Trading Standards and Industrial Weighing Scales

If you're dealing with large orders of stock which is bought and sold by weight, then you'll be aware how essential it is to have scales which are not only capable of weighing large quantities, but to also be highly accurate. Even if the calibration is just a fraction of a gram out, this can easily add up to a significant amount over the course of a day. This is especially true if you're using pallet truck scales or are weighing laden vans or heavy goods vehicles on platform scales, the tiniest calibration error could amount to thousands of pounds lost through inaccuracy or a period of time.

British Trading Standards are very strict when it comes to commercial and industrial weighing scales and are constantly conducting spot checks on retail outlets and industries up and down the country. Trading with inaccurate scales can result in a hefty fine. So it's nobody else's responsibility but your own to make sure the scales you're using are in compliance with current Trading Standards regulations. 

So how do you know if a set of scales are fully compliant with current trading standards guidelines? All weighing scales used in trade should be either EC Verified or Trade Approved, however this does not mean a set of scales are 'Legal for Trade'. The Weights and Measures Act 1985 requires that equipment used to weigh goods for sale must be of a suitable accuracy and be stamped by a Weights and Measures Inspector or Approved Verifier to show that it is accurate. A scale which does not bear the Crown stamp (for existing equipment), or the green C-EM Approved stamp (for new equipment) may not be used for trade purposes.

If you're in a green grocers or butchers shop then the 'legal for trade' stickers should be clearly visible. The same is true on pallet truck scales, however for larger industrial weighing scales such as platform scales and weighbridges, the operator must hold a certificate from a Chief Trading Standards Officer. This shows the operator is capable of using and maintaining the weighing equipment and should be presented to all customers and trading standards officials upon request. In the event the industrial weighing scales or weighbridge is replaced, or undergoes significant repairs, such as the re-seating of platform scales, a new certificate from a chief Trading Standards Officer is required.

For any business or industry which trades by weight, it's essential that all weighing equipment and operators of a weighbridge carry all the necessary certification. This not only ensures customer confidence, but ensures that no revenue is lost through inaccurate weighing of goods or through fines from trading standards for non compliance.

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Barry Summers -