Mandatory examination frequencies by sector and device type

This list contains mandatory examination (inspection) frequencies by sector and device type, as well as the most common device types and exclusions. The trade sector descriptions are not exhaustive.

Dairy

Includes the sale or purchase of raw milk, cream or other dairy products at the wholesale level. These products are often used to manufacture and process butter, cheese, pre-packaged milk, ice cream, whey products, etc. Does not include dairy products sold directly to consumers.

  Dairy
Device type Examination frequency
Bulk meters 1 year
Weighing machines 2 years
 

Common devices used in this sector include platform, vehicle and computing scales.

Common exclusions: Farm tanks and scales used to measure butterfat, lactose and protein content. Meters used for milking cows.

Downstream petroleum

Includes refined petroleum products and liquid alternative fuels bought and sold at the wholesale level between petroleum refineries, gas processing facilities, wholesalers, retailers and commercial customers.

  Downstream petroleum
Device type Examination frequency
Any device 2 years
 

Common devices used in this sector include bulk meters as well as platform, vehicle, railway, mass flow and gravity meters.

Fishing

Includes the wholesale trade of finfish, shellfish, marine vegetation and marine animals caught from the ocean, inland waters or aquaculture farms, and the products and by-products of their processing. Excludes the retail trade of fish and seafood.

  Fishing
Device type Examination frequency
Any device 1 year
 

Common devices used in this sector include platform, vehicle, computing and crane scales.

Forestry

Includes the commercial sale of logs, lumber, paper, treated recycled paper, and wood by-products (wood chips, particle board, etc.). Does not include methyl alcohol and wood resins.

  Forestry
Device type Examination frequency
Weighing machines 1 year
 

Common devices used in this sector include platform, vehicle, railway, computing and conveyor belt scales.

Grain and field crops

Includes cereal grains, oil seeds, grain corn, wheat, forage, dry field peas, beans, and their corresponding seeds, feed grains and other animal foods processed by feed mills. Grain storage services offered in grain elevators are also included.

  Grain and field crops
Device type Examination frequency
Devices used in a grain elevator licensed by the Canadian Grain Commission 1 year
Devices used in other establishments (feed mills, seed plants, etc.) 2 years
 

Common devices used in this sector include platform, hopper, vehicle and railway scales.

Common exclusions: Moisture meters and protein analyzers.

Mining

Includes metal and non-metal ores, refined ores and their transformed products, as well as refined precious metals and precious stones. Mining does not include scrap metal, or products from the subsequent refining of precious metals and precious stones. Sand, gravel, stone and concrete are excluded when used for construction.

  Mining
Device type Examination frequency
Any device 2 years
 

Common devices used in this sector include platform, vehicle, railway, hopper, crane and conveyor belt scales.

Common exclusions: Scales used exclusively in the wholesale trade of gold, silver or diamonds, after initial refining.

Retail food

Includes the buying and selling of retail foods at grocery stores, supermarkets, delicatessens, ethnic food stores, natural food stores, butcher shops, farmers' markets, fish and seafood retailers, fruit and vegetable retailers, coffee retailers and specialty candy and nuts retailers.

  Retail food
Device type Examination frequency
Any device 5 years
 

Common devices used in this sector include point-of-sale, computing, platform and overhead rail scales.

Retail petroleum

Includes liquid refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, propane, etc.) and liquid alternative fuels (hydrogen, ethanol, etc., when used as the only energy source of a vehicle) bought and sold at the retail level.

  Retail petroleum
Device type Examination frequency
Propane meters 1 year
Device other than a propane meter 2 years
 

Common devices used in this sector include bulk meters, gasoline and diesel dispensers, propane meters, refuellers, as well as platform and vehicle scales.

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