
1983 No. 1390
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel Delivered From Road Tankers) Regulations 1983
Made 13th September 1983
Laid before Parliament 23rd September 1983
Coming into operation
All Regulations except Regulations 4, 5, 6, 14(1) and 36 14th October 1983
Regulations 4, 5, 14(1) and 36 1st July 1984
Regulation 6 1st July 1987
The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred
by sections 11(1)
and (3), 12(4), 14(1), 54(1) and 58(1) of the Weights and Measures Act
1963 and now vested in him and of all other powers enabling him in that
behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:—
PART I GENERAL
Citation, commencement and revocation
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the
Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel delivered from Road Tankers) Regulations
1983 and shall come into operation as follows:—
(a) all Regulations except Regulations 4, 5, 6, 14(1) and 36,
on 14th October 1983;
(b) Regulations
4, 5, 14(1) and 36,
on 1st July 1984; and
(c) Regulation
6, on 1st July 1987.
(2) The Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel delivered from Road Tankers) Regulations
1979 and the Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel delivered from Road Tankers) (Amendment)
Regulations 1980 are hereby revoked.
Interpretation
2 

(1) In these Regulations—
 “the Act”
means the  Weights and Measures Act 1985;
 “approved”
in the expressions “approved maximum”, “approved minimum” and “approved working conditions” means approved in accordance with a
pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force or, if the
measuring equipment is not made in accordance with such a pattern, approved
in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations;
 “bottom loaded compartment” means a compartment which is designed for filling from the bottom and incorporates a dipstick measuring system or a contents gauging system whose calibration includes the volume of pipework between the foot valve and the outlet valve;
 “certificate of approval” means a certificate of approval of a
pattern of measuring equipment granted or renewed by the Secretary of State
under section 12
of the Act;
 “compartment”
means a single container with which a dipstick forming
part of a dipstick measuring system may be associated to measure quantities
of liquid fuel or a container associated with a contents gauging system, ... associated pipework between the foot valve and the outlet
valve unless specifically stated on a conspicuous notice adjacent to the outlet
valve;
 “compartment number” means, in the case of a multi-compartment
tank, the position of the compartment relative to the front of the vehicle,
numbered sequentially from the front of the vehicle;
 “contents gauging system” means any measuring equipment, not being
a dipstick measuring system or a meter measuring system, which determines
the quantity of liquid fuel delivered from an associated compartment by measuring
the height of the free surface of the liquid fuel from a reference point;
 “datum face”
means the flat surface of the crosspiece of a dipstick
at right angles to the axis of the dipstick formed by the lower face of the
crosspiece;
 “datum point”
means a point or area on the road tanker from which
the relative height of the datum surface can readily be checked;
 “datum surface”
means the surface at the top of the dipstick guide tube,
on which the datum face of the crosspiece rests when a measurement of liquid
fuel is being made;
 “dipstick measuring system” means any measuring equipment comprising
a compartment with a datum surface and an associated dipstick with a datum
face;
 “frustrated delivery” means a planned delivery which cannot be completed because:—
(a) there is not enough space in the customer’s storage tank, or
(b) continuing the delivery would result in prohibited mixing of fuels or contamination, or
(c) a component of the measuring system breaks down;
 “meter measuring system” means any measuring equipment which
incorporates a mechanical flowmeter device to determine the quantity of liquid
fuel delivered, and comprises all parts and devices from the source, including
any anti-swirl device, from which the liquid is drawn to the point of discharge
and all associated mechanical, optical, electrical or pneumatic equipment;
 “minimum delivery”
means the smallest quantity of liquid fuel which the
measuring equipment is designed to measure;
 “prescribed limits of error” relating to a contents gauging system or a meter measuring
system has the meaning set out in Regulation 56(1) below and relating to a dipstick
measuring system has the meaning set out in Regulation 56(2) below;
 “reference meter”
means a meter for use in testing measuring equipment
to which these Regulations apply provided pursuant to section 5(1) of the Act for use by inspectors;
 “registration mark”
in relation to a vehicle means the registration mark
assigned to it under the Vehicles
(Excise) Act 1971 or the Vehicles (Excise) Act (Northern Ireland) 1972;
 “replacement dipstick” means a dipstick which is tested, passed
as fit for use for trade and stamped to replace a dipstick which has been
broken, lost or destroyed or is otherwise unserviceable;
 “road tanker”
means any vehicle or trailer which carries liquid fuel
in a tank forming part of the vehicle or trailer other than that containing
the fuel which is used to propel the vehicle, and also includes any tank with
a capacity exceeding 3 m3 carried on a vehicle;
 “spare dipstick”
means an additional dipstick which is tested, passed
as fit for use for trade and stamped at the same time as an original or replacement
dipstick;
 “the stamp”
means the prescribed stamp;
 “tank”
means a single or multiple container comprising one
or more compartments; and
 “tank number”
means, in the case of a trailer part of a vehicle, the
tank manufacturer's serial number and in the case of a rigid vehicle, either
the tank manufacturer's serial number or the vehicle registration mark.
 “tank shell” means the skin forming the inner surface of the compartment;
 “top loaded compartment” means a compartment which is designed for filling from the top;
(2) In these Regulations, a “calibration chart” in relation to any tank means a table of figures which relates the volume of liquid fuel, for each of the tank's compartments, to the linear distance between the surface of the liquid and the datum surface, and which has been— 
(a) prepared by inserting into, or withdrawing from, each compartment known volumes of liquid and determining the linear distance between the surface of the liquid and the datum surface when the road tanker is on a level surface; and

