     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  1
CHAPTER 39
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE
For establishing uniformity of weights and measures and other purposes connected
therewith.
(1st July, 1921) *
Enacted by ORDINANCE XII of 1910 as amended by Ordinance XVI of 1920; Act XXXIV of
1927; Ordinance XIII of 1947; Act XXV of 1962; Legal Notices: 4 of 1963 and 46 of 1965;
Acts: LVIII of 1974, XI of 1977, IV of 1978, V of 1984, XXVIII of 1994 and XIX of 1996.
ARRANGEMENT OF ORDINANCE
* See  Government Notice No. 77 of 2nd March, 1921.
  Sections
Short Title  1 
Part I.  Definition  2 
Part II.  Weights and Measures  3-26 
Part III.  Public Weighers  27-29 
Part IV.  Miscellaneous Provisions  30-32
SCHEDULE 
  2        CAP. 39. ]               WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Short title. l. This Ordinance may be cited as the Weights and Measures
Ordinance.
PART I 
D EFINITION
Definition.  
Amended by: 
XIX.1996.10.
2. In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires -
Cap. 419.
"Authority" means the Malta Standards Authority established by
section 3 of the Malta Standards Authority Act;
"stamping" includes casting, engraving, etching, branding, or
otherwise marking in such manner as to be, so far as practicable,
indelible, and the expression "stamp" and other expressions
relating thereto shall be construed accordingly;
"weighing instrument" includes scales, with the weights
belonging thereto, spring-balances, balances of other kinds, steel-
yards, weighing machines and other instruments for weighing.
PART II
W EIGHTS AND  M EASURES
Uniformity of 
weights and 
measures.
3. The same weights and measures shall be used throughout
Malta.
Metric standards of 
weights and 
measures. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 46 of 1965;
LVIII.1974.68.
4. As from the 1st January, 1912, or such later date as the
President of Malta may fix by notice in the Government Gazette, *
(in this Ordinance referred to as "the commencement of this
Ordinance") the standard kilogram, standard litre and standard
metre referred to in the Schedule to this Ordinance, shall
respectively be the units or standards from which all other weights
and measures shall be derived.
Metric equivalents 
of Maltese and 
Imperial weights 
and measures.
5. The Table in Part I of the Schedule hereto shall be deemed
to set forth the equivalents of Maltese weights and measures so far
in use, of Imperial weights and measures, and of the weights and
measures therein expressed in terms of the metric system, and such
Table may be lawfully used for computing and expressing in weight
or measure, weights and measures of the metric system.
Copies of metric 
standards. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 46 of 1965; 
LVIII. 1974.68; 
XIX.1996.10.
6. (1) The President of Malta shall, as soon as may be after
the passing of this Ordinance, cause accurate copies of the metric
standards of the denomination mentioned in Part II of the Schedule
hereto to be made and such copies shall, after the commencement
of this Ordinance, be the Malta standards of weights and measures
for the purposes of this Ordinance. By these standards the size and
weight of all measures and weights in Malta shall be determined.
* See  Government Notice No. 77 of 2nd March, 1921.
     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  3
(2) The Authority may from time to time determine standards
of size, weight or other mensuration in substitution of, or in
addition to, those established under subsection (1) of this section,
and when such standards have been so determined by the Authority
the size and weight of all measures and weights in Malta shall be
determined thereby.
Custody of a set of 
standards kept by 
the Authority.
Amended by: 
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
7. One complete set of Malta standards of weights and
measures shall be kept by the Authority.
Verification of 
copies of 
standards. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 46 of 1965; 
LVIII.1974.68;
XIX.1996.10.
8. Copies of the Malta standards of weights and measures
shall be verified and certified as the Authority shall direct.
Local standards.
Inspector of Weights and Measures appointed under this Ordinance,
and shall serve as standards for the verification or inspection, in
accordance with this Ordinance, of weights and measures. Such
copies shall be called local standards.
Periodical 
verification of 
local standards of 
weights.
10. A local standard of weight shall not be deemed legal nor be
used for the purposes of this Ordinance unless it has been verified
or re-verified within five years before the time at which it is used.
Periodical 
verification of 
local standards of 
measures.
11. A local standard of measure shall not be deemed legal nor
be used for the purposes of this Ordinance unless it has been
verified or re-verified within ten years before the time at which it is
used.
Local standards 
which have 
become defective.
12. A local standard of weight or measure which has become
defective in consequence of wear and tear or accident, or has been
mended, shall not be legal nor be used for the purposes of this
Ordinance until it has been re-verified.
How re-
verification of 
local standards is 
effected.
Amended by: 
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
13. Re-verification of a local standard of weight or measure
shall be effected by the comparison thereof with the standard of
