Changes proposed to the Weights & Measures (Specified Quantities) (Unwrapped Bread & Intoxicating Liquor) Order 2010 have been postponed. Due to the need to prioritise Government business, & the pressure of Parliamentary time, Ministers have decided to defer the introduction of new legislation in this area until the next common commencement date, which is 1 October 2010. This affects the following changes that were to have come into force on 6 April 2010: A new specified quantity of 2/3 pint for draught beer & cider will be introduced to give licensed premises a greater choice of sizes & to satisfy a demand for a quantity between ½ & 1 pint:The existing specified quantities for fortified wines will be reduced to the smaller sizes of 50ml &70ml to align the law with current trade practice. Brandy will be required to be sold in specified quantities of 25ml or 35ml (or a multiple) which reflects existing trade practice & also brings the sale of brandy into line with the sale of other spirits. Specified quantities will no longer apply to servings of wine below 75ml. This will allow for innovation in the sale of small glasses of wine as samples or as part of a wine flight. There is no requirement to sell by quantity below 75ml, but, should a seller choose to do so he should use one of the capacity measures set out in Part IV of Schedule 3 to the Weights and Measures Act 1985.
