The Weighing Equipment (Beltweighers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

PART I N.I. GENERAL

Citation, commencement and revocation N.I.

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Weighing Equipment (Beltweighers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and shall come into operation on 1st June 2006.

(2) The 1985 Regulations are hereby revoked.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) and the following provisions, the 1985 Regulations shall continue to apply to any beltweigher to which those Regulations applied which was first passed as fit for use for trade before the 1st June 2006.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 1 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Interpretation N.I.

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1981 Order” means the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;

“the 1985 Regulations” means the Weighing Equipment (Beltweighers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1985(1);

“beltweigher” means weighing equipment of the belt conveyor type being an automatic weighing instrument for continuously weighing a bulk product on a conveyor belt by the action of gravity without systematic subdivision of the mass and without interrupting the movement of the conveyor belt;

“certificate of approval” means a certificate of approval of a pattern of weighing equipment granted or renewed by the Department under Article 10 or 11 of the 1981 Order or any instrument having effect under Article 11(5) of the 1981 Order as if it were a certificate of approval so granted on 4th April 1979, or a certificate of approval of a pattern of weighing equipment deemed under Article 10(8) of the 1981 Order to have been granted and published under the said Article 10;

“Department” means the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment;

“maximum permissible error” in relation to a beltweigher means, except in paragraph (3), the maximum permissible error for automatic weighing in relation to a beltweigher of its Class as determined in accordance with clauses 2.2 to 2.2.3 of R 50-1; the Table in clause 2.2.1 is set out in the Schedule;

“minimum totalised load” means the quantity in units of mass below which a totalisation may be subject to excessive relative errors as determined in accordance with clause 2.3 of R 50-1;

“the stamp” means the stamp prescribed by the Weights and Measures (Prescribed Stamp) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1969(2);

“weighing unit” means the part of a beltweigher providing information on the mass of the load to be measured.

(2) In these Regulations—

(a) “Class 0.5 beltweigher” means a beltweigher which is marked as such;

(b) “Class 1 beltweigher” means a beltweigher which is marked as such or as Class I; and

(c) “Class 2 beltweigher” means a beltweigher which is marked as such or as Class II,

on its descriptive plate or elsewhere on the instrument; and “Class” shall be construed accordingly.

(3) For the purposes of the marks referred to in paragraph (2), the Class of a beltweigher is the Class appropriate to its accuracy on initial verification ascertained in relation to maximum permissible errors in accordance with clause 2.2.1 of R 50-1.

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 2 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Recommendations of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology N.I.

3.—(1) In these Regulations “R 50-1” means the International Recommendation entitled “Continuous totalizing automatic weighing instruments (beltweighers) Part 1: Metrological and technical requirements – Tests”(3).

(2) In these Regulations, any expression which is not defined in these Regulations and is used both herein and in R 50-1 has the same meaning as in R 50-1.

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 3 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Application N.I.

4.—(1) These Regulations apply to beltweighers for use for trade other than—

(a) beltweighers to which the 1985 Regulations continue to apply by virtue of regulation 1(3); or

(b) beltweighers for use for trade which bears the mark of EEC initial verification; and in this sub-paragraph the expression “mark of EEC initial verification” has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 13 of the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1988(4).

(2) For the purposes of Article 9(1) of the 1981 Order (weighing or measuring equipment for use for trade)—

(a) beltweighers to which the 1985 Regulations apply shall continue to be prescribed; and

(b) other beltweighers to which these Regulations apply shall also be prescribed.

(3) The Weights and Measures Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1967(5) are hereby further amended by the substitution for regulation 3(2)(h) of the following sub-paragraph—

“(h) beltweighers to which the Weighing Equipment (Beltweighers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1985(6) or the Weighing Equipment (Beltweighers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006(7) apply;”.

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 4 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Purposes of use for trade N.I.

5.  A person shall not use a beltweigher for trade—

(a) except for the purpose of measuring quantities of material the values of which expressed in units of measurement of mass are not less than the value of the minimum totalised load;

(b) for a purpose other than a purpose specified in the certificate of approval relating to it;

(c) otherwise than in conformity with any mark placed on it in conformity with these Regulations; or

(d) in the case of a Class 2 beltweigher, for the purpose of weighing any material other than ballast, that is to say, any of the materials to which the expression “ballast” applies in Schedule 4 to the 1981 Order.

