Measurement: it’s your business to get it right

New legal obligations for measuring device owners

If you use a measuring device like a scale or gas pump in your business, changes to the Weights and Measures Act and Regulations may affect you. Here is what you need to know:

  • Effective August 1, 2014, you must have your devices regularly inspected by a Measurement Canada authorized service provider. This change applies to the following sectors: dairy, downstream petroleum, retail petroleum, fishing, forestry, grain and field crops, mining and retail food.
  • Only service providers authorized by Measurement Canada are qualified to perform the new mandatory inspections. Their fees are determined by market forces.
  • Significant fines and penalties will be imposed on businesses that do not comply. These include monetary penalties of up to $2,000 and court-imposed fines of up to $10,000 for minor offences, $25,000 for major offences and $50,000 for repeat offenders.
  • Find out how frequently your device(s) must be inspected.

Make sure your devices measure up!

Measurement Canada ensures equity and accuracy where goods and services are bought and sold on the basis of measurement and contributes to a fair and competitive marketplace for Canadians by:

  • approving measuring devices for use in trade in Canada;
  • requiring that devices be inspected and measuring accurately before being placed into service;
  • monitoring the marketplace by carrying out inspections and investigating complaints of suspected inaccurate measurement;
  • using a graduated enforcement approach to ensure inaccurate measurement is corrected; and
  • auditing authorized service providers, including technician evaluations and follow-up inspections to ensure devices are inspected properly.

To arrange an inspection

To arrange an inspection or to get more information about having your device inspected, you can contact an authorized service provider.