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

Regulation 23

SCHEDULE 1 E+W+S FILLING MACHINES

TESTING E+W+S

Setting to zero E+W+S

1.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, in testing any filling machine, the inspector shall satisfy himself that:— E+W+S

(a) it is properly balanced or set to zero when unloaded;

(b) any beam or leverwork has sufficient room for oscillation and returns to the position of equilibrium when the load is removed;

(c) any indicator returns to the zero mark or given point when the load is removed.

(2) Sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (c) above shall not apply in the case of a filling machine of a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force, if, in the certificate of approval or the notice of examination in respect of that pattern, it is described as not being so constructed as to balance when unloaded.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 1 para. 1 in force at 1.9.1986, see reg. 1

Material testing E+W+S

2.  Before commencing material testing of the filling machine, the inspector shall satisfy himself that the arrangements to be used for determining the weight of material used in test loads selected in accordance with paragraph 3(1)(a) below will give weight determinations such that in respect of each test load the weight determination shall be to an accuracy equal to or better than one-fifth of the limits of error prescribed in respect of that load. E+W+S

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 1 para. 2 in force at 1.9.1986, see reg. 1

3.—(1) Every filling machine shall be subjected to the following test (hereinafter referred to as “test A”) that is to say the inspector shall—

(a) select 20 separate consecutive test loads;

(b) determine the weight of the material in each test load using the arrangements referred to in paragraph 2 above;

(c) ascertain the difference between the weight of the material determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) above and the value for that weight indicated on the machine (hereinafter referred to as “purported weight”).

(2) The difference referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(c) above shall constitute the error for the purposes of test A in calculating the prescribed limits of error in excess set out in columns 3 and 5 of Table 1 in Schedule 3 to these Regulations in relation to the description of machine set out in column 1 other than filling machines for use only for weighing potato crisps and other similar products commonly known as snack foods.

(3) The total of the differences referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(c) above in relation to each test load shall constitute the error for the purposes of test A in calculating the prescribed limits of error in excess set out in columns 3 and 5 of Table 1 in Schedule 3 to these Regulations in relation to filling machines for use only for weighing potato crisps and other similar products commonly known as snack foods.

(4) Where a filling machine is constructed to feed and weigh material of more than one purported weight, the inspector shall select two groups of 20 separate consecutive test loads, one group of test loads each made up as nearly as practicable equal to the minimum load and one other group.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 1 para. 3 in force at 1.9.1986, see reg. 1

4.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, if in the course of performing test A the weight of any test load exceeds the purported weight by more than: E+W+S

(a) one-half per cent., or the appropriate amount per cent. given in column 3 of Table 1 in Schedule 3 to these Regulations for weighing specified materials, of the purported weight in relation to passing as fit for use for trade, or

(b) one per cent., or the appropriate amount per cent. given in column 5 of the said Table 1 for weighing specified materials, of the purported weight in relation to the obliteration of the stamp,

the filling machine shall be subjected to the further test B that is to say the inspector shall remove that single piece or item of material appearing to him to be the largest piece or item at the top of that test load, and the inspector shall then re-determine the weight of material used in each such test load using the arrangements referred to in paragraph 2 above and ascertain the difference between the weight of material so determined and the purported weight.

(2) The difference referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above shall constitute the error for the purposes of test B in calculating the prescribed limits of error set out in columns 4 and 6 of Table 1 in Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

(3) Sub-paragraph (1) above shall apply only to filling machines of the following description—

(a) with a maximum capacity of 110 kg or less, used only for weighing solid fuel;

(b) with a maximum capacity of 55 kg or less, used only for weighing vegetable produce;

(c) with a maximum capacity of less than 5 kg, used for weighing all other materials except potato crisps and other similar products commonly known as snack foods.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 1 para. 4 in force at 1.9.1986, see reg. 1

Regulation 32(1)

[F1 SCHEDULE 2 U.K. DISCONTINUOUS TOTALISERS

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 substituted (29.4.1996) by The Weighing Equipment (Filling and Discontinuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/797), regs. 1, 12

PART I U.K. testing— general requirements

1.   Discontinuous totalisers provided with a display of totalised weight only (to which, accordingly, the requirements of regulations 9 and 24 do not apply) shall be subject to material testing in accordance with Part II of this Schedule. U.K.