(b) certified as accurate by an inspector, including a chief or other inspector of weights and measures within the meaning of Article 40 of the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981
.
(3) The abbreviations of, and symbols for, units of measurement used in these Regulations refer to the relevant units as follows:—
Cubic Metre m3
Millimetre mm
Square centimetre cm2
Degree Celsius °C
Second  s
Square millimetre mm2
Application
3 

(1) Subject to  paragraphs (2) and (3) below, these Regulations shall
apply to all measuring equipment on road tankers for use for trade in the
making of any measurement of liquid fuel in a quantity dispensed from the
tanker exceeding ... 100 litres ....
(2) Nothing in these Regulations shall apply
to any of the following measuring equipment—
(a) measuring equipment for use only for
the delivery of liquefied gas, lubricating oils, or fuels  with a kinematic viscosity exceeding 100 mm2/s at 15°C; or
(b) measuring equipment for use only for
the fuelling of aircraft, ships or hovercraft.
(3) Except for Regulations 4, 5, 17 and 36 below, these Regulations do not apply to meter measuring systems which bear the mark of EEC initial verification.
(4) In this Regulation, “mark of EEC initial verification” means the mark described in paragraph 5 of Schedule I to the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1980.
4 
Measuring equipment to which these Regulations
apply is hereby prescribed for the purposes of section 11(1) of the Act.
Purposes of use for trade
5 
No person shall use for trade a contents gauging
system or a meter measuring system except for the purpose of measuring delivered
quantities of liquid fuel of not less than the minimum delivery marked on
or adjacent to the indicator of the system:
Provided that this Regulation does not apply where a measurement
is made only for the purpose of payments in respect of any customs or excise
duty or where a frustrated delivery has taken place and all reasonable precautions have been taken and all due diligence has been exercised to avoid a frustrated delivery.
6 
No person shall use for trade a dipstick measuring
system except for the purpose of measuring delivered quantities of liquid
fuel of not less than 30% of the nominal capacity marked on the tank of the
compartment with which the dipstick is associated:
Provided that this Regulation does not apply where a measurement
is made only for the purpose of payments in respect of any customs or excise
duty.
PART II PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION AND MARKING OF MEASURING
EQUIPMENT
7 
Measuring equipment to which these Regulations
apply shall consist of a contents gauging system, a dipstick measuring system
or a meter measuring system.
Contents gauging systems
8 
Regulations
9 to 12 below apply to contents gauging systems.
9 

(1) Every contents gauging system shall be
made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval
is in force.
(2) Every contents gauging system shall be
legibly and durably marked with the number of the certificate of approval,
preceded by the words “Certification No.” or “Cert. No.”.
10 
The minimum delivery and the liquid fuel which
a contents gauging system is designed to measure shall be marked legibly,
permanently and conspicuously in a suitable position on or adjacent to the
sales indicator.
11 
Every contents gauging system shall be fitted
with a sales indicator reading in litres ... and so arranged that:
(a) the indicator reading is capable of being
set to zero before a delivery commences; and
(b) the indicator reading cannot be advanced
by any means other than by the discharge of liquid fuel from the system.
11A 
Any sales indicator reading on a contents gauging system reading in litres may also indicate quantity by means of a supplementary indication ....
12 
Every contents gauging system shall incorporate
a ticket printing mechanism to enable a ticket to be issued indicating the
quantity of liquid fuel delivered in each transaction.
Meter measuring systems
13 
Regulations 14 to 17 below apply to meter measuring
systems.
14 

