Ben Aitken Trading Standards Officer Trading Standards MBIE New Zealand Kevin Gudmundsson Legal Metrology Advisor Trading Standards MBIE New Zealand PRE-PACKAGED PRODUCTS ADVISING

Advising Manufacturers & Packers A Legal Metrology Officer may be asked to give advice on compliance with R79, R87 or Local / National Weights & Measures requirements At the point of first contact During an inspection, or After an inspection

Advising Manufacturers & Packers If offering advice to a manufacturer or packer it should be done in an advisory capacity only It is ultimately up to the manufacturer or packer to ensure their goods comply

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Remember the LMO’s golden rule when advising: If you provide the solution, you may have just bought the problem…

Advising Manufacturers & Packers In the first instance advice should be based on your economy’s regulatory requirements Beyond local regulatory requirements advice should be based on international best practice

Advising Manufacturers & Packers A packers responsibilities; To take reasonable precautions – To have in place procedures to reduce the chance of short quantity pre-packages making it to the marketplace Due diligence – ensuring the system works

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers; 1.Pack so that all packages contain no less than the stated net quantity E.g. setting an appropriate rejection limit on a checkweigher 2.Have a sampling plan e.g. manually check pre- packages on an suitable basis that provides a level of confidence A packer may want to seek independent statistical advice on a appropriate sampling plan

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers;

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers; 3. Regularly check the weighing equipment being used to fill packages Check the Zero & Tare to ensure they are still accurate Check the equipment is level Encourage the manufacturer to purchase and use calibrated test masses to test for accuracy at nominal quantity Use dummy packages to test rejection limits of equipment Environmental conditions for equipment

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers;

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers; 4. Keep Records of quantity checks Have regular quantity checks carried out by dedicated personnel and document the results 5. Staff Training Make staff aware of their responsibilities and the potential implications

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers;

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Examples of good advice for manufacturers & packers; 6. Storage Conditions Ensure storage conditions at the warehouse and retail sites are suitable Manufacturer should advise retailer on storage requirements 7. Customer Feedback Proactive – Send out feedback forms to customers Reactive – Follow up on consumer complaints

Advising Manufacturers & Packers Thank you for your attention Any Questions?