2.   Discontinuous totalisers which embody the facilities referred to in regulation 9 but not those referred to in regulation 24 shall be subject to the requirements of regulation 32(2) in addition to the provisions of Part II of this Schedule. U.K.

3.   Discontinuous totalisers to which regulations 9 and 24 are applicable may be tested in accordance wtih the provisions of Part III of this Schedule. U.K.

4.— (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, when testing a discontinuous totaliser, an inspector shall satisfy himself that— U.K.

(a) it is properly balanced or set to zero when unloaded;

(b) any beam or leverwork has sufficient room for oscillation and returns to the position of equilibrium when the load is removed; and

(c) any indicator returns to the zero mark or given point when the load is removed.

(2) Sub-paragraphs (1)(a) and (c) above shall not apply in the case of a discontinuous totaliser of a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval is in force, if in the certificate of approval or the notice of examination in respect of that patttern it is described as not so constructed as to balance when unloaded.

5.   Before commencing material testing of a discontinuous totaliser, the inspector shall satisfy himself that the arrangements (which may include the use of a non-automatic weighing machine or an internal non-automatic weighing facility) to be used for determining the weight of material used in the testing will give a weight determination of each test load (determined in one or more weighing operations) to an accuracy equal to or better than— U.K.

(a) one-fifth of the prescribed limits of error for material testing; or

(b) in a case where the accuracy of such arrangements is assessed immediately before use, one-third of such prescribed limits.

PART II U.K. testing— using a separate non-automatic weighing machine

6.— (1) The tests specified in sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) below shall be carried out on a discontinuous totaliser under normal conditions of use. U.K.

(2) A minimum of three individual tests (including at least one at minimum load and at least one at maximum capacity) shall be carried out, each test involving the weighing of a quantity of suitable material as nearly as practicable equal to the minimum totalised load marked on the machine.

(3) In the case only of a discontinuous totaliser first passed as fit for use for trade before 29th April 1996, and if the person submitting it for testing so requests, the test at maximum capacity under sub-paragraph (2) above may be made with twenty separate loads and the words “as nearly as practicable equal to the minimum totalised load marked on the machine” in that sub-paragraph shall not have effect.

(4) Unless already included in the tests carried out under sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above two further tests (which shall include at least five weighing cycles and a quantity of material not less than the minimum totalised load) shall be carried out, one at the minimum load and one at the maximum capacity.

(5) For each of the tests carried out under sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) above, the inspector shall determine—

(a) the weight of material used in the test using the arrangements referred to in paragraph 5 above;

(b) the material testing error by ascertaining the difference between the weight of the material determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) above and the value of the weight of the material obtained from the totalisation indicating device.

PART III U.K. testing—using an internal non-automatic weighing facility

7.   Where a discontinuous totaliser is constructed with an internal non-automatic weighing facility complying with regulations 9 and 24(1)(a) the machine may be tested by the use of that facility if the facility has first been tested by standard weights to verify that the weight indicating device (if necessary, in conjunction with a calibration chart or graph prepared from the results) will provide the accuracy required for the purposes of paragraph 5 above in the range required for the purposes of paragraph 8 below. U.K.

8.— (1) After the machine has weighed and discharged suitable material for at least five separate fillings of the load receptor by the normal automatic process, the process shall be stopped with the load receptor empty; and the inspector shall— U.K.

(a) ensure that the individual weight indicating device is set to zero or a given point; and

(b) set the totalisation indicating device to zero or record the indicated total.