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 5 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

PART II N.I. MATERIALS AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION AND MARKING OF BELTWEIGHERS

Beltweighers to be made in accordance with approved pattern N.I.

6.—(1) Every beltweigher shall be made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the marking of a beltweigher in accordance with regulation 7 after it has been made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force shall not in itself be a breach of paragraph (1).

(3) Notwithstanding the result of any test contained in the test report relating to the beltweigher in question, nothing in paragraph (2) shall permit the Class marked on a beltweigher to be a Class of higher accuracy than the Class specified in the relevant certificate of approval.

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 6 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Descriptive markings N.I.

7.—(1) Every beltweigher shall be legibly and durably marked with the descriptive markings required by clauses 3.11.1 to 3.11.3, and, where appropriate, 3.11.4, of R 50-1 and in the manner specified in clause 3.11.5 thereof.

(2) The particulars comprised in the descriptive markings referred to in paragraph (1) shall be those ascertained on initial verification and, subject to paragraph (3), in conformity with any relevant certificate of approval.

(3) In a case where the relevant certificate of approval contains different provisions relating to the use of a beltweigher for different purposes, the particulars relating to minimum totalised load shall be those relating to one such purpose only.

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 7 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Marking of units of measurement N.I.

8.—(1) Subject to Article 53(3) of the 1981 Order, where units of measurement expressed in terms of mass are marked on beltweighers first passed as fit for use for trade after these Regulations come into operation, they shall be marked in metric units in full or by means of one of the following abbreviations or symbols only—

• t, kg, g.

(2) Where any of the following indicate quantity by means of a metric unit of measurement, any marking—

(a) of minimum flowrate, maximum capacity or minimum totalised load;

(b) on any totalisation indicating device;

may also indicate quantity by means of a supplementary indication until 31st December 2009.

(3) The abbreviations of, and symbols for, units of measurement used in this regulation refer to the relevant units as follows—

Gram	g
kilogram	kg
tonne	t

Commencement Information

I8 Reg. 8 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

PART III N.I. MANNER OF ERECTION AND USE FOR TRADE

Erection and use for trade N.I.

9.—(1) Every beltweigher shall be erected—

(a) in such a way that it is possible to carry out a material test in situ in accordance with clause A. 11 of Annex A to R 50-1, including in particular the depositing on or removal from the belt of material test loads in a reliable and easy manner, without disrupting the normal operation of the beltweigher; and

(b) in conformity with the following installation conditions contained in R 50-1, that is to say, those set out in clauses 3.8 to 3.10 relating to the installation, to the roller track, to the conveyor belt, to speed control, to weigh length, to belt tension, to overload protection, to ancillary devices and to sealing.

(2) A person shall not use a beltweigher for trade unless there is sited in the vicinity of the beltweigher and available for use in conjunction with the beltweigher a suitable control instrument, that is to say, a weighing instrument which is of Class III or better.

(3) The suitable control instrument referred to in paragraph (2) must—

(a) comply with the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1988 and bear the mark of EEC initial verification as described in Schedule 1 to those Regulations; or

(b) comply with the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2000 (8) and bear the appropriate sticker as defined in regulation 2(2) of those Regulations; or

(c) have been passed as fit for use for trade under the Weighing Equipment (Non-automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006(9) and bear the stamp as defined in regulation 2(1) of those Regulations; or

(d) have been passed as fit for use for trade under the Weighing Equipment (Filling and Discontinuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986(10); or

(e) have been passed as fit for use for trade under the Weighing Equipment (Automatic Gravimetric Filling Instruments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005(11); or

(f) have been passed as fit for use for trade under these Regulations; and

be capable of determining the weight of material used in material testing and giving weight determinations such that in respect of each material test load the weight determination shall in total be accurate to within one-fifth of the limits of error prescribed for material testing whether such a load is determined in one or more weighing operations.

Commencement Information

I9 Reg. 9 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Manner of use – spillage and loading N.I.

10.  A person shall not use a beltweigher for trade in such a manner as to cause—

(a) spillage of material from the belt; or

(b) loading of the weighing unit above its maximum capacity as defined in clause T.4.4 of R 50-1.

Commencement Information

I10 Reg. 10 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Manner of use – belt speed N.I.

