792

1 Decametre

-

70113

1770792

1 Metre

-

-

370113

-

81770792

1 Decimetre

-

-

-

9370113

-

-

38177079

1 Centimetre

-

-

-

-

39370113

-

-

038177079

1 Millimetre

-

-

-

-

039370113

-

-

0038177079

MEASURES OF SURFACES

Metric Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Measures

Measures

1 Hectare

2.47106 Acres

.555988 ta’ Modd

1 Are

119.60 Square yards

.53375 ta’ Sieg]

1 Square Metre

1.1960 Square yards

.053375 ta’ Kejla

or .22773 ta’ Qasba Kwadra

METROLOGY

1 Square decimetre

15.5 Square inches

.14575 ta’ Xiber kwadru

1 Square centimetre

.15500 Square inches

.0014575 ta’ Xiber kwadru

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 1

For Beer, Wine and Spirits

Metric

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Measures

Measures

Measures

Gallons Quarts Pints

Decimals Bramel {arar Kwarti Krate`

Decimals

1 Kilolitre

15155504

1 Hectolitre

490155504

1 Decalitre

-

-

0490155504

1 Litre

-

-

75980

-

-

-

-

879901555

1 Decilitre

-

-

-

175980

-

-

-

-

0879901555

1 centilitre

-

-

-

0175980

-

-

-

-

00879901555

1 Millilitre

-

-

-

00175980

-

-

-

-

000879901555

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 2

For Oil and Milk

Metric

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Measures

Measures

Measures

Gallons Quarts Pints

Decimals

Kaffisi

Kwarti Krate`

Decimals

1 Kilolitre

1347152

1 Hectolitre

21347152

1 Decalitre

-

821347152

1 Litre

-

-

75980

-

-

-

7821347152

1 Decilitre

-

-

-

175980

-

-

-

07821347152

1 Centilitre

-

-

-

0175980

-

-

-

007821347152

1 Millilitre

-

-

-

00175980

-

-

-

0007821347152

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR DRY GOODS

Metric

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Measures

Measures

Measures

Qrs. Bushels Gallons

Decimals

Mdied Tmiem Sieg]an

Decimals

1 Kilolitre

1 Hectolitre

-

-

1 Decalitre

-

-

19975

-

-

29962464

1 Litre

-

-

-

219975

-

-

-

329962464

1 Decilitre

-

-

-

0219975

-

-

-

0329962464

1 Centilitre

-

-

-

00219975

-

-

-

00329962464

1 Millilitre

-

-

-

000219975

-

-

-

000329962464

CUBIC MEASURES

Metric Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Measures

Measures

1 Cubic metre

1.307954 Cubic yards

(1) There shall be established a Metrology Advisory

Board, the functions of which shall be

(a) to provide advice of a scientific and technical nature to

METROLOGY

the Director General and to provide assistance on

general matters of policy and organisation relating to

the functions and activities of the Institute; and

(b) to submit proposals and recommendations for new

projects in the field of legal metrology.

(2) The number of members, manner of procedure of their

appointment and their terms of office shall be determined by the

Authority, provided that the members shall be appointed from

among persons enjoying technical expertise in legal metrology.

(3) Administrative matters relating to the Metrology Advisory

Board shall be conducted by the Director General.

(Article 14)

NAMES AND SYMBOLS USED IN

THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS "SI"

1. Definition

"SI" shall have the meaning assigned to it in article 2 of the Act.

2. SI unit symbols

SI unit symbols (and also many non-SI unit symbols) are written as follows

2.1. Roman (upright) type is used for the unit symbols. In general, unit symbols

are written in lower case, but, if the name of the unit is derived from the proper name

of a person, the first letter of the symbol is a capital. When the name of a unit is

spelled out, it is always written in lower case, except when the name is the first word

of a sentence or is the name "degree Celsius".

2.2. Unit symbols are unaltered in the plural.

2.3. Unit symbols are not followed by a full stop (period), except as normal

punctuation at the end of a sentence.

3. Algebra of SI unit symbols

In accord with the general principles adopted by ISO/TC 12 (ISO 31), the

CIPM recommends that algebraic expressions involving SI unit symbols be

expressed in standard forms.

3.1. Half-high dots or spaces are used to express a derived unit formed from two

or more other units by multiplication.

Example: N · m or N m.

