Verification of Scales

A verified scale is legally required whenever measurement results are used in regulated transactions, for example:

✔ Sale of goods by weight
✔ Calculation of charges based on weight
✔ Manufacturing or checking pre-packaged goods
✔ Weighing vehicles
✔ Determining body weight for medical purposes
✔ Manufacturing or dosing medications

Detailed requirements are specified in the Measurement and Verification Act (Mess- und Eichgesetz).

Please make sure to order verification as an accessory when using the scale in legally regulated applications. Post-shipping verification is not possible!

What does "verifiable" mean and what should be considered?

A scale is verifiable if its construction allows for EU conformity assessment (initial verification) according to Directive 2014/31/EU. It meets all structural and metrological requirements, but is not yet officially verified.

Prerequisite for later official verification is that the manufacturer has first performed an EU initial verification (conformity assessment). Without this step, the verification authority cannot approve the scale for legal-for-trade use.

Important: If the initial verification is not completed before shipping, the device loses its verifiability. Therefore, clarify early whether your application requires verification and order the initial verification right away.

Subsequent Verification by the Verification Office

After the manufacturer’s initial verification, the scale is considered verified for a fixed period. The validity is usually two to three years (depending on scale type) and ends on December 31 of the final year in the interval. After this, the scale must be re-verified by the responsible local verification office — previously known as "reverification."

Operator responsibility: You must apply for re-verification independently and on time: no later than ten weeks before the end of the validity period (see Timely Verification Application). If the application is not submitted in time, the scale may no longer be used in regulated trade.

How a Scale Becomes Legally Usable – Step by Step

From manufacturing to re-verification, a scale follows these steps:

1. Scale Manufacturing
   All components are produced and assembled in this step, forming a stable foundation for accurate and reliable measurements.
2. Adjustment
   After production, the scale is adjusted using verified test weights to ensure high precision and eliminate deviations.
3. Conformity Assessment (Initial Verification)
   Next comes conformity assessment, also called "initial verification." It confirms that the scale meets all legal requirements and is marked with the CE and verification symbols.
4. Sales and Market Placement
   Once verified, the scale can be placed on the market and put into use.
5. Registration of the Scale
   As of January 1, 2025, the previous user registration obligation has been abolished. However, the requirement for periodic verification remains; users must continue to ensure their scales are re-verified within legally mandated intervals.
6. Re-Verification
   Depending on usage, scales must be re-verified every two, three, or four years. These regular inspections maintain high measurement accuracy and confirm that the scale operates within legal tolerances. All deadlines must be observed, and re-verification must be applied for in time with the responsible authority.

How can you identify a verified scale?

Since April 20, 2016, “verified” scales — also referred to as “conformity-assessed” — must carry specific markings. These are defined in Articles 15ff of Directive 2014/31/EU and ensure that the scales meet European standards for accuracy and reliability.

The “verification mark” of a manufacturer’s initial verification (EU conformity assessment) can be found on the scale’s type plate.

Type Plate – Example

1. Scale Type: Model designation
2. Serial Number: Unique identification number
3. Gravitational Zone: Adjustment for different gravitational zones
4. Type Approval Number: Approval ID for the scale type
5. Accuracy Class / Verification Class: Classification according to legal and metrological requirements
6. Rated Temperature Range: Temperature range within which the scale operates reliably
7. Security Mark with Verification Counter: In the example, the verification counter is set to 2

W1 – Weighing range 1 with adjusted values
W2 – Weighing range 2 with adjusted values (only for dual-range scales)

Max – Maximum load
Min – Minimum load (20 d)
e= – Verification scale interval (legal division step)

• CE Marking: Indicates that the product complies with current EU directives.
• Metrology Marking: Consists of a rectangle containing the letter "M" and the last two digits of the year the marking was applied. It must be aligned in height and directly adjacent to the CE mark.
• Notified Body: Number of the conformity assessment body that confirms the correctness of the manufacturer’s conformity assessment (EU verification) for non-automatic scales. Products with this marking meet the requirements of Directive 2014/31/EU for placing non-automatic weighing instruments on the market. BOSCHE uses the number 0200.

These markings are usually found on the type plate of the scale but may vary depending on the manufacturer and model.

By paying attention to these features, you can ensure that a scale is legally approved for regulated trade and meets the required precision for commerce, healthcare, and other high-accuracy applications.

As of January 1, 2025, the previous notification requirement (user registration) for verified scales will be eliminated. This change is part of the Fourth Bureaucracy Reduction Act.

Information sheet: Removal of Notification Requirement 2025.pdf

What remains unchanged?

• Verification requirement: Regular verification is still mandatory. More info on verification for industrial and commercial use can be found here:
  

  Information sheet: Verification for scales in industry and commerce.pdf

• Verification intervals: Intervals remain unchanged (e.g., 2 years for retail scales).
• Timely application: You must continue to arrange re-verification on time with the responsible verification authority.

Start and end of verification period: The verification period begins on the day of initial verification or market placement. If the interval is at least one year, the period ends on December 31 of the calculated final year.