such weight or measure in the custody of the Authority.
Re-verification to 
be made by 
Inspector of 
Weights and 
Measures.
Amended by: 
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
14. Such comparison shall be made by an Inspector of Weights
and Measures in the presence of the Authority, who shall record the
result of such comparison in a book kept for the purpose.
Appointment of 
Inspectors of 
Weights and 
Measures. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 4 of 1963;
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
15. (1) The Minister responsible for industry shall appoint one
or more Inspectors of Weights and Measures for safely keeping the
local standards, and for the discharge of the other duties of
inspectors under this Ordinance.
(2) Such inspectors shall be under the control of the Authority.
  4        CAP. 39. ]               WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Examination of 
weights and 
measures by 
inspector. 
Amended by:
IV. 1978.2.
16. (1) Every Inspector of Weights and Measures shall
examine every measure or weight which is of the same
denomination as one of the local standards and is brought to him
for the purpose of verification, and compare the same with that
standard; and, if he finds the same correct, shall stamp it with a
stamp of verification.
(2) He shall also examine every weighing or measuring
instrument which is brought to him for the purpose of verification;
and, if he finds the same correct, shall stamp it with a stamp of
verification.
(3) He shall enter in a book kept by him a record of every such
verification, and give, if required, a certificate under his hand of
every such stamping.
Validity of weights 
and measures 
stamped by 
inspector. 
17. A weight or measure duly stamped by an inspector shall be
a legal weight or measure in Malta, unless found to be false or
unjust.
Fees for 
verification. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 4 of 1963; 
IV.1978.3; 
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
18. There shall be charged and levied in respect of the
verification and stamping of weights, measures and weighing or
measuring instruments such fees as the Minister responsible for
industry may from time to time fix.
Power to inspect 
weights, measures 
and weighing or 
measuring 
instruments, etc., 
and to enter in 
premises. 
Amended by:
IV. 1978.4;
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
19. (1) Every inspector authorized in writing by the Authority,
may at all reasonable times, inspect all weights, measures and
weighing or measuring instruments which are used by any person
for trade or are on any premises for use for trade, and may compare
every such weight and measure with some local standard, and may
seize and detain any weight, measure or weighing or measuring
instrument which is liable to be forfeited in pursuance of this
Ordinance; and may, for the purpose of such inspection, enter any
place where he has reasonable cause to believe that there is any
weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument used for
trade, which he is authorized by this Ordinance to inspect.
(2) Any person who neglects or refuses to produce for such
inspection all weights, measures and weighing or measuring
instruments in his possession or on his premises, or refuses to
permit the inspector to examine the same, or obstructs the entry of
the inspector acting under this section, shall be liable to a fine
( ammenda ).
Agreements 
relating to 
quantities to be in 
terms of metric 
system. 
Amended by: 
XXV.1962.4; 
L.N. 4 of 1963: 
V. 1984.2.
20. Every act or agreement relating to quantities expressed in
terms of weight or measure, shall be made according to the metric
system of weights and measures (hereinafter referred to as "the
metric system") and all tolls and duties charged or collected
according to weight or measure shall be charged and collected
according to the metric system:
 Provided that nothing in this section shall - 
( a ) affect any act or contract made before the
commencement of this Ordinance; or
( b ) apply to any contract or dealing with any person
     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  5
outside Malta or in respect of any subject matter
outside Malta, or of any goods to be imported into or
exported from Malta, if made or had according to a
system of weights and measures in force in the country
concerned.
Construction of 
Ordinances, laws 
and regulations.
21. Subject to the provisions of the last preceding section, as to
existing acts or contracts, foreign trades and exempted trades and
businesses, all references contained in any ordinance, law,
regulation or other act in force at the commencement of this
Ordinance, to standard weights or measures in use in Malta at the
commencement of this Ordinance, shall be deemed to be and
construed as references to the respective equivalents of such
weights and measures expressed in terms of the metric system
ascertained in accordance with Part I of the Schedule hereto.
Use of metric 
weights and 
measures lawful 
before 
commencement of 
Ordinance. 
Amended by: 
L.N. 46 of 1965; 
LVIII. 1974.68.
22. The use of the metric system of weights and measures shall
be lawful in Malta for all purposes, from and after any date, before
the commencement of this Ordinance, on which the President of
Malta shall by notice declare that accurate copies of the metric
standards are available for use in Malta.
Penalty for use of 
non-metric weight, 
