When searching for the perfect scale, you come across the terms; approved, legal for trade, certified, or trade approved. But what do these terms all mean?
These terms are interchangeable for describing trade approved scales. Trade approved scales and balances are measuring devices approved for use in trade applications. Bodies responsible for testing and proving scales to standards and specifications include NMI (Australia), EU, NRCS, and NTEP (See Appendix 1 below).
The law and regulations vary slightly, depending on your country or state. There may be individual specifications for your industry. However, for the most part, any weighing instrument will require trade approved status if used for selling by weight, or used for weight-based calculations when trading.
Trade approved scales is a means of informing consumers that they can trust the weight descriptions of the goods they purchase. Examples, where merchants require scales classified as trade approved, include the selling of food, alcohol, fuel, precious metals and gems, landscaping materials, and prepackaged products that specify a weight.
Trade Approved Scale Examples
Instrument Choice stocks a wide range of trade approved scales. We have compiled some examples of trade approved scales with varying weighing capacities, readability and pan sizes, so any trader can find a device to measure anything, and measure everything.
15 kg FD Series Trade Approved Food Scale.
Product Code: IC-FD15
The OHAUS Food Portioning Scale is a rugged, multi-use portioning scale for use in food service applications. Ideally suited for food portioning and check-weighing, the IC-FD15 Food Portioning Scale combines an easily cleaned design, fast display, and high precision loadcell.
Key Specifications:
Capacity: 15kg
Readability: 5g
Pan Size: 209 x 209 mm
SJWP Waterproof Packing Scales 3kg X 0.5g IP67
Product Code: IC-SJ3000WP
The SJ-WP Series of packing scales improve packing efficiency compared to other standard scales as they feature; multiple selectable weighing units, waterproof protection and are easy to use. Choose between trade approved or regular weighing scales.
Key Specifications:
Capacity: 3kg, 6kg, 15kg or 30kg
Readability: Check trade/non trade approved model specifications
Pan Size: 232 (W) × 192 (D) mm
Video:What’s in the Box and How to Take a Basic Measurement on a SJ-WP Waterproof Packing Scale
NMI TA Gx Precision Benchtop Balance
Product Code: IC-GX2000TM
The IC-GX2000TM is a high precision top pan balance that offers optimum weighing and settling times. The scale features a standard RS232 data output, internal calibration, multiple weighing units, and a percentage & counting mode. Also available in 4.1kg and 6.01kg capacities.
Key Specifications:
Capacity: 2.1Kg
Readability: 0.01g
Pan Size: 165 x 165mm
15 kg/30 kg Defender 5000 Stainless Washdown Bench Scale
Product Code: IC-D52XW30WQDL7
The D52XW30WQDL7 is a durable bench scale with IP67 protection and advanced features such as print output, GMP/GLP data output, library/user management, and multiple connectivity options.
Key Specifications:
Capacity: 15 kg/30 kg
Readability: 5 g; 10 g
Pan Size: 400 mm x 400 mm
Conclusion
If you sell items by weight or calculate the price using weight as a factor, or prepackaged products that specify a weight, you will be required to use trade approved scales.
View the full range of trade approved scales at Instrument Choice by clicking here.
If you would like more information on trade approved scales, contact one of the Instrument Choice Scientists. We're here to help! Call 1300 737 871 or email customer-service@instrumentchoice.com.au.
Appendix 1: Scale Acronyms
NMI: National Measurement Institute, Australia, is the measurement standards body of the Australian government.
CE: European Conformity
NRCS: National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, an agency of the South African Government Department of Trade and Industry.
OIML: The Organisation International de Métrologie Légale (International Organization of Legal Metrology) is an intergovernmental treaty organization based in France.
NTEP: National Type Evaluation Program evaluates and certifies equipment before offered for sale for trade use in the United States.
