The Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 2000

• (iv) either the absolute value of the appropriate prescribed limits of error of the analogue device or the scale interval of the digital device whichever is the greater, where one of the two readings is obtained from an analogue device and the other is obtained from a digital device.

11

Alternative load balancing arrangement testing

• (a) Machines having a weighing mode in which it is possible to obtain more than one determination of a single load by means of alternative load balancing arrangements shall, for each such weighing mode, be tested as described in subparagraphs (b) and (c) below.

• (b) If feasible, testing of each alternative load balancing arrangement shall be carried out for at least three different values of test load.

• (c) For each test load the inspector shall compare the two readings obtained from the alternative load balancing arrangements. The difference between these readings must not exceed the absolute value (or the smaller of the absolute values) of the appropriate prescribed limits of error for the load applied.

12

Repeatability testing

• (a) Repeatability testing shall be carried out as appropriate to the machine under test, with the test load being removed and then re-deposited as nearly as practicable in the same position.

• (b) The readings for each test load shall be compared. The difference between the highest and the lowest of them must not exceed half the absolute value of the appropriate prescribed limits of error for the load applied. All readings must also fall within the prescribed limits of error.

• (c) Additional repeatability testing may be carried out on machines having other weight indicating or printing devices associated with the load receptor under test.

13

Price-to-pay testing

• (a) By checking with several different weights and unit prices, the inspector shall satisfy himself that the machine computes the price-to-pay correctly.

• (b) In the case of a machine with digital indication or printing of price-to-pay, the price computation shall be deemed to be correct if the difference between any indicated or printed price-to-pay and the product of its associated unit price and indicated or printed weight is not greater than half the value of the smallest monetary unit.

14

Discrimination testing

• (a) Discrimination testing shall not be carried out on accelerating machines.

• (b) Subject to (a) above, discrimination testing shall be carried out with the machine loaded to the approved minimum load and maximum capacity, or as near as practicable thereto, using each load and weight receptor, or combination of receptors, separately with the associated indicating or printing device which has the smallest prescribed limit of error for the value of load used in the testing.

• (c) For non-self indicating machines, while balanced to give an indication of the load as at (b) above, an additional load equal to 0.4 times the absolute value of the prescribed limit of error added gently to the loaded receptor shall always produce:—

• (i) an appreciable movement of the beam, in the case of a simple equal-arm beam;

• (ii) a rise or fall to the limits of the range of movement of the beam or indicating element, in the case of a machine which is not a simple equal-arm beam.

• (d) For self or semi-self indicating machines, while loaded as at (b) above, the additional load placed gently on the loaded receptor shall:—

• (i) in the case of analogue indication or printing be equivalent to the absolute value of the prescribed limit of error for the load on the receptor and shall always cause a permanent displacement of the indicating element corresponding to at least 0.7 times its value;

• (ii) in the case of a digital indication or printing, be equivalent to 1.4 times the digital scale interval and shall always cause an increase in the reading of the intitial indication.

15

Level indicator testing

• (a) The sensitivity of the level indicating devices shall be such that, in the case of Class I and Class II machines, for a longitudinal or transverse tilt not exceeding 2 parts in 1000, the moving part of the indicator is displaced by at least 2 mm.

• (b) In the case of Class III and Class IIII machines, when a machine is tilted longitudinally or transversely until the moving part of the indicator shows a displacement of at least 2 mm, the zero load reading of the associated indicating or printing device does not change by more than two verification scale intervals.

• (c) In the case of Class II, Class III and Class IIII machines additionally, for all loads, the variation between the indicated or printed results obtained in the reference position and the tilted position shall not exceed the value of the prescribed limit of error for the test load, the machine having been adjusted to zero or balanced in the no-load condition for both the reference and tilted positions.

16

Tilt testing

• (a) Tilt testing shall not be carried out on any machines which are permanently installed, freely suspended or Class I machines provided with adjustable levelling devices and one or more level indicating devices.

• (b) Machines subject to tilt testing which are submitted with a view to being passed for the first time as fit for use for trade shall be tested as described in subparagraphs (c) to (e) below. An inspector may, at his discretion, carry out tilt testing at other times on machines which are subject to such testing.

• (c) The machines shall be tested using each load and weight receptor, where feasible, in association with the indicating or printing device which has the smallest verification scale interval of these devices capable of registering the maximum capacity.

• (d) Subject to paragraph 5 of this Schedule, for a Class III or Class IIII machine, having first been adjusted to zero or balanced at no-load in its untilted reference position with all the tare, weight indicating and printing devices set to zero, the indication shall not vary by more than two verification scale intervals when tilted longitudinally and transversely to—

• (i) 2 parts in 1000; or

• (ii) 50 parts in 1000, for a machine without any level indicating devices.

