The holiday atmosphere is high in the air with the Chinese New Year around the corner and the opening of shopping streets all around Taiwan. To ensure the accuracy of scales, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) launched a market inspection from January 2 to 25. Results show that 99.9% of the scales inspected are in conformity with national standards. Consumers can rest assured when purchasing goods from the market.

The BSMI inspected 12,396 scales used at 241 Chinese New Year shopping streets, traditional markets, wholesalers and supermarkets and found that 12,389 scales were up to the standards. Of the seven scales that failed the inspection, the measurement error of seven exceeded the tolerance (2 had taken advantage of consumers and 5 in favor of consumers). “Stop from use” stickers have been attached to substandard devices and follow-up checks will be conducted. Vendors that continue to use substandard scales will be subjected to a fine between 15,000 NTD and 75,000 NTD according to the Weights and Measures Act.

To ensure accuracy and cater to public needs, BSMI Acting Director-General Wang Chung-lin said that official weight scales will provided at Chinese New Year shopping streets in Taipei (Dihua Street), Taichung (Yizhong Street) and Kaoshiung (Sanfong Jhong Street) until the Chinese New Year’s Eve. He added that although this year’s inspection was held earlier than usual, the bureau will continue to inspect weight scales in markets around the nation. Consumers are urged to call the tip line at 02-2343-4567 or file a report to all bureau branches upon seeing a weight scale without a verification conformity sticker specifying the Chinese character “同” or an seemingly inaccurate scale. BSMI officials will be dispatched to ensure fair trade and consumer rights.