What is Legal for Trade and Why Should you be Aware of it?

'Legal for Trade' is a form of certification for weighing equipment and is a fundamental consideration for countless industries.

Any business which sells goods based on their weight will need to ensure the equipment used to obtain this data complies with the 'legal for trade' criteria.

This is done by conducting rigorous testing which can identify any issues with calibration and other aspects which may be hindering to the equipment’s accuracy.

 

So Why is This Necessary?

By keeping weight measurements as accurate possible, all stakeholders of a transaction will be protected from the damaging effects of misinformation.

For instance, customers can be deceived into overpaying for a specific good which is being advertised with a higher weight than what they are actually provided with.

In this scenario, the customer is unknowingly paying for goods which they are not receiving due to the provision of incorrect data.

Legal for trade approved equipment alleviates this issue by establishing a set of standards which helps businesses to be supplied with honest technical information on the equipment they are purchasing.

In addition, legal for trade certification can only be issued by specific individuals who are able to provide an honest and impartial analysis of the equipment they are testing.

This more or less removes the risk of companies falsely advertising non-compliant machinery as being ‘legal for trade’ and creates a more open and safe environment for everyone.

 

Which Industries Need to Know This?

Businesses from all sectors can be affected by the disclosure of inaccurate weighing measurements both directly and indirectly.

As a result, these companies need to ensure their weighing equipment aligns with the aforementioned quality standards or, if they are purchasing weighed goods themselves, check with the supplier about the machinery they use.

A great example in which legal for trade is an absolutely essential standard is the medical industry.

Pharmaceutical companies need to provide highly accurate information on the many medicinal products they produce in order to allow GP’s and other professionals the ability to provide the correct prescriptions for people in need.

Any inaccuracies in the data they publish can have far-reaching consequences on the health of patients who require these drugs for their personal health reasons.

They may be forced to consume unhealthy quantities of medication and this can instigate numerous detrimental side effects depending on their situation and prescription.

A more commercial example is the issue of maintaining high productivity.

Failure to obtain accurate measurements can hugely affect the financial performance of many companies, especially those who produce commoditised goods such as coffee, steel and other raw materials.

In these instances, it is crucial for businesses to prioritise the use of legal for trade weighing equipment to be sure of their overall output throughout the year.

Incorrect data can result in contradictory balance sheets and this can hinder a business’s ability to analyse their performance retrospectively and create meaningful forecasts for their future endeavours.

 

If your business relies on the trade of weighted goods, whether it be supply or receipt, it’s vital to ensure the data involved in the transaction is entirely accurate.

By doing so, suppliers will be able to safeguard their brand image, customers will be safe in the knowledge their capital is being invested effectively and, most importantly, the health and safety of the end user will be protected.

Solent Scales is a leading provider of high quality industrial weighing scales with services including sale, hire, repair and calibration.

 

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