A solidus (oblique stroke, /), a horizontal line, or a negative exponent is

METROLOGY

used to express a derived unit formed from two other units by division.

Example: m/s or m - s or m · s -1 .

3.3. The solidus is not followed by a multiplication sign or by a division sign on

the same line unless ambiguity is avoided by parentheses. In complicated cases,

negative exponents or parentheses are used to avoid ambiguity.

Examples: m/s 2 or m · s -2 but not m/s/s

m · kg/(s 3 · A) or m · kg · s -3 · A -1 but neither m · kg/s 3 /A

nor m · kg/s 3 · A.

4. Rules for using SI prefixes

In accord with the general principles adopted by the ISO (ISO 31), the CIPM

recommends that the following rules be observed when using the SI prefixes

4.1. Prefix symbols are printed in roman (upright) type with no space between

the prefix symbol and the unit symbol.

4.2. The grouping formed by the prefix symbol attached to the unit symbol

constitutes a new inseparable symbol (of a multiple or submultiple of the unit

concerned) which can be raised to a positive or negative power and combined with

other unit symbols to form compound unit symbols.

Examples

1 c m 3 = (10 -2 m ) 3 = 10 -6 m 3

1 μ s -1 = (10 -6 s ) -1 = 10 6 s -1

1 V/cm = (1 V) / (10 -2 m) = 10 2 V / m

1 cm -1 = (10 -2 m) -1 = 10 2 m -1 .

4.3. Compound prefixes, i.e. prefixes formed by the juxtaposition of two or more

SI prefixes, are not used.

Example: 1 nm but not 1 mμm.

4.4. A prefix is never used in isolation.

Example: 10 6 /m 3 but not M/m 3 .

(1) The Authority may appoint any person being an officer

of the Authority to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Institute may appoint any person, whether physical or

otherwise, to be a verifier for the purposes of this Act.

(3) (a) The Institute shall provide for the holding of

examinations for the purpose of ascertaining whether persons

possess sufficient skill and knowledge for the proper performance

of the functions of inspectors and verifiers, and for the granting of

certificates of qualification to persons who pass such examinations.

(b) The Institute shall establish the standard of skill and

knowledge, as well as other requirements, needed for a person to

qualify as inspector or verifier.

(4) The Institute shall ensure that the persons so appointed

continue to meet the requirements laid down in accordance with

subarticle (3).

(5) Every person appointed under subarticles (1) and (2) as an

inspector or as a verifier shall be furnished with a certificate of his

appointment by the Institute. Such certificate shall be valid for such

period and may include such conditions as the Director General

may consider appropriate.

(6) The Institute may, if it deems fit, arrange with some other

person to hold examinations for the purpose mentioned in

subarticle (3).

(7) No certificate of qualification shall be issued to any person

who has not yet attained the age of eighteen.

(8) There shall be charged, in respect of any examination which

is held by the Institute under this article, such fees as the Authority

may from time to time determine.

(9) The Authority may, upon the recommendation of the

Director General, and under such conditions as may be prescribed,

at any time revoke an appointment made under this article, and in

such case, the person whose appointment is so revoked shall

surrender to the Institute the certificate furnished under this article.

(10) The Institute shall monitor the activities of the verifiers

appointed under this Act.

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(1) An inspector duly appointed in terms of this Act, in the

discharge of his duties, shall have the following powers

(a) to enter and search any industrial establishment or

commercial premises or vehicles or vessels, where a

measuring instrument which is meant to be used for

any prescribed purpose, is installed or kept, or where

there is reason to believe it is installed or kept;

(b) to enter any premises or any other place, including a

vehicle or vessel, in which any activity in connection

with the manufacturing, processing, supplying,

distributing, importing or wholesale or retail selling of

goods is carried on;

(c) to inspect such premises and examine and test any

such measuring instruments or goods found thereon

for the purposes of establishing conformity with the

provisions of this Act;

(d) to apply non-conformity marks to the measuring

instrument if, following any such inspection or testing,

a measuring instrument is found not to be in

conformity with the provisions of this Act;

(e) to remove from the premises for examination, testing

and measuring any goods or measuring instrument to

which a non-conformity mark has been applied;

(f) to require the owner, the person in charge or any

employee in charge of or at the place entered to

provide all reasonable assistance including personal

assistance, and to produce books, records and written

or electronic documents to enable the inspector to

carry out his functions under this Act;

(g) to inspect and copy or take extracts from any such

books, records or other documents; and

(h) in the case of any vehicle or vessel referred to in

paragraph (a), to request the owner or operator thereof

to bring the vehicle or vessel for examination to a

location as may be indicated to him by the inspector.