measure, etc., 
Added by: 
V. 1984.3.
22A.  Any person who makes any act or agreement contrary to
section 20 and any person who makes use for trade or has in his
possession for use for trade any weight, measure, or weighing or
measuring instrument other than according to the metric system
shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable for
each offence to a fine ( ammenda ), and any weight, measure, or
weighing or measuring instrument in respect of which the offence
was committed shall be liable to be forfeited.
Penalty on sale of 
false weights, 
measures etc. 
Amended by: 
IV. 1978.5.
23 . (1) No person shall knowingly sell any false or unjust
weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument.
(2) Every person who acts in contravention of this section shall
be liable to a fine ( multa ).
(3) A person who is charged with an offence under this section,
shall be presumed to have known that any such weight, measure, or
weighing or measuring instrument was false or unjust, unless he
shows to the satisfaction of the court that he did not know that such
weight, measure, or weighing or measuring instrument was false or
unjust, and that he could not with ordinary diligence have become
aware of such fact.
Stamping of 
weights and 
measures with 
denomination.
24. (1) Every weight, except when the small size of the weight
renders it impracticable, shall have the denomination thereof
stamped thereon in legible figures and letters.
(2) Every measure of length or capacity shall have the
denomination thereof stamped on the outside of it in legible figures
and letters.
(3) A weight or measure not in conformity with this section
shall not be stamped with such stamp of verification as hereinafter
mentioned.
  6        CAP. 39. ]               WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Stamp of 
verification on 
weights and 
measures. 
Amended by: 
IV. 1978.6.
25. (1) Every measure, weight, or weighing or measuring
instrument used for trade shall be verified and stamped by an
inspector with a stamp of verification under this Ordinance.
(2) Every person who uses for trade any measure, weight, or
weighing or measuring instrument not stamped as required by this
section, shall be liable to a fine ( ammenda ).
Power of Minister 
responsible for 
industry  to make 
regulations. 
Amended by: L.N.4 
of 1963.
Substituted by: 
IV.1978.7.
Amended by: 
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
26. The Minister responsible for industry may make
regulations to give better effect to any of the provisions of this
Ordinance and for the better performance of any of his functions
under this Ordinance, and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, may by such regulations - 
( a ) prescribe, regulate or otherwise make provision for
any matter connected with weights and measures;
( b ) prescribe, and otherwise make provision for the
levying or collection of fees, charges and other
payments in connection with the verification and
stamping of weights, measures and weighing or
measuring instruments; and
( c ) to prescribe anything that may be prescribed by, under
or for the purposes of any of the provisions of this
Ordinance.
PART III 
P UBLIC  W EIGHERS
No person to act as 
public weigher 
without licence.
27. No person shall act as public weigher without a licence
from the Government.
Qualifications. 
Amended by:
L.N. 4 of 1963; 
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10.
28. No licence shall be granted to any person unless -
( a ) he has attained the age of eighteen years;
( b ) he is of good character;
( c ) he has passed a qualifying examination in accordance
with regulations made by the Minister responsible for
industry.
Punishment. 29. If any person acts as public weigher without a licence as
required by this Part of the Ordinance, he shall be liable to a fine
( ammenda ).
PART IV
M ISCELLANEOUS  P ROVISIONS
Sale of dry goods. 30. (1) All sales of dry goods by measure of capacity, whether
by wholesale or retail, shall be made and regulated by strike-
measure.
     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  7
(2) If any person fails to comply with the requirements of this
section, he shall be liable to a fine ( ammenda ).
Sale of coal, 
charcoal, 
pozzolana, etc. 
Amended by: 
XVI. 1920.2.
31. (1) All sales of coal, charcoal, pozzolana, wheat, offals
and all other cereals, whether by wholesale or retail, shall be made
and regulated by weight and not otherwise.
(2) If any person fails to comply with the requirements of this
section, he shall be liable to a fine ( ammenda ).
Repealing clause. 
Cap.7.
Cap.8.
Cap.10.
32. Ordinance No. VIII of 1839 [the Coal (Sale) Ordinance],
Ordinance No. IX of 1839 [the Cereals (Sale) Ordinance], section
189 of the Code of Police Laws, and any other enactment contrary
to or inconsistent with this Ordinance, shall, from the
commencement of this Ordinance cease to have effect. 
  8        CAP. 39. ]               WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
THE SCHEDULE 
(Sections 5, 6 and 21)
PART I
M E T R I C  E Q U I V A L E N T S  
T A B L E  
(a) of the values of the principal denominations of measures and weights on the
metric system expressed by means of denominations of Maltese and Imperial
measures and weights; and
(b) of the values of the principal denominations of measures and weights of the
Maltese and Imperial systems expressed by means of metric weights and measures.
(a) 
MEASURES OF LENGTH
MEASURES OF SURFACE  
 
