The Weighing Equipment (Automatic Gravimetric Filling Instruments) Regulations 2000

regulation 5(a)

SCHEDULE 1 E+W+S (Manner of erection and installation)

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 1 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Cleaning and testing E+W+S

Every filling instrument shall be so positioned as to facilitate cleaning and testing.

Feeding device (Extract from Clause 3.5 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

The feeding device shall be designed to provide sufficient and regular flowrate(s).

Load receptor (Clause 3.6 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

The load receptor, and feed and discharge devices as appropriate, shall be designed to ensure that residual material retained after each discharge is negligible.

Instruments using the subtractive weighing principle shall be designed to ensure that residual material retained at feed from the discharge gate is negligible.

The load receptor shall provide access and facilities so that where necessary test weights or masses up to the maximum capacity can be placed in position, in a safe and secure manner. If these facilities are not a permanent fixture of the instrument, they must be kept in the vicinity of the instrument.

Manual discharge of the load receptor shall not be possible during automatic operation.

Equilibrium mechanism (Clause 3.8 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

The equilibrium mechanism may be provided with detachable masses which shall be either weights in accordance with OIML requirements or purpose designed masses of any nominal value, distinguishable by shape and identified with the filling instrument.

Installation (Extract from Clause 5.3.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

The installation of a filling instrument shall be so designed that an automatic weighing operation will be the same whether for the purposes of testing or for use for a transaction.

regulation 5(b)

SCHEDULE 2 E+W+S (Requirements relating to use)

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 2 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Static temperatures (Clause 2.5.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

Instruments shall comply with the appropriate metrological and technical requirements at temperatures from −10°C to +40°C. However, for special applications the limits of the temperature range may differ from those given above but such a range shall not be less than 30°C and shall be specified in the descriptive markings as set out in Schedule 4.

Where a filling instrument is marked with a temperature range, it shall not be used for trade in temperatures outside that range.

Tilting (Clause 2.5.3 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

Instruments which are not intended for installation in a fixed position and which do not have a level indicator shall comply with the appropriate metrological and technical requirements when tilted by 5%.

Where a level indicator is present it shall enable the instrument to be set to a tilt of 1% or less.

Suitability for use (Clause 3.1 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

A filling instrument shall be designed to suit the method of operation and the products for which it is intended. It shall be of adequately robust construction so that it maintains its metrological characteristics.

Zero-setting and tare devices (Extract from Clause 3.7 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

Non-automatic or semi-automatic zero-setting and tare devices must be locked during automatic operation.

The weighing unit shall be in stable equilibrium when the zero-setting and tare devices are being set.

Specified purpose or manner of use E+W+S

Where a filling instrument is marked (in accordance with Schedule 4) with a mark which signifies the purpose or manner of use, it shall not be used for a purpose or in a manner which does not accord with that marking.

Minimum or maximum capacity E+W+S

A filling instrument shall only be used for trade for the purpose of weighing material the values of which, expressed in units of measurement of mass, are neither less than the value of the minimum capacity nor more than the value of the maximum capacity.

regulation 5(c)

SCHEDULE 3 E+W+S (Accuracy classes for filling instruments)

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 3 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Description of use of filling instrument	Maximum capacity of filling instrument	Class of filling instrument
(1)	(2)	(3)
For the purposes of this Schedule, “waste” shall be construed in accordance with section 75 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990(1), provided that “waste” shall include any waste disposed of for reprocessing or recycling purposes but shall not include any radioactive waste as defined in section 2 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993(2).
For use for weighing potato crisps and similar products commonly known as “snack foods”	Any capacity	X(2)
For use for weighing solid fuel For use for weighing vegetable produce For use for weighing materials commonly known as waste	110 kg or less 55 kg or less Any capacity	X(1)
For any use which is not described in any of the above	Less than 5 kg 5 kg or more	X(1) X(0.5)

regulation 6(b)

SCHEDULE 4 E+W+S (Descriptive markings and verification markings: Extract from Part 1 of OIML R 61 and additional marking)

Descriptive markings E+W+S

3.10  Filling instruments shall bear the following markings.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 4 para. 3.10 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Markings shown in full E+W+S

3.10.1  

• name or identification mark of the manufacturer
• name or identification mark of the importer (if applicable)
• serial number and type designation of the instrument
• product(s) designation (i.e. materials that may be weighed)
• temperature range (if applicable, see 2.5.1 in Schedule 2) in the form:	…°C/…°C
• electrical supply voltage in the form:	…V
• electrical supply frequency in the form:
…Hz
• working fluid pressure (if applicable) in the form:	…kPa
• average number of loads per fill (if applicable)	…
• maximum fill (if applicable)	…
• rated minimum fill (if applicable)	…
• maximum rate of operation (if applicable) in the form:	…loads per minute

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 4 para. 3.10.1 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Markings shown in code E+W+S

3.10.2  

• pattern approval sign
• indication of the accuracy class X(x)
• reference value for accuracy class Ref(x)
• scale interval (if applicable) in the form:	d=…
• maximum capacity in the form:	Max=…
• minimum capacity (or minimum discharge where applicable) in the form:	Min=…
• maximum additive tare in the form:	T=+…
• maximum subtractive tare in the form:	T=−…

An instrument may be verified for different materials for which different classes apply or which require different operating parameters to maintain limits of error. Marking shall be such that the alternative class or operating parameters are clearly associated with the appropriate material designation.