(1) Every meter measuring system shall be
made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval
is in force.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) above, a meter measuring system
which does not comply with that paragraph at 1st July 1984 may continue to
be tested and stamped and used for trade until 1st July 1987 if it has before
1st July 1984 been passed as fit for use for trade in accordance with these
Regulations.
(3) Every meter measuring system made in
accordance with a pattern as mentioned in paragraph
(1) above shall be legibly and durably marked
with the number of the certificate of approval, preceded by the words “Certification
No.” or “Cert. No.”.
15 
The minimum delivery, the liquid fuel which
a meter measuring system is designed to measure and the minimum and maximum
rates of flow shall be marked legibly, permanently and conspicuously in a
suitable position on or adjacent to the meter.
16 
Every meter measuring system shall be fitted
with a sales indicator reading in litres ... and so arranged that:
(a) the indicator reading is capable of being
set to zero before a delivery commences; and
(b) the indicator reading cannot be advanced
by any means other than by the discharge of liquid fuel from the system.
16A 
Any sales indicator reading on a meter measuring system reading in litres may also indicate quantity by means of a supplementary indication ....
17 
Every meter measuring system shall incorporate
a ticket printing mechanism to enable a ticket to be issued indicating either
the quantity of liquid fuel delivered in each transaction or two numbers from
which the quantity delivered may readily be calculated.
Dipstick measuring systems
18 
Regulations 19 to 35 below apply to dipstick
measuring systems.
19 
Every dipstick shall relate to, and be used
for measuring the quantity of fuel in, one compartment only.
19A 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 

(1) Every dipstick shall consist of a blade
and a crosspiece.
(2) The blade shall be made of hard wood
treated to reduce absorption, glass-reinforced plastic or other material approved
by the Secretary of State.
(3) The blade shall be free from flaws and
sufficiently straight to be satisfactory for measurement.
(4) Subject to paragraph (6) below, the blade shall extend
to within 20 mm of the  tank shell  beneath the dipstick but
not so as to touch the  tank shell:Provided that for compartments the use of which commenced
before 1st July 1980 this paragraph shall have effect as if for “20
mm” there were substituted “25 mm”.
(5) Subject to paragraph (6) below, the blade  of a dipstick associated with a top loaded compartment shall be sufficiently
long so that it will indicate when the compartment contains liquid fuel equal
to 0.5% of the nominal capacity of the compartment.
(6) In the case of  top loaded compartments the use of
which commenced before 1st July 1983—
(a) the blade shall only have to comply with
either the requirements of paragraph (4)
above or those of paragraph (5);
(b) if the blade does not comply with the
requirements of both paragraphs (4)
and (5) above, the dipstick
measuring system shall not be used for trade after 31st December 1993.
(7) The blades of all dipsticks associated with bottom loaded compartments shall be sufficiently long so that the total amount of liquid fuel in the tank which cannot be indicated by the dipsticks does not exceed 0.7% of the total nominal capacities of the compartments:Provided that for compartments the use of which commenced before 1st January 1986 this paragraph shall have effect as if for “0.7%” there were substituted “1%”.
21 
The cross-sectional area of a dipstick shall
not exceed 5 cm>2>.
22 
Every dipstick blade made from glass-reinforced
plastic or other materials which it is not practicable to stamp shall have
a metal rivet suitable for receiving the stamp rivetted into the blade adjacent
to the line 50 mm below the datum face referred to in Regulation 27 below.
23 

(1) The crosspiece of every dipstick shall
be made of metal or other material approved by the Secretary of State and
shall be positively located and securely fixed to the blade to withstand fair
wear and tear in ordinary use for trade.
(2) If the crosspiece is made in two parts
they shall be spigotted together.
(3) The datum face shall be flat and at right
angles to the axis of the blade.
24 

(1) The unit of measurement to be used in
marking a dipstick shall be ... the litre ....
(2) The unit shall be marked on the dipstick
at each end of the scale referred to in Regulation
28 below, beneath the crosspiece on the graduated
face of the blade in letters and figures not less than 6 mm high.
(3) Where the unit of measurement is the
litre, if the number of digits on any marking would exceed four (9999) the
marking may read “litres × 10” or “litres ×
100”
25 
The related compartment number shall be marked
on the graduated face of every dipstick at each end of the blade in figures
not less than 10 mm high.
26 
The related tank number shall be marked at
the crosspiece end of the blade of every dipstick in figures  and letters not less than
6 mm high.
26A 
Every dipstick associated with a bottom loaded compartment shall be marked with the letters “BLV” before the related tank number and on the graduated face of the dipstick at the other end of the blade.
27 
Every dipstick shall have a line marked on
its graduated face, at right angles to the axis of its blade 50 mm from the
datum face measured to the further edge of that line.
28 
Every dipstick used to measure deliveries of
less than a full compartment shall be marked and graduated in accordance with
the following provisions of this Regulation:—
(a) the graduation shall be in a reasonable
and convenient scale;
(b) all scale marks, letters and figures
shall be legibly and permanently marked;
(c) each scale mark shall be at right angles
to the axis of the blade of the dipstick and shall extend across the full
width of the dipstick;
(d) each scale mark shall be not less than
1 mm deep and not less than 1 mm nor more than 1.5 mm wide;
(e) the lower edge of each scale mark (the
further edge from the datum face) shall indicate the quantity of liquid fuel
being measured;
(f) each scale mark shall be numbered by
figures not less than 6 mm high, with lines not less than 1 mm deep and not
less than 1 mm nor more than 1.5 mm wide;
(g) the figures shall be placed immediately
above the scale mark to which they relate and shall not extend above half
way between the lower edges of two adjacent scale marks;
(h) the distance between the lower edges
of two adjacent scale marks shall be not less than 18 mm and not more than
150 mm;
(i) major scale divisions shall be of equal
value:Provided that in the case of compartments the use of which
commenced before 1st January 1981 one additional scale mark may be included
to indicate the nominal capacity of the compartment; and
(j) the bottom two and top three major scale
divisions may be subdivided with subdivisions of equal value.
29 

