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FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that may guide you in finding out more about this industry.
Q. What does TRADE APPROVED mean?
A.
In relation to all forms of weights, volumes and measurements, it is where certain instruments are manufactured to meet predetermined sets of strict performance (accuracy) standards. This is done so that all parties involved in a trading transaction based on any of the above will known that a predetermined level of accuracy of measurement will be meet when a Trade Approved instrument is being used.
Q. Who determines and controls these strict set of standards?
A.
At a Federal level, the National Standards Commission (NSC) is the Federal government body that sets and regulates the standards. It also tests all new instruments of measurement to be used in trading, whether it is an instrument to determine weight (scales), volume (flowmeters) or measurement (eg. how long is a metre?). The NSC set the standards and accuracy requirements for each type of instrument when used for a specific purpose. At a State level, the Trading Standards Branch (was known as the Department of Weights and Measurements) is the State Government body charged with the responsibility to enforce the decisions and rulings made by the NSC.
Q. What is a Trade Approved scale?
A.
It is a scale that has been tested and passed by the NSC as meeting their predetermined standards and level of accuracy. The NSC will issue an Approval Number, which must be displayed on each scale produced of that model. Each Trade Approved scale can only be serviced, tested and marked by an authorized scale repairer, before it can be legally used. The authorized repairer must reject (and mark accordingly) any scale that does not meet the required standards.
Q. Why Trade Approved scales for front end loaders?
A.
Staff of the Trading Standards Branch are well aware that in many circumstances non-trade approved methods (such as Private Treaties) or non-Trade Approved conveyor belt scales are being used to determine the value of contracts or products in the mining and quarrying industries.
As they must enforce the trading laws, and with the very high costs of installing weighbridges, they asked the manufacturers of front end loader scales to develop Trade Approved scales for front end loaders, so they can stop the above practices.
Q. Can certain front end loader scales be upgraded and retested to Trade Approved Standards?
A.
The answer is YES. With the COMPULOAD series of scales, this includes the following models:- the COMPULOAD 3000, the COMPULOAD 3000 MKII, and the COMPULOAD 4000.
To upgrade a COMPULOAD scale to Trade Approved, the licensed repairer must install additional hardware, upgrade the software, do a full re-calibration using traceable approved masses, and complete very comprehensive tests of the scale to determine if it can be marked Trade Approved.
Q. Why is the approval of the Trade Approved front end loader scale conditional?
A.
A front end loader scale is unique in that the manufacturer of the scale does not manufacture all the components of the scale. The scale’s accuracy may be influenced by the mechanical condition of the hydraulic system of the front end loader to which it is installed. This is why the manufacturer of the COMPULOAD series of scales elected to submit its scales to the NSC for testing, already installed on a second hand front end loader that had some 3,600 operational hours. Compuload was the only instrumented submitted to the NSC on an actual operational front end loader. All other instruments submitted for testing, were installed on newly made hydraulic jigs to simulate the loading actions of a front end loader.
Q. Which front end loader scale was the first to be installed, tested and registered as a TRADE APPROVED in WA?
A.
The first operational TRADE APPROVED front end loader scales registered in WA was the Australian made COMPULOAD series of scale. It was fully tested and passed by an inspector from the Trading Standards Branch. That front end loader had recorded some 6,300 operational hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does TRADE APPROVED mean?
A.
In relation to all forms of weights, volumes and measurements, it is where certain instruments are manufactured to meet predetermined sets of strict performance (accuracy) standards. This is done so that all parties involved in a trading transaction based on any of the above will known that a predetermined level of accuracy of measurement will be meet when a Trade Approved instrument is being used.
Q. Who determines and controls these strict set of standards?
A.
At a Federal level, the National Standards Commission (NSC) is the Federal government body that sets and regulates the standards. It also tests all new instruments of measurement to be used in trading, whether it is an instrument to determine weight (scales), volume (flowmeters) or measurement (eg. how long is a metre?). The NSC set the standards and accuracy requirements for each type of instrument when used for a specific purpose. At a State level, the Trading Standards Branch (was known as the Department of Weights and Measurements) is the State Government body charged with the responsibility to enforce the decisions and rulings made by the NSC.
Q. What is a Trade Approved scale?
A.
It is a scale that has been tested and passed by the NSC as meeting their predetermined standards and level of accuracy. The NSC will issue an Approval Number, which must be displayed on each scale produced of that model. Each Trade Approved scale can only be serviced, tested and marked by an authorized scale repairer, before it can be legally used. The authorized repairer must reject (and mark accordingly) any scale that does not meet the required standards.
Q. Why Trade Approved scales for front end loaders?
A.
Staff of the Trading Standards Branch are well aware that in many circumstances non-trade approved methods (such as Private Treaties) or non-Trade Approved conveyor belt scales are being used to determine the value of contracts or products in the mining and quarrying industries.
As they must enforce the trading laws, and with the very high costs of installing weighbridges, they asked the manufacturers of front end loader scales to develop Trade Approved scales for front end loaders, so they can stop the above practices.
Q. Can certain front end loader scales be upgraded and retested to Trade Approved Standards?
A.
The answer is YES. With the COMPULOAD series of scales, this includes the following models:- the COMPULOAD 3000, the COMPULOAD 3000 MKII, and the COMPULOAD 4000.
To upgrade a COMPULOAD scale to Trade Approved, the licensed repairer must install additional hardware, upgrade the software, do a full re-calibration using traceable approved masses, and complete very comprehensive tests of the scale to determine if it can be marked Trade Approved.
Q. Why is the approval of the Trade Approved front end loader scale conditional?
A.
A front end loader scale is unique in that the manufacturer of the scale does not manufacture all the components of the scale. The scale’s accuracy may be influenced by the mechanical condition of the hydraulic system of the front end loader to which it is installed. This is why the manufacturer of the COMPULOAD series of scales elected to submit its scales to the NSC for testing, already installed on a second hand front end loader that had some 3,600 operational hours. Compuload was the only instrumented submitted to the NSC on an actual operational front end loader. All other instruments submitted for testing, were installed on newly made hydraulic jigs to simulate the loading actions of a front end loader.
Q. Which front end loader scale was the first to be installed, tested and registered as a TRADE APPROVED in WA?
A.
The first operational TRADE APPROVED front end loader scales registered in WA was the Australian made COMPULOAD series of scale. It was fully tested and passed by an inspector from the Trading Standards Branch. That front end loader had recorded some 6,300 operational hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
