Published on:
04
October 2010
Trading Standards Officers have this week released the results of their "Fair Measure Project" which targeted licensed premises throughout Scotland to see if they were supplying the correct quantities of whisky, gin, rum and vodka to their customers.
The project was co-ordinated by SCOTSS (the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland ), and involved officers from 18 out of 32 local authorities in Scotland.
These officers visited 189 licensed premises and tested a total of 370 spirit samples during August and September. Of these, a staggering 166 samples (45% of the total) were found to be short measure.
In Stirling and Clackmannanshire, the majority of the errors were quite small, amounting to less than 4% of the total. However, some larger deficiencies of up to 13% were found. As a result, eight licensed premises in the area will be issued with written warnings.
No premises in Stirling and Clackmannanshire are to be reported to the Procurator Fiscal at this stage, but the premises which receive a written warning will be visited again in due course, and will be reported if they continue to supply short-measure. The offence under The Weights and Measures Act 1985 carries a fine of up to £5000.
Portfolio holder for sustainability, Councillor Eddie Carrick, said. "There is no excuse for supplying wrong measures. Premises received written notification that officers would be visiting during August / September to make the test purchases."
"The police and health authorities are urging people to drink responsibly and to know their limits. This can be very difficult if the amount of alcohol being supplied in pubs varies each time."
"The results of this project emphasise the need for licensees and their staff to receive proper training in all aspects of operating licensed premises. It is essential that all staff in licensed premises learn how to use their measuring equipment properly."
It is intended that as one of the outcomes of this project, Trading Standards will work more closely with members of the licensed trade to provide additional guidance, where necessary.
If anyone wishes further information on the work that Trading Standards undertake in relation to weights and measures, or any other legislative area, they should contact their local office which can be found through the SCOTSS website : www.scotss.org.uk
SCOTSS is the professional body which represents Trading Standards Services in all 32 Scottish Local Authorities. It co-ordinates fair trading, safety and weights & measures issues across the country. As a section of the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), 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 and Measures Act 1985 to ensure that quantities prescribed for public sale are provided accurately as indicated. There are criminal penalties of a fine up to £5000 for anyone who provides inaccurate measures.
Stirling and Clackmannanshire Trading Standards is a joint service, operating on behalf of Stirling Council and Clackmannanshire Council.