By definition, a trade scale is one that is used in ‘determining the consideration in respect of a transaction’ and it is a legal requirement in Australia for any business that sell goods by weight or measure to use verified trade-approved scales or other type of weighing equipment.

If you want to know if your business needs trade-approved scales, consider the following questions.  If you answer ‘yes’ to any of them, then you need to invest in trade scales in order to avoid breaking the country’s trade measurement laws and risking severe penalties.

  • Does your business buy, sell or trade goods based on their weight or measure?
  • Does the selling price depend on the weight of the goods?
  • Do you weigh or pack goods that are getting sold to a customer?
  • Will you be weighing goods in front of a customer at the time of purchase?
  • Does your business charge a tax or a toll based on the weight of the product?

You also need to ask yourself whether you know what your obligations are in terms of the trade measurement laws.  Ignorance is not bliss, and whether you’re in the business of selling massive rolls of steel to global conglomerates or lollies to local school kids, if the value is determined by weight measurement, then you must have trade-approved scales.

These scales are also sometimes referred to as commercial scales and come in several different guises depending on the weight range that needs to be measured, the value of verification, resolution and functionality.  For example, if your customers are present when you are weighing their goods, then you are required to have a rear display on your trade-approved scale so that the item’s weight is visible to both you and your customer.

Every scale that has been ‘trade-approved’ is issued with an approval number and is traceable to the national standards.  If quality control procedures are important to your or your customers’ business, then the fact that your scales are officially calibrated with traceable test measurements will provide peace-of-mind for all parties involved in the trading transaction.

And whilst many weighing devices offer the same sensitivity and accuracy as trade-approved ones, it is illegal to use any scale for trade applications that has not been certified by an inspector from the National Measurement Institute of Australia (NMI) or one of their accredited licencees.  Trade-approved scales require additional levels of certification, which means they generally cost more than regular scales.

So, it’s worth looking around for suppliers which provide free and professional advice on which brand and type of scales would be best-suited for your particular business and your budget.  By choosing AccuWeigh, Australia’s largest supplier of weighbridges, weighing equipment and product inspection equipment, you’ll get the benefit of all of the above plus excellent deals on legal-for-trade equipment and reliable after-sales service and support.

AccuWeigh is a NMI accredited weighing company. So, if your business needs trade-approved scales, contact our fully trained and highly experienced team today.