The Weighing Equipment (Filling and Discontinuous Totalisting Automatic Weighing Machines) Regulations 1986

PART III FILLING MACHINES

Principles of construction and marking

14.—(1) Every filling machine which is not provided with a load receptor, the material being put directly into a container attached to the live part of the machine, shall be provided with a tare device.

(2) Every movable filling machine shall be fitted with one or more level indicating devices.

15.  Where a filling machine is provided with a manually controlled discharge facility it shall be so constructed that the facility cannot be operated during an automatic process.

16.  Every filling machine shall be provided with a clear indication of the exact quantity of material it purports to weigh.

17.  No filling machines shall be fitted with a rider or with a weight indicating device incorporating a device for interpolation of reading.

18.  Every filling machine passed as fit for use for trade on or after the date of coming into operation of these Regulations shall be legibly and durably marked, in addition to the markings required by Regulation 11 above, with:—

(a) either—

(i) the maximum capacity, or

(ii) the maximum net capacity;

(b) the minimum load; and

(c) if applicable—

(i) the range of any tare device; and

(ii) the scale interval of all weight indicating, weight printing and tare devices.

Manner of erection and use for trade

19.—(1) Every filling machine in use for trade shall be so positioned as to facilitate cleaning and testing.

(2) No person shall use for trade any filling machine fitted with level indicating devices unless each such device indicates that it has been set to its reference position.

20.  Where a filling machine is marked with a temperature range, no person shall use the machine for trade in temperatures outside that range.

21.  Where a filling machine is fitted with a weight printing device, the machine shall be so erected and used that the printing device, when used, produces a clear and indelible printout for all loads within the weighing range of the machine.

Testing

22.—(1) Every filling machine submitted for testing shall be completely assembled and in a clean condition.

(2) A filling machine, other than one which has been transported without having been dismantled, shall not be tested, passed as fit for use for trade and stamped unless it has been completely erected ready for use and installed in the position in which it is to be used.

(3) For the purposes of the performance by an inspector of his functions under the Act or these Regulations relating to inspection, testing, passing as fit for use for trade and stamping of any filling machine, a person submitting such a machine to an inspector or who an inspector has reasonable cause to believe has control of such a machine for use for trade shall, if requested, provide for the inspector's use such material as the inspector may reasonably require, and any material so provided shall be returned to the person in question.

23.—(1) The inspector shall, subject to paragraph (2) below, test a filling machine in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(2) In the case of a machine made in accordance with a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force, being a machine for which certain of the testing provisions of Schedule 1 are not practicable or effective and which has a statement to that effect appended to the certificate of approval or the notice of examination in respect of that pattern, the machine shall, in place of the said testing provisions, be subject to any test or tests specified in the certificate of approval or the notice of examination.