(1) Every compartment shall be fitted with
a fixed vertical dipstick guide tube.
(2) The tube shall be positioned so that
the dipstick shall pass as nearly as practicable through the longitudinal
and transverse centre lines of the compartment:Provided that—
(a) this paragraph shall not apply in the
case of compartments the use of which commenced before 1st July 1983; and
(b) if the tube is not so positioned, the
dipstick measuring system shall not be used for trade after 31st December
1993.
(3) Means shall be provided to prevent a dipstick associated with a bottom loaded compartment being used unless the compartment’s foot valve is open.
30 

(1) The dipstick guide tube throughout its depth of immersion shall—
(a) be of not less than 50 mm internal diameter or equivalent cross-sectional area; and
(b) have uniform venting of at least 0.01 square metre per metre of length, excluding any gauze covering or retaining clips.
(2) In the case of compartments used for liquid fuel other than petroleum spirit a dipstick guide tube above the level of the liquid may be used, but it shall be of such diameter and length that the dipstick is guided sufficiently near to the vertical plane so that any inaccuracy in the indication of quantity cannot exceed the prescribed limits of error.
31 
At the top of every dipstick guide tube there
shall be provided a flat surface to create a datum surface, which shall consist
of an annulus not less than 5 mm in width.
32 

(1) The design of every dipstick guide tube
shall be such as to permit the height of the datum surface to be easily and
accurately measured from the identified datum point.
(2) The said height in mm, the tank number
and the compartment number shall be marked legibly and permanently on the
dipstick guide tube, adjacent to the datum surface.
33 

(1) Every compartment number shall be marked—
(a) legibly and permanently in line with
the dipstick guide tube on the same side of the tank as the outlet valves
so that the number is legible from the ground; and
(b) legibly, permanently and conspicuously
adjacent to the compartment's outlet valve and its foot valve operating mechanism other than any emergency shut down mechanism.
(2) The nominal capacity of each compartment
and the minimum quantity of fuel which may be delivered by the use of a dipstick
from each compartment shall be marked legibly, permanently and conspicuously
on the same side of the tank as the outlet valves with the same unit of measurement
as is used for marking the dipstick.
(3) A legible, permanent and conspicuous
notice shall be positioned on the same side of the tank as the outlet valves
stating that dipsticks should be read at scale marks only.
(4) A legible, permanent and conspicuous notice shall be positioned adjacent to the outlet valves on every road tanker which has bottom loaded compartments stating—
(a) that the tanker has bottom loaded compartments;
(b) that dipsticks associated with bottom loaded compartments must not be used unless the compartment’s foot valve is open; and
(c) the method of indicating whether the foot valve of any bottom loaded compartment is open or closed.
34 
Where more than one compartment discharges
through a common outlet manifold means shall be provided to prevent liquid
flowing from one compartment into another compartment.
35 

(1) Tanks and compartments shall be so constructed
that the prescribed limits of error at any scale mark shall not be exceeded
whether the adjacent compartments are empty or contain liquid.
(2) Every tank shall be made of any metal,
alloy or synthetic material that is suitable for the type of liquid contained,
and such metal, alloy or synthetic material must possess sufficient strength,
durability and stability and a co-efficient of linear expansion not exceeding
25 × 10>−6°>C.
(3) Every compartment shall be so shaped
and constructed that—
(a) when the vehicle is standing on a level
surface, no air pockets form on filling and no liquid is retained on discharge;
and
(b) any baffles or stiffeners inside a compartment
do not interfere with its filling or emptying.
(4) The emptiness of a compartment and its
associated discharge pipes shall be easily verifiable.
(5) Means shall be provided to indicate whether the foot valve opening
mechanism of a bottom loaded compartment has been activated.
PART III MANNER OF USE FOR TRADE
36 

