Measurement Canada

Canadians participate in financial transactions involving measurement every day. Measurement Canada is responsible for ensuring businesses and consumers receive the amount of product and service they pay for through the development and administration of the laws and requirements governing measurement, the evaluation, approval and certification of measuring devices such as scales, fuel dispensers (e.g., gasoline pumps), and electricity and natural gas meters, and the investigation of complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Manufacturers;
• owners and operators of measuring devices;
• Measurement Canada authorized service providers or companies wishing to become accredited or registered to certify measuring devices on Measurement Canada's behalf;
• measuring device service and repair agencies;
• owners of measurement standards (weights, volume test measures, electricity meter test consoles, pressure and temperature standards, etc.);
• purchasers and sellers of electricity, natural gas, and measured commodities; and
• the Canadian public.

Summary

In Canada, measuring devices and the accuracy of measurement are governed by the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and associated regulations and specifications. Measurement Canada, on behalf of the Government of Canada, has exclusive jurisdiction with respect to the administration of the laws governing measurement. There is no duplication or shared responsibility with any other federal, provincial or municipal department or agency. 

Programs and Services

Measuring Device Evaluation and Approval: All measuring devices (scales, fuel dispensers, electricity and natural gas meters, etc.) used as the basis for financial transactions must be approved for use in the Canadian marketplace. Prototype measuring devices are evaluated for compliance with the laws and related requirements by Measurement Canada's laboratory to ensure they are capable of measuring accurately under normal conditions of use and throughout their service lifetime and are approved for retail or commercial use. Measurement Canada's laboratory also evaluates and approves some types of scales and fuel dispensers for use in the United States.

Measuring Device Inspection and Certification: All measuring devices approved for use in Canada must also be inspected and certified before their use in the marketplace begins. Measuring devices are certified throughout their service lifetime to ensure they continue to measure accurately and are not used in a fraudulent manner. These certifications are performed by Measurement Canada inspectors or Measurement Canada authorized service providers (e.g., accredited or registered companies). It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that their measuring device is providing accurate measurement and to have it repaired within a specified period of time if, during an inspection, the device is found not to be working properly.

Complaint Investigations: Purchasers and sellers of measured commodities (gasoline, food products, etc.), electricity and natural gas who suspect that they have not received accurate measurement and who have been unsuccessful in resolving the dispute with their service provider may ask Measurement Canada to verify the accuracy of the measuring device used in the transaction and to investigate the matter. Measurement Canada provides the complainant with the results of the investigation, but does not negotiate any reimbursement due to the complainant because the device was not measuring properly. 

Accreditation Program: This Program grants private sector organizations, who develop and maintain quality assurance programs in accordance with Measurement Canada requirements, the authority to certify measuring devices on Measurement Canada's behalf. Organizations may obtain accreditation to certify electricity meters, natural gas meters, scales, fuel dispensers and large capacity petroleum meters.

Registration Program: This Program grants qualified private sector organizations, who meet Measurement Canada specified requirements, the authority to certify measuring devices on behalf of Measurement Canada in the retail fuel, retail food, dairy and downstream petroleum sectors. Registered organizations do not need to develop and maintain a quality assurance program.

Commodities: Measurement Canada inspectors inspect and verify the accuracy of products and services bought and sold on the basis of quantity. Commodities can be prepackaged, clerk-served or sold in bulk. In all cases, the stated quantity must be delivered to the purchaser, subject to accuracy requirements prescribed by the Weights and Measures Regulations.

Certification of Measurement Standards: Measurement Canada certifies measurement standards to measure mass, volume, pressure, temperature, length, and various electrical quantities. These measurement standards are used to certify the accuracy of scales, gasoline dispensers and electricity and natural gas meters.

New Brunswick Contact(s):
Answering service
Measurement Canada
Saint John, New Brunswick 
Telephone: 506-636-4591
Web site: http://mc.ic.gc.ca

Mr. Doug Rideout
District Manager
Measurement Canada
50 Brown Avenue
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia  B3B 1X8
Telephone: 902-426-3831
Fax: 902-426-1000
E-mail: rideout.doug@ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://mc.ic.gc.ca

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National Contact(s):
Ms. Coleen Burningham
Director
Marketing and Business Operations Directorate
Measurement Canada
Standards Building, 151 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0C9
Telephone: 613-952-2631
Fax: 613-952-5405
E-mail: burningham.coleen@ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://mc.ic.gc.ca