WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT, 2010
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
Part I–PRELIMINARY
1. Interpretation and construction.
Part II – UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
2. International System of Units.
3. Measurements to be made in International System of Units.
4. Primary standards.
5. Secondary standards.
6. Tertiary standards.
7. Working standards.
8. Verification of standards.
9. Keeping of standards.
Part III – Weights and Measures for Trade and Industry
10. Weights and measures for use in trade and industry.
11. Marking of weights and measures with denomination.
12. Stamping, verification and issue of certificates.
13. Lead, pewter and iron weights.
14. Mode of filling measures of capacity.
Part IV–ADMINISTRATION
15. Custodian of weights and measures.
16. Inspectors of weights and measures.
17. Duties of Inspectors.
18. Powers of entry and seizure.
ACT
Supplement to the Sierra Leone Gazette Vol. CXLI, No. 53
dated 29th July, 2010
Part V–OFFENCES
19. Offences relating to trade and industry.
20. Offences relating to packaged goods.
21. Failure of seller to weigh or measure.
22. Trading without required weights, measures, etc.
23. Fraud, forgery, etc.
24. Obstruction, etc., of Inspectors.
25. Offences by Inspectors.
26. Offences by bodies of persons.
27. Seizure and forfeiture.
28. Evidence as to possession.
Part VI–GENERAL
29. Permissible margin of error.
30. Conversion.
31. References to units in other enactments.
32. Vessels not represented as authorized measures, etc.
33. Regulations.
34. Repeal and savings
SCHEDULES
ii
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
Short title.
No. 5
2010
Sierra Leone
THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ACT, 2010
Being an Act to repeal and replace the Weights and Measures
Act, 1961, to authorise and validate the use of the metric system of
measurements based on the International System of Units, to provide
for the comparison and verification of weights and measures and to
provide for other related matters.
[
]
ENACTED by the President and Members of Parliament in this
present Parliament assembled.
Date of com-
mencement.
SIGNED this
22nd day of July, 2010
DR. ERNEST BAI KOROMA,
President.
LS
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
Interpretation
and construc-
tion.
PART I–PRELIMINARY
1. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires–
��Inspector�� includes the Chief Inspector of Weights
and Measures;
��instrument for weighing�� includes a balance scale,
beam, steel meter, counterpoise and every machine
for determining weight;
��measure�� includes any instrument for the
measurement of length, area, volume, capacity,
temperature, pressure or gravity;
��Minister�� means the Minister responsible for trade;
��prescribed�� means prescribed by regulations made
under section 33;
��Standards Bureau�� means the Standards Bureau
established by section 3 of the Standards Act, 1996
(Act No. 2 of 1996.)
��trade�� means any contract, bargain, sale or dealing
made or had in Sierra Leone for any work, goods,
wares or merchandise or thing which has been or is
to be done, sold, delivered, carried or agreed for by
weight or measure and the collection of tolls or duties
charged or collected according to weight or measure.
(2) This Act shall be read and construed together, and
accordingly every expression and word used in this Act to which a
particular meaning is given by the Standards Act, 1996 for the purposes
of this Act has the meaning so given.
PART II– UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
2. (1) The units of measurement to be used throughout Sierra
Leone shall be the units known as the International System of Units.
(2) The International System of Units shall comprise–
(a) the basic units set out in Part I of the First
Schedule;
2
International
System of
Units.
(b) the supplementary and derived units set out
in Part 2 of the First Schedule; and
(c) the units which may be used in conjunction
with the basic, supplementary and derived
units as set out in Part 3 of the First Schedule
.
(3) Multiples and sub-multiples of each of the units of
the International System of Units shall be an integral power of ten
(positive or negative) as set out in Part 4 of the First Schedule.
3. (1) All measurements shall be made by reference to the
International System of Units or their multiples or sub-multiples.
(2) No other units of measurement or their multiples or
sub-multiples shall be used.
4. (1) The Minister may, authorise the Standards Bureau,
as the circumstances may require, to procure or cause to be prepared
and maintained a national prototype standards of weights and
measure of the units of the International System of Units set out in
Part I of the First Schedule.
(2) The national prototype standards of mass and
measure shall be verified and certified in terms of the international
prototype standards of mass and measure, maintained and kept by
the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, by such means
and in such manner as the Minister may determine.