(1) Liquid fuel shall not be transferred
from one compartment into another during a delivery.
(2) A contents gauging system and a meter
measuring system shall be used for trade as follows:—
(a) the sales indicator shall be set to zero
before a delivery commences; and
(b) with a ticket printing mechanism which shall be used to provide an
individual printed ticket.
(3) No person shall use for trade a meter
measuring system at a rate of flow which is more than its approved maximum
or less than its approved minimum rate.
PART IV TESTING
Contents gauging systems
37 
Regulations 38 to 42 below apply to contents
gauging systems.
38 

(1) No contents gauging system shall be tested
unless it is installed ready for use and complete with all its parts and ancillary
equipment concerned in the operations of measurement and delivery as described
in the certificate of approval.
(2) Every contents gauging system shall be
tested by an inspector under the approved working conditions, with a liquid
fuel which it is designed to deliver, or with a liquid specified in the certificate
of approval.
39 
For the purposes of the performance by an inspector
of his functions under the Act or these Regulations relating to inspection,
testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping of a contents gauging
system, a person submitting such a system to an inspector or who an inspector
has reasonable cause to believe has possession of such a system for use for
trade shall, if requested, provide for the inspector's use such liquids as
the inspector may reasonably require, and any liquids so provided shall be
returned to the person in question.
40 
An inspector shall test a contents gauging
system using—
(a) local standards of capacity; or
(b) a reference meter; or
(c) other equipment, being measures of capacity
forming part of a fixed installation or being mounted on a vehicle or trailer,
which has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers suitable,
and adjusted, within the last twelve months, so as not to have any apparent
error.
41 

(1) An inspector may open any locked or sealed
container for the purpose of testing a contents gauging system or for the
return of liquid withdrawn during testing, and any liquid so withdrawn shall,
upon conclusion of the test, be forthwith returned to the container from which
it was withdrawn if the inspector is of the opinion that it is practicable
and desirable so to do and the proprietor or person in charge of the equipment
does not object; otherwise, it shall be placed in another suitable receptacle
reasonably convenient for the purpose and nominated and provided by the proprietor
or person in charge of the equipment.
(2) The inspector, if requested, shall give
to the proprietor or person in charge of the said equipment a signed and dated
statement of the quantity of such liquid withdrawn from the container and
returned or placed as aforesaid.
42 
An inspector shall securely re-fasten any container
opened under Regulation 41(1)
above immediately after the conclusion of the test and the return of the liquid
withdrawn during testing or its placing in another receptacle; and for this
purpose he shall replace any seal or link broken by him in opening the said
container with a seal upon which he shall affix the stamp.
Meter measuring systems
43 
Regulations 44 to 50 below apply to meter measuring
systems.
44 

(1) No meter measuring system shall be tested
unless it is installed ready for use and complete with all its parts and ancillary
equipment concerned in the operations of measurement and delivery as described
in any certificate of approval.
(2) Every meter measuring system shall be
tested by an inspector under the approved working conditions, with a liquid
fuel which it is designed to deliver, or with a suitable liquid of similar
viscosity.
45 
For the purposes of the performance by an inspector
of his functions under the Act or these Regulations relating to inspection,
testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping of a meter measuring
system a person submitting such a system to an inspector or who an inspector
has reasonable cause to believe has possession of such a system for use for
trade shall, if requested, provide for the inspector's use such liquid fuel
as the inspector may reasonably require, and any liquid fuel so provided shall
be returned to the person in question.
46 
A meter measuring system shall be tested at
rates of flow which are not more than the approved maximum and not less than
the approved minimum, the rate of flow being maintained as uniform as practicable.
47 
An inspector shall test a meter measuring system
using—
(a) local standards of capacity; or
(b) a reference meter; or
(c) other equipment, being measures of capacity
forming part of a fixed installation or being mounted on a vehicle or trailer,
which has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers suitable,
and adjusted, within the last twelve months, so as not to have any apparent
error.
48 

(1) An inspector may open any locked or sealed
container for the purpose of testing a meter measuring system or for the return
of liquid withdrawn during testing, and any liquid so withdrawn shall, upon
conclusion of the test, be forthwith returned to the container from which
it was withdrawn if the inspector is of the opinion that it is practicable
and desirable so to do and the proprietor or person in charge of the equipment
does not object; otherwise, it shall be placed in another suitable receptacle
reasonably convenient for the purpose and nominated and provided by the proprietor
or person in charge of the equipment.
(2) The inspector, if requested, shall give
to the proprietor or person in charge of the said equipment a signed and dated
statement of the quantity of such liquid withdrawn from the container and
returned or placed as aforesaid.
49 
An inspector shall securely re-fasten any container
opened under Regulation 48(1)
above immediately after the conclusion of the test and the return of any liquid
withdrawn during testing or its placing in another receptacle; and for this
purpose he shall replace any seal or link broken by him in opening the said
container with a seal upon which he shall affix the stamp.
50 

