Legal metrology is a mechanism that ensures the reliability and accuracy of measuring instruments in various commercial transactions. It ensures the protection of consumers, transparency in exchanges, and trust between stakeholders.
What is legal metrology?
Legal metrology is a system for controlling and verifying weighing instruments used in commercial transactions. It applies to different sectors such as food, distribution, logistics, and industry. Competent authorities, such as national metrology services, are responsible for ensuring compliance with current standards and regulations.
Why is it necessary?
Legal metrology is necessary to ensure that weighing instruments used in commercial transactions are accurate and reliable. It applies to different sectors such as food, distribution, logistics, and industry. Competent authorities, such as national metrology services, are responsible for ensuring compliance with current standards and regulations.
How legal metrology works:
- Approval of weighing instruments: Manufacturers of weighing instruments must submit their products to an approval process to obtain certification of compliance with current standards. Tests include verifying the accuracy, robustness, and reliability of the instruments.
- Periodic verification: Legal weighing instruments are subject to regular checks to ensure that they continue to function accurately and reliably. Companies are required to have their weighing instruments verified by accredited organizations.
- Stamping: Compliant weighing instruments are marked with a stamp indicating that they have successfully passed the checks and are authorized for use in commercial transactions.
Obligations of companies:
Companies are required to comply with the following legal metrology obligations:
- Use only approved and verified weighing instruments.
- Ensure regular maintenance and upkeep of weighing instruments.
- Keep documents related to the approval, verification, and maintenance of weighing instruments.
- Inform consumers about the exact weight of the products sold and the corresponding price.
Benefits for consumers:
Legal metrology offers several benefits for consumers:
- Protection against fraud and abuse: Legal metrology ensures that consumers do not pay more than the actual weight of the products they purchase. Consumers can be sure that the weighing instruments used are accurate and reliable, which strengthens trust between buyers and sellers.
- Protection of consumer rights: Competent authorities can intervene in case of non-compliance of weighing instruments, ensuring that consumer rights are protected.