(3) When so verified and certified the national prototype
standards shall be the Sierra Leonean Primary Standards of mass
and measure by reference to which all standards of mass and measure
shall be maintained in Sierra Leone.
(4) The Sierra Leonean Primary Standards of mass and
measure shall be in such form and of such material as the Minister
may direct and the form, material and place of keeping shall be such
as to be, as far as practicable, proof against mechanical and
atmospheric agencies and all other sources of error.
(5) The Minister shall also cause to be maintained such
weighing machines and other articles as appear to him necessary for
giving effect to this section.
3
Measurements
to be made in
International
System of
Units.
Primary
standards.
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2010
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Weights and Measures Act
2010
5. The Minister shall authorise the Standards Bureau to
procure or cause to be prepared and maintained, as he thinks fit,
secondary standards of mass and measure consisting of all the
weights and measures set out in the Second Schedule, and shall
cause such secondary standards to be verified from the Sierra Leonean
primary standards.
6. The Minister shall authorise the Standards Bureau to
procure or cause to be prepared and maintained, such copies of the
secondary standards, as he may think fit, and shall cause such copies
to be verified as tertiary standards of mass and measure.
7. (1) The Minister may, authorise the Standards Bureau,
as he thinks fit, to procure or cause to be prepared and maintained,
working standards of weights and measure in such form as may be
recommended by the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, which shall be
the Custodian of Weights and Measures and shall verify the working
standards by reference to the tertiary standards and cause an indelible
mark to be made on such working standards.
(2) The working standards shall be used for the
inspection, verification and authentication of all weights and measures
as required by this Act, and for such other purposes as the Minister
may direct.
8. (1) The Minister shall cause the primary standards
verified at least once in every ten years at the International Bureau of
Weights and Measures.
(2) Where the Primary Standards are to be sent out for
such verification, the Minister shall cause to be deposited with the
Sierra Leone Standards Bureau such secondary standards, as he
may consider necessary, after having provided for them to be
compared and verified with the primary standards in such manner as
he may direct and such secondary standards shall be deemed to be
the primary standards during such time as the primary standards are
out of Sierra Leone.
(3) The secondary, tertiary and working standards shall
be compared and verified by the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau at
such intervals and in such manner as the Minister may determine.
4
Secondary
standards.
Tertiary
standards.
Working
standards.
Verification
to be of
standards.
(4) On being satisfied of the accuracy of the secondary,
tertiary or working standards, as the case may be, the Sierra Leone
Standards Bureau shall issue certificates of verification and such
certificates shall be retained by the persons who have custody of the
relevant standards.
(5) All secondary, tertiary and working standards which
have been duly verified and certified shall, for all purposes, be
conclusively deemed to be true and accurate and judicial notice shall
be taken of every such standard.
(6) The Minister may at any time cancel any secondary,
tertiary or working standard and shall by notification in the
Gazette
direct that such cancelled standard shall no longer be used for the
purposes of this Act.
9. (1) The primary and secondary standards shall be kept
in such place as the Minister may determine in the custody and
under the control of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, which shall
ensure their security in such manner as the Minister may direct.
(2) The tertiary standards shall be kept in the custody of
the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and in such manner as the Minister
may direct.
(3) The working standards shall be kept in the custody
of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and such other persons as the
Minister may direct.
PART III–WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FOR TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
10. (1) No person shall–
(a) use for trade or industry any unit of
measurement of length, area, volume, or mass
or weight, which is not included in the First
Schedule; or
(b) use for trade or industry, or have in his
possession for use for trade or industry, any
linear, square or cubic measure which is not
included in the Second Schedule or any
weight which is not so included.
5
Keeping of
standards.
Weights and
measures for
use in trade
and industry.
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2010
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Weights and Measures Act
2010
(2) Except as may be prescribed and subject to any
regulations made under section 33 –
(a) a linear measure specified in Part I of the
Second Schedule may be marked in whole or
in part with divisions and subdivisions
representing any shorter length or lengths;
(b) no cubic measure specified in Part 3 of the
Second Schedule shall be used for trade or
industry by means of any division or
subdivision marked thereon as a cubic
measure of any lesser quantity.
11. (1) Every weight for use for trade or industry shall have
the denomination of such weight marked on the top or side thereof in
legible figures and letters by the manufacturer:
Provided that where the small size of a weight renders it impracticable
to mark such a weight, a certificate shall be supplied by the
manufacturer in respect of such weight and the certificate shall be
produced to an Inspector on his request and shall contain sufficient
particulars to enable the identification and denomination of such
weight to be established.
(2) Every measure of capacity for use in trade or industry
shall have the denomination thereof marked on the outside of such
measure in legible figures and letters by the manufacturer.
(3) A weight or measure not in conformity with this
section shall not be stamped with a stamp of verification under section
12.
12. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, every weight,
measure and instrument for weighing or measuring for use in trade or
industry shall be verified and stamped by an Inspector with a stamp
of verification, and the Inspector shall issue a certificate of verification
at the time of stamping:
6
Marking of
weights and
measures with
denomination.
Stamping,
verification
and issue of
certificates.
Provided that where the small size of a weight renders it impracticable
for the Inspector to stamp it with his stamp of verification, he may on
being satisfied with the identity and denomination of such weight,
dispense with stamping and issue a certificate of verification.
(2) A certificate of verification issued under subsection
(1), shall remain in force for such period as may be prescribed and
shall during that period authorize the use of the weight, measure or
instrument for weighing or measuring in any part of Sierra Leone
unless it is unjust.
(3) Every person who has in his possession for use for
trade or industry any weight, measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring shall retain in his possession the certificate of verification
issued in respect thereof and shall produce the certificate for
inspection whenever required to do so by an Inspector.
(4) Every weight, measure and instrument for weighing
or measuring which has been stamped and verified under subsection
(1), shall be authenticated within such intervals as the Minister may
prescribe.
(5) The verification and stamping or authentication under
this section shall be made by reference to a Working Standard.
(6) Where any weight, measure or instrument for
weighing or measuring is of such a character as not to be capable of
being readily or conveniently brought to an Inspector for the purpose
of examination, such Inspector shall upon the written request of the
person in possession of the weight, measure or instrument, and on
payment by him of the prescribed fees, attend at the premises where
it is located and there examine it.
(7) An Inspector shall not verify, stamp, certify or
authenticate any weight, measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring where–
(a) it is not in conformity with subsection (1) of
section 10 or subsection (2) of section 10; or
7
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Weights and Measures Act
2010
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Weights and Measures Act
2010
(b) it presents unusual features which do not
conform to such pattern or specifications as
the Custodian of Weights and Measures may
prescribe generally by notice published in
the
Gazette; or
(c) it contravenes or fails to comply with any of
the provisions of this Act or regulations made
thereunder.
13. (1) A weight made of lead or pewter or any of the mixture
thereof shall not be verified and stamped with a stamp of verification
or certified or authenticated under section 12 nor shall such weight
be used for trade:
Provided that this subsection shall not apply where such weight is
wholly and substantially cased with brass, copper or iron and legibly
marked ��cased��.
(2) Nothing in this section shall prevent the insertion
into a weight of such plug of lead or pewter as is necessary for the
purpose of adjusting the weight and affixing thereon the stamp of
verification.
(3) An Inspector may refuse to stamp any iron weight or
any weight cased with iron unless it has a plug of softer metal upon
which to impress or affix the stamp.
14.
(1) A measure of capacity having a portion made of metal
or other suitable material, sufficient to bear the stamp of verification,
extending from the lower end and having the upper portion made
wholly or partially of glass or other transparent material so that the
level of the surface of the contents may be clearly seen, and with
the level line distinctly marked upon the transparent portion, may be
used for measuring liquids and shall be filled to the level of the line so
marked.
(2) All measures used for measuring liquids not
constructed as described in subsection (1), shall be filled to the level
of the brim.
8
Lead, pewter
and iron
weights.
Mode of
filling
measures of
capacity.
(3) All measures of capacity used for any purpose other
than measuring liquids shall either be stricken with a round stick or
roller, straight and of the same diameter from end to end, or if the
article sold cannot from its size and shape conveniently be stricken,
shall be filled in all parts as nearly to the level of the brim as the size
and shape of the article will permit.
PART IV – ADMINISTRATION
15. (1) The Sierra Leone Standards Bureau shall be Custodian
of Weights and Measures for the purpose of carrying into effect the
provisions of this Act.
(2) The Minister may by regulations prescribe additional
duties and powers of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau.