(1) An inspector shall not test a meter measuring
system in accordance with this Part of these Regulations where an occurrence
of the type mentioned in Regulation 65
below has occurred, unless having tested the operation of the meter and gas
separator, he concludes that further testing of the accuracy of the system
is necessary.
(2) An inspector shall not test a meter measuring
system in accordance with this Part of these Regulations where an occurrence
of the type mentioned in Regulation 66
below has occurred; in such a case he shall test the system in such way as
he considers appropriate to establish the correct operation of its parts affected
by the occurrence or, where appropriate, their replacements.
Dipstick measuring systems
51 
Regulations 52 to 55 below apply to dipstick
measuring systems.
52 

(1) —
(a) Except in the case of a dipstick tested
by reference to a calibration chart as mentioned in paragraph (2) below, a dipstick associated
with a compartment shall be tested by inserting into, or withdrawing from,
the compartment known volumes of liquid and determining the position of the
scale mark on the dipstick when the road tanker is on a level surface
(b) The known volumes in paragraph (a) above shall be determined using—
(i) local standards of capacity; or
(ii) a reference meter; or
(iii) other equipment, being measures of
capacity forming part of a fixed installation or being mounted on a vehicle
or trailer, which has been tested in a manner which the inspector considers
suitable, and adjusted, within the last twelve months, so as not to have any
apparent error.
(2) A dipstick associated with a compartment
may be tested by comparing the distance of every scale mark from the datum
surface with that given on the calibration chart in respect of the compartment,
unless any alteration, addition, damage or repair has been effected to the
compartment which in the opinion of the inspector has invalidated the calibration
chart, in which case the inspector shall not use a calibration chart to test
a dipstick until a new calibration chart has been prepared.
(3) On testing a dipstick associated with
a compartment an inspector shall inspect the compartment unless the calibration
chart was prepared not more than 42 days before testing, in which case testing
may be carried out with the dipstick and calibration chart only being present.
(4) Not more than two dipsticks relating
to a compartment forming part of a dipstick measuring system may be passed
as fit for use for trade on any one occasion.
53 
For the purposes of the performance by an inspector
of his functions under the Act or these Regulations relating to inspection,
testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping of a dipstick measuring
system a person submitting such a system to an inspector or who an inspector
has reasonable cause to believe has possession of such a system for use for
trade shall, if requested, provide for the inspector's use such products as
the inspector may reasonably require, and any products so provided shall be
returned to the person in question.
54 
An inspector shall use, in testing any dimensional
measurement in a dipstick measuring system—
(a) a rigid local standard of length; or
(b) a material measure of length to which Council DirectiveNo73/362/EEC applies
bearing the mark of EEC initial verification and an indication that it is
of accuracy class I which—
(i) is divided into 1 mm intervals throughout,
and
(ii) has been tested in a manner which the
inspector considers suitable within the previous 10 years and found not to
have errors exceeding those permitted by item 7.4 of the Annex to the said
Directive; or
(c) a rigid linear measure of appropriate
length which—
(i) is divided into 1 mm intervals throughout,
and
(ii) has been tested in a manner which the
inspector considers suitable within the previous 10 years and found not to
have errors in excess or in deficiency of 0.25 mm per whole metre or part
of a metre; or
(d) other equipment for measuring length
of suitable form and durability which has been tested in a manner which the
inspector considers suitable and found not to have any error in excess or
in deficiency of 0.25 mm per whole metre or part of a metre.
55 
Tanks submitted for testing shall be clean.
Measuring equipment imported from  a member State  or an EEA State
55A 

(1) In relation to measuring equipment imported into Great Britain from  a member State  or from an EEA State, subject to paragraph (4) below, an inspector shall not carry out any test in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Part of these Regulations if, together with the measuring equipment being imported, he is presented with the requisite documentation.
(2) In this Regulation and in Regulation 57(2) below—
(a) “requisite documentation” means—
(i) the test report of an approved body stating that the measuring equipment which is the subject of that report has been tested in accordance with the tests mentioned in this Part of these Regulations and stating which tests have been applied to that measuring equipment; and
(ii) the test results relating to those tests; and
(b) “EEA State” means a State which is a Contracting Party to the EEA Agreement ...; and in this paragraph “the EEA Agreement” means the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993.
(3) A body is an “approved body” for the purposes of this regulation if it is a body in a member State or in an EEA State which has responsibility in that State for metrological control of measuring equipment on road tankers or is a laboratory which has been accredited for the purposes of testing measuring equipment on road tankers in a member State or in an EEA State as being a body which conforms with the criteria set out in BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2000.
(4) Nothing in these Regulations shall prevent an inspector testing in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Part of these Regulations where he is not satisfied—
(a) as to the authenticity of the test report or the test results presented to him; or
(b) that those results in fact relate to the measuring equipment being imported.
PART V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Prescribed limits of error
56 

(1) The prescribed limits of error relating
to a contents gauging system or a meter measuring system shall be 0.5% of
the indicated quantity:Provided that
(a) for a quantity equivalent to the minimum
delivery of the system and up to twice that amount, the error shall not exceed
1% of the minimum delivery; and
(b) if, on testing with a view to passing
as fit for use for trade, the errors on all the quantities indicated by the
measuring equipment during the tests are all errors in excess or all errors
in deficiency then, notwithstanding that they are all within the prescribed
limits of error set out above, at least one error in five shall not exceed
0.3% of the quantity indicated.
(2) The prescribed limits of error relating
to a dipstick measuring system shall be such that:—
(a) the lower edge of each scale mark on
the dipstick (the further edge from the datum face) is within 4 mm of the
true position for each quantity indicated, when tested by inserting into,
or withdrawing from, the compartment a known volume of liquid in accordance
with Regulation 52(1)
above;
(b) the lower edge of each such scale mark
is within 2 mm of the distance indicated on the calibration chart as being
the distance between the surface of the liquid fuel in the compartment at
any particular time and the datum surface, when tested by reference to a calibration
chart in accordance with Regulation 52(2)
above;
(c) the lower edge of the line referred to
in Regulation 27
above is within 1 mm of the distance specified; and
(d) the height of the datum surface is within
1 mm of the height marked in accordance with Regulation 32 above.
Passing as fit for use for trade
57 

(1) Save in a case of measuring equipment imported from  a member State  or an EEA State, no measuring equipment shall be passed as fit for use for trade unless—
(a) it complies with all the appropriate requirements of these Regulations; and
(b) on testing it falls within the prescribed limits of error.
(2) In the case of measuring equipment imported from  a member State  or an EEA State, no measuring equipment shall be passed as fit for use for trade unless—
(a) where the requisite documentation is presented in accordance with Regulation 55A above, the test report recites and the test data confirm to the satisfaction of the inspector that on testing in accordance with provisions of the law of a member State or EEA State it fell within limits of error which afford in use at least an equivalent standard to the prescribed limits of error;
(b) it complies with all the other relevant requirements of these Regulations; and
(c) the inspector is of the opinion that it is not constructed in a manner which facilitates fraudulent use and that it does not bear any inscriptions which might cause confusion in use.
Stamping
58 

(1) Every contents gauging system shall be
provided with such sealing arrangements as may be authorised by the Secretary
of State in relation to the pattern in accordance with which the measuring
equipment is made as set out in the certificate of approval in force.
(2) Every meter measuring system shall be
provided with one or more plugs, seals or sealing devices of suitable form
and material to protect all stops and other adjustable parts affecting the
quantity delivered, or with such alternative sealing arrangements as may be
authorised by the Secretary of State in relation to the pattern in accordance
with which the measuring equipment is made as set out in any certificate of
approval in force.
(3) The stamp shall be placed on every such
plug, seal or sealing device referred to in paragraph (2) above and every other sealing
device authorised in accordance with paragraph
(1) or (2)
above.
59 
In the case of a dipstick measuring system the stamp shall be placed on the graduated face of the dipstick blade adjacent to the line 50 mm below the datum face referred to in Regulation 27 above or, where applicable, on the metal rivet referred to in Regulation 22 above, and adjacent to the datum surface.
60 
No measuring equipment shall be stamped in accordance with Regulation 58(3) or 59 above, if it bears any mark which, in the opinion of the inspector, might reasonably be mistaken for the stamp.
Obliteration of stamps
61 
Stamps shall be obliterated by an inspector, in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, by means of punches or pincers of suitable sizes of a six-pointed star design as shown in the following illustration:
62 
An inspector shall obliterate the stamp on any measuring equipment which—
(a) fails upon testing—
(i) in the case of a contents gauging system or a meter measuring system, to fall within the prescribed limits of error in deficiency, or within twice the prescribed limits of error in excess, specified in Regulation 56(1) above as appropriate to the case; or
(ii) in the case of a dipstick measuring system, to fall within the prescribed limits of error specified in Regulation 56(2) above; or
(b) fails to comply with any other appropriate requirement of these Regulations:Provided that where any measuring equipment does not fully
comply with the requirements of these Regulations, but the nature or degree
of the non- compliance is not in the inspector's opinion such as to require
the immediate obliteration of the stamp, he shall give to the proprietor or
any person in possession of the equipment a notice calling on him to have
the equipment corrected within a stated period not exceeding 28 days, and
shall obliterate the stamp if the correction has not been made within the
stated period.
63 
An inspector shall obliterate the stamp on
any measuring equipment which has, since it was last stamped, had any adjustment, alteration, addition, repair or replacement made to it such that it could not be passed as fit for use for
trade under Regulation 57
above.
64 

