The Weighing Equipment (Automatic Catchweighing Instruments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006

Regulation 5(b)

SCHEDULE 3 (Requirements in respect of Use and Manner of Use)

Maximum and minimum capacities (Extract from Clause 2.4 of OIML R51)

Maximum capacity (Max) and minimum capacity (Min) shall be specified by the manufacturer.

The minimum capacity shall not be less than:

for class Y(a):	20 e
for class Y(b):	10 e
for postal scales:	5 e

Temperature (Principle from Clause 2.9.1 of OIML R51)

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.

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

Tilting (Principle from Clause 2.9.3 of OIML R51)

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 an automatic catchweighing instrument is fitted with a level indicating device it shall enable the instrument to be set to a tilt of 1% or less.

Specified purpose or manner of use

Where an automatic catchweighing 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.

Instruments of Class Y(b) shall only be used for weighing ballast or waste or other goods in accordance with the particulars of the approved pattern.

Definition of waste

For the purposes of the second paragraph of the preceding section of this Schedule (Specified purpose or manner of use), “waste” shall be construed in accordance with Article 2(2) of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997(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).

Zero-setting device (Extract from Clause 3.3.1 of OIML R51)

An automatic zero-setting device shall operate:

• only when the stability criteria are fulfilled

• sufficiently often to ensure that the zero is maintained within 0.5 e.

A non-automatic zero-setting device shall not be operable during automatic operation.

A semi-automatic zero-setting device shall function only when the stability criteria are fulfilled.

Zero-tracking device (Extract from Clause 3.3.2 of OIML R51)

A zero-tracking device shall operate only when:

• the indication is at zero, or at a negative net value equivalent to gross zero, and

• the stability criteria are fulfilled, and

• the corrections are not more than 0.5 e/second.

Tare device (Extract from Clause 3.3.3 of OIML R51)

A semi-automatic or automatic tare device shall operate only when the stability criteria are fulfilled.

A non-automatic or semi-automatic tare device shall not be operable during automatic operation.

Suitability for use (Extract from Clause 3.1 of OIML R51)

An instrument shall be designed to suit the method of operation and the loads for which it is intended. It shall be of adequately robust construction in order that it maintains its metrological characteristics.

Minimum capacity (Extract from Clause 3.5 of OIML R51)

Printing a weighing result below minimum capacity shall not be possible.

Maximum capacity (Extract from Clause 3.4.3 of OIML R51)

There shall be no indication above Max + 9 e.

Rate of operation

An automatic catchweighing instrument shall not be used above the maximum rate of operation.

(1)

S.I. 1997/2778 (N.I. 19)

(2)

1993 c. 12