16. (1) The Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau
shall be the Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures and shall be
assisted by such number of Inspectors of Weights and Measures as
may be necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.
(2) Every Inspector shall make such returns and furnish
such information as the Chief Inspector may require and generally
shall conform to the directions of the Chief Inspector.
(3) The powers and duties of the Chief Inspector may be
exercised and discharged by any Inspector.
(4) The Council may from time to time give the Chief
Inspector directions of a general character not inconsistent with the
this Act and the Standards Act, 1996 and the Chief Inspector shall
give effect to such directions.
17. (1) The Chief Inspector shall cause such working
standards and instruments for weighing or measuring as he may
think requisite to be procured and delivered to the Inspectors and
every Inspector shall, at such times and places as the Chief Inspector
shall by public notice appoint, attend with his working standards
and instruments for weighing and measuring, and examine all weights,
measures and instruments for weighing or measuring brought to
him.
9
Custodian of
Weights and
Measures.
Inspectors of
Weights and
Measures.
Duties of
Inspectors.
Act No. 2
of 1996.
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
(2) An Inspector shall examine every weight and measure
which is brought to him for the purpose of verification, and shall
compare it with the corresponding working standard.
(3) If he finds it to be just, and not already stamped or
marked, he shall stamp or mark it in the prescribed manner.
(4) An Inspector shall also stamp and mark in the
prescribed manner any instrument for weighing or measuring brought
or submitted to him for examination which he finds to be just and
accurate and not already stamped or marked.
(5) Whenever an Inspector stamps, marks, or verifies any
weight, measure or instrument for weighing or measuring, he shall
enter in a book kept by him particulars of the stamping, marking or
verification.
18. (1) Every Inspector may, subject to the production if so
requested of a certificate of his appointment, at all reasonable times
enter any shop, store, warehouse, stall, yard or other place, in which
he has reasonable cause to believe that goods are bought, sold,
exposed, or kept for sale, or weighed or measured for conveyance or
carriage, and may require the production of, and may examine, any
weight, measure or instrument for weighing or measuring that may be
there.
(2) If on the examination the Inspector has reasonable
cause to believe that any such weight, measure or instrument for
weighing or measuring is made or used contrary to any of the
provisions of this Act or of any statutory instrument made thereunder,
he may seize, carry away, and detain it for the purpose of comparing
it with a working standard.
PART V – OFFENCES
19. Any person who uses in trade or industry, or has in his
possession for use in trade or industry, any weight, measure or
instrument for weighing or measuring–
(a) which is false or unjust; or
10
Powers of
entry and
seizure.
Offences
relating to
trade and
industry.
(b) which is not authorized to be used under
section 10; or
(c) which is not marked or certified in conformity
with section 11; or
(d) which is not verified, stamped, certified or
authenticated in conformity with section 12
or section 13; or
(e) in respect of which, a certificate of verification
is not in force,
commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a
fine not exceeding Le5, 000,000.00 or to imprisonment not exceeding
twelve months.
20. (1) Any person who sells goods, whether on his own
behalf or on behalf of another shall, if the goods are packaged or put
into containers or are similarly prepared for exhibition or sale, cause
both the gross and the net weights or measures to be declared on
the package or container.
(2) Any person required under this section to have the
weight or measure of goods declared on the package or container
who refuses or neglects to do so as required by this section commits
an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a term of
imprisonment not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding
Le5,000,000.00.
21. (1) Any person who sells goods, whether on his own
behalf or on behalf of another, by weight or measure, shall upon
being so required by the person to whom the goods are delivered
and in the presence of that person –
(a) if the goods are sold by weight, weigh the
goods, or
(b) if the goods are sold by measure, measure
the goods.
11
Offences
relating to
packaged
goods.
Failure of
seller to
weigh or
measure.
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2010
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Weights and Measures Act
2010
(2) Any person required under this section to weigh or
measure any goods who refuses or neglects to do so as required by
this section commits an offence and shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding Le500,000.00.
22. Where in any trade the transaction or dealing is to be
determined by weight or measure, a trader in respect of such trade is
not in possession of the weights, measures or instruments for weighing
or measuring necessary for such trade, commits an offence and shall
be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
Le1,000,000.00.
23. Any person who–
(a) knowingly makes, sells or uses, or knowingly
causes to be made, sold or used, any unjust
weight, measure, or instrument for weighing
or measuring; or
(b) forges or counterfeits, or causes or procures
to be forged or counterfeited, or knowingly
assists in forging or counterfeiting, any stamp
or mark used for stamping or marking any
weight, measure or instrument for weighing
or measuring; or
(c) knowingly sells, disposes of or exposes for
sale any weight, measure or instrument for
weighing or measuring with any forged or
counterfeit stamp or mark thereon; or
(d) with intent to defraud, alters any weight,
measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring stamped or marked in accordance
with this Act; or
(e) commits any fraud involving any weight,
measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring in use for trade or industry,
commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a
term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding
Le20,000,000.00 .
12
Trading
without
required
weights,
measures.
Fraud,
forgery, etc.
24. Any person who –
(a) neglects or refuses to produce for examination
by an Inspector when lawfully required to do
so any certificate, weight, measure, or
instrument for weighing or measuring in his
possession or custody or on his premises;
or
(b) willfully obstructs or hinders an Inspector in
the performance of his duties under this Act,
commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a
term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve months or to a fine not
exceeding Le5,000,000.00.
25. Any Inspector who–
(a) stamps, marks or certifies any weight or
measure without duly verifying it by
comparison with the proper Working
Standard; or
(b) repairs, alters or adjusts any weight, measure
or instrument for weighing or measuring
examined by him,
commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a
term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding
Le20,000,000.00.
26. (1) Where an offence under this Act or under anystatutory
instrument made thereunder is committed by a body of persons–
(a) where the body of persons is a body
corporate, every director or officer of that
body corporate shall be deemed to have
committed that offence; and
(b) where the body of persons is a firm, every
partner of that firm shall be deemed to have
committed that offence.
13
Offences by
Inspectors.
Offences by
bodies of
persons.
Obstruction,
etc. of
Inspectors.
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2010
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2010
(2) No person shall be deemed to have committed an
offence under subsection (1), if he proves that the act in respect of
which he is charged was committed by some other person without
his consent or connivance and that he exercised all such diligence to
prevent the commission of that act as he ought to have exercised
having regard to all the circumstances.
27. (1) Where an Inspector has reasonable cause to believe
that an offence under this Act has been committed in respect of any
weight, measure or instrument for weighing or measuring he may
seize and detain that weight, measure or instrument.
(2) Where the owner of such weight, measure or
instrument cannot be found within thirty days after the seizure, that
weight, measure or instrument shall be forfeited to the Republic of
Sierra Leone.
(3) Subject to subsection (2), any weight, measure or
instrument for weighing or measuring in respect of which any offence
is committed under this Act may be forfeited to the Republic of Sierra
Leone by order of the court.
(4) Any weight, measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring which is forfeited to the Republic of Sierra Leone shal be
destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the Chief
Inspector may direct.
28. Where any weight, measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring is found in the possession of any person carrying on
trade or industry, or in or upon the premises of any person, whether
in a building or in the open air, and whether open or enclosed, are
used for trade or industry, that person shall be deemed for the purposes
of this Act, unless the contrary is proved, to have that weight, measure
or instrument for weighing or measuring in his possession for use in
trade or industry.
14
Seizure and
forfeture.
Evidence as
to possession.
PART VI – GENERAL
29. (1) No weight, measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring shall have a greater error than the limits of error prescribed
by any regulation made under this Act.
(2) Any weight, measure or instrument for weighing or
measuring which is within the prescribed limits of error shall be
deemed to be just and true for the purposes of this Act.
30. (1) For the purpose of expressing the values of the units
of the International System of Units in terms of the values of other
units of measurements, Part 1 of the Third Schedule shall have effect.
(2) For the purpose of expressing the values of the units
of measurement in terms of the values of the units of the International
System of Units, Part 2 of the Third Schedule shall have effect.
31. (1) Any reference to units of measurement contained in
any enactment in force on the commencement of this Act shall be
construed by reference to the appropriate units of the International
System of Units in accordance with the rates of conversion set out in
the Third Schedule.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection
(1), the Minister may by statutory instrument adapt, amend, convert
or modify the provisions of any enactment in order to replace
references to units of measurement contained therein by references
to the units of the International System of Units in accordance with
the rates of conversion set out in the Third Schedule or in such
approximation thereto as the Minister may consider necessary or
desirable.