Default: For all other scales, the general verification interval is 2 years.

Accuracy Classes and Minimum Loads for Scales

Scales that are verifiable or verified are categorized into three accuracy classes under legal metrology regulations. This classification defines their permitted application areas and the associated minimum load — the smallest weight required for legally valid measurements. The minimum load is based on the scale's division value (e).

d = legal division value. Example Class III: d = 10 g → Minimum load = 200 g.

Tare weights (e.g., trays or containers) do not count toward the minimum load. Compliance is regularly spot-checked by verification authorities — especially in retail, metal/gold buying, and food production industries.

Verification Costs – What You Should Know

Verification, whether initial (by the manufacturer) or follow-up (by authorities), involves fees that vary depending on the type of verification, accuracy class, and installation site.

Initial vs. Follow-up Verification

• Initial verification (conformity assessment): Prices are set individually by the manufacturer.
• Follow-up verification: Conducted by local authorities with nationally regulated fees under the Measurement and Verification Fee Regulation (MessEGebV).

Fees may change — for example, rates increased in 2015, 2019, and again in 2021. Failed verification ("rejection") is also subject to a reduced fee, usually around 75% of the regular rate.

Possible Fee Reductions

• Verification at the verification office: Pre-registration can qualify for a discount — often up to 50%.
• Workshop verification (e.g., after repair): Typically eligible for a reduced rate — around 35%.
• Multiple scales verified on-site (e.g., in hospitals): Combined appointments may receive up to 45% discount.

Note: These discounts are guidelines and may vary by region and authority. Please check with your local verification office (e.g., via www.eichamt.de) for exact details.

Prices for Initial and Follow-Up Verifications (plus VAT)

* Initial verification = conformity assessment by BOSCHE as the manufacturer

** Follow-up verification = official check by the responsible authority according to the Measurement and Verification Fee Regulation (MessEGebV)

Operators of scales used in commercial or official transactions are subject to certain legal obligations to ensure measurement accuracy and legal conformity.

• Documentation: Keep service and repair records for at least three months after the verification expires.
• User Manual: The operating manual must be available at the installation site to ensure correct use and maintenance.
• Suitable installation location: The scale must not be exposed to interference like vibrations, drafts, or electromagnetic fields, which may distort results.

Also note the verification requirement: All scales must be re-verified at regular intervals. As of January 1, 2025, the previous user registration (§32 MessEG) has been eliminated, but the obligation to verify remains.

By complying with these rules, operators ensure the reliability and legal validity of their measurements.

Timely Verification Application: What Users Should Know

Anyone using a verified scale in legal-for-trade applications is responsible for ensuring it is re-verified on time. Since the Measurement and Verification Act (MessEG) came into force on January 1, 2015, verification authorities no longer schedule follow-up checks automatically. The user must act proactively.

Legally, the application must be submitted at least ten weeks before the current verification expires (§38 MessEG). As most verifications end on December 31, apply no later than mid-October.

If the application is submitted too late, you lose the right to timely verification. The scale may then only be used with special approval — using it without valid verification may result in fines.

Recommendation: Contact your verification authority early to ensure continued, legal use of your scale.

Timely calibration application: What users need to know

Anyone using a verified scale in legal-for-trade applications is responsible for ensuring it is re-verified on time. Since the Measurement and Verification Act (MessEG) came into force on January 1, 2015, verification authorities no longer schedule follow-up checks automatically. The user must act proactively.

Legally, the application must be submitted at least ten weeks before the current verification expires (§38 MessEG). As most verifications end on December 31, apply no later than mid-October.

If the application is submitted too late, you lose the right to timely verification. The scale may then only be used with special approval — using it without valid verification may result in fines.

Recommendation: Contact your verification authority early to ensure continued, legal use of your scale.

Factory Calibration, Calibration, and Verification Compared

In metrology, it’s important to distinguish between verification, calibration, and factory calibration. These terms refer to different procedures with distinct purposes, processes, and legal implications:

1. Factory Calibration

Factory calibration is an internal process conducted by the manufacturer and is not governed by law. It serves internal quality control purposes, such as for reconditioned devices or routine checks. Deviations are measured using traceable test weights, and the operator decides the calibration frequency. A factory calibration certificate is issued upon completion.

2. Calibration According to DAkkS

This type of calibration is performed by a laboratory accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). Although not legally required, it is essential for quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001). The process involves verifying the accuracy of the device against international standards. The result is documented in a calibration certificate. Recognition is provided via international agreements like ILAC and EA. We offer a DAkkS calibration service in cooperation with graviCal GmbH.

3. Verification

Verification is a legally required procedure for devices used in “legal-for-trade” applications, such as selling goods by weight. It is performed by the manufacturer (initial verification) or a government verification authority (re-verification). Only approved, verifiable devices can be verified. The process confirms compliance with permissible error limits and is documented with an official verification seal.

Regardless of national verification laws, some international regulations require verified scales — for example, the SOLAS Convention for weighing shipping containers. More information about SOLAS requirements can be found here.