What is the average quantity system?
Goods which are pre-packed away from the premise they are sold at are generally subject to a set of rules known as the average quantity system. The system operates throughout Europe and is denoted by the ‘e’ mark. It allows some packs to be slightly under the quantity stated provided the overall average of any batch does not drop below this. It is not truly an average quantity system as a strict set of rules operate to control the proportion of under weight packs and to limit the extent to which an individual pack can be deficient. Trading Standards Officers carry out tests at the production level to ensure that packers are complying with average quantity legislation.