(2) An inspector who removes a measuring instrument or goods

pursuant to subarticle (1)(e) shall notify forthwith, and issue a

receipt to, the person from whose premises the measuring

instrument or goods are taken, or that person’s authorised

representative, indicating that the measuring instrument or goods,

as the case may be, are taken in pursuance of this Act.

(3) No entry and search shall be effected outside the normal

business hours of the establishment concerned, unless the Director

General has cause to believe that delay could cause the loss or

suppression of any evidence or may otherwise prejudice the

outcome of the search.

(4)

An inspector may seize and retain

(a) any article, measuring instrument, stamp or goods

which he believes to be in contravention of this Act;

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and

(b) any document relating to a measuring instrument or

any document displayed with any goods offered or

exposed for sale which relates to the price or quantity

of the goods, and which the inspector believes may be

required as evidence in any proceedings.

(5)

Any person who -

(a) obstructs or impedes an inspector in the exercise of his

functions, or does not comply with a requirement made

by an inspector in carrying out any of his functions

under this Act, or

(b) refuses or fails to give an inspector any assistance or

information which the inspector may request in the

performance of any of his functions under this Act, or

(c) makes an incorrect, false or misleading statement,

either verbally or in writing, to an inspector who is

engaged in carrying out any of his functions under this

Act,

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

(6) Where it results to an inspector that a measuring instrument

or a measurement standard fails to give the correct measurement

which it purports to give or is otherwise faulty, the inspector may

give the person responsible a written notice ordering him that, until

such time as the said notice is withdrawn, the measuring instrument

shall not be used and, where applicable, shall be removed. Any

person who knowingly acts in contravention of such written notice

shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

(7) The Director General may exercise any of the powers

conferred on an inspector under this article.

(8) In the course of any entry and search under this article, the

Director General may request the assistance of the Police.

(9) In the exercise of any powers conferred by this article, the

inspector shall, if so requested, provide evidence of his

appointment.

(10) The inspector may be accompanied by such other persons

and take with him such instruments as are necessary for the purpose

of carrying out his functions.

PART III

Control Procedures of Measuring Instruments, Measurements,

Product Quantities and Pre-packages

(1) Measuring instruments used or intended to be used for

certain measurements, including

(a) measuring instruments used for the verification of

ordinary measuring instruments;

(b) measuring instruments used for transactions in goods

and services, fiscal or postal transactions, or for

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analogous or similar purposes in pursuance of a trade

or business;

(c) measuring instruments used in or for the enforcement

of this Act or of any other law; and

(d) measuring instruments used in the field of public

health, safety or environmental protection,

as may be prescribed shall be subject to metrological controls.

(2) Only measuring instruments that have successfully

undergone the controls listed under article 8(2) and such other

controls as may be established by the Institute may be used for any

prescribed purpose.

(3) Persons importing, manufacturing, repairing, selling,

hiring, using or otherwise dealing in measuring instruments within

the meaning of subarticle (1), must inform the Institute of their

activity and become registered with it within such timeframes as

the Institute may establish by notice in the Gazette, and different

timeframes may be established for different categories or classes of

measuring instruments. For this purpose, the Institute shall

maintain a register of such persons, and it shall have the power to

require any such person to furnish it with any information,

documentation and undertakings as it may deem fit.

(4) Any person who fails or neglects to comply with the

provisions of subarticles (1), (2) or (3) shall be guilty of an offence.

(5) Where, in the special circumstances of any particular case,

it appears to the Institute that it would be impracticable or

unnecessary that a particular measuring instrument be subjected to

metrological controls in terms of this article, the Institute may, by

an exemption in writing, dispense with such requirement. The

Institute may attach any conditions, including a time limit, to any

such exemption and any person who contravenes any condition

attached to an exemption shall be guilty of an offence.

(6) For the purposes of this article, "measuring instrument"

shall include any measuring instruments used or offered for use by

private or public undertakings.

(1) Measuring instruments intended for use for any

prescribed purpose, including public weighing, shall be subject to

such conformity assessment procedures as may be prescribed by

the Institute by notice published in the Gazette.

