Calibratable platform scales
Information on the calibration of scales
Calibration
The calibration of a scale is the check of a measuring device prescribed by law. All legal calibration regulations, in particular calibration periods and calibration error tolerance limits must be observed. The calibration law serves to protect consumers and is mostly applied in business transactions and medicine.
Initial calibration
Scales which must be calibrated must undergo an initial calibration (conformity evaluation procedure) before being put into operation for the first time. For the calibration, we require the complete installation site of the scale. Retrospective calibration cannot be done at a later stage.
Subsequent calibration
Calibrated scales must be re-calibrated before the calibration period elapses. The calibration periods for scales < 3000 kg are usually 2 years (calibration class I, II, III).
According to the EU directive 2009/23 EC, scales must be officially calibrated if they are used in the following fields:
- In business transactions (if the price of the goods is determined using its weight)
- When creating medicines (for example in pharmacies) and in analyses conducted in medical and pharmaceutical laboratories
- When manufacturing prepackaging
- For official purposes (determining fees, customs duties, legal penalties (for appraisal officers and for legal assessments for courts))
Each time the scale is successfully calibrated, it is furnished with a calibration seal. This confirms the accuracy within the framework of the permissible calibration tolerance ranges.
