About the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Directive
- Legal Metrology >
- Control of Measuring Instruments >
- About the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Directive
What is the Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Directive?
The Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Directive (NAWI) is the European law that sets down the essential requirements for weighing instruments such as retail scales, industrial scales and weighbridges. It provides options to the manufacturer to choose how the requirements are met and which organizations to apply to for conformity assessment.
The Directive is brought into Irish law through SI No. 47 of 2018- European Union (Non Automatic Weighing Instruments) Regulations 2018.
Conformity assessment is the procedure that must be applied to a measuring instrument before it can be put on the market for trade use.
For more information Click here
The Directive requires the design of the weighing scales to be ‘type approved’ and then allows the manufacturer to choose between operating a recognized quality management system or engaging a recognized independent third party to carry out verification. Manufacturers choose the procedure best suited to their production and distribution.
Essential requirements are the legal requirements that must be met by the weighing instruments. In the NAWI Directive these are listed in Annex 1.
Information on the European standards and Welmec guidance documents adopted for use with the NAWI Directive can be found on the European Commission web page on Metrology and Pre-packaging.
Are automatic weighing instruments included in the NAWI Directive?
No, the requirements for automatic weighing instruments such as catchweighers, checkweighers, belt weighers and weigh labellers are found in the Measuring Instruments Directive.
For more information on measuring instruments covered by the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) see About the Measuring Instruments Directive.