32. Nothing in this Act shall–
(a) prevent the sale or subject any person to a
penalty under this Act for the sale of anything
in any vessel where the vessel is not
represented as containing any amount of a
measure authorized under this Act, or
15
Permissible
margin of
error.
Conversion.
References to
units in other
enactments.
Vessels not
authorized
represented as
measures, etc.
No. 5
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2010
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Weights and Measures Act
2010
(b) subject a person to a penalty under this Act
for the possession of any vessel where it is
shown that that vessel is not intended for
use as a measure.
33. The Minister may by statutory instrument make
Regulations–
(a) prescribing the fees to be charged for
stamping, marking or verifying weights,
measures and instruments for weighing or
measuring;
(b) modifying, amending or revoking any of the
provisions of the Schedules to this Act;
(c) otherwise for carrying into effect the
principles and purposes of this Act.
34. (1) The Weights and Measures Act, 1961 is hereby
repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Weights and
Measures Act, 1961, the use of any weight or measure authorized by
that Act shall be lawful up to the 1st day of January, 2012:
Provided that on and after the 2nd day of January, 2012 only the
International System of Units as provided by this Act shall be used.
16
Regulations.
Repeal of
Act No. 22
of 1961
and
savings.
Act No. 22
of 1961.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Part 1
S.I. UNITS OF MEASUREMENT – THE BASIC UNITS
Quantity
Name of unit
Unit symbol
Length
...
...
...
metre
...
... ... m
Time
...
...
...
second
...
... ... s
Mass
...
...
...
kilogram
...
... ... kg
Electric current
..
..
ampere
....
... ... A
Thermodynamic temperature
kelvin
...
... ... K
Luminous intensity ...
...
candela
...
... ... cd
Part 2
SUPPLEMENTARY AND DERIVED UNITS
Plane angle ...
...
...
radian
...
... ... rad
Solid angle ...
...
...
steradian ...
... ... sr
Area
...
...
...
square metre
... ... m2
Volume
...
...
...
cubic metre ...
... ... m3
Angular velocity
...
...
radian per second ... ... rad/s
Angular acceleration..
..
radian per second squared rad/s2
Velocity
...
...
...
metre per second ... ... m/s
Acceleration ...
...
...
metre per second squared
m/s2
Frequency ...
...
...
hertz
...
...
Hz (1Hz=1s-1)
Rotational frequency
...
reciprocal second ... ... s-1
Density
...
...
...
kilogram per cubic metre... kg/m3
Momentum ...
...
...
kilogram metre per second
kg.m/s
Angular momentum ...
...
kilogram metre squared
per second
... ... kg.m2/s
Moment of inertia ...
...
kilogram metre squared ... kg.m2
Force
...
...
...
newton
...
... ... N (N=kg.m/s2)
Moment of force
...
...
newton metre
... ... N.m
Pressure, stress
...
...
newton per square metre... N/m2
Kinematic viscocity ...
...
metre squared per second
m2/s
Dynamic viscocity ...
...
newton second per metre
squared
... ... Ns/m2
Surface tension
...
...
newton per metre ... ... N/m
Work, energy
...
...
joule
...
... ... J (J=Nm)
Power
...
...
...
watt
...
... ... W (W=J/s)
Impact strength
...
...
joule per square metre ... J/m2
17
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
Temperature ...
...
...
degree Celsius
... ...
oC
Temperature interval
...
Kelvin degree Celsius ... K, oC
Quantity of heat
...
...
joule
...
... ... j
Linear expansion co-efficient
reciprocal Kelvin ... ... K-1
Heat flow rate
...
...
watt
...
... ... W
Density of heat flow rate ...
watt per square metre ... W/m2
Thermal conductivity..
...
watt per metre kelvin
... W/(mK)
Co-efficient of heat transfer ...
watt per square metre ... W/m2K
Kelvin
Heat Capacity
...
...
joule per kelvin
... ... J/K
Specific heat capacity
...
joule per kilogram kelvin
J/kg K
Entropy
...
...
...
joule per kelvin
... ... J/K
Specific entropy
...
...
joule per kilogram kelvin
J/kg K
Specific energy, specific latent
heat
...
...
...
joule per kilogram ... ... J/kg
Quantity of electricity, electric
Charge
...
...
...
coulomb ...