Metric 
Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures 
Equivalents in Maltese 
Measures
Miles Yards  Feet Inches
 
Decimals 
 
Qasab   Xbar   Decimals
1 Myriametre 6  376 0  5 13    4772    1 0792
1 Kilometre - 1093 1 10 113     477    1 70792
1 Hectometre -  109 1  1 0113      47    5 770792
1 Dekametre -  10 2  9 70113       4    6 1770792
1 Metre -    - 3  3 370113 -    3 81770792
1 Decimetre -    - -  3 9370113 -    - 38177079
1 Centimetre -    - - - 39370113 -    - 038177079
1 Millimetre -    - - - 039370113 -    - 0038177079
Metric Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Maltese 
Measures
1 Hectare ............................. 2.47106 Acres    .555988 ta’  Modd
1 Are....................................  119.60 Square yards .53375  ta’ Sieg ]
1 Square Metre..................... 1.1960 Square yards {
or
.053375  ta' Kejla
.22773  ta’ Qasba kwadra
1 Square decimetre...............  15.5 Square inches .14575  ta’ Xiber kwadru
1 Square centimetre..............    .15500 Square inches .0014575  ta’ Xiber kwadru
     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  9
MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS - N O . 1 
For Beer, Wine and Spirits
MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS - N O . 2 
For Oil and Milk
MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR DRY GOODS  
Metric 
Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Maltese
 Measures
   
Gallons
 
Quarts  Pints  Decimals  Bramel
 
{arar  Kwarti  Krate ` Decimals
1 Kilolitre  219 3 1 80 23 0 1 1   15155504
1 Hectolitre  21 3 1 980  2 1 0 2   490155504
1 Dekalitre  2 0 1 5980  - - 1 4   0490155504
1 Litre  - - 1 75980  - - - -   879901555
1 Decilitre  - - - 175980  - - - -   0879901555
1 Centilitre  - - - 0175980  - - - -   00879901555
1 Millilitre  - - - 00175980  - - - -   000879901555
Metric 
Measures
Equivalents in Imperial Measures Equivalents in Maltese 
Measures
Gallons
 
