Bison scales gain certification

News 5 Dec 2016 by WCN Editorial

Bison has received OIML certification for two container weighing systems.

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New Zealand-based Bison, manufacturers of portable systems for weighing containers on the ground (C-Jacks) and on trailers (C-Legs), has announced that both products have received OIML (International Organisation of Legal Metrology) certification and type approval in Europe.

“These latest certifications mean shippers can now use Bison container weighing scales for SOLAS VGM compliance across Europe. The OIML certification is internationally recognised and also makes the scales eligible for SOLAS VGM compliance in OIML's 126 member countries,” Bison stated.

As is well known amendments to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) convention require shippers to verify the gross mass of export containers, and provide a VGM (Verified Gross Mass) to the shipping line, without which shipping containers cannot legally be loaded on a SOLAS vessel.

SOLAS requires that containers or their contents be weighed using calibrated and certified weighing equipment that meets local regulatory requirements in the state where it is operated. Bison, like other companies supplying weighing equipment, believes OIML certification will serve as an important standard when it comes to approving container weighing equipment.

“While the shipping industry has largely accepted the rule change, a major challenge for individual shippers has been a lack of certified weighing equipment available to fully comply with the rule.

“Bison has addressed this, with its novel range of portable container scales having undergone a rigorous examination process at NMi Certin’s laboratory in the Netherlands, to test compliance with the OIML standard. The scales have successfully passed as a Class IIII weighing instrument. The scales are now certified in accordance with OIML R76:2006 and the requirements for non-automatic weighing instruments of EC Directive 2014/31/EU,” the company stated.

“When we started developing portable container scales back in 2014, it was always our ultimate goal to achieve these marks of excellence for the product.” says Bison CTO, Dr. Mark Fahey.

"With the SOLAS VGM rules requiring shippers to use calibrated and certified equipment to verify container weights, these certifications mean that shippers can rely on Bison container scales as a simple, efficient and fully compliant solution for weighing containers.”