Do we need to calibrate our scale tare weights annually?
Hello! A slight segue from this topic: We are an SQF certified facility and we DO calibrate our scales annually. But my question is, do we need to calibrated our scale tare weights annually? The last place I worked for was BRC certified and they only calibrated the scales but I have noticed that the facility I now work for has been calibrating theirs. We only have the one (which we have sent of for third party calibration testing) which affects our normal practice of calibrating the scales we use daily because we now don't have one in house (I am requesting to have a second one as a back up/replacement). I was reading CFR as well as the SQF code and it doesn't specifically state it anywhere that we need to calibrate what we use to calibrate the scales, just that we need to calibrate scales annually to a nationally recognized standard and have records. Any guidance would be much appreciated!
Two things to double check that I can think of offhand:
- Does the nationally recognized standard have a requirement for calibrations on the calibration unit (the one you are using to calibrate the others)
- Does the manufacturer of the calibration unit (the one you are using to calibrate the others) have a calibration requirement to meet the NIST standards
I don't think the CFR or the SQF code would call out specific schedules, only that you have to meet the requirements (which you would get from the above two sources).
Just to muddy the waters a bit further.............if these scales are NOT used for trade (i.e. you do not use these scales to weigh or verify the weights of final products) but for batching up, then there is ZERO requirement for them to be calibrated............i am not suggesting you do not have them calibrated just saying you are not out of compliance one way or the other in this particular scenario
If they are used for trade than you MUST have annual recertifications done by 3rd party and I would suggest weekly/daily/monthly in house verification depending on how much they are used and to what decimal point you are using them
FYI certified weights are VERY expensive and unless you talking about pharma, IMHO not worth the $$
Scales are governed by Trade standards-----calibration of them is to ensure consumers/customers are getting what they pay for....no more and no less
Hello orchidhaghighi,
I would suggest that you get the tare weights calibrated, just to be safe. We got dinged for calibration on our last audit a few weeks ago. We were doing in house calibrations quarterly on our scales however, the auditor did not accept it and said that calibration certifications were required. :dunno:
In house calibrations will never be enough as we are not trained to do so. And if what your doing is looking known weights against the scale display, then that is a verification (which is still good to do) but not a calibration
Just a reminder that the parent (scale) thread for this current one (certification of weights used for scale calibration) was here -
https://www.ifsqn.co...nt/#entry146607
In practice "Calibration" can cover a large body of Procedures ranging from detailed, metrological studies to the simple action of placing a traceably certified weight on a balance, noting the deviation and deciding whether balance is in "acceptable" agreement or not. The choice IMO will depend on the specific case, eg risk assessment and what the Standard (not the Auditor) says.
If the Standard is ambiguous, interpretations may be challenged.
IMEX, use of annually, officially certified Master checkweights to generate internal sub-masters simplifies the exercise.