Weights and measures inspector

A weights and measures inspector

Description

Weights and measures inspectors ensure adherence to regulations and agreements about the weights and measures of packaged goods. They investigate and document compliance issues and violations to promote best practices. Weights and measures inspectors confirm that packaged goods comply with quantity, content, and packaging agreements.

Weights and measures inspectors typically do the following:

  • test and re-calibrate weighing and measuring equipment to ensure accuracy
  • perform checks on goods sold by weight or measure for exactness
  • investigate products that fall short of required weights or measures
  • initiate legal enforcement action through the court system
  • advise and educate producers and traders on trade measurement law.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to weights and measures inspector:

inspector and tester of weights and measures
trading standards officer
tester of weights and measures
weights and measures inspector and tester
regulatory services officer
weights and measures tester
trading standards team leader
trading standards supervisor
inspector of weights and measures
trading standards manager

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a weights and measures inspector. A driver’s license may be required as well.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Weights and measures inspector is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Weights and measures inspector career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to weights and measures inspector.

health and safety inspector
social security inspector
consumer rights advisor
railway infrastructure inspector
environmental health inspector

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of weights and measures inspector. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of weights and measures inspector with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

packaging production manager
government planning inspector
equality and inclusion manager
quality engineer
labour relations officer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of weights and measures inspector.

  • Quality assurance procedures: The procedures to inspect a product or system to ensure that it is according to specifications and requirements.
  • Government policy implementation: The procedures related to the application of government policies at all levels of public administration.
  • Fraud detection: The techniques used to identify fraudulent activities.
  • Audit techniques: The techniques and methods that support a systematic and independent examination of data, policies, operations and performances using computer-assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATs) such as spreadsheets, databases, statistical analysis and business intelligence software.
  • Consumer protection: The current legislation applicable in relation to the rights of consumers in the marketplace.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of weights and measures inspector.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in packaging standards: Work in accordance with the latest developments in domestic and international packaging standards and procedures.
  • Undertake inspections: Undertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.
  • Analyse packaging requirements: Analyses packaging requirements against the design of the production plan. Perform the analysis considering engineering, economic, ergonomic, and other perspectives.
  • Inspect government policy compliance: Inspect public and private organisations to ensure proper implementation and compliance with government policies which apply to the organisation.
  • Handle shipment paperwork: Handle paperwork containing information on shipments and attached to goods about to be shipped. Ensure that identification information is complete, visible, and in compliance with all regulations. Check labels showing product counts, final destination, and model numbers.
  • Test package: Test and measure characteristics of packaging materials.
  • Ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations: Implement and monitor company activities in compliance with legal contracting and purchasing legislations.
  • Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes, such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.
  • Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of weights and measures inspector. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Types of packaging materials: Properties of materials that make them suitable for packaging. Conversion of raw materials into packaging materials. Different types of labels and materials used which comply with the correct storage criteria depending on the goods.
  • Consumer law: The area of law that regulates the relationship between consumers and businesses providing goods or services, including consumer protection and regulations on irregular business practices.
  • Products coding system: Packaging codes and markings required to implement proper handling procedures for goods.
  • International import export regulations: Know the principles that govern the import and export of products and equipment, trade restrictions, health and safety measures, licenses, etc.
  • Packaging processes: Packaging design and development. Decorating and printing processes executed in packaging. Packaging machinery and line operations.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of weights and measures inspector. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Weigh shipments: Weigh shipments and calculate the maximum weights and dimensions, per package or per item, for each consignment.
  • Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
  • Protect client interests: Protect the interests and needs of a client by taking necessary actions, and researching all possibilities, to ensure that the client obtains their favoured outcome.
  • Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
  • Monitor packaging operations: Observe and supervise the packaging operations undertaken by the workers for compliance to production requirements. Check products for proper packaging such as labelling and date coding in order to ensure appropriate and safe transportation.
  • Conduct workplace audits: Conduct work site audits and inspections in order to ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Identify preventive actions: Anticipate situations that could be damaging to the workplace and the processes undergone there by drawing attention to possible undesired outcomes and suggesting preventive actions.
  • Gather feedback from employees: Communicate in an open and positive manner in order to assess levels of satisfaction with employees, their outlook on the work environment, and in order to identify problems and devise solutions.
  • Assess quality of services: Test and compare various goods and services in order to assess their quality and to give detailed information to consumers.
  • Ensure compliance with shipment regulations: Ensure compliance with shipment laws, regulations and policies; keep shipments secure and damage free; ensure the safety of staff members handling the cargo.
  • Respond to enquiries: Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
  • Provide advice on breaches of regulation: Advise on preventive and corrective actions; correct any breaches of or non-compliance with legal regulations.
  • Identify improvement actions: Realise possible improvements for processes to increase productivity, improve efficiency, increase quality, and streamline procedures.
  • Identify damaged goods before shipment: Identify damaged goods before packaging and shipping following established procedures.
  • Differentiate types of packages: Identify and differentiate different kinds of mail items and packages to be delivered. Consider their differences to foresee the necessary tools required for delivery.

ISCO group and title

3359 – Regulatory government associate professionals not elsewhere classified


References
  1. Weights and measures inspector – ESCO
  2. Weights & Measures Inspector | Careers Database | CareerHQ
  3. Featured image: By Seattle Municipal Archives from Seattle, WA – Seattle Municipal Archives, CC BY 2.0
Last updated on February 1, 2023

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