Section 9

The Minister may by regulations prescribe general specifications for the construction of weighing or measuring instruments to which section 7 applies.

Subject to subsection (4), where any general specification is for the time being prescribed under subsection (1), a letter of pattern approval must not be issued under section 8 in respect of the pattern of any weighing or measuring instrument unless the pattern complies with the prescribed general specifications.

Where any specification prescribed by regulations made under this section is varied or revoked by further regulations made under this section, then if any person uses for trade, or has in the person’s possession for such use, or causes or permits any other person so to use, any instrument which conformed with that specification but which to the person’s knowledge no longer conforms to any specification so prescribed, or disposes of any such instrument to any other person in a state in which it could be so used without informing that other person that it no longer so conforms, the person shall be guilty of an offence and the instrument shall be liable to be forfeited.

Where, in the case of any particular instrument, the Controller is of the opinion that there are special circumstances which make it impracticable or unnecessary for that instrument to comply with any particular requirement of any specification prescribed under this section, the Controller may exempt that instrument from that requirement subject to compliance with the conditions (if any) that he or she thinks fit; and if any person knowingly contravenes any condition imposed with respect to any instrument by virtue of this subsection, the person shall be guilty of an offence and the instrument shall be liable to be forfeited.