(2) The conformity assessment procedure may include such

controls as may be prescribed by the Institute, and may include

(a)

type approval;

(b)

initial verification;

(c)

verification after repair or modification;

(d)

periodical verification;

(e)

supervision of the procedures effecting the use or

operation of measuring instruments.

(3)

The Institute shall certify whether or not the measuring

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instrument has successfully undergone the conformity assessment

procedures adopted in its regard in terms of subarticle (2)

Provided that a certificate of conformity issued by an

inspector or a verifier duly appointed in terms of article 5 shall be

valid and effective as if issued by the Institute.

(1) Measuring instruments which have been subject to the

conformity assessment and inspection procedures and which have

been found to conform to the relative requirement shall have

affixed, stamped, marked or otherwise applied on them marks

signifying their conformity to the relevant requirement or provided

with corresponding certificates and shall accordingly qualify as a

"legally controlled measuring instrument". These marks, their

form, design, application or obliteration together with facilities for

receiving such marks shall be prescribed by the Institute which, for

the purposes of this subarticle, may impose additional requirements

in any matter related to the measuring instrument itself.

(2) A measuring instrument which has not undergone these

controls successfully may be given a rejection mark and must be

modified, repaired or withdrawn. These marks, their form, design,

application or obliteration together with facilities for receiving

such marks shall be prescribed by the Institute.

(3) Only persons duly authorized by the Institute may mark or

stamp a measuring instrument with metrological control marks in

terms of subarticles (1) and (2).

(4) In the event that any marks that should be applied in terms

of this article present any difficulty, the Institute may establish

alternative forms or means of application.

(5) Stamps shall be made of such material as is determined by

the Institute.

(6) Any measuring instrument to which a rejection mark has

been affixed, stamped, marked or otherwise applied in terms of this

article shall not be used for any prescribed purpose.

(7) Any person keeping or using, for any transaction falling

within any prescribed purpose, any false or inaccurate measuring

instrument or any measuring instrument which does not bear a

verification mark or which bears a rejection mark shall be guilty of

an offence.

(8)

For the purposes of this article

(a) "legally controlled measuring instrument" means a

measuring instrument which conforms to prescribed

requirements, in particular legal metrological

requirements; and

(b) "rejection mark" means a mark or seal applied to a

measuring instrument in a conspicuous manner to

indicate that the measuring instrument does not

comply with the statutory requirements and

obliterating any previously applied verification mark.

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(1) The calibration device on a measuring instrument shall

be secured in such a manner as to enable an adjustment to be

detected whether on verification or otherwise.

(2) The means by which a calibration device shall be secured

shall be provided by the manufacturer, supplier or user of the

measuring instrument.

(3) The Institute may, from time to time, prescribe specific

requirements on the sealing or securing of measuring instruments.

(1) In circumstances as may be determined by the

Institute, any measuring instrument or particular type of measuring

instrument may be adjusted by an inspector.

(2) Where, on examination by an inspector, a measuring

instrument is found to be inaccurate, and adjustment of the

measuring instrument is necessary in order to render it

metrologically accurate, the inspector shall

(a) notify the owner of the measuring instrument or the

owner’s authorised representative accordingly,

detailing the results of the examination; and

(b) request the owner or his representative either to have

the work carried out by a third party or to empower the

inspector to undertake the necessary adjustment.

(3) The owner or his representative shall bear any costs arising

from any adjustment as is referred to in subarticles (1) and (2).

(1) Any measurements that may result from the use of any

prescribed purpose may be subject to metrological controls.

(2) The Minister, acting on the advice of the Authority, may

define the measurements that are subject to such controls.

(3) The Institute may establish the methods and procedures for

the undertaking of such controls as it may deem appropriate.

(1) Where a transaction may involve the delivery of a

definite quantity of a product or an offer for sale involving the

indication or labelling of a definite quantity of the product, these

product quantities may be subject to metrological controls.

(2) The Institute may, from time to time, establish requirements

relating to the control methods and the metrological conditions

with which quantities of products and pre-packages must comply,

and may define permissible tolerances or variations on quantities.

(3) Any person who, for the purposes of trade or business,

sells, buys or offers to buy, delivers or causes to be delivered, any

goods by weight, by quantity, by number of items or by any other

measure, which does not satisfy the requirements established under

this article or any other provision of this Act, shall be guilty of an

offence.