(2) The automatic process shall be restarted so that the load receptor is filled and automatically weighed; and before any material is discharged the process shall be interrupted and the inspector shall determine the individual weight value.

(3) The automatic process shall be restarted so that the load receptor is discharged and automatically weighed; and before any further material is supplied to the load receptor the process shall be interrupted and the inspector shall determine the individual weight value.

(4) From the weight values recorded in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above the inspector shall determine the true net weight of the material discharged taking account of any calibration chart or graph prepared for the purposes of paragraph 7 above.

(5) The inspector shall then—

(a) determine the total true net weight of a number of separate loads in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) above to complete material tests as specified in sub-paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) below under normal conditions of use; and

(b) record the indication of the totalised weight of material in each test.

(6) A minimum of three individual tests (including at least one at minimum load and at least one at maximum capacity) shall be carried out, each test involving the weighing of a quantity of suitable material as nearly as practicable equal to the minimum totalised load marked on the machine.

(7) In the case only of a discontinuous totaliser first passed as fit for use for trade before 29th April 1996 and if the person submitting it for testing so requests, the test at maximum capacity under sub-paragraph (6) above may be carried out with twenty separate loads and the words “as nearly as practicable equal to the minimum totalised load” in that sub-paragraph shall not have effect.

(8) Unless already included in the tests carried out under sub-paragraphs (6) and (7) above two further tests (which shall include at least five weighing cycles and a quantity of material not less than the minimum totalised load), shall be carried out, one at the minimum load and one at the maximum capacity.

(9) For each group of tests referred to in sub-paragraph (5)(a) above, the inspector shall determine the material test error by ascertaining the difference between the weight of material determined as required by that sub-paragraph and the value of the weight of material obtained from the totalisation indicating device in accordance with sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (5)(b) above.]

Regulation 33

SCHEDULE 3 E+W+S PRESCRIBED LIMITS OF ERROR

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 3 in force at 1.9.1986, see reg. 1

FILLING MACHINES E+W+S

TABLE 1

		In relation to passing as fit for use for trade		In relation to the obliteration of the stamp
Description of machine	Maximum capacity of machine	for the purposes of test A	for the purposes of test B	for the purposes of test A	for the purposes of test B
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
Filing machines for use only for weighing potato crisps and other similar products commonly known as snack foods	any capacity	20 per cent., in excess only, of the total purported weight of 20 test loads, and no error in deficiency of the purported weight of any of those test loads.	Test not applicable	20 per cent., in excess only, of the total purported weight of 20 test loads, and no error in deficiency of the purported weight of any of those test loads	Test not applicable
Filling machines for use only for weighing solid fuel	110 kg or less
Filling machines for use only for weighing vegetable produce	55 kg or less	1 per cent., in excess only, of the purported weight of each test load	1 per cent., in excess and no limit in deficiency, of the purported weight of each test load	2 per cent., in excess only, of the purported weight of each test load	2 per cent., in excess and no limit in deficiency, of the purported weight of each test load
All filling machines other than those described above in columns 1 and 2 of this Table	less than 5 kg
	5 kg or more	0.5 per cent., in excess or in deficiency, of the purported weight of each test load	Test not applicable	1 per cent., in excess or in deficiency, of the purported weight of each test load	Test not applicable

[F2 DISCONTINUOUS TOTALISERS E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 3 Table 2 substituted (29.4.1996) by The Weighing Equipment (Filling and Discontinuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/797), regs. 1, 13

Table 2

Class of accuracy of discontinuous totaliser	Limits of error relative to weight of material used in tests
	In relation to passing as fit for use for trade	In relation to obliteration of the stamp
Class 0.2	Plus or minus 0.1%	Plus or minus 0.2%
Class 0.5	Plus or minus 0.25%	Plus or minus 0.5%
Class 1	Plus or minus 0.5%	Plus or minus 1%
Class 2	Plus or minus 1%	Plus or minus 2%]