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Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices - Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices?
The purpose of the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices is to improve the accuracy of measurement in the Canadian marketplace. This voluntary program encourages business owners to have the accuracy of their scales, gasoline pumps and other measuring devices tested and certified in accordance with the program’s recommended certification periods.

Why is this program needed?
Each day, products costing millions of dollars are weighed or measured.

The accuracy of new scales, gasoline pumps and other measuring devices must be certified by Measurement Canada or a Measurement Canada authorized service provider prior to their first use in the marketplace. There is no other mandatory requirement for the accuracy of a measuring device to be tested after this first inspection. Measurement Canada does perform inspections, but cannot certify the accuracy of all measuring devices on a regular basis.

During in-depth consultations in the retail food, wholesale and retail petroleum and dairy sectors, it was recommended to Measurement Canada that mandatory periodic certification periods be introduced as a means of improving measuring device accuracy, and ensuring businesses and consumers are receiving accurately measured goods. Mandatory periodic certification periods presently exist for electricity and natural gas meters.

The introduction of mandatory certification periods requires a change to the Weights and Measures Act (a process which could take three to five years). The Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices is an interim step designed to respond to stakeholder recommendations until the Act is amended.

You mean the accuracy of grocery store scales and gasoline pumps is not checked regularly?
Under the Weights and Measures Act, all businesses are responsible for ensuring their measuring devices measure accurately.

Many businesses have processes in place to monitor the accuracy of their measuring devices. However, this is not a mandatory requirement.

What are the objectives of the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices?
The objectives are to improve the accurate measurement of products in the marketplace, and to encourage business owners to have their scales, gasoline pumps and other measuring devices certified in accordance with the voluntary program’s recommended certification periods.

What are the benefits of the voluntary program?
The benefits include: increased accuracy of weighing and measuring devices used in the marketplace; reduced business and consumer financial loss due to measuring devices that do not measure accurately; and improved consumer and business confidence in the marketplace.

Who will participate in the program?
Business owners and operators of measuring devices are encouraged to participate in the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices.

How will I know when a measuring device was last certified?
When testing shows that a scale, gasoline dispenser or other measuring device is measuring accurately, a certification sticker is placed on the device. The certification sticker indicates the date on which the device was inspected and a recommended date for the next certification.

The certification sticker should be visible to customers. If it is not, ask the store manager where it is.

How will I know if a business is part of the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices?
A list of the businesses participating in the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices will be published on Measurement Canada’s website.

You can also ask the manager of the store if they are participating in the voluntary program.

Who tests and certifies the measuring devices for participating businesses?
Measurement Canada’s authorized service providers will test and certify the measuring devices at the request of the device owners.

Measurement Canada monitors the performance of its authorized service providers on a regular basis.

Here's a list of Measurement Canada authorized service providers (accredited and registered organizations).

Owners of weighing and measuring devices are invited to ask their service or repair representative if they are a Measurement Canada authorized service provider.

How can I get more information on the program?
Further information on the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices may be found on Measurement Canada’s website, in the program’s information brochure or by contacting your local Measurement Canada district office.