Scale re-verification
A verified scale that has been worked on, has a broken seal or turns out to be outside tolerance must be inspected and re-verified before it may be used for trade again. We arrange that re-verification through the manufacturer, for five brands and 101 model series.
Short answer: give us the make and type (the type plate is enough). If the model is covered by a manufacturer's type approval, we arrange the re-verification through the manufacturer - often combined with the maintenance, calibration or repair.
When does a scale need to be re-verified?
- after work has been done on the weighing technology, for example a replaced load cell or circuit board;
- after a seal has been broken;
- when a check shows that the instrument is outside tolerance.
For most scales there is no fixed re-verification interval, but you are responsible for making sure the instrument is within tolerance at all times. What that means is explained in legal-for-trade rules and your scale.
When does a scale need to be verified?
When the weight determines what a customer pays, or what must be legally accounted for: selling by weight in shops and wholesale, waste and recycling, pharmacy compounding, medical weighing and weighing prepacked products (see the e mark on prepackages). If you only weigh internally, for your own production or stock, verification is not required and calibration is usually enough. More in what is a verified scale; a new verified instrument can be found under verified scales.
The M mark and the seals
You can recognise a verified scale by the green M mark and the metrology marking. The parts that determine the measurement result are sealed. A broken seal invalidates the verification: the instrument may then no longer be used for trade until it has been re-verified. So never open the seals yourself, not even to adjust something "just quickly".
How re-verification works
- Notification. Make, type and serial number; we check whether the model is covered by the manufacturer's type approval.
- Inspection and, if necessary, repair or adjustment, with original parts.
- Testing with test weights against the requirements of the type approval.
- Re-verification and sealing, arranged through the manufacturer; you get your scale back with a valid verification mark.
Who carries out re-verification
Re-verification is arranged through the manufacturer. We prepare the instrument, carry out any repair or adjustment with original parts and coordinate the re-verification, so you have a single point of contact from start to finish.
Why the manufacturer's authorisation matters
Re-verifying a weighing instrument depends on the manufacturer's type approval - the certificate under which the instrument was originally approved. Four manufacturers have given us written authorisation in connection with their certificates: Adam Equipment, Giropes (Baxtran), Gram Precision and OHAUS. For KERN & SOHN we arrange the re-verification with the manufacturer as well.
We use original manufacturer parts. That is not a detail: with a different part, the approval lapses.
Including models we no longer sell
The authorisations cover 101 model series from five manufacturers. Of these, 88 are in our own catalogue, with 355 versions that can carry the M mark. The rest are series we no longer sell but for which we can still arrange re-verification.
By brand, from our own catalogue:
- KERN & SOHN - 33 series, 162 verifiable versions
- OHAUS - 18 series, 119 verifiable versions
- Baxtran - 15 series, 37 verifiable versions
- Adam Equipment - 17 series, 35 verifiable versions
- Gram - 3 series
- WPL Industries - the R10 indicators
Is your type not listed? Send it to us with the type plate details; we will check whether it is covered by one of the certificates.
Combining re-verification with maintenance or calibration
Re-verification rarely comes on its own: usually there has been a repair, or the instrument is due for a check anyway. We handle it in the same visit, so the instrument is out of action only once. See repair, maintenance and calibration with certificate; weighbridges are covered separately under weighbridge verification and calibration.
What to prepare
- the make, the type and the serial number - a photo of the type plate and of the metrology marking is enough;
- what has happened to the instrument: a repair, a broken seal, a deviation;
- where it is located, and whether it can be moved;
- whether there are more verified instruments at the same location - we then handle them in the same round.
Do not use the scale for trade until it has been re-verified; for internal weighing it may stay in use.
Having a new scale supplied verified
If you need a new scale for trade use, order it verified straight away. We supply scales verified from the factory; the initial verification is carried out by the manufacturer. When you order, we tell you what is needed for your version, such as the address where the instrument will be installed. The range is under verified scales.
Frequently asked questions about re-verification
What is the difference between verification and re-verification?
Verification is the initial inspection, when the instrument receives the M mark. Re-verification is every inspection after that: after work on the weighing technology, after a seal has been broken, or when the instrument is outside tolerance.
May I break the seals myself?
No. A broken seal invalidates the verification, and the instrument may then no longer be used for trade until it has been re-verified.
My scale is older and no longer in your shop. Can it still be done?
Probably. The manufacturers' authorisations also cover series we no longer sell. Give us the make and type - they are on the type plate - and we will check whether the model is covered by one of the certificates.
How often does a scale need to be re-verified?
For most scales there is no fixed interval. You are responsible, however, for keeping the instrument within tolerance; periodic checks let you demonstrate that.
Can a scale of another brand be re-verified?
We arrange re-verification through the manufacturer for KERN, Adam, OHAUS, Baxtran and Gram. For another brand, we tell you in advance what is possible.
Can re-verification be done on site?
Yes, for instruments that cannot be moved, such as floor scales and weighbridges. A smaller scale can also come to our workshop.
Request re-verification
Give us the make, type and serial number; we check whether the model is covered by a certificate and tell you the cost in advance.
Request service
Tell us what you need; we reply with what is possible, what it costs and when it fits.