11.  A person shall not use for trade a beltweigher which is designed to operate—

(a) at only one belt speed, in such a manner that the speed of the belt varies by more than 5% of its nominal speed, that is to say, the speed at which the belt is designed to convey material; or

(b) at more than one belt speed, having a speed setting control, in such a manner that the speed of the belt varies by more than 5% of the speed at which it is set to operate, whether by the operator or automatically.

Commencement Information

I11 Reg. 11 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Position of operator N.I.

12.  Every beltweigher shall be erected in such a manner that the operator can readily take up a single position from which he can—

(a) read any indication of zero totalisation,

(b) operate any zero-setting control, and

(c) see whether the belt passing over the weighing unit is empty or not.

Commencement Information

I12 Reg. 12 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

PART IV N.I. TESTING

Testing N.I.

13.—(1) The inspector shall test a beltweigher in accordance with the procedures relating to metrological requirements set out in clauses 5.2.1.1, 5.2.1.2 of, and clause A.11 of Annex A to, R 50-1, and, where appropriate, that relating to the switch-on procedure for electronic beltweighers set out in clause 4.4 of R 50-1.

(2) A beltweigher shall not be tested, passed as fit for use for trade and stamped unless either—

(a) it has been completely erected ready for use and installed at the place where it is to be used, or

(b) save in a case where paragraph (3) has effect, it has been completely erected ready for use in conditions which are in all material respects the same as those at the place where it is to be used and it is not to be dismantled before it is installed at that place.

(3) A beltweigher which is to be re-erected at its place of use after testing shall not be passed as fit for use for trade before re-erection in accordance with paragraph (2)(b) if, in the opinion of the inspector, its dismantling, transportation and re-erection are likely to affect its function or accuracy.

(4) Every beltweigher submitted for testing shall be in a clean condition.

(5) For the purposes of the performance by an inspector of his functions under the 1981 Order or these Regulations relating to inspection, testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping of any beltweigher, a person submitting a beltweigher to an inspector or who an inspector has reasonable cause to believe has possession of a beltweigher for use for trade shall, if requested, provide to the inspector such material, handling equipment and assistance as the inspector may reasonably require; and any material or equipment so provided shall be returned to the person in question.

Commencement Information

I13 Reg. 13 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Beltweighers imported from an EEA State N.I.

14.—(1) In relation to a beltweigher imported into Northern Ireland from an EEA State, (whether directly or indirectly through Great Britain), subject to paragraph (4), an inspector shall not carry out any test in accordance with regulation 13 if, together with the beltweigher being imported, he is presented with the requisite documentation.

(2) In this regulation and in regulation 15(2)—

(a) “requisite documentation” means—

(i) the test report of an approved body that the beltweigher which is the subject of that report has been tested on the same basis as that set out in this Part of these Regulations or on an equivalent basis and stating which tests have been applied to it; and

(ii) the test results relating to those tests; and

(b) “EEA State” means a State which is a Contracting Party to the EEA Agreement F1 ...; and in this paragraph “the EEA Agreement” means the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993.

(3) A body is an “approved body” for the purposes of this regulation if it is a body in a member State or in an EEA State which has responsibility in that State for metrological control of beltweighers or is a laboratory which has been accredited for the purposes of testing beltweighers in a member State or in an EEA State as being a body which conforms with the criteria set out in BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2000(12).

(4) Nothing in these Regulations shall prevent an inspector testing in accordance with regulation 13 where he is not satisfied—

(a) as to the authenticity of the test report or the results presented to him; or

(b) that the test results presented to him are results which in fact relate to the beltweigher being imported; or

(c) either—

(i) that the beltweigher being imported has not been dismantled after the tests to which the test report relates were carried out; or

(ii) where the beltweigher being imported has been dismantled after those tests were carried out, that any such dismantling is not likely to have affected its function or accuracy.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 14(2)(b) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Metrology, Health and Safety and Product Safety (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/202), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 11; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Commencement Information

I14 Reg. 14 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

PART V N.I. SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Passing as fit for use for trade N.I.

