Legal Metrology Rules amended to cut standard weights needed for high-capacity weighing instruments
The Department of Consumer Affairs amended the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 (announced 6 July 2026), cutting the standard weights needed to verify instruments of one tonne and above from 50% to 20% of capacity after a repeatability test.
Summary
The Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 to reduce the standard weights needed to verify high-capacity weighing instruments, as announced on 6 July 2026. Earlier, verifying instruments of one tonne and above needed standard weights of at least one tonne or 50% of maximum capacity, whichever was greater, before substituting constant loads. Under the new repeatability-based method, after a successful repeatability test the requirement falls to one-fifth (20%) of maximum capacity. The change aims to cut costs and delays for industries, warehouses and weighbridge operators without lowering accuracy.
Key facts
- Rules amended
- Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
- Applies to
- Weighing instruments of 1 tonne capacity and above
- Old requirement
- At least 1 tonne or 50% of max capacity, whichever greater
- New requirement
- 20% (one-fifth) of max capacity after successful repeatability test
- Department
- Department of Consumer Affairs
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which rules did the Department of Consumer Affairs amend in July 2026 to ease verification of high-capacity weighing instruments?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011
The Department amended the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.
After the 2026 amendment, what share of maximum capacity must standard weights cover before substitution, once a repeatability test is passed?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 20% (one-fifth)
The requirement was reduced from 50% of maximum capacity to one-fifth (20%).