Weight Statements

Legislation on weight control is complex and not directly part of food labelling legislation. However, when preparing a label for a product, there are three main issues which need consideration:

• Are there 'prescribed quantities' for the food?
• Is the food subject to the average weight system and should the 'e' mark be used?
• What should the weight statement look like?

1. Prescribed Quantities

When legislation requires packs to be made up in a restricted range of weights or volumes, these are known as 'prescribed quantities'. The legislation on prescribed quantities changed from 11th April 2009.

• For all products apart for wines and spirits:  All pre-packaged goods (except for wines and spirits) which were previously required to be packed only in a prescribed quantity, are now free to be packed in any size.
• For pre-packaged spirit drinks: The change reduced the range of sizes of pre-packaged spirits subject to specified quantities so that those outside the range 100 ml to 2000 ml will no longer be regulated. There is an additional 1750 ml size. Details of the specified weights are available, see Specified Quantities - Wines and Spirits
• For pre-packaged wines: A reduction in the range of sizes of pre-packaged still wines subject to specified quantities so that those outside the range 100 ml to 1500 ml will no longer be regulated. The range applicable to sparkling wine is 125ml -1500ml  The removal of the restriction on the use of the 187 ml size for pre-packaged still wines, which limited its use to duty free sales. Details of the specified weights are available, see Specified Quantities - Wines and Spirits

Guidance on the changes is available from the National Measurement Office - see Guidance Note on UK Implementation of a European Directive Deregulating Specified Quantities (Fixed Pack Sizes) (May 2009).

Non-pre-packed foods may still be subject to prescribed quantities. However as this site relates to food labels, details of any requirements are not listed here.

2. Average Weight Controls

• Regulation:
  Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/659)

Additional guidance on these Regulations has been published by the Department of Trade & Industry (Dti). See:

• Guidance:
  Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 - Guidance Note (August 2007)

With regard to labelling, products packed according the average weight system may use the 'e' mark when the nominal quantity is in the range 5g - 10kg (or 5ml - 10l). The mark shall be at least 3mm high, placed in the same field of vision as the weight/volume statement, and indelible, clearly legible and visible under normal conditions of purchase. The mark is not obligatory but when used is a guarantee, recognised throughout the EEC, that the goods to which it is applied have been packed in accordance with the relevant EEC Directive.

The 'e' mark

3. Form of Marking

1. Weight/capacity marking shall be in metric (except as provided in 2)) but may in addition include a supplementary indication in imperial units. The following units and abbreviations are permitted:
   kilogram (kg), gram (g), litre (l or L), centilitre (cl or cL), millilitre (ml or mL)
2. In addition to metric units, returnable containers used
   a) for milk may be marked by reference to the pint (pt or pts), and,
   b) for beer, cider, water, lemonade and fruit juice may be marked by reference to the pint (pt or pts) and the fluid ounce (fl oz or fl ozs)
3. Weight/capacity may be in words or figures (but if expressed in words, the unit shall also be expressed in words)
4. If weight is gross weight, then 'gross' or 'including container' to be stated.
5. The words 'net' or 'gross' must not be abbreviated.
6. A metric quantity shall not be expressed as a vulgar fraction.
7. Size of marking. The minimum size of figures to be used is determined by the mass or capacity of the contents as follows (catchweight products are exempt from this requirement):
   
   • Not exceeding 50g/5cl: 2mm
   • Over 50g/5cl but not over 200g/20cl: 3mm
   • Over 200g/20cl but not over 1kg/1l: 4mm
   • Over 1kg/1l: 6mm

Full details of the requirements are given in the following legal documents:

• Regulation:
  Weights and Measures (Quantity Marking and Abbreviations of Units) Regulations 1987 (SI 1987/1538)
• Amendments:
  Weights and Measures (Quantity Marking and Abbreviations of Units) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988/627)
  Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods and Quantity Marking and Abbreviation of Units)(Amendment) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1852)