METROLOGY

PART IV

Authorised Units and Measurement Standards

(1) The units of measurement which are authorised for the

purposes of this Act and for any other purposes of law shall be

those listed in the First Schedule. Such units shall be used for all

transactions which directly or indirectly involve a measurement.

(2) The only lawfully permissible linear, capacity and weight

standard measures that may be used for any prescribed purpose

shall be those set out in the Second Schedule.

(3) For all purposes of law, the conversion of a unit of

measurement listed in the First Schedule to another unit of

measurement not so listed shall be calculated on the basis of the

tables of equivalence laid down in the Third Schedule.

(4) The Fourth Schedule shall be used in the interpretation and

application of the provisions of the First Schedule.

(1) No person shall hold or have in his possession for any

prescribed purpose any linear, capacity or weight standard measure

which is not of a denomination shown in the Second Schedule.

(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subarticle

(1) shall be guilty of an offence.

(1) The Authority shall provide, maintain or cause to be

maintained such measurement standards including facilities,

equipment and reference materials as are considered necessary

from time to time to facilitate the realisation and dissemination of

the SI System of Units of measurement, and to make funding

available for such purposes.

(2) For the purpose of subarticle (1), the Authority may, upon

the recommendation of the Director General, designate and

delegate other organisations to be responsible bodies in specialised

fields of measurement.

(3) The Director General may define the measurement standards

maintained under subarticles (1) or (2) and the conditions of their

maintenance, including traceability, custody and the intervals

within which the values of measurement standards shall be

determined.

(4) Where any doubt arises as to the continued conformity of a

measurement standard with the appropriate permissible limits of

error, the measurement standard shall not be used until its value has

been redetermined or it has been replaced by a measurement

standard conforming to the appropriate permissible limits of error.

An up-to-date certificate of traceability shall be maintained in

respect of every measurement standard or set of measurement

s t a n d a r d s m a i n t a i n e d b y t h e I n s t i t u t e o r a n y o rg a n i s a t i o n

designated under subarticle (2).

(5)

For the purposes of this article

(a) "reference material" means a material one or more of

whose properties are sufficiently homogeneous to be

METROLOGY

used for the calibration of an apparatus, the assessment

of a measurement method or the assignment of values

to materials; and

(b) "traceability" means the property of the result of a

measurement which is related, through an unbroken

chain of comparisons, to international measurement

standards.

PART V

General provisions

(1) No person shall act as a public weigher unless

authorised by the Institute.

(2) No authorisation shall be granted to any person in terms of

subarticle (1) unless -

(a) he has attained the age of eighteen years;

(b) he has been found guilty of fraud or of an offence

affecting public trust; and

(c) he has passed a qualifying examination set by the

Institute.

(3) Any person acting as a public weigher without the

necessary authorisation from the Institute shall be guilty of an

(4) The Institute may, from time to time, issue requirements

and guidelines for persons undertaking the activity of public

The officers of the Institute shall be deemed to be public

officers for all purposes of the Criminal Code.

(1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Authority,

make regulations -

(a) imposing requirements in relation to any matter related

to the pre-packaging of goods, measuring containers,

quantities and capacities permitted for pre-packaged

products, the make-up by weight or volume of pre-

packaged goods, the make-up by volume of pre-

packaged liquids and measuring instruments; and

(b) adopting and implementing any commitments and

obligations relating to metrology arising out of or

under any treaty, convention or other international

agreement, whether bilateral, regional or multilateral,

to which Malta is a party.

(2) The Minister may, on the advice of the Authority, amend

any of the schedules annexed to this Act; and any such amendments

may contain such transitional or other incidental provisions as may

be prescribed.

METROLOGY

The Authority may, by virtue of this Act and under the

powers conferred by article 48 of the Malta Competition and

Consumer Affairs Authority Act, levy fees and other charges for

type approval, verification, inspection, certification and for any

authorisation and registration, or in respect of any other matter

arising under this Act, and different fees or charges may be levied

for different classes of cases or for different circumstances, and

provision may also be made for the imposition of additional

charges in the event of delay or failure to pay such fees.

(1) The Schedules and regulations made under any

provision of this Act may be drawn up in the English language

(2) In the event of conflict or incompatibility between the

Maltese and English texts of any Schedules and regulations made

under this Act, the English language version shall prevail.

