Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

"the 1981 Order" means the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;

     t, kg, g.

    (2) Where any of the following indicate quantity by means of a metric unit of measurement, any marking—

(a) of minimum flowrate, maximum capacity or minimum totalised load;

(b) on any totalisation indicating device;

may also indicate quantity by means of a supplementary indication until 31st December 2009.

    (3) The abbreviations of, and symbols for, units of measurement used in this regulation refer to the relevant units as follows—

Gram	g
kilogram	kg
tonne	t

(a) in such a way that it is possible to carry out a material test in situ in accordance with clause A. 11 of Annex A to R 50-1, including in particular the depositing on or removal from the belt of material test loads in a reliable and easy manner, without disrupting the normal operation of the beltweigher; and

(b) in conformity with the following installation conditions contained in R 50-1, that is to say, those set out in clauses 3.8 to 3.10 relating to the installation, to the roller track, to the conveyor belt, to speed control, to weigh length, to belt tension, to overload protection, to ancillary devices and to sealing.

    (2) A person shall not use a beltweigher for trade unless there is sited in the vicinity of the beltweigher and available for use in conjunction with the beltweigher a suitable control instrument, that is to say, a weighing instrument which is of Class III or better.

    (3) The suitable control instrument referred to in paragraph (2) must—

(a) it has been completely erected ready for use and installed at the place where it is to be used, or

(b) save in a case where paragraph (3) has effect, it has been completely erected ready for use in conditions which are in all material respects the same as those at the place where it is to be used and it is not to be dismantled before it is installed at that place.

(a) it complies with all the appropriate requirements of these Regulations;

(b) on testing, it falls within the relevant maximum permissible error in relation to initial verification;

(c) on testing, it satisfies the requirements in relation to initial verification of clauses 5.2.1.1 and 5.2.1.2 of, and clause A.11 of Annex A to, R 50-1; and

(d) in the case of an electronic beltweigher, switch-on tests carried out in conformity with clause 4.4 of R 50-1 show that all relevant signs of the indicating devices are operating satisfactorily.

    (2) In the case of a beltweigher imported into Northern Ireland from an EEA State, (whether directly or indirectly through Great Britain), a beltweigher shall not be passed as fit for use for trade unless—

(a) where the requisite documentation is presented in accordance with regulation 14, the test report recites and the test data confirm to the satisfaction of the inspector that on testing in the relevant State it fell within the relevant maximum permissible error; and

(b) it complies with all the relevant requirements of these Regulations.

(a) fails upon testing to fall within the maximum permissible error in relation to in-service testing set out in clauses 2.2 to 2.22 of R 50-1;

(b) bears any mark or statement which is not authorised by the certificate of approval relating to the beltweigher or which does not reflect the test report on initial verification; or

(c) otherwise fails to comply with any appropriate requirement of these Regulations or of R 50-1.

(a) the purposes of use for trade (regulation 5);

(b) the materials, principles of construction and marking of beltweighers (regulations 6 to 8);

(c) the manner of erection and use for trade (regulations 9 to 12);

(d) the testing of beltweighers (regulations 13 and 14); and

(e) passing of beltweighers as fit for use for trade, and the stamping and obliteration of stamps on beltweighers (regulations 15 to 21).

The Regulations make the following changes of substance—

(a) A new accuracy class of beltweigher, Class 0.5, may be used for trade (regulation 2(2)). Classes are to be determined in accordance with recommendations of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (regulation 2(3)).

(b) Regulation 3(2) of the 1985 Regulations restricted their application to beltweighers which are designed to operate at only one speed. These Regulations are of wider application as they are not restricted to single-speed beltweighers (regulation 4).

(c) The testing of beltweighers may now be carried out elsewhere than at their place of use (regulation 13(2)(b)).

(d) An inspector may now require a person in possession of a beltweigher to be tested to provide handling equipment and assistance (regulation 13(5)).

(e) Tests are now to be carried out in accordance with provisions of the International Recommendation entitled "Continuous totalizing automatic weighing instruments (beltweighers) Part 1: Metrological and technical requirements – Tests" (regulation 15(1)).

(f) Provision is now made for dispensing with testing of beltweighers imported from other States of the EEA (regulations 14 and 15(2)).

These Regulations were notified to the European Commission in accordance with the requirements of Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1998 O.J. L204/37), (formerly Council Directive 83/189/EEC (1983 O.J. L109/8), as amended).

Copies of the publications of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (see regulation 3) are available from the Organisation at 11 rue Turgot, Paris, 75009, France, and from the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Stanton Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0JZ.

Copies of British Standards (see regulation 14(3)) can be obtained from any of the sales outlets operated by the British Standards Institution (BSI) or by post from the BSI at Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LE and at any Stationery Office bookshop.

Contravention of these Regulations is an offence under Article 13(1) of the 1981 Order. It is also an offence, under Article 9(2) of the 1981 Order, for a person to use for trade or have in his possession for such use any beltweigher prescribed by regulation 4, which has not been passed as fit for such use and which does not bear a stamp indicating that it has been so passed which is undefaced otherwise than by fair wear and tear. Under Article 47(1) of the 1981 Order the penalty on summary conviction for any of these offences is a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000). The measuring equipment in respect of which the offence is committed is liable to forfeiture under Articles 9(2) and 13(1) of the 1981 Order.