Measurement Canada requires scales used in retail to be inspected and certified as “legal for trade” to ensure the accuracy and integrity of trade measurement in Canada. This is a very necessary process for businesses to avoid risk and loss in the future if they are caught without the certificates. It involves monitoring the accuracy of measuring devices through a variety of inspections and compliance improvement strategies. Businesses that fail to:
Lost productivity and income due to withdrawal of equipment from use
Lost Income and income due to withdrawal of equipment from use
Fines And Closures and income due to withdrawal of equipment from use
Company Reputation and income due to withdrawal of equipment from use
If you sell products by weight, you know that you must follow all regulations created by the Measurement Canada Weights and Measures Act. When you fail to follow these regulations, you could face fines, business closures, and ruin your company’s reputation. Worse, when you are not properly measuring your products, you could be affecting your potential business income; therefore, knowing the regulations and staying on top of your scales is the best way to protect your business overall. When you own a business that sells measured goods, you are required to adhere to specific guidelines and regulations. These responsibilities include:
In 2014, the Act went through some changes that now require owners to have all scales and pumps inspected by a Measurement Canada authorized service provider, like Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd. Inspections are mandatory if you sell within dairy, gas or oil, fishing, forestry, grain and field crops, mining, and some retail sectors.
You must have a device approval so that you can prove your device complies with the applicable requirements for your industry. If you have an existing approval, you may need to update it with the revision to an existing approval form. Also, you may need a modification acceptance if you use any accessories on your device.
When you have a scale calibrated or serviced, the authorized provider must calibrate in accordance with the Measurement Canada requirements. These standards are what you use to register your device with Measurement Canada.
You are responsible for ensuring that your devices are accurate. Even after it has been approved and inspected, you must continue to service your scales, calibrate, and monitor accuracy. Measurement Canada will investigate any complaints from customers who feel that they received inaccurate measurements, and you could face harsh fines if your device is found to be inaccurate.
You must install your device properly, but also protect it from any environmental interferences. If your device is exposed to the elements, it will affect the accuracy; thus, putting your business at risk.
Before Confederation in 1867, each province had its own system of regulating weights and measures. After Confederation, the Government of Canada took over as the authority on the issue. The Weights and Measures Act was first passed in 1872, followed by the Gas Inspection Act and the Electric Light Inspection Act, forming the basis of our measurement regulations today. As responsible individuals promoting fair marketplace values, it is accepted of everyone to report any inaccuracies or fraudulent practices that may compromise the integrity of this system. A regulated framework of measurements makes way for a well-functioning economy so all Canadians must work with integrity to aid the cause.
In 1999, Measurement Canada became a special operating agency under Industry Canada. Based in Ottawa, Measurement Canada is responsible for:
Calibrating and certifying measurement standards, including mass, length, volume, temperature, electrical measurements, and more
Instrument Approvals measurement standards, including mass, length, volume, temperature, electrical measurements, and more
Accuracy measurement standards, including mass, length, volume, temperature, electrical measurements, and more
Complaint Investigation measurement standards, including mass, length, volume, temperature, electrical measurements, and more