PART VI

Offences and Penalties

Any person who -

(a) forges or counterfeits any mark of a type used on any

measuring instrument used or intended to be used for

any prescribed purpose;

(b) applies to any measuring instrument a mark which is

forged or counterfeit, or which is false or incorrect; or

(c) uses, sells, utters or disposes of any measuring

instrument with such forged, counterfeit, false or

incorrect mark thereon, or any mark liable to be

confused with marks authorised under the provisions

of this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence.

Any person who -

(a) by any means renders a measuring instrument false or

inaccurate;

(b) for any prescribed purpose, uses, supplies, sells, utters

or disposes of a false or inaccurate measuring

instrument; or

(c) not being an inspector or verifier authorised under this

Act, attaches, affixes inscribes, inserts or otherwise

applies any mark or plate intended for marking, or

removes, defaces, obliterates or otherwise changes any

such mark or plate from a measuring instrument, or

attaches, affixes, inscribes or inserts such mark or

plate into a measuring instrument other than the

measuring instrument on which the mark was lawfully

inscribed in terms of this Act,

shall be guilty of an offence.

Any person who unlawfully removes, defaces, obliterates,

breaks or otherwise changes any tag, seal or device that has been

METROLOGY

placed, affixed or attached by an inspector or by a verifier to a

measuring instrument that is or is intended to be used for any

prescribed purpose shall be guilty of an offence.

Any person who -

(a) sells any product by weight, measure or number where

the weight, measure or number of the goods sold is

less than that purported to be sold or is less than

corresponds with the price charged;

(b) in connection with a measuring instrument, makes a

false record of any measuring; or

(c) commits any other fraud in connection with any

measuring by means of a measuring instrument,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(1) The Director General may assist and participate in the

prosecution of offences under this Act.

(2) Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be instituted

within twelve months from the commission of the offence.

(1) A person found guilty of an offence under articles

9(7), 22, 23, 24 and 25 shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine

(multa) of not less than one thousand and one hundred and sixty-

four euro and sixty-nine cents (1,164.69) and not exceeding eleven

thousand and six hundred and forty-six euro and eighty-seven cents

(11,646.87), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years,

or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) A person found guilty of an offence under this Act, other

than an offence listed in subarticle (1), shall, on conviction, be

liable to a fine (multa) of not less than one hundred and sixteen

euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) and not exceeding two

thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven

cents (2,329.37), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six

months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of the Criminal Code,

in any judgement given in proceedings instituted under this Act, the

Court may order the forfeiture, destruction or other method of

disposal of the goods or measuring instruments to which any of the

offences relates, as it may consider appropriate at the expense of

the person found guilty of the offence.

(4) Where it is satisfied that the circumstances so warrant, the

Court may, upon conviction for any offence committed under this

Act, additionally order the suspension or cancellation of any

license or licenses issued in favour of the person charged or in

respect of the premises involved in the proceedings.

(5) Any person convicted in relation to an offence under article

6(6) shall be liable to an additional fine (multa) of not more than

four hundred and sixty-five euro and eighty-seven cents (465.87)

for each day that the notice has not been complied with.

(6) Where a person has been convicted of an offence under this

Act, the Court shall order that person to reimburse to the Authority,

METROLOGY

within such period as the Court shall stipulate, any costs incurred in

connection with the proceedings instituted against him. Such costs

shall include expenses incurred in the seizure, lifting, detention,

testing, analysis, inspection and examination of measuring

instruments and measurement standards involved in the said

proceedings.

(7) The Attorney General shall have the right to appeal from

any judgement given in proceedings instituted under this Act or in

connection with regulations made thereunder.

PART VII

Savings

(1) Any references in any other law to the Weights and

Measures Ordinance * shall be construed as being references to this

Act; provided that any registrations, licences, authorisations,

orders, regulations or other action whatsoever made or issued by

virtue of the said Ordinance shall continue in force as if made or

issued under this Act in so far as applicable.

(2) Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in any

other law, contract or other act in force at the commencement of

this Act to standard weights or measures in use in Malta shall be

deemed to be references to the respective equivalents ascertained in

terms of the First and Third Schedules to this Act.

(3) Verifications issued under the Weights and Measures

Ordinance which are valid immediately before the coming into

force of article 8 shall continue to be valid on or after that date for

such period as may be prescribed by the Institute by notice

published in the Gazette.

*Repealed by this Act.

