When you own or operate a weighing scale in Uganda — whether for retail, industrial, healthcare, laboratory, or trade use — it’s important that your scale is not only accurate but also legally compliant. Part of achieving that is ensuring your scale is calibrated by the right people or organizations.
The Role of Standards and Legal Metrology in Uganda
In Uganda, measurement accuracy is regulated to protect consumers and ensure fairness in trade. The agency primarily responsible for this is the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) — a government body under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co‑operatives that develops and enforces national measurement standards including for weighing equipment.
UNBS’s mandate includes:
- Setting and enforcing measurement standards and practices
- Verifying and certifying weighing instruments used in trade
- Ensuring devices have acceptable accuracy before they are used commercially
Who Can Calibrate Weighing Scales?
In Uganda, only licensed, certified, and trained technicians or calibration service providers are authorized to carry out official calibration of weighing scales, especially when the results are intended to be valid for legal or trade purposes. This includes scales used in markets, shops, factories, farms, labs, hospitals, and other commercial settings.
The main authorized entities typically include:
1. UNBS‑Accredited Calibration Providers
These are companies or service centers that have been approved by UNBS to calibrate weighing scales on behalf of the standards authority. They:
- Have proper equipment and traceable test weights
- Follow standard procedures for weighing scale calibration
- Can issue calibration certificates and verification seals that are recognized for compliance and legal‑for‑trade use in Uganda.
Licensed providers usually calibrate on‑site or at their workshop, and provide official documents showing date of calibration, measurement deviation, and certification validity.
Examples of authorized providers include professional weighing and calibration service companies in Kampala and throughout Uganda that advertise UNBS‑approved calibration services.
2. Approved Verifiers and Metrology Technicians
UNBS also appoints inspectors or approved verifiers under its legal metrology system. These technicians are trained to perform verification and calibration checks on weighing equipment used in trade. Their inspections ensure that weighing devices meet legal accuracy standards.
3. UNBS National Metrology Laboratory
For high‑precision equipment (like scientific balances or complex industrial systems), the national metrology laboratory within UNBS itself can carry out or oversee calibration. This ensures traceability to national and international measurement standards.
Why It Matters Who Calibrates Your Scale
Getting your scale calibrated by an authorized provider is essential because:
- Accuracy and reliability: Certified technicians use the right standards and equipment to ensure correct measurements.
- Legal and trade compliance: UNBS‑recognized calibration certificates are often required for business licenses, audits, export documentation, and fair trade compliance.
- Business confidence: Proper calibration builds trust with customers and partners by showing your measurements are accurate and verifiable.
In Uganda, weighing scales must be calibrated by licensed and UNBS‑approved calibration providers, approved metrology inspectors, or the national metrology laboratory to ensure accuracy and legal compliance. This helps you meet regulatory requirements and guarantee trustworthy measurements in trade and industry.