Does your scale comply with the law? If you use weighing instruments to sell to the public, invoice by weight, or in regulated healthcare, pharmaceutical, or industrial processes, legal verification of scales (also known as State metrological control) is not optional: it is mandatory. In this guide, we explain what it entails, when it applies, how often it should be done, the risks of non-compliance, and how, at DeProdeCa, we help you always stay in compliance.
What is legal verification of scales?
Legal verification of scales is a mandatory process in which an accredited control body checks that a weighing instrