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Voluntary Periodic Certification Program For Devices

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Voluntary Periodic Certification Program For Devices, in PDF format, 76 KB

Measurement Canada has conducted extensive consultations with representatives of industries, retailers’ associations, consumers’ associations and other stakeholders concerning its level of intervention in the marketplace. Stakeholders felt that periodic inspection and certification were the minimum that must be done to improve device accuracy and ensure the fair measurement of goods.

Stakeholders have recommended, and Measurement Canada supports, the establishment of mandatory periodic certification for devices subject to the Weights and Measures Act. This change to the Act will require the approval of Parliament. In the interim, Measurement Canada has launched the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program For Devices.

Voluntary Certification Periods

Measurement Canada has established the following voluntary certification periods:

• Service station gasoline dispensers, 2 yeas
• Service station propane dispensers, 1 year
• Scales used in retail food establishments, 5 years
• Scales for filling propane tanks, 2 years
• Truck-mounted retail propane meters, 1 year
• Wholesale and retail petroleum product meters, 2 years
• Scales used for the direct sale of dairy products, 2 years
• Milk meters and metering systems 1, year

The certification date is calculated from the date of the most recent inspection and certification, as indicated on the inspection sticker affixed to the device and noted on the inspection certificate.

These periods are the recommended maximum intervals between inspections and certifications. Owners are encouraged to consider having more periodic maintenance checks on their weighing and measuring devices by service organizations to ensure device accuracy and compliance with the legislation at all times. Also, please visit Measurement Canada’s website (www.mc.ic.gc.ca), as these periods may be modified following future consultations with stakeholders.

Owners are encouraged to consider having more periodic maintenance checks on their weighing and measuring devices by service organizations to ensure device accuracy and compliance.

What Does This Mean?

Measurement Canada requests that you, as owner and user, take the necessary steps to have your commercial devices inspected and certified in accordance with the voluntary certification periods.

Once the changes to the Weights and Measures Act that make the periodic certification of devices mandatory take effect, device owners and users will be under legal obligation to have their devices inspected and certified at prescribed periods.

Authorized Service Providers

These periodic inspections and certifications will be performed by Authorized Service Providers, which are organizations that have been accredited or registered by Measurement Canada. You may ask the representative of the service company that maintains and repairs your devices if they can certify devices on behalf of Measurement Canada. You may also wish to consult the list of accredited and registered service providers on Measurement Canada’s website.

Accuracy: It’s Your Responsibility

Frequent maintenance, inspections and certifications of weighing and measuring devices contribute to enhanced confidence for both buyers and sellers. It must be noted that, although these minimum certification periods are not yet required by law, device owners and users remain legally responsible at all times for the accuracy of their weighing and measuring devices, and for accurate measurement. They must take all necessary measures to fulfil this responsibility.

Frequent maintenance, inspections and certifications of weighing and measuring devices contribute to enhanced confidence for both buyers and sellers.

For More Information

For more information, please contact the Measurement Canada office nearest you. We are listed in the blue pages of your telephone directory.