Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

20 February 1998 

Publication where the measure is specified

Supplement to the Republic of Zambia Government Gazette dated 20/02/1998. statutory Instrument No 22 of 1998,the weights and Measures Act 

Regulation where the measure is specified

The weights and Measures (assize) regulations, 1998 

Country/Region applying the measure

Zambia 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

9. (1) The graduations on an instrument of measure shall be—
(a) indelible, clear, distinct and legible;
(b) except in respect of a graduated glass measure, be uniformly spaced; and
(c) in the case of denominated main graduation, be distinguished by longer lines than the intermediate graduations.
(2) The graduation on the steelyard shall—
(a) consist of notches or incised or embossed lines so defined that the position of the poise with respect there to is clearly indicated or
(b) be cut, incised, or embossed in one plane, at right angles to the steelyard and parallel to each other.
(3) A self indicating weighing machine shall have scale intervals not greater than the limit of error on initial verification stated in Tables 3, 5 and 6 in the First Schedule
11. (1) A weighing instrument shall be in balance—
(a) when unloaded; and
(b) where a loose receptacle or frame is used in conjunction with such instrument, when the receptacle or frame is attached thereto.
(2) Balance shall be indicated—
(a) in the case of vibrating weighing instrument, by the beam of steelyard returning to the position of equilibrium when disturbed there from;
(b) in the case of serf-indicating weighing instrument or a weighing instrument provided with a graduated indicating scale or difference chart, by the pointer coming to rest at the position of equilibrium or zero graduation with the bubble of any spirit level in its true position;
(c) in the case of a counter machine constructed on the beranger principle, by two pointers, each attached to a subsidiary beam, coming to rest directly opposite each other; or
(d) in the case of an accelerating dead weight machine, by the beam, on being released from the stop under the weights-pan, falling gently to the stop under the goods pan.
(3) Balance shall not be affected when the load is removed from the instrument.
(4) Where a weighing instrument is provided with a balance box, balance screw or gravity ball, such device shall be capable of adjustment only by use of a mechanical appliance
12. (1) An assizer shall refuse to assize an instrument which—
(a) is not properly constructed or when, in the opinion of the assizer, its material or mode of construction appears likely to render it unsuitable for sue in trade;
(b) has unusual or novel features, unless it is of a design or pattern
in respect of which a certificate has been issued in terms of section fifteen of the Act;
(c) is not sufficiently strong, to withstand the wear and tear of ordinary use in trade;
(d) is not in a clean state;
(e) is not complete in itself;
(f) bears a manufacturers or other mark which might be mistaken for the stamp of assize;
(g) is of platform of inconvenient size to support the load being weighed on the platform machine or weighbridge; or
(h) is so constructed and sited that the weighing of goods and the indicated weight are not simultaneously clearly visible to the purchaser.
(2) An assizer shall refuse to assize an instrument which—
(a) has interchangeable or reversible parts, unless the interchange or reversal does not affect the accuracy of the instrument;
(b) has removable parts, the removal of which would affect the accuracy of the instrument, unless the parts are such that the instrument cannot be used without them;
(c) has scoop, pan, plate or other part which is essential to its operation, broken;
(d) has a scoop, pan or plate such size or shape as may lead to incorrect weighing either through its fouling the housing of the scale, or because proper contact between the knife edge and bearing is disturbed;
(e) has a good plate which is readily absorbent on account of faulty glazing or on account of the extent to which it is cracked or chipped;
(f) has a friction plate, stay, hook or loop which is not of hardened steel or of an approved material; or
(g) has packing at the knife edges which, in the opinion of the assizer, is either excessive as to the number of pieces or is in other aspects unsuitable for the purpose.
(3) An assizer shall refuse to assize an accelerating weighing instrument, other than an accelerating dead weight machine.
(4) An assizer shall refuse to assize—
(a) a petrol pump driven by means of an electric motor unless the supply of electricity to such motor is controlled by switches, fuses or cut-out Conditions for refusal to assize devices, isolated from the pump and locked securely to prevent unauthorised use or interference; or
(b) a bulk-flow-meter fitted with gravity and power delivery systems if the change-over valve leaks any quantity in excess of 0.5 litres when set in any position,
(5) An assizer shall refuse to assize any instrument alleged to conform to an international specification until such specification is approved by the Superintendent Assizer.
13. An assizer may refuse to assize a weighing instrument which does not have the following descriptive markings—
(a) Manufacturers mark or name written in full;
(b) indication of accuracy in the form of a Roman number;
(c) maximum capacity indication;
(d) minimum capacity indication;
(e) verification scale interval " e ";
(f) name or make of manufacturers agent for an imported instrument;
(g) identification mark on each unit of the instrument consisting of separate but associated units;
(h) pattern approval number;
(i) special temperature limits;
(j) maximum additive tare effect;
(k) maximum subtractive tare effect; or
(l) maximum safe load
15. The maximum permissible errors—
(a) for semi-self or self-indicating weighing instruments including price computing and printing electronic weighing instruments shall be as Descriptive marking on instrument Accuracy classes Maximum shown in Table 3 and limits of error on trade weights shall be as shown in Table 4;
(b) for non-self indicating weighing instruments shall be as shown in Table 5 and 6 of the First Schedule.
16. (1) Electronic weighing instruments shall comply with and operate according to the following conditions:
(a) design and construction of the instruments, shall preserve their metrological qualities when properly used and installed and when used in an environment for which they were intended;
(b) when exposed to disturbances, electronic instruments shall not display the effects of significant faults or shall automatically detect and indicate them;
(c) upon automatic detection of a significant fault, electronic instruments shall provide a visual or audible alarm that shall continue until the user takes corrective action or the fault disappears;
(d) the requirements of
(a) and
(b) shall be met on a lasting basis during a period of time that is normal in view of the intended use of such instruments;
(e) digital electronic devices shall always exercise adequate control of correct operation of the measuring process, of the indicating facility and all data storage and data transfer;
(f) the instruments shall have no characteristics likely to facilitate fraudulent use, and possibilities for unintentional misuse shall be minimal as components that may not be dismantled or adjusted by the user shall be secured against such actions; and
(g) instruments shall be designed to permit ready execution of the statutory controls laid down in this regulation.
(2) The error of indicating shall not exceed the maximum permissible error of indication shown in Table 3 of the First Schedule and in case of digital indication, the error shall be corrected for the rounding error.
(3) The maximum permissible errors shall apply to the net and tare values for the possible loads, excluding preset tare values. 

Reference of the measure

Part II section 9,11,12, 13,part III 15, Part IV 16 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Weighing Instruments, Electronic weighing Instruments 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries