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M-19 (rev. 3) Specifications Relating to Non-automatic Weighing Devices (1998)

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Specifications Relating to Non-automatic Weighing Devices (1998), in PDF format, 92 KB

Table of Contents

1.0 Purpose
2.0 Generalities
3.0 Particular provisions
4.0 Revisions
5.0 Additional Information


Date: 2006-04-01
Bulletin: M-19 (rev. 3)
Category: Mass
Supercedes: M-19 (rev. 2)
Document(s): W&M Regs. section 4(n); Bulletin M-8-E; NAWDS


1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide the necessary guidance for the enforcement of the Specifications Relating to Non-automatic Weighing Devices (1998) (hereafter referred to as the specifications).

1.1 Effective date of the specifications

The Order Establishing Specifications Relating to Non-automatic Weighing Devices was originally adopted on January 5, 1998, was published in Part II of the Canada Gazette and became effective on February 4, 1998. Inspection staff began enforcing the specifications as of March 2, 1998.

The specifications had to be amended for a technical reason related to the regulatory process. They were republished, as written, in Part II of the Canada Gazette and titled Specifications Relating to Non-automatic Weighing Devices (1998) and became effective on June 15, 1998.

For the purpose of this bulletin, the effective date of the specifications is March 2, 1998.


2.0 Generalities

2.1 Weighing devices approved on or after the effective date of the specifications

Weighing devices or modules approved on or after the effective date of the specifications are subject to the enforcement of the specifications in their entirety. Devices or modules submitted for approval before the effective date of the specifications, but evaluated and/or approved on or after that date, are also subject to the enforcement of the specifications in their entirety.

2.2 Weighing devices approved before the effective date of the specifications but initially inspected after that date

Weighing devices approved before the effective date of the specifications, but initially inspected after that date, do not require modification in order to meet the design, composition, construction or marking requirements of the specifications. However, these devices must continue to comply with the design, composition, construction and marking requirements that were in force when they were approved. They must also be installed and used in accordance with the requirements of the specifications, as well as meeting the limits of error prescribed by the specifications.

2.3 Weighing devices approved and initially inspected before the effective date of the specifications

Weighing devices approved and initially inspected before the effective date of the specifications do not require modification in order to meet the design, composition, construction and marking requirements of the specifications. However, these weighing devices must perform within the limits of error set out in the specifications and must be used in compliance with the requirements prescribed by the specifications.

Weighing devices that must be installed to be tested, such as vehicle scales, hopper scales, tank scales and on board weighing systems, do not have to be reinstalled to meet the installation requirements of the specifications. When reinstalled however, they must comply with all installation requirements prescribed by the specifications. Portable or mobile weighing devices must be installed in accordance with the requirements of the specifications if they are relocated and reinstalled after the effective date of the specifications.

2.4 Weighing devices and modules modified and resubmitted to the Approval Services Laboratory for evaluation

Weighing devices and modules that are modified in such a way that they must be resubmitted to the Approval Services Laboratory for a complete or partial evaluation must comply with all the design, composition, construction, performance and marking requirements prescribed by the specifications before a new or revised Notice of Approval can be issued.


3.0 Particular provisions

3.1 Limits of error applicable to weighing devices marked with a class designation

Weighing devices approved after the effective date of the specifications, as well as certain weighing devices approved before that date, are marked with a class designation. In such cases, inspectors will apply the limits of error corresponding to the class marked on the device.

3.2 Limits of error applicable to weighing devices that are not marked with a class designation

Most models of weighing devices approved before the effective date of the specifications are not marked with a class designation. For such devices, inspectors will establish the limits of error on the basis of the value of the verification scale interval of the device and the class required by the specifications for the application in which the device is used or intended to be used. For example, a 10 kg x 5 g computing scale used or intended to be used in a retail application such as the weighing of meat, fruits or other similar products, must be of a class III. Consequently, the limits of error that inspectors will apply will be those for a class III device, calculated based on the 5 g scale interval.

Certain devices approved before the effective date of the specifications may have been approved with a number of scale intervals that exceed the maximum number permitted for the class. In such a case, the last step of the limits of error will be extended to capacity. For example, the in-service limit of error applied to a class III, 64kg x 5 g scale (12 800 intervals), will be 25 g from 20 kg to 64 kg.

When a weighing device, other than the type described in section 3.5, is used or intended to be used for an application described in Column 1 of the following table, the limits of error for the Class indicated in Column 2 of the table shall apply.

Application or Device Type and Device Class Table, in PDF format, 40 KB

3.3 Devices composed of weighing elements that are covered by the Class Approval Program

A Class Approval is granted to manufacturers for the approval of their large capacity and/or large dimension weighing devices that cannot be tested in the laboratory.

The following marking and installation rules apply to such devices when submitted to initial inspection:

the weighing element, whether already in existence or newly installed, shall be marked in the manner prescribed with the manufacturers’ name, the model number, a serial number, the generic (class) approval number, the appropriate class designation and the values of maximum capacity (Max) and minimum verification scale interval (emin), as determined by the device manufacturer, for the type or design of device;

the indicating element, approved before the effective date of the specifications, shall be marked in the manner prescribed with the manufacturer’s name, the model number, a serial number and the approval number;

the indicating element, approved on or after the effective date of the specifications, shall be marked with all the information and in the manner prescribed by the specifications: the manufacturer’s name, the model number, a serial number, the approval number, the accuracy class designation and the maximum number of verification scale intervals (nmax);