Quarts  Pints  Decimals  Kaffisi
 
Kwarti   Krate `
 
Decimals
1 Kilolitre  219  3 1 80 48  3 2 1347152
1 Hectolitre  21  3 1 980  4  3 2 21347152
1 Decalitre 2  0 1 5980  -  1 3 821347152
1 Litre -  - 1 75980  -  -  - 7821347152
1 Decilitre -  - - 175980  -  -  - 07821347152
1 Centilitre -  - - 0175980  - -  - 007821347152
1 Millilitre - - - 00175980  - -  - 0007821347152
Metric 
Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Maltese 
Measures
Qrs.
 
Bushels  Gallons  Decimals 
 
Mdied Tmiem   Sie g]an Decimals
1 Kilolitre  3  3 3 975 3  6 5 58
1 Hectolitre -  2 5 9975 -  5 2 958
1 Dekalitre -  - 2 19975 -  - 3 29962464
1 Litre -  - - 219975 -  - - 329962464
1 Decilitre -  - - 0219975 -  - - 0329962464
1 Centilitre -  - - 00219975 - - - 00329962464
1 Millilitre - - - 000219975 - - - 000329962464
  10        CAP. 39. ]               WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CUBIC MEASURES
WEIGHTS
(b)
  MEASURES OF LENGTH
Metric Measures Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Maltese 
Measures
 1 Cubic Metre {   1.307954 Cubic yards
35.3148 Cubic feet {
{
55.64278  Xbar kubi                or
    .1086773  ta’ Qasba kuba
1 Cubic decimetre    .035318 Cubic feet
    .556427  ta’ Xiber kubu                    or
    .0001086773  ta’ Qasba kuba
1 Cubic centimetre    .061024 Cubic inches     .0000556427  ta’ Xiber kubu
Metric Weights
         
Equivalents in Imperial 
Weights
Equivalents in Maltese 
Weights
Cwts.
 
Qrs.  Lbs.  Decimals  Qnatar
 
Irtal  
 
Ewieq
 
Decimals
100 Kilograms  1  3  24 46223 1  25 29 3525
(1 quintal)
1 Kilogram -  - 2 2046223 - 1 7 79352 
1 Hectogram -  - - 22046223 - -  3 77935
1 Dekagram -  - - 022046223 - -  - 377935
1 Gramme -  - - 0022046223 - - - 0377935
1 Decigram -  - - 00022046223 -  - - 00377935
1 Centigram -  - - 000022046223 -  - - 000377935
1 Milligram - - - 0000022046223 -  - - 0000377935
Maltese Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Metric
Measures
Feet Inches  Decimals Metres   Decimals
1  Qasba
     (8  ixbar )  6 10 50 2 09549817
1  Xiber
     (12  il-pulzie r) - 10 3125 26193727
1  Pulzier - - 859375
{
- 021828105
1609 344
1  Mil 5280 equal to yds. 1760 or        kilometres 1.6093
     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  11
MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS - N O . 1
For Beer, Wine and Spirits
MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR LIQUIDS - N O . 2
For Oil and Milk
MEASURES OF SURFACE Amended by:XIII.1947.2.
Maltese 
Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Metric 
Measures
Acres
 
Roods  Poles  Sqr.
Yards 
Sqr. 
Feet
Decimals 
1  Modd 4 1 31 3 3 249       1.798599928 hectares
1  Tomna - 1 4 13 3 9     11.2412495 ares
1  Sieg ] - - 7 12 2 916   187.35416 Sqr. metres
1  Kejla -  - - 22 3 6     18.735416 Sqr. metres
1  Qasba kwadra - - - 5 2 265625       4.3911126 Sqr. metres
1  Xiber kwadru - - -  - - 7385162       6.8611 Sqr. decimetres
Maltese Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
 
