| Measurement Canada, a special operating agency of Industry Canada, has sole jurisdiction with respect to the administration and enforcement of the statutes which regulate trade measurement.
Mission
To ensure equity and accuracy where goods and services are bought and sold on the basis of measurement, in order to contribute to a fair and competitive marketplace for Canadians.
Mandate
Our mandate is to ensure the integrity and accuracy of trade measurement in Canada through the administration and enforcement of the Weights and Measures Act and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act.
Measurement Canada's mission is currently accomplished in most trade sectors through several key programs such as:
- calibration of measurement standards (weights and test measures),
- approval of measuring device types (scales, meters, metering systems),
- initial inspection and certification of measuring devices,
- re-verification and monitoring of measuring devices,
- verification of net quantity content and labelling of commodities,
- investigation and resolution of disputes and complaints related to measurement.
Historically, these programs have been implemented exclusively by Measurement Canada . However, with device numbers increasing, measurement technology constantly evolving and Measurement Canada's present resource level, we can no longer fulfill our mission effectively.
Consequently, Measurement Canada has established a new strategic direction that is designed to optimize the use of its resources in fulfilling its mission. One of the key elements of the strategic direction is to review our programs and policies to ensure that the services are relevant, effective and offered in the most cost-effective manner
Key strategies in the plan include:
- identifying, in consultation with our stakeholders, the appropriate level of intervention necessary to ensure accurate measurement of goods and services in all trade sectors; and
- increasing private sector participation and the use of alternate service delivery (ASD) mechanisms. ASD mechanisms are means of providing services that are presently provided by Measurement Canada but which may be provided by others in the future. This could mean some other federal department or agency, a provincial ministry, a civic government, or non-government sources such as private companies or the trade sector itself. These may include:
- initial inspection and certification of measuring devices
- re-inspections or periodic re-verifications of measuring devices
- calibration of measurement standards,
- approval of measuring device types,
- net quantity verification
As part of this new strategic direction, Measurement Canada will, at a minimum, continue to:
- establish rules and requirements (for trade metrology),
- resolve complaints and disputes,
- monitor the marketplace, and
- where necessary, take action to ensure appropriate levels of compliance.
Measurement Canada has undertaken a review of the Canadian marketplace and using Measurement Canada's Marketplace Intervention Model identified, defined and ranked 39 discrete trade sectors where goods and services are bought and sold on the basis of measurement.
Reviews will be occurring in all affected industry sectors, including those where Measurement Canada has had limited or no intervention in the past. Intervention could range from periodic assessment of a sector by Measurement Canada to a level of intervention wherein Measurement Canada oversees the complete range of measurement controls within a sector. The informed views of stakeholders will be crucial in establishing the appropriate level of intervention in a trade sector.
The sector review teams will be exploring discussion in the areas of our device approval program, initial inspection of devices prior to trade use, traceability of measurement standards, periodic re-verification of devices, dispute resolution mechanisms, our accreditation program, and other topics related to trade measurement.
For the purpose of this trade sector review, the Dairy industry will include:
- dairy producers, dairies, dairy processors, wholesalers and distributors of primary or processed dairy products. These products include raw milk, fluid milk, powdered milk, cream, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream etc.
- wholesale consumers such as restaurants, hospitals, schools and institutions
The devices used for trade measurement in the dairy industry include:
- milk receiving systems and meters in dairies
- truck mounted meters and measuring systems
- dairy farm tanks
- scales used for direct sales or for pre-packaging at the wholesale level
- scales used to determine butterfat content etc. of the milk
The scope of the dairy trade sector review will not include dairy products sold at the retail level nor scales or meters used to package products for retail sale.
Products sold at the retail level or packaged for sale at the retail level will be covered by the Retail Food Trade Sector Review team.
The primary purpose of the Dairy Trade Sector Review (DTSR) is to establish an appropriate level of measurement related intervention to ensure accuracy in trade measurement. All adopted recommendations must be consistent with internationally accepted rules and standards. This will be an opportunity for stakeholders, especially vulnerable parties, to express their views on the need for Measurement Canada intervention.
For more information on Measurement Canada and Trade Sector Review, contact a member of the Dairy Trade Sector Review Team at: |
Measurement Canada
