The regulations are where measurement law becomes operational. If you package, weigh, pour, dispense or measure goods for sale, the business needs simple controls that staff can follow during ordinary trading, not just a policy hidden in a folder.
Main laws
Commonwealth Regulation
National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth)
The National Trade Measurement Regulations affect packed goods, scales, meters, net quantity and measured sales.
In forceCommonwealthPlain-English guide5 practical checks
Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Check the linked official source before you rely on a specific section, and get advice for your situation.
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Quick read
- These regulations sit under the National Measurement Act and contain practical trade-measurement rules.
- They matter when staff weigh goods, package products, mark net quantity, use measuring instruments or sell meat, fuel, liquids and other measured products.
Likely relevant if
- Retailers, manufacturers and importers selling packed goods
- Food, beverage, cosmetics, cleaning, fuel, produce and hardware businesses
- Businesses using scales, flowmeters, measuring instruments or public weighbridges
Check first
- Follow trade measurement rules for instruments, packed articles and measured sales.
- Use appropriate measuring instruments and maintain verification records.
- Mark packages and product information with accurate quantity statements.
Start here
Key points
- Check the rules before choosing label formats and pack sizes.
- Train staff on tare, scales, fill checks and customer-facing quantity statements.
- Keep records showing how instruments are verified and maintained.
- Investigate customer complaints about short measure quickly.
Day-to-day controls
Key points
- Use the right scale or meter for the product and quantity range.
- Make net quantity easy to read on labels and product pages.
- Check sample packs during production runs.
- Record instrument servicing, verification and repairs.
Plain-English glossary
- Packed article
- A product packed before sale where quantity statements and short-measure rules may apply.
- Tare
- The allowance for packaging or container weight when measuring product quantity.
- Approved pattern
- A measuring instrument pattern approved for use in trade measurement settings.
Common questions
Why have a separate page from the Act?
The Act sets the framework, while the regulations contain many practical rules for measuring instruments, packed articles and trade measurement processes.
Does this apply to ecommerce?
It can. Online sales still need accurate quantity statements and compliant packaging where goods are sold by measurement.
Should staff be trained?
Yes. Trade measurement problems often start with ordinary staff processes like tare, fill weight, label selection or scale use.