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Specified Quantities

Specified Quantities for Pre-Packages

Specified Quantities are the fixed sizes that certain goods must be sold in. Their main aim since the 1960s was to ensure that consumers were protected against small reductions in quantity that would not be easily discernible. However, improvements in quantity labelling and unit pricing meant that the majority of specified quantities were no longer needed for consumer protection.   Following public consultations in 2005 and 2008 all UK specified quantities for pre-packaged foods, except for wines and spirits, were deregulated in 2009. Specified Quantities for pre-packaged wines and spirits have been retained and apply across the EU. A current list of specified quantities for wines and spirits can be found in the annex to the 2009 Regulations. Download a copy of the Weights and Measures (Specified Quantities) (Pre-packed Products) Regulations 2009. (DOC, 116 Kb) 

Specified Quantities for Non Pre-packaged Alcohol and Unwrapped Bread

Download version 1 of the notes for guidance for Businesses (PDF, 108 Kb)  (published July 2011)

Up until now UK law has required that most non pre-packaged alcoholic drinks served on licensed premises be sold only in specified quantities and that unwrapped bread be sold only as a 400 g loaf or a multiple of 400 g.

However, consultation in 2008/9 revealed widespread support for proposed changes which would liberalise and update legislation governing the sale of non-pre-packed alcoholic drinks. The proposals are that a new 2/3 pint measure should be introduced for draught beer and cider, smaller sizes allowed for fortified wines, bringing them into line with trade practice and samplers or tasters of wine deregulated below 75 ml. There was also support for the deregulation of unwrapped bread sizes subject to consumers being provided with clear information on quantity.

The implementation of new legislation was delayed by the previous Administration due to lack of Parliamentary time. However, the Coalition Government is now pressing ahead with legislation to introduce these new measures which are expected to come into force  on 1st October. They will give greater freedom to business and more choice to consumers while retaining necessary consumer protections.

More details on these proposals can be found in this press release.

Regulations deregulating fixed sizes for unwrapped bread and introducing new measures for certain alcoholic drinks are to be implemented, Science Minister David Willetts confirmed today.

Current laws restrict bakers to producing loaves of unpackaged bread in set sizes while licensed premises are limited to selling alcoholic drinks in certain measures.

These rules were aimed at protecting consumers but have not taken account of changes to trade practice or consumer demand in recent years. The Government is to introduce new legislation to liberalise and update the rules to introduce greater flexibility and to scrap those that are no longer needed.

Under current regulations unwrapped bread weighing more than 300g must be made up in quantities of 400g or multiples of it.

Wine cannot be sold in measures less than 125ml while beer must be sold in thirds, halves or multiples of half-pints. Fortified wine must be sold in the same quantities as normal wine.

Under the government’s changes, premises will be able to sell wine in measures under 75ml, beers can be sold in measures of two-thirds of a pint while fortified wine will be sold in smaller sizes of 50ml and 70ml and in multiples of those sizes.

Fixed sizes for unwrapped bread will be scrapped so bakers will be free to innovate.

Science Minister David Willetts said:

“These new measures are exactly in line with the Government’s current drive to rid business of unnecessary red tape, allowing them to respond to new market trends.

“No pub or restaurant should break the law by selling a customer a sample of wine.

“We have listened to consumers and businesses. They have called for fixed quantities to be kept but with greater flexibility. That is what this change will deliver.

“We are freeing businesses so they can innovate and create new products to meet the demands of their customers.”

A Statutory Instrument introducing these changes  has been  laid before Parliament and is expected to come into force on 1st October.

Latest News 

David Willetts announces new sizes for alcoholic drinks and the scrapping of fixed sizes for unwrapped bread.

The National Measurement Office confirm that new regulations freeing up the sizes in which unwrapped bread may be sold and allowing small measures of wine are expected to be implemented in October, subject to clearance of the Parliamentary process.

Current laws restrict bakers to producing loaves of unpackaged bread in set sizes while licensed premises are restricted to a limited range of sizes for alcoholic drinks. Changes to the regulations will give bakers and licensees more freedom and consumers a greater choice of sizes.

Read the full BIS press release regarding the changes to legislation that will give bakers and licensees more freedom and consumers a greater choice of sizes.

A Statutory Instrument introducing these changes has been laid before Parliament.

The following list of documents relate to the sale of goods by quantity regulations