Abu Dhabi: A total of 4,871 measuring instruments have been checked by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) over the last six months.

The QCC inspected the accuracy of trading scales, gold and jewellery scales, perfume scales, shipping scales and petrol meters, as well as 9,010 packaged items.

It found that 95 per cent of the 1,394 trading scales that were examined met the emirate’s quality regulations. In addition, 98 per cent of the 249 jewellery and precious metal scales, and 94 per cent of the 127 oud and perfume scales which were inspected were found to be compliant. Traders who used non-compliant scales were asked to rectify the errors and have them re-tested.

The QCC also checked 178 scales used at Abu Dhabi airports and cargo companies to ensure their accuracy. This was done to ensure that aircraft do not carry more than the permitted weight and that travellers are charged the correct fees for the weight of the luggage they carry.

The inspectors also examined 56 floor scales and weighing platforms used for loads exceeding two tonnes.

As part of its inspection campaign, the QCC also completed the first round of fuel meter verifications at 131 Adnoc Distribution service stations in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra with 99 per cent of the 2,867 fuel meters found to be compliant. Following the inspection, Adnoc Distribution carried out adjustments on the remaining instruments to ensure their accuracy.

Moreover, QCC inspectors visited 27 factories manufacturing pre-packaged food items and examined 9,010 containers of 156 products including liquids such as milk and juices, as well as solids such as cheeses and biscuits.

Following the checks, the inspectors placed official QCC seals on the scales. The gold ‘Verified’ seal stands for confirmed accuracy, whereas the red ‘Rejected’ seal means that the instrument has failed to meet the relevant standards.

While ordering the removal of any non-compliant scales from the market, the inspectors set a time limit for the shop owners to correct the errors and submit the instruments for reverification. Traders are not allowed to use the rejected scales until the issues are rectified and inspectors replace the ‘Rejected’ seal with the ‘Verified’ seal.

The QCC therefore urged consumers to look for the gold seals on scales before making any purchases, and to also report the use of scales that carry the red seals to the Abu Dhabi Government Contact Centre on 800 555.