I have a product of which the markings and quantities differ from the prescribed requirements and I would like to sell it in South Africa, what do I do?

Write a letter (e-mail) to the Director of Trade Metrology and ask for a concession to sell the product in South Africa.

I bought a product of which the actual quantity is less than the indicated quantity; I suspect the petrol pump (fuel dispenser) at my local garage where I fill up is incorrect. Where can I complain?

Please contact your nearest NRCS-Legal Metrology office - Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein, Cape Town or Port Elizabeth (see contact details) and submit a complaint.

How do I go about to get my measuring instrument approved in order for me to use it for trade purposes?

Contact any person in the Type Approval section of NRCS-Legal Metrology and request application forms for your specific instrument(s) or alternatively visit the Legal Metrology-Type Approval web page.

How do I know whether the instrument they use at the shop or supplier is approved for trade use?

Contact any person in the Type Approval section of NRCS- Legal Metrology with the name and model of the instrument and request to check if the instrument is type approved to be used for trade purposes.

How do I, as consumer, know that I will receive the correct quantity?

The Trade Metrology Act, 1973 (Act 77 of 1973) makes provision for the regulations to be promulgated, which lay down the requirements for a pre-packer to ensure that pre-packed products meet the declared quantity.

Are tolerances allowed on an individual package?

Yes! It is virtually impossible to fill each pre-package to the nominal quantity as stated on the package. There are prescribed limits for the tolerances on individual pre-packages. The pre-packer has to show that pre-packages is of the declared nominal quantity.