Trading Standards - testing fees

Part one - section 11(5) and 74 of The Weights and Measures Act 1985

Schedule of testing fees from 1 April 2025

1. VAT is chargeable at the current rate for all verifications unless testing under Measuring Instruments (EC Requirements) Regulations 1988.
2. Where any test is carried out outside the hours 8am to 6pm on a weekday or a Saturday, the appropriate fee is increased by 50%. Where any test is carried out on a Sunday or bank holiday, the appropriate fee is increased by 100%.
3. Where a request is made for attendance on site, and the equipment is not ready for testing upon arrival, a fee of 75% of the appropriate fee for a single item may be charged. This is at the discretion of the head of trading standards, as part of the total fee under Section 11(5) of the Weights and Measures Act 1985.

Fees in respect of tests under section 11(5) and 74 of The Weights and Measures Act 1985

Measuring instruments (liquid fuel) - reverification

An additional charge of £85 per officer per hour will be applied to cover any extra costs for testing ancillary equipment, such as: 

• credit card acceptors
• other on-site testing

Non-automatic weighing instruments (NAWI) - reverification

Other weighing or measuring equipment

For equipment not otherwise categorised or submitted for testing by means of statistical sampling techniques:

• fee - £85 per officer hour at place of submission, plus travel. Travel is charged per 15 minutes from the nearest trading standards office based on £85 per hour plus VAT:
  • Lincoln LN2 4US
  • Boston PE21 7TQ
• VAT (20%) - £17
• Inclusive - £102

When supplying specialist equipment, an additional fee to recover incurred costs may be charged.

Trade weights

For each weight adjusted and, or stamped:

• fee - £15
• VAT (20%) - £3
• inclusive - £18

Weighing instrument exceptions

Price computing instruments

For instruments incorporating electronic price computing with either associated display or printing facilities, the fee shall be 150% of that stated.

Instruments exceeding 1 tonne capacity

When supplying specialist equipment (weighbridge test unit or van and test weights), an additional fee to recover incurred costs may be charged.

Out of normal office hours

For out of normal office hours testing (before 8.45am and after 5.15pm weekdays and weekends), the fee shall be 150% of that stated.

Part two - section 74(4) of The Weights and Measurements Act 1985

Fees in respect of tests under the provisions of section 74(4) of The Weights and Measurements Act 1985

Tests in this part of the schedule include calibration tests for industry as part of quality assurance and request inspections for certification purposes. These fees shall include VAT at the current rate of 20%.

Motorcycle brake testers

Per instrument:

• fee - £50
• VAT (20%) - £10
• inclusive - £60

Calibration of length or capacity at metrology laboratory

Based on officer time spent on testing and certification (per hour):

• fee - £85
• VAT (20%) - £17
• inclusive - £102

Calibration of mass up to 25kg

Other testing of weighing and measuring equipment and reportage

Based on officer time spent on testing and report (per hour):

• fee - £85, plus travel. Travel is charged per 15 minutes from the nearest trading standards office based on £85 per hour plus VAT:
  • Lincoln LN2 4US
  • Boston PE21 7TQ
• VAT (20%) - £17
• inclusive - £102

If testing requires special transport for large or bulky equipment, the client is responsible for the transportation.

Hire of weights