• In the case of subtractive weighers the minimum load to be discharged shall be specified.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 4 para. 3.10.2 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Presentation of descriptive markings E+W+S

3.10.3  The descriptive markings shall be indelible and of a size, shape and clarity to enable legibility under normal conditions of use of the filling instrument. They shall be grouped together in a clearly visible place on the filling instrument, either on a data plate fixed to the instrument or on the filling instrument itself.

• Where the markings are placed on a data plate, it shall be possible to seal the plate bearing the markings. Where they are marked on the filling instrument itself, it shall not be possible to remove them without destroying them.

• The descriptive markings may be shown on a programmable display which is controlled by software. In this case, means shall be provided for any access to reprogramming of the markings to be automatically and non-erasably recorded, e.g. by traceable access software. When a programmable display is used, the plate on the instrument shall bear at least the following markings:

  • type and designation of the instrument,

  • name or identification mark of the manufacturer,

  • pattern approval number,

  • electrical supply voltage,

  • electrical supply frequency,

  • pneumatic pressure.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 4 para. 3.10.3 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Verification marks E+W+S

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 4 para. 3.11 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Position E+W+S

3.11.1  The filling instrument shall have a place for the application of verification marks. This place shall:

• be such that the part on which it is located cannot be removed from the filling instrument without damaging the marks,

• allow easy application of the mark without changing the metrological qualities of the filling instrument,

• be visible without the filling instrument having to be moved when it is in service.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 4 para. 3.11.1 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Mounting E+W+S

3.11.2  Filling instruments required to bear verification marks shall have a verification mark support, at the place provided for above, which shall ensure the conservation of the marks.

When the mark is made with a stamp, this support may consist of a strip of lead or any other material with similar qualities, inserted into a plate fixed to the filling instrument or a cavity bored in the filling instrument itself.

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 4 para. 3.11.2 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Additional descriptive marking E+W+S

Filling instruments shall bear the additional descriptive marking “ R 61” which shall be presented in accordance with the provisions of clause 3.10.3 of Part 1 of OIML R 61 and, when a programmable display is used, the plate on the instrument shall bear that marking also.

regulation 9(3)

SCHEDULE 5 E+W+S (Prescribed limits of error)

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 5 in force at 17.7.2000, see reg. 1(1)

Maximum permissible deviation of each fill (Clause 2.2.2 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

The instrument shall have a specified accuracy class X(x) for which the maximum permissible deviation of each fill from the average shall be equal to the limits specified in Table 1, multiplied by the class designation factor (x).

(x) shall be 1 x 10^k, 2 x 10^k, 5 x 10^k, k being a positive or negative whole number or zero.

Table 1

Value of the mass of the fills M(g)	Maximum permissible deviation of each fill from the average for class X(1)
	Initial verification	In-service
For in-service testing, when the reference particle mass exceeds 0.1 of the maximum permissible in-service deviation, the values derived from Table 1 shall be increased by 1.5 times the value of the reference particle mass. However, the maximum value of the maximum permissible deviation shall not exceed (x) x 9%. Note: Particle mass correction is not applicable to limits which are derived from Table 1, e.g. influence quantity tests, zero setting etc. Note: Table 1 is illustrative of the maximum permissible deviation where the class designation factor is 1.
M ≤ 50	6.3%	9%
50 < M ≤ 100	3.15g	4.5g
100 < M ≤ 200	3.15%	4.5%
200 < M ≤ 300	6.3g	9g
300 < M ≤ 500	2.1%	3%
500 < M ≤ 1000	10.5g	15g
1000 < M ≤ 10000	1.05%	1.5%
10000 < M ≤ 15000	105g	150g
15000 < M	0.7%	1%

Maximum permissible preset value error (Clause 2.3 of Part 1 of OIML R 61) E+W+S

For instruments where it is possible to preset a fill weight the maximum difference between the preset value and the average mass of the fills shall not exceed 0.25 of the maximum permissible deviation of each fill from the average, as specified for in-service verification in 2.2.2. This limit will apply for initial verification and for in-service testing.

Clause 6.3 of Part 1 of OIML R 61

(Number of fills required to find the average value)

The number of individual test fills, required to find the average value, depends upon the preset value (m) as specified in Table 2.

Table 2

m ≤ 10 kg	60 fills
10 kg < m ≤ 25 kg	32 fills
25 kg < m ≤ 100 kg	20 fills
100 kg < m	10 fills

(1)

1990 c. 43.

(2)

1993 c. 12.