11 October 2007 Media Release Trading Standards Announce Results of ‘Fair Measure Fortnight’: 42% of measures tested contain less than stated amount. SCOTSS, the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland, today released the results of their ‘Fair Measure Fortnight' project which took place over the late summer in the period coinciding with the Edinburgh Festival and the busiest time of year for tourism in Scotland. The object of the project, co-ordinated by SCOTSS, was to check the accuracy of wine and spirit measures sold in licensed premises across Scotland. Trading Standards Officers test purchased 508 spirits and 120 deliveries of wine in 344 premises. 87 (13.9%) of the measures were correct, with 266 (42.4%) short measure and 275 (43.8%) overmeasure. While many of the discrepancies were relatively small, some were more serious with 63 warnings issued and 15 cases being reported to the Procurator Fiscal under the Weights and Measures Act. The worst examples saw a spirit measure short by 28.8%, and a wine measure short by 10.8%. At the other extreme, one spirit measure was 81.6% over and one wine measure was 31.2% over. In the case of smaller discrepancies, Officers have provided advice and guidance to 198 licensees on how to ensure correct measures are dispensed. Announcing the results, David Thomson, Chairman of SCOTSS said, “It is disappointing that a significant proportion of wine and spirit measures delivered to customers are incorrect. It is particularly disappointing that the situation has not improved greatly since a similar initiative in 2006. Trading Standards will continue to work with the licensed trade to help them meet their responsibilities under Weights and Measures legislation.” Mr Thomson added, “It is a matter of concern that only 14% of measures tested were completely accurate. Whilst under measure is a fair trading issue, over measure is also of concern for those counting their units for health reasons. This is not about encouraging irresponsible drinking but it is about licensed premises making sure their staff are trained properly to ensure the public receive fair measure for their money.” South and North Lanarkshire Trading Standards services have worked with the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) to produce a training pack called ‘Measure Up’ in a bid to provide comprehensive guidance to the licensed trade on how to comply with trading standards legislation. The pack is available to licensees from the SLTA. Further information on trading standards and weights and measures is available from local Trading Standards services which can be found through the SCOTSS website www.scotss.org.uk ENDS Note to Editors SCOTSS is the professional body which represents trading standards services in all 32 Scottish local authorities. It coordinates fair trading, safety and weights & measures issues across the country. As a section of the Trading Standards Institute its purpose is to promote excellence and enhance the professionalism of its members in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses and targeting rogue traders. This project involved statutory duties that local authorities have under the Weights & Measures Act 1985 to ensure accuracy in trade transactions. There are criminal penalties of a fine up to £5000 for anyone who provides inaccurate measures. For SCOTSS enquiries; please contact Peter Adamson, lead officer for metrology, 01343 554610.