Revocation of the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices

The Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices subject to the Weights and Measures Act was revoked January 1, 2012.

The purpose of this program was to encourage device owners subject to the Weights and Measures Act to commit to have their devices inspected at specific intervals (e.g. once every year or two). With the Act to Amend the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act receiving royal assent in 2011 and the lack of device owners committing to the voluntary program, Measurement Canada has decided to focus its resources on the implementation of the legislative amendments. Consequently, Measurement Canada will not accept any applications from device owners interested in the Voluntary Periodic Certification Program for Devices.

MC inspectors as well as authorized service providers are to continue to indicate the recommended re-verification date on the verification stickers and inspection certificates, as set out in the table that can be accessed on Measurement Canada's home page ("Recommended Certification Frequencies for Devices" under Quick Links).

Device owners and device users remain legally responsible for the accuracy of their weighing and measuring devices. In order to satisfy this requirement, they should ensure that their devices are tested and calibrated on a regular basis based on usage, operating environment, etc.

In addition, employees who use weighing or measuring devices should be appropriately trained to ensure that devices are used correctly and measure accurately.

Although the voluntary program has been revoked, Measurement Canada encourages device owners to have their devices inspected by a Measurement Canada authorized service provider on a regular basis and to use authorized service provider services to re-inspect and certify devices that are rejected by Measurement Canada inspectors.