Equivalents in Metric 
Measures
 
Gallons Decimals  Litres  Decimals 
1  Barmil  (4  [arar )  9 50 43 18664945
1  {arra  (2  kwarti ) 2 375 10 7966623625 
1  Kwarta  (4¾   Krate `)  1 1875 5 39833118125
1  Karto `` (2  infas ) - 2500 1 13649077500
1  Nofs  (2  terzi ) - 1250 - 56824538750
1  Terz  (2  pinet ) - 0625 - 24812269375
1  Pinta   - 03125 - 142061346875
Maltese Measures
Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures 
 
Equivalents in Metric
 Measures 
   
Gallons Decimals  Litres  Decimals 
1  Qafi \   (4  kwarti )  4 50 20 45683395
1  Kwarta  (4  krate `) 1 125 5 1142084875
1  Karto `` (2  infas )  - 28125 1 278552121875
1  Nofs  (2  terzi ) - 140625 - 6392760609375
1  Terz  (2 ½   kejliet ) - 0703125 - 31963803046875
1  Kejla (4 kwartini) - 028125 - 1278552121875
1  Kwartin   - 00703125 - 031963803046875
  12        CAP. 39. ]               WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
MEASURES OF CAPACITY FOR DRY GOODS
CUBIC MEASURES
Maltese Measures
 Equivalents in Imperial Measures
 
    Equivalents in 
Metric Measures
  
Quarters 
 
Decimals Hectolitres Decimals
1  Modd    (16-  il   tomna )                     1  -     2  90942
1  Tomna  (6  sieg ]an ) - 0625 - 18183875
1  Sieg ] (10  kejliet ) - 010416 - 03030645
1  Kejla  (10  lumini ) - 0010416 - 003030645
1  Lumin - 00010416 - 0003030645
Maltese Measures Equivalents in Imperial 
Measures
Equivalents in Metric 
Measures
1  Qasba kuba       324.9511 Cubic feet     9.201556 Cubic metres
1  Xiber kubu             .63467 Cubic feet   17.9717 Cubic decimetres
1  Pulzier kubu             .63467 Cubic inches   10.4 Cubic centimetres
WEIGHTS Amended by: 
XXXIV.1927.2.
Maltese Weights
Equivalents in Imperial 
Weights
Equivalents in Metric 
Weights
 Lbs.  Decimals Kilograms
 
Decimals
1  Qantar  or cental
(20 wi \na)  175  -  79  37867525
1  Wi \na  (5  irtal )  8 75 3 9689337625
1  Ratal  (30  Maltese   uqija )  1 75 - 7937867525
1  Uqija  (4  kwarti )  - 0583333 - 026459558416
1  Kwart (2 ottavi)  - 01458333 - 006614889604
1  Ottav    - 007291666 - 003307444802
1  Pe \ata  (3  qnatar ) 525     - 238 13602575
1 Ton (weight) 1280 ( ratal ) 2240    - 1016    -
     WEIGHTS AND MEASURES         [ CAP.  39.  13
METRIC STANDARDS
List of Metric Standards in the custody of the Authority
 
PART II Amended by:
XXVIII.1994.45;
XIX.1996.10;
XXVIII.1994.45 .
 Measures of Length Weights
Double metre or 2 metres 20, 10, 5, 2 kilograms
Metre or 1 metre Kilogram
Decimetre   or  0.1 metre 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 
grams
Centimetre    or 0.01 metre 5, 2, 1 decigrams
Millimetre    or 0.001 metre 5, 2, 1, 0.5 milligrams
MEASURES OF CAPACITY
                                    20, 10, 5, 2 Litres
                       Litre . 
0.5  litre or  500 cubic centimetres
0.2  litre or  200 cubic centimetres
0.1  litre or  100 cubic centimetres
0.05  litre or    50 cubic centimetres
0.02  litre or    20 cubic centimetres
0.01  litre or    10 cubic centimetres
0.005  litre or     5 cubic centimetres
0.002  litre or     2 cubic centimetres
0.001  litre or     1 cubic centimetres
