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This section contains information regarding the net quantity inspection program for products that are sold on the basis of measure. Commodities subject to this inspection program can be prepackaged, clerk-served or sold in bulk. In all cases, the stated quantity must be delivered to the purchaser within the prescribed limits of error and other compliance criteria.

The Weights and Measures Act (W&M; Act) establishes accuracy requirements for weighing and measuring instruments used in trade. Combined with the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (CP&L; Act), it also ensures that goods bought and sold on the basis of measurement are marked with an accurate quantity declaration of their net contents. Generally, the CP&L; Act applies to prepackaged consumer products while the W&M; Act deals with products such as bulk clerk served items, institutional packed items and industrial products.

In addition to the accuracy requirements for both weighing and measuring instruments, and commodities that are traded on the basis of measurement, Measurement Canada requires that services bought and sold on this basis (e.g., freight and shipping charges) be accurate as well.

Related Bulletins

Measurement Canada administers and enforces the Weights and Measures Act which sets out and defines the units of measurement that are legal for trade use in Canada. The Act applies to trade transactions based on measure including commodities sold in bulk, commodities packaged for business or institutions, and all services that are provided on the basis of measure such as freight services. The Act also applies to all devices used to weigh or measure goods and services at all levels of trade from retail to wholesale to international transactions.

The labelling of prepackaged consumer products is dealt with under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations which require that the net quantity of prepackaged products be expressed in metric units of measurement and allows the addition of Imperial units. Responsibility for the enforcement of these net quantity provisions is shared as follows:

• Fair Business Practices Branch, Competition Bureau, Industry Canada -- prepackaged (non-food) products
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency , Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada -- prepackaged food products.