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All businesses that sell goods by measurement, or that make available measuring instruments or operate measuring instruments used for trade, are required to comply with Australian trade measurement laws.
Businesses benefit from following correct compliance sampling. This is achieved by monitoring correct measurement and using appropriate measuring instruments and procedures.
If you use a measuring instrument such as a weighing instrument (a scale) to sell goods you must make sure it is:
The National Measurement Institute (NMI) recommends that you have all your measuring instruments used for trade purposes checked regularly by a licensed service organisation. It is also recommended that your business have a quality program in place to continue to monitor your compliance.
Goods offered for sale by measurement must be sold by legal units of measurement, e.g. kilogram, litre, metre etc.
Manufacturers, packers, importers and sellers of pre-packed articles must:
The NMI employs inspectors throughout Australia. Their role is to:
A visit by an inspector may be a response to a complaint or enquiry from a consumer, or part of a trade measurement compliance inspection program.
Inspectors can visit a place of business ‘at any reasonable time of day’, and the inspector does not have to give notice of entry. The frequency of visits may be based on a risk assessment by NMI.
We recommend that businesses work closely with their NMI inspectors, who are available to help and answer any enquiries.
The NMI aims to prevent, stop or minimise contraventions of national trade measurement laws and deter future contravention. It has a range of compliance and enforcement options, from monitoring and issuing notices of non-compliance, through to infringement notices, fines, court-enforced undertakings and criminal prosecution.
The main laws covering trade measurement are the National Measurement Act and the National Trade Measurement Regulations. For more information contact 1300 686 664, infotm@measurement.gov.au or use our on-line form.
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