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64278 Xbar kubi

or

35.3148 Cubic feet

.1086773 ta’ Qasba kuba

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1 Cubic decimetre

0353148 Cubic feet

.0556427 ta’ Xiber kubu

or

.0001086773 ta’ Qasba kuba

1 Cubic centimetre

.061024 Cubic inches

.0000556427 ta’ Xiber kubu

WEIGHTS

Metric

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Maltese

Weights

Weights

Weights

Cwts.

Qrs.

Lbs.

Decimals

Qnatar Irtal Ewieq

Decimals

100 Kilograms

46223

(1 quintal)

Kilogram

-

-

2046223

-

79352

1 Hectogram

-

-

-

22046223

-

-

77935

1 Decagram

-

-

-

022046223

-

-

-

377935

1 Gramme

-

-

-

0022046223

-

-

-

0377935

1 Decigram

-

-

-

00022046223

-

-

-

00377935

1 Centigram

-

-

-

000022046223

-

-

-

000377935

1 Milligram

-

-

-

0000022046223

-

-

-

0000377935

(b)

MEASURES OF LENGTH

Maltese

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Metric

Measures

Measures

Measures

Feet

Inches

Decimals

Metres

Decimal

1 Qasba

09549817

(8 ixbar)

1 Xiber

-

26193727

1 Pulzier

-

-

859375

-

021828105

1 Mil

equal to

yds. 1760

or

kilometres

1.6093

MEASURES OF SURFACE

Maltese

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in metric

Measures

Measures

Measures

Acres

Roods Poles

Sqr.

Sqr.

Decimals

Yards

Feet

1 Modd

1.798599928 hectares

1 Tomna

-

11.2412495 acres

1 Sieg]

-

-

187.35416 Sqr. Metres

1 Kejla

-

-

-

18.735416 Sqr. Metres

1 Qasba kwadra

-

-

-

265625

4.3911126 Sqr. Metres

1 Xiber kwadru

-

-

-

-

-

7385162

6.8611 Sqr. Decimetres

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 1

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For Beer, Wine and Spirits

Maltese Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in metric

Measures

Measures

Gallons

Decimals

Litres

Decimals

1 Barmil (4 [arar)

18664945

1 {arra (2 kwarti)

7966623625

1 Kwarta ( 3 / 4 Krate`)

39833118125

1 Karto`` (2 infas)

-

13649077500

1 Nofs (2 terzi)

-

-

56824538750

1 Terz (2 pinet)

-

-

28412269375

1 Pinta

-

03125

-

142061346875

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS – No. 2

For Oil and Milk

Maltese Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in metric

Measures

Measures

Gallons

Decimals

Litres

Decimals

1 Qafiz (4 kwarti)

45683395

1 Kwarta ( 3 / 4 Krate`)

1142084875

1 Karto`` (2 infas)

-

28125

278552121875

1 Nofs (2 terzi)

-

140625

-

6392760609375

1 Terz (2 kejliet)

-

0703125

-

31963803046875

1 Kejla (4 kwartini)

-

028125

-

1278552121875

1 Kwartin

-

00703125

-

031963803046875

MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR DRY GOODS

Maltese Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Metric

Measures

Measures

Quarters

Decimals

Hectolitres

Decimals

1 Modd (16-il tomna)

-

90942

1 Tomna (6 sieg]an)

-

-

18183875

1 Sieg] (10 kejliet)

-

010416

-

03030645

1 Kejla (10 lumini)

-

0010416

-

003030645

1 Lumin

-

00010416

-

0003030645

CUBIC MEASURES

Maltese Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in Metric

Measures

Measures

1 Qasab kubu

324.9511 Cubic feet

9.201556 Cubic metres

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1 Xiber kubu

.63467 Cubic feet

17.9717 Cubic decimetres

1 Pulzier kubu

.63467 Cubic inches

10.4 Cubic centimetres

WEIGHTS

Maltese Measures

Equivalents in Imperial

Equivalents in metric

Measures

Measures

Lbs.

Decimals

Kilograms

Decimals

1 Qantar or `ental (20 wi\na)

-

37867525

1 Wi\na (5 irtal)

9689337625

1 Ratal (30 Maltese uqija)

-

7937867525

1 Uqija (4 Kwarti)

-

0583333

-

026459558416

1 Kwart (2 ottavi)

-

01458333

-

00661489604

1 Ottav

-

007291666

-

003307444802

1 Pe\ata (3 qnatar)

-

13602575

1 Ton (weight) 1280 (ratal)

-

-