... ... C=As
Volume density of charge, ...
coloumb per cubic metre... C/m3
charge density
Surface density of charge ...
coulomb per square metre
C/m2
Electric field strength
...
volt per metre
... ... V/m
Electric tension, potential ...
volt
...
... ... V=W/A
difference, electromotive force
Displacement (electric)
...
coulomb per square metre
C/m2
Electric flux, flux of displacement coulomb ...
... ... C
Electric capacitance ...
...
Farad
...
..
.. F
Electric permittivity ...
...
farad per metre
... ... F/m
Electric polarization ...
...
coulomb per square metre
C/m2
Electric dipole moment
...
coulomb metre
... ... Cm
Current density
...
...
ampere per square metre
A/m2
Linear current density
...
ampere per metre ... ... A/m
Magnetic field strength
...
ampere per metre ... ... A/m
Magnetic potential difference
ampere
...
... ... A
Magnetic flux density, magnetic tesla
...
... T (IT= 1 Wb/m2)
induction
Flux of magnetic induction,
magnetic flux
...
...
weber
...
... ... Wb (1Wb=IVs)
Magnetic vector potential ..
weber per metre ... ... Wb/m
Self inductance, mutual
inductance ...
...
...
henry
...
... ... H (1H = 1Vs/A)
Permeability ...
...
...
henry per metre ... ... H/m
18
Quantity
Name of unit
Unit symbol
Electromagnetic moment,
magnetic moment ...
...
ampere metre squared ... A/m2
Magnetization
...
...
ampere per metre ... ... A/m
Magnetic polarization
...
tesla
...
... ... T
Quantity
...
...
...
Name of unit...
...Unit symbol
Magnetic dipole moment ...
Newton metre squared ... Nm2/A
per ampere or weber metre
Wbm
Impendance, reactance, modulus
of impendence
...
...
ohm
...
... ...
n(n=V/A)
Admittance, susceptance,
conductance ...
...
...
reciprocal ohm
... ...
n-1
Apparent power
...
...
volt ampere ...
... ... VA
Reactive power
...
...
Var
...
... ... Var
Diffusion coefficient ...
...
square metre per second
m2/s
Thermal diffusion co-efficient
square metre per second
m2/s
Luminous flux
...
...
lumen
...
... ... 1m(1 1m=1cd sr)
Luminance ...
...
...
candela per square metre... cd/m2
Illumination ...
...
...
lux
...
... ... 1x (1 1x=lm/m2)
Activity of radionuclides ...
reciprocal second ... ... s-1
Part 3
UNITS WHICH MAY BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH
BASIC UNITS AND SUPPLEMENTARY AND DERIVED UNITS
Quantity
Name of unit
Unit symbol
Time
...
...
...
minute
...
... ... min.
hour
...
... ... h
day
...
... ... d
week
..
..
.. week
month
..
..
.. month
year
...
... ... year
Mass
...
...
...
tonne
...
... ... t
Carat
..
..
.. carat
Radian
...
...
...
grade
..
..
.. g
second
..
.. ��
minute
..
..
.. ��
degree
..
..
..
o
Area
...
...
...
hectare
...
... ... ha
are
...
... ... a
Volume
...
...
...
litre
...
... ... l
Velocity
...
...
...
kilometer per hour ... ... km/h
19
Quantity
Name of unit
Unit symbol
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
20
Rotational frequency
..
revolution per minute ... r.p.m.
Pressure, stress
...
...
bar
...
... ... bar
Viscosity;
Kinematic ...
...
...
centistokes ...
... ... cSt
Quantity
...
...
...
Name of unit...
...Unit symbol
Dynamic
...
...
...
centipoises ...
... ... cP
Work, energy...
...
...
kilowatt hour
... ... kWh
Electron volt...
... ... eV
Activity of radionuclide
...
curie
...
... ... ci
Part 4
MULTIPLES AND SUBMULTIPLES OF UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
The names of the multiples and sub-multiples of the units of measurement are
formed by means of the following prefixes:
Factor by which the
prefix
symbol
units multiplied
1012
...
...
...
tera ...
...
...
T
109
...
...
...
giga ...
...
...
G
106
...
...
...
mega ...
...
...
M
103
...
...
...
Kilo ...
...
...
k
102
...
...
...
hecto ...
...
...
h
10
...
...
...
deca ...
...
