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Department of Justice and Community Safety

TRADE MEASUREMENT

 

The Trade Measurement Unit houses the ACT primary and tertiary physical standards of mass, length and volume. It also has the only tanker test facility on the Australian eastern seaboard and is used to test the accuracy of bulk delivery fuel and LPG tankers.

Inspectors from the Unit conduct random inspections of businesses to ensure measuring instruments used for trade are correct and accurate. Inspectors check packaged goods to ensure the correct content measurement and marking. They also license and audit private organisations that conduct repairs of measuring instruments.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What doI do if I think a petrol pump or supermarket scale is incorrect?

Firstly, you should bring your concerns to the attention of the manager/owner of the store. It is also important to contact the Trade Measurement Unit (click here for contact details) so inspectors can visit the store and check the instruments.

2. How accurate are petrol pumps?

The maximum error allowed on a petrol pump is + or - 0.3% of the volume delivered. For example, the maximum error allowed on a 50 litre delivery is + or - 150ml.

3. The user manual for my car states that the vehicle's petrol tank has a capacity of 60 litres but I have put more fuel in the car. Is this possible or is the pump inaccurate?

Petrol gauges in vehicles are designed only as a guide to indicate when you need to refuel. Compared to a petrol pump, they are not very accurate. The amount of fuel stated in the manual that a vehicle's tank will carry, is also only a guide as it does not take into account the associated plumbing and the variations in tank sizes. Therefore, it is possible to deliver more fuel into a vehicle than the manual states.

4. I often find polystyrene packages of fruit and vegetables that do not have any weight written on them. Is this allowed?

No. All products that are pre-packaged before sale (with some exemptions outlined in the regulations) must display a measurement statement. If the article is sold by price/kilogram, the package must also display the price/kg and a total price and the three components must compute correctly.

5. I have been into some stores where I can't see the scale because it is either out the back, or has products displayed in front of the display or is located on a counter where the operator stands in front of the scale blocking my view when weighing my articles. Is this allowed?

No. The regulations clearly state that the customer must have full view and be able to read all the information available on the scales (weight, price/kg and total price). Either speak to the manager of the stroe and or/contact the Trade Measurement Office for action.

6. Does the weight statement displayed on a package include the weight of the package?

No. All measurements displayed on packages are called the net weight and must not include the weight of the package.

7. I often check the weight of articles I buy on my kitchen scales and find them to be incorrect.

Be careful when checking products on kitchen scales. The scales used in trade are highly accurate and can weigh as low as 2 grams. A common kitchen scale can only read to 50 grams and not notoriously inaccurate therefore what you think is inaccurately weighed articles may be your kitchen scale. Before complaining the the store or the Trade Measurement Office, check your scales with a product of known value or an official standard. The Trade Measurement Unit offers a free kitchen scale checking service if you bring your scale into their Kingston Office. Please telephone 6207 0419 to book a time.

8. What are the penalties for selling short weight or measure?

Under the Trade Measurement Act 1991, the maximum penalty for selling short weight or measure is $20,000 for an individual or $100,000 for a company.