15.—(1) Save in a case where paragraph (2) has effect, no beltweigher shall be passed as fit for use for trade unless—

(a) it complies with all the appropriate requirements of these Regulations;

(b) on testing, it falls within the relevant maximum permissible error in relation to initial verification;

(c) on testing, it satisfies the requirements in relation to initial verification of clauses 5.2.1.1 and 5.2.1.2 of, and clause A.11 of Annex A to, R 50-1; and

(d) in the case of an electronic beltweigher, switch-on tests carried out in conformity with clause 4.4 of R 50-1 show that all relevant signs of the indicating devices are operating satisfactorily.

(2) In the case of a beltweigher imported into Northern Ireland from an EEA State, (whether directly or indirectly through Great Britain), a beltweigher shall not be passed as fit for use for trade unless—

(a) where the requisite documentation is presented in accordance with regulation 14, the test report recites and the test data confirm to the satisfaction of the inspector that on testing in the relevant State it fell within the relevant maximum permissible error; and

(b) it complies with all the relevant requirements of these Regulations.

Commencement Information

I15 Reg. 15 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Stamping and marking N.I.

16.—(1) Every beltweigher shall be provided with either—

(a) a plug or stud made of soft metal and made irremovable by undercutting; or

(b) such sealing arrangements as may be authorised by the Department or, as the case may be, by the Secretary of State in relation to the pattern set out in the certificate of approval in force or in the notice of examination, that is to say, a notice of examination caused to be published by the Department or, as the case may be, by the Secretary of State giving particulars of a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval has been granted;

and the plug or stud shall be placed and mounted in conformity with clause 3.12.1 of R 50-1 and the first two paragraphs of clause 3.12.2 of R 50-1.

(2) The stamp shall be placed on the said plug or stud and every sealing device authorised in accordance with paragraph (1).

(3) A beltweigher shall not be stamped in accordance with paragraph (2) if it bears any mark which, in the opinion of the inspector, might reasonably be mistaken for the stamp, or any statement or mark (other than an inspector’s stamp) which purports to be or, in the opinion of the inspector, might reasonably be mistaken for an expression of approval or guarantee of accuracy by any body or person.

Commencement Information

I16 Reg. 16 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Manner of obliteration of stamps N.I.

17.  Stamps shall be obliterated by an inspector, in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, by means of punches or pincers of suitable sizes of a six-pointed star design as shown in the following illustration—

Commencement Information

I17 Reg. 17 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Obliteration of stamps N.I.

18.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an inspector shall obliterate the stamp on any beltweigher which—

(a) fails upon testing to fall within the maximum permissible error in relation to in-service testing set out in clauses 2.2 to 2.22 of R 50-1;

(b) bears any mark or statement which is not authorised by the certificate of approval relating to the beltweigher or which does not reflect the test report on initial verification; or

(c) otherwise fails to comply with any appropriate requirement of these Regulations or of R 50-1.

(2) Except as provided by regulation 19, where any beltweigher does not fully comply with the requirements of these Regulations but the nature or degree of the non-compliance is not in the inspector’s opinion such as to require the immediate obliteration of the stamp, the inspector shall give to the proprietor or any person in possession of the beltweigher a notice calling on him to have the beltweigher corrected within a stated period not exceeding 28 days; and he shall obliterate the stamp if the correction has not been made within the stated period.

Commencement Information

I18 Reg. 18 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Mandatory obliteration of stamps on beltweighers which are unfit for use for trade N.I.

19.  An inspector shall obliterate the stamp on any beltweigher which has, since it was last stamped, had any alteration or addition made to it such that it could not be passed as fit for use for trade under regulation 15.

Commencement Information

I19 Reg. 19 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Power to obliterate stamps on beltweighers which are unfit for use for trade for particular purpose N.I.

20.  An inspector may obliterate the stamp on any beltweigher if—

(a) it has, since it was last stamped, been the subject of any adjustment, alteration, addition, repair or replacement which could, in the opinion of the inspector, have affected its function or accuracy; or

(b) it is in use for trade for a particular purpose and in the opinion of the inspector, it is unsuitable for use for that purpose.

Commencement Information

I20 Reg. 20 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Obliteration of one stamp deemed obliteration of all N.I.

21.  For the purpose of these Regulations, the obliteration of any one stamp on any beltweigher shall be deemed to be the obliteration of all other stamps on that beltweigher.

Commencement Information

I21 Reg. 21 in operation at 1.6.2006, see reg. 1(1)

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on 24th March 2006

L.S.

M Bohill

A senior officer of the

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment