What is the Average Quantity System?
The  average  quantity system controls the  weight or measure  of most pre­packaged  goods. Packages must be marked with the weight or volume of the contents and must comply with three important rules ( the Packers' Rules):

1. The contents of packages must not on average be less than the amount marked on the label. This amount is known as the Nominal Quantity. (Qn)
2. Not more than one package in forty may contain less than the nominal quantity by more than a specified amount called the Tolerable Negative Error (TNE) This varies according to the  nominal quantity. 
3. No packages may contain less than the nominal quantity by more than twice the  TNE eg 18g on a 250g pack. These are called products with deficiency beyond 
the TNE

Who must comply with Regulation?

The Regulations place duties upon packers, importers and labellers.

A packer is the person who places the goods into packages. They may not necessarily  be the person named on the package or whose brand appears on the label.

A labeller who is not the packer or importer has the same duties as a packer 

An importer must provide sufficient evidence to give reasonable ground for believing that packages have been packed  to comply with the Regulations There  is no  obligation on the importer to test any packages where suitable documents are obtained from their supplier 

The law defines an importer as the "person by whom or on whose behalf the package is entered for customs purposes on importation". Goods which bear the EEC mark and come into the UK from a member state are not regarded as "imported".

What equipment should be used?

All measurements and checks are required to be performed with equipment which is suitable for the purpose for which it is being used. Consideration must be given to the size, capacity and scale divisions which must bear a sensible relationship in respect of the quantity being measured. It is advised to contact your local Consumer Protection Department prior to purchasing new equipment.

All non­automatic  weighing  instruments (not Checkweighers)  used  for average weight and brought into use after Jan 2003 must be verified for legal trade. The use of unverfied  NAWI equipment with stamped  weights for final sampling  is no longer legal.

Non-Automatic Scales

Non Automatic average weighing scales are typically used in factories where low numbers are throughput and there is need for an inline checkweigher. The operator would take samples at a set period, usually this is 15/30/60mins. A sample of ten is taken and measured, the data is stored within the scale and added to previous samples, this gives full traceabilityfor T1/T2, standard deviation, min/max and other results, ideal for QA departments who have a hands on role in the production area.

Automatic Inline Checkweighers

An inline checkweigher is used where pack throughput is on a conveyor line and numbers are reaching at least 10 packs per minute. The inline checkweigher manufactured by Scalesmart operates automatically and checks each pack, rejecting any packs that fall outside of the tolerances determined by the three packers rule.

Recommended Models

 

 

 

 

For more in depth information and the full legislation we suggest you visit the legislation.gov.uk site, alternatively download the Weights & Measures PDF on Packaged Goods Regulations 2006 To all of you, from all of us at Scalesmart & MWS Ltd Andrew Clarke Sales Director