Packaged Good Inspection

Consumers very often buy goods that have been pre-packaged. To protect consumers, regulations are used to control the quantity of product contained in packages in order to ensure that consumers get the quantity that is indicated on the package. 

NSAI Legal Metrology Inspectors carry out inspections of packaged goods, such as standard packages found on supermarket shelves. These goods are normally checked at the p[production plant/ warehouse or the importers premises to ensure that these packages contain the correct amount of product.

Traders, packers and importers have a responsibility to ensure that packaged goods comply with legal requirements and these goods may be subjected to inspection by legal metrology inspectors at any time. 
 

Average System

The system operates according to three rules:

• Rule 1. The contents of the packages must not be less on average than the nominal quantity (i.e. that marked on the label).
• Rule 2. Not more than one package in 40 may contain less than the nominal quantity by more than an amount known as the Tolerable Negative Error (TNE). This amount varies according to the quantity stated on the package.
• Rule 3. No package is allowed to contain less than the nominal quantity by more than twice the TNE.

Norminal quantity in  grams or mililitres	TNE a percentage of  nominal quantity	TNE in grams or mililitres
5 to 50	9	-
from 50 to 100	-	4.5
from 100 to 200	4.5	-
from 200 to 300	-	9
from 300 to 500	3	-
from 500 to 1000	-	15
from 1000 to 10,000	1.5	-
from 10,000 to 15,000	-	150
above 15,000	1	-

Importers Guidelines
Packers Guidelines
E-Mark on Packaged Goods
Packaged Goods Act 1980