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3)
below, for the purposes of these Regulations the obliteration of any one stamp
on any measuring equipment shall be deemed to be the obliteration of all other
stamps on that equipment except where the stamp has been lawfully obliterated
under Regulation 65 or 66 below.
(2) Where a stamp is obliterated on a dipstick,
this Regulation shall not apply so as to prevent the use of a spare or replacement
dipstick for measuring the quantity of fuel in the compartment to which the
first- mentioned dipstick relates.
(3) Where a stamp on that part of a contents
gauging system relating to one container only is obliterated, this Regulation
shall not apply so as to prevent the system or any other contents gauging
system being used for measuring the quantity of liquid fuel in the other containers
on the same road tanker.
Lawful use for trade of meter measuring systems where stamps destroyed,
obliterated or defaced
65 

(1) It shall be lawful
to destroy, obliterate or deface a stamp on a meter measuring system, and
it shall not be a contravention of section 11(2) of the Act to use such equipment for trade
during the relevant period by reason only that a stamp on it has been lawfully
destroyed, obliterated or defaced (such destruction, obliteration or defacement
being in this Regulation referred to as “the
occurrence”) if— 
(a) the person responsible for the occurrence is, or is the duly authorised agent
of, the proprietor of the equipment or a person who is the manufacturer, or
is regularly engaged in the repair, of equipment for measuring liquid fuel;

(b) the occurrence was confined to
the stamp protecting the joint in the vent pipe from the gas separator;

(c) the occurrence was only to permit
the installation of a meter and gas separator bearing undefaced stamps such
meter and gas separator having been previously tested and stamped either as
part of that meter measuring system or another of exactly the same pattern
delivering the same liquid fuel; and

(d) notificati on in writing complying
with paragraph (2)
below of the occurrence has been given by the proprietor of the equipment
or his duly authorised agent before the occurrence to the chief inspector
of weights and measures for the area in which the equipment is situated.
(2) The notification referred to in paragraph (1) above shall contain the following
information:—
(a) the location of, and particulars by which,
the road tanker may be identified;
(b) the place where the tanker may be inspected;
(c) the intended date of the occurrence;
(d) the business name and address of the
proprietor or other person referred to in paragraph
(1)(a) above; and
(e) the name and address of the person giving
the notification.
(3) In paragraph
(1) above “relevant
period” means a period of 7 days
beginning with the day on which the notification is given in accordance with
that paragraph.
66 

(1) It shall be lawful
to destroy, obliterate or deface a stamp on a meter measuring system, and
it shall not be a contravention of section 11(2) of the Act to use such equipment for trade
during the relevant period by reason only that a stamp on it has been lawfully
destroyed, obliterated or defaced (such destruction, obliteration or defacement
being in this Regulation referred to as “the
occurrence”) if— 
(a) the person responsible for the occurrence is, or is the duly authorised agent
of, the proprietor of the equipment or a person who is the manufacturer, or
is regularly engaged in the repair, of equipment for measuring liquid fuel;
(b) the occurrence was confined to the stamp protecting the ticket printing mechanism;
(c) after the occurrence access cannot
be gained to the calibration mechanism of the meter; and
(d) notification in writing complying
with paragraph (2)
below of the occurrence has been given by the proprietor of the equipment
or his duly authorised agent before the occurrence to the chief inspector
of weights and measures for the area in which the equipment is situated.
(2) The notification referred to in paragraph (1) above shall contain the following information:—
(a) the location of, and particulars by which, the road tanker may be identified;
(b) the place where the tanker may be inspected;
(c) the intended date of the occurrence;
(d) the business name and address of the proprietor or other person referred to in paragraph (1)(a) above; and
(e) the name and address of the person giving the notification.
(3) In paragraph (1) above “relevant period” means a period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notification referred to in that paragraph is given in accordance with that paragraph.
Alexander Fletcher
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Department of Trade and Industry
13th September 1983