Measurement Canada device inspection

A buyer of a gas station, grocery store or scrap yard should check this in due diligence, since sales there may rest on scale or pump readings. The requirement is set by a federal Act. Measurement Canada, part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, says its programs include approving and inspecting scales, gas pumps and other measuring devices.

What the Act says

Section 8 of the Weights and Measures Act says no trader shall use, or have in their possession for use in trade, any device unless it, or its class, type or design, has been approved for use in trade under section 3 and, for a device other than a static measure, examined by an inspector who has certified that it meets the Act and regulations. Section 15(1) says a trader who uses or possesses a device for trade shall cause it to be examined, within the prescribed period, by an inspector, subject to extensions the Minister may grant under s.15(2) and to any exemptions made by regulation.

What to ask

• A list of every device used in trade and its certification record
• Whether the date of the last examination is within the prescribed period
• Whether an organization Measurement Canada recognizes as an authorized service provider did any testing

The gas station buyer checklist shows where pump records fit.