GEN–39 — Replacement of markings on information plates

Category: General
Issue Date: 2019-03-28
Effective Date: 2019-03-28
Revision number: 1
Supersedes: GEN-39


Table of Contents


1.0 Scope

This bulletin applies to weighing and measuring devices with an information plate (name plate) whose required markings are found, during a subsequent examination, to be illegible or obliterated.

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the actions to be taken when a Measurement Canada (MC) inspector or an authorized service provider (ASP) finds a weighing or measuring device with an information plate (name plate) whose required markings are missing or obliterated. In addition, it provides guidance on how to record device information in the Online Reporting Application (ORA).

3.0 References

4.0 Policy

4.1 Required markings that can't be read by an inspector

Where an MC inspector can't read the required markings on a device, they must issue a notice of non-compliance.

The trader must try to retrieve the missing information (e.g. serial number) from past examination certificates, service records or invoices.

If the inspector knows the missing information, they must include it on the notice of non-compliance to help personnel replace it. If the inspector doesn't know it, they must indicate on the notice of non-compliance that the repair agent must contact the MC office to obtain additional information on replacing it.

4.2 Required marking that can't be read by an authorized service provider

If an ASP can't read the information that is required to be marked on a device, the required information and markings must be replaced (see below).

The ASP must make every attempt possible to retrieve the missing information from past examination certificates, ORA and/or service records.

4.3 Replacing initial examination markings

If the original initial examination markings are missing, they must be replaced.

Where information is stamped on a plate, inspectors and ASPs must add an "X" to the normal initial examination markings to indicate that the plate and the initial examination markings are not the original.

Repair agents who are not ASPs, but who are commissioned, as a result of the issuance of a notice of non-compliance, to replace information on a plate with missing initial examination markings, must mark the current year followed by an "X" (YYYY-X) in the area normally reserved for the initial examination markings.

4.4 Replacing initial examination stickers

If a replacement initial examination sticker is required, at least 0.5 cm of the bottom-right corner of the sticker should be cut off at a 45 degree angle. An initial examination sticker with the bottom-right corner missing will indicate that it is a replacement sticker.

4.5 Reporting replacements, repairs, alterations and adjustments

The replacement of a plate or information on a plate as well as any other repairs, alterations or adjustments to the device must be reported in ORA or in writing and forwarded to the nearest MC office as required by subsection 40(2) of the Weights and Measures Regulations.

Where a plate is replaced during an examination and a certificate is issued, the words "Replacement plate" must be added to the Device Notes and/or Device Examination Comments section of the examination certificate.

4.6 Creating a new serial number

Each device requires a serial number. If the original serial number can't be found, a unique serial number made of a combination of the current year and, if available, the ORA-generated examination work order number separated by a hyphen (e.g. 2018-12345678) must be created. If the work order number is not available, the current year and any combination of six numbers (e.g. 2018-645458) should be used instead.

If more than one serial number in the same place is being replaced (e.g. a multi-product petroleum dispenser or a scale's information plate where both the indicator and the base were identified together), one or more additional digits and/or letters separated by a hyphen must be used to identify each device (e.g. 2016-12345678-A1 or 2016-645458-1).

4.7 Replacing the volumetric device capacity

For volumetric devices, device capacity units must not be converted from metric to imperial or vice-versa. The device capacity units must be the same as those found in the device's notice of approval.

5.0 Revisions

The purpose of revision 1 was to:

  • adapt the policy to ORA;
  • simplify the method of creating serial numbers;
  • make editorial changes.