...
da
10-1
...
...
...
deci ...
...
...
d
10-2
...
...
...
centi ...
...
...
c
10-3
...
...
milli ...
...
...
m
10-6
...
...
...
micro ...
...
...
µ
10-9
...
...
...
nano ...
...
...
n
10-12
...
...
...
pico ...
...
...
p
10-15
...
...
...
femto ...
...
...
f
10-15
...
...
...
femto ...
...
...
f
10-18
...
...
...
atto ...
...
...
a
APPENDIX
(i)
Definition of Basic Units
The metre (m): unit of length. The metre is the length equal to 1,650,763.73
wavelength in vacuum of the radiation corresponding to the transition between
the levels 2p10 and 5d5 of the krypton -86 atom.
The second(s): unit of time interval. The second is the duration of 9,192,631,770
periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between two hyperfine
levels of the ground state of the caesium – 133 atom.
Quantity
Name of unit
Unit symbol
21
The kilogram (kg): unit of mass. The kilogram is equal to the mass of the
international prototype of the kilogram.
The ampere (A): unit of electric current. The ampere is that constant current
which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of
negligible circular cross-section, and placed 1 metre apart in a vacuum would
produce between these conductors a force equal to 2 x 10-7 newton per metre of
length.
The Kelvin (K): unit of thermodynamic temperature. The Kelvin is the fraction 1/
273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water.
The candela (cd): unit of luminous intensity. The candela is the luminous intensity,
in the perpendicular direction, of a surface of 1/600,000 square metre of a black
body at the temperature of freezing platinum under a pressure of 101,325 newtons
per square metre.
(ii)
Definition of Supplementary Units
The Radian (rad): unit of plane angle. The angle between two radii of a circle
which cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to the radius.
The Steradian (sr): unit of solid angle. The solid angle which, having its vertex in
the centre of a sphere, cuts off an area of the surface of the sphere equal to that of
a square having sides of length equal to the radius of the sphere.
SECOND SCHEDULE
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FOR USE FOR TRADE AND
INDUSTRY
Part 1
LINEAR MEASURES
Measures of –
20 metres
10 metres
3 metres
2 metres
1 metre
1 decimetre
1 centimetre
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
Part 2
SQUARED MEASURES
Any measures of, or of any multiple of, 1 square decimetre.
Part 3
CUBIC MEASURES
Measures of –
Any multiple of 10 cubic decimetres
10 cubic decimetres
5 cubic decimetres
2. 5 cubic decimetres
2 cubic decimetres
1 cubic decimetre
1,000 cubic centimetres
250 cubic centimeters
200 cubic centimetres
100 cubic centimetres
50 cubic centimetres
25 cubic centimetres
20 cubic centimetres
10 cubic decimetres
5 cubic decimetres
2 cubic decimetres
1 cubic decimetre
Part 4
WEIGHTS
(a)
For dealings in articles or things other than precious metals and precious
stones.
Measures of –
20 kilograms
10 kilograms
5 kilograms
1 kilogram
500 grams
200 grams
100 grams
50 grams
20 grams
10 grams
5 grams
2 grams
1 gram
500 milligrams
200 milligrams
100 milligrams
50 milligrams
20 milligrams
10 milligrams
5 milligrams
2 milligrams
1 milligram
(b)For dealings involving precious metals and precious stones.
Weights of –
500 carats (metric)
200 carats (metric)
100 carats (metric)
50 carats (metric)
20 carats (metric)
5 carats (metric)
2 carats (metric)
1 carat (metric)
0.5 carat (metric)
0.25 carat (metric)
0.2 carat (metric)
0.1 carat (metric)
0.05 carat (metric)
0.02 carat (metric)
0.01 carat (metric)
Note: -1 carat (metric) = 0.2 gm. (exactly)
23
22
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
No. 5
Weights and Measures Act
2010
24
Passed in Parliament this
10th day of
June, in the year of our Lord two
thousand and ten.
VICTOR A. KAMARA,
Clerk of Parliament.
THIS PRINTED IMPRESSION has been carefully compared by me with the Bill
which has passed Parliament and found by me to be a true and correct printed copy
of the said Bill.
VICTOR A. KAMARA,
Clerk of Parliament.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING DEPARTMENT, SIERRA LEONE.
GAZETTE NO. 53 OF 29TH JULY, 2010.