• (e) Subject to paragraph 5 of this Schedule, for a Class II, Class III or Class IIII machine, having first been adjusted to zero or balanced at no-load with all the tare, weight indicating and printing devices set to zero when tilted longitudinally or transversely to—

• (i) 1 part in 1000 for a Class II machine;

• (ii) 2 parts in 1000 for a Class III or Class IIII machine;

• (iii) 50 parts in 1000 for a machine without any level indicating devices,

the indication shall not vary by more than one verification scale interval when the maximum load is applied.

17

Eccentric load testing

• (a) Machines shall be subjected to eccentric load testing using each load and weight receptor, or combination of receptors, separately in association with the indicating or printing device which has the smallest prescribed limits of error for the value of load used in the testing.

• (b) Subject to paragraph 5 of this Schedule, the inspector shall first balance the machine with the load and weight receptors empty and all the tare, weight indicating and printing devices set to zero.

• (c) The receptor shall then be loaded as specified in paragraph 18 below. The weight reading shall be noted for each specified position of the test load. For each weight reading the error must not exceed the appropriate prescribed limit of error.

18

• (a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b) below—

• (i) in the case of a load receptor having four or fewer supports, a test load equal to one-third of the maximum load shall be applied in turn to each of the four quarter segments of the load receptor, each quarter segment being as nearly as is practicable equal to one quarter in area of the receptor; or

• (ii) in the case of a load receptor having more than four supports, a test load which is equal to the fraction 1/(n-1) of the maximum load shall be applied to each support over an area of 1/n of the surface area of the load receptor (where ‘n’ is the number of supports):

• Provided that, if the load receptor has a pair of supports which are so close together that it is not practicable to proceed in this manner, a test load which is equal to 2/(n-1) of the maximum load (where ‘n’ is the number of supports) shall be applied to twice that area equally spaced about the axis connecting the pair of supports; or

• (iii) in the case of a machine which falls within head (i) or (ii) above but which has a load receptor in the form of a tank or hopper where the off-centre loading is minimal, a test load which is equal to one-tenth of the maximum load shall be applied to each point of support of the load receptor.

• (b) In the case of a machine used for weighing vehicles of any description, a test load which is as nearly as practicable equal to, but in the event does not exceed, four-fifths of the maximum load shall also be applied at both ends and in the middle of the load receptor in all directions of movement of the vehicle on the load receptor.

Locking or relieving gear testing

19

Load and weight receptors which have associated locking or relieving devices shall, when supporting one-half of their maximum load, be eased into and out of lock or relief. This action must not cause the machine, in its unlocked or unrelieved position, to give any indication or printout which is in error by more than the appropriate prescribed limit of error.

Backbalance testing

20

• (a) Backbalance testing shall be carried out only on accelerating machines.

• (b) In backbalance testing the maximum load shall first be placed on the load receptor and the machine balanced so that the beam or indicating element only just maintains its horizontal position on its stop or carrier. The beam or indicating element shall then be moved to its position of greatest displacement from the horizontal position, after which the load on the load receptor shall be reduced by the minimum amount which is required to restore the beam or indicating element to its horizontal position.

• (c) The minimum amount which is required to be removed from the load receptor must not exceed three times the verification scale interval of the machine.

SCHEDULE 3 — PRESCRIBED LIMITS OF ERROR

1

Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, the prescribed limits of error expressed in terms of “e”, the relevant verification scale interval of the device under test, shall be those set out in the Table below.

	Limits of Error in Excess or Deficiency	Limits of Error in Excess or Deficiency
Classification of Machine	upon passing as fit for use for trade	in relation to the obliteration of stamps	Number of verification scale intervals for loads—see Note below
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
Note When testing a weight indicating or printing device, in a weighing mode in which tare devices other than those within paragraph (b) of the definition of “tare device” in regulation 2 above are operable, the ranges listed in column 4 of the Table shall be increased by the corresponding tare value.	Note When testing a weight indicating or printing device, in a weighing mode in which tare devices other than those within paragraph (b) of the definition of “tare device” in regulation 2 above are operable, the ranges listed in column 4 of the Table shall be increased by the corresponding tare value.	Note When testing a weight indicating or printing device, in a weighing mode in which tare devices other than those within paragraph (b) of the definition of “tare device” in regulation 2 above are operable, the ranges listed in column 4 of the Table shall be increased by the corresponding tare value.	Note When testing a weight indicating or printing device, in a weighing mode in which tare devices other than those within paragraph (b) of the definition of “tare device” in regulation 2 above are operable, the ranges listed in column 4 of the Table shall be increased by the corresponding tare value.
Class I
(first part)	0.5 e	1 e	not more than 50 000 e
(second part)	1 e	2 e	more than 50 000 e and not more than 200 000 e
(third part)	1.5 e	3 e	more than 200 000 e
Class II
(first part)	0.5 e	1 e	not more than 5 000 e
(second part)	1 e	2 e	more than 5 000 e and not more than 20 000 e
(third part)	1.5 e	3 e	more than 20 000 e
Class III
(first part)	0.5 e	1 e	not more than 500 e
(second part)	1 e	2 e	more than 500 e and not more than 2 000 e
(third part)	1.5 e	3 e	more than 2 000 e
Class IIII
(first part)	0.5 e	1 e	not more than 50 e
(second part)	1 e	2 e	more than 50 e and not more than 200 e
(third part)	1.5 e	3 e	more than 200 e

2

An indicating or printing device which, in any single weighing mode, has more than one verification scale interval, each of which relates exclusively to a particular part of the weighing range, shall have, for each particular part, those error allowances which would apply if the complete weighing range had the verification scale interval which relates to that particular part.

3

In the case where—

• (a) a machine has had its stamp obliterated under regulation 43(2) of these Regulations because of an alteration or adjustment involving only the replacement or addition of a dial, chart or pointer, and

• (b) the purpose of the alteration or adjustment was to modify an imperial machine to indicate weight in metric units, and

• (c) the appropriate prescribed limits of error upon the first retesting of such a machine with a view to its being passed as fit for use for trade shall be those set out in the Table in paragraph 1 above as being applicable in relation to the obliteration of stamps.

• (i) within the period of fifteen days following the making of the alteration or adjustment the requirements of paragraph 4 below were complied with, or

• (ii) the period for complying with those requirements has not yet expired,

4

The requirements referred to in paragraph 3(c)(i) above are that the chief inspector of weights and measures for the area in which the machine will first be used for trade after it has been altered or adjusted, or if the address at which it will be so used is not known, for the area in which the alteration or adjustment is carried out, is furnished by the person carrying out the alteration or adjustment with the following particulars, namely—

• (a) his name and address;

• (b) particulars by which the machine may be identified;

• (c) the name and address of the person who will first use the machine for trade after its alteration or adjustment and the address at which it will be so used or, if those particulars are not known, an address at which the machine will be available for inspection;

• (d) confirmation that the modification consisted only of the replacement or addition of a chart, dial or pointer.

SCHEDULE 4 — REGULATIONS REVOKED

• The Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 1988⁹

• The Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1988¹⁰

• The Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1991¹¹

• The Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1992¹²

• The Non-automatic Weighing Machines and Non-automatic Weighing Instruments (Amendment) Regulations 1995¹³

• In Parts I and III of the Schedule to the Weights and Measures (Metrication Amendments) Regulations 1994¹⁴, the amendments of the Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 1988.

Signed

Kim Howells — Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Consumers and Corporate Affairs, — Department of Trade and Industry — 2000-03-30

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1 These Regulations consolidate with minor amendments the Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988 No. 876) as amended by the Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988 No. 2120), the Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991 No. 2019), the Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992 No. 3037), the Weights and Measures (Metrication Amendments) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994 No. 1851) and the Non-automatic Weighing Machines and Non-automatic Weighing Instruments (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995 No. 428).

2 The Regulations continue to prescribe non-automatic weighing machines for the purposes of section 11(1) of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 (regulation 3(1)). The effect of prescription is to make it unlawful to use such machines for trade purposes unless they have been tested, passed as fit for such use and stamped by an inspector of weights and measures, or by an approved verifier under the terms of the 1985 Act as amended by the Deregulation (Weights and Measures) Order 1999, S.I. 1999/503. These requirements of prescription are also in general satisfied by a non-automatic weighing machine complying with: a Council Directive No. 73/360/EEC, as amended, on non-automatic weighing machines and bearing the mark of EEC initial verification and, where appropriate, the sign of EEC pattern approval. This mark and sign are described in Schedule 1 to the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1998, S.I. 1988/186; or b Council Directive No. 90/384/EEC, as amended, on non-automatic weighing instruments and satisfying the essential requirements set out in Annex I of the Directive.

3 The Regulations make provision as to: a the purposes for which such non-automatic weighing machines may be used for trade (regulation 4); b the materials and principles of construction of them and their marking (regulations 5 to 22 and Schedule 1); c the manner of erection and use of them for trade (regulations 23 to 31); d their testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping and the obliteration of such stamps (regulations 37 and 39 to 46 and Schedule 2); and e the prescribed limits of error (regulation 38 and Schedule 3).

4 A Regulatory Impact Assessment in respect of these Regulations is available and a copy can be obtained from the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry), Stanton Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0JZ. A copy has also been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

Footnotes

Editorial notes