The Technical Services arm of the Bureau offers the following services to the public:
- Calibration of scales and non automatic weighing instruments
- Verification of scales and non automatic weighing instruments
Calibration
The service of calibration allows us to check and determine the accuracy of weighing and measuring instruments by comparison with a standard traceable to the International System of Units (SI). In this case we issue a certificate documenting the Error and Uncertainty in the instrument’s indications. Calibrations are performed as frequently as required by the owner of the Instrument. Rates are mainly based on the accuracy class of the instrument.
Verification
This service is mandatory for all measurement instruments used in Trade, Health & Safety. All aspects of the instrument are checked including its physical attributes and measurement performance for compliance with prescribed tolerances. A ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ is determined and indicated by the issuance of a certificate, or a label or stamp placed on the instrument. Instruments that are declared to have failed a verification examination are not to be used in trade or for their legally prescribed purpose until they have been adjusted/repaired and have passed a subsequent verification examination. At a minimum, Verification is required at least once per year. Rates are mainly based on the accuracy class of the instrument.
A letter of request for the desired service should be addressed to the Director:
Mrs. Dianne Lalla-Rodrigues
Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards
Old Parham Road
St. John’s
Antigua
West Indies (W.I.)
For calibration and verification services the following information, pertaining to the measuring equipment to be assessed, must be submitted in order to ensure optimal and accurate assessment of the equipment:
Required information of weighing or measuring equipment (spring scale, digital scale etc.) to be assessed
- Model name
- Model serial number
- Model capacity
The Science of Measurement
METROLOGY which is defined as the science of measurement (NOT Meteorology – the science of weather phenomena) is an important aspect of the role and mandate of the Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards (ABBS) to the Antiguan and Barbudan economy.
The Metrology Act (No. 17 of 2007), established a National Metrology Service, to be administered by, and form part of the operations of the ABBS. It further appoints the Director of the Bureau as the custodian of the national measurement standards.
The Metrology Act 2007 also established the International System of Units (SI) as the legal system of units for measurements made in Antigua and Barbuda but allows the British Imperial System of Units to be concurrently used (due to its wide-spread use, and in specialized fields) with a view to being phased out. The Act also gives the Bureau the responsibility for dissemination of the authorized units of measurement. In this regard the Bureau has therefore resumed the process of transitioning to the use of the International System of Units (SI) as the legal units of measurement in Antigua and Barbuda. This official or legal transition from non-metric units to the SI is called Metrication.
Correct measurements, because they facilitate and regulate commercial transactions, are necessary to establishing conformity of a product or service to existing quality standards. This in turn gives assurance, to consumers, of the quality of the products and services offered.
Correct measurements, because they facilitate and regulate commercial transactions, are key to establishing if a product or service conforms to existing quality standards. This in turn gives assurance, to consumers, of the quality of the products and services offered. Currently the Bureau is developing services which will support the implementation of the Metrology Act 2007. These services include inspection, testing, calibration and verification of weighing and measuring instruments. Industries, businesses and public and private sector service providers are already making use of some of the calibration and verification services for checking their weighing instruments. These services highlight the importance of accurate measurements for meeting safety requirements in a number of services and for ensuring fairness in trade for both retailers and consumers of goods and services sold by weight or measure.
