In our commitment to educating and guiding our representatives and distributors as ambassadors and sellers, along with our customers, partners, and licensed operators as purchasers and users of our jiggers and measures, we aim to assist compliance with the National Measurement Law in this blog.
The National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) and the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 regulate how businesses in the hospitality industry must sell alcohol using measurement.
Key Implications of the Act to the Hospitality Industry:
- All alcohol sales must adhere to volume measurements outlined in the Act.
- Businesses involved in the sale and distribution of alcohol must use approved and compliant measuring tools and equipment.
- The law protects consumers by ensuring they get the right quantity of alcohol for their purchase.
"If you sell beer, stout, ale, brandy, gin, rum, vodka, and whisky (or whiskey), you must sell at a price determined by volume. If you sell alcohol in bottles, cans or casks, you must meet the pre-packaged goods requirements."
In this blog, we will cover:
- The function of the NMI and the powers of its inspectors
- Fines and enforcement of the Act
- Terms of selling alcohol
- NMI-approved jiggers and measures
The National Measurement Institute and its Inspectors
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is the national body charged with administering all measurement requirements in Australia, including anything sold by weight and volume. It employs inspectors throughout Australia who regularly inspect alcohol being sold to ensure that sellers are following the correct process.
Inspectors can visit a place of business at any reasonable time of day and do not have to give notice of entry. They base the frequency of their visits on their risk assessment of your operations.
NMI inspectors have the power to:
- enter and search a building or place apparently used for business, but not residential premises unless the inspector has a warrant or the person in control of the residence consents
- record details of the building, place, or measuring instruments by filming, photographing or making sketches and notes
- test and verify measuring instruments
- check if servicing licensees’ verification marks have been properly applied and the instrument’s details have been provided to NMI
- examine a seller’s records, and take copies of documents when necessary
- seize documents, records, packages or measuring instruments
- ask questions and require answers
- issue non-compliance notices
To ensure your business isn't caught on the wrong side of the law, even if you think you're playing by the rules, we have some quick steps to protect yourself in this blog.
Fines and Enforcement
If an inspector finds that businesses are short-measuring customers, they could be fined up to $222,000 per offence.
NMI has a range of enforcement options for offences under trade measurement legislation such as:
- a verbal warning
- a notice of non-compliance at the end of an inspection—this notice may include remedial actions that have to be carried out
- a written warning
- an infringement notice with associated fine
- an enforceable undertaking
- an injunction
- prosecution
Selling Alcohol
Beer, Stout and Ale
If you sell beer on tap, this usually involves serving it in an approved batch-tested glass or jug:
- with the volume marked in millilitres (mL) or litres (L)
- made from glass, acrylic or another approved material
- with the capacity of a glass defined by either the brim or a capacity (Plimsoll) line
- with the capacity of a jug defined by a capacity (Plimsoll) line
Spirits
You must sell brandy (including cognac and armagnac), gin, rum, vodka or whisky (or whiskey) by reference to volume. This usually involves using an NMI-approved spirit measure. Spirit measures include:
- thimble measures
- jiggers
- more complex dispensers that require verification by servicing licensees
Simple spirit measures must be:
- in capacities of 15 mL, 30 mL or 60 mL
- marked with either batch-testing markings or a verification mark
- made of a rigid or semi-rigid material
Wine
If you sell wine (unless pre-packaged), you do not have to sell it by volume. You may sell wine in an unmarked glass or carafe. If you do sell wine by volume, then that volume must be accurate.
NMI-Approved Jiggers and Measures
For bartenders and businesses in Australia, ensuring accurate measurements is crucial as it guarantees consistent cocktails and compliance with the NMI regulations.
The Überbartools™ NMI-approved jiggers are high-quality tools designed to help you achieve precise measurements in your bar, offering several more benefits:
- These jiggers were meticulously tested and certified by the NMI so you can confidently rely on your jigger to measure the exact amount of liquor required for each recipe.
- Accurate measurements prevent overpouring, leading to significant cost savings on liquor.
- NMI-approved jiggers help achieve precise measurement so you can guarantee that every drink created has consistent flavour and balance, regardless of who's behind the bar.
- Consistent cocktails mean the same delicious experience every time, promoting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Ready to take your bar to the next level? Check out our NMI-approved jiggers and discover the difference they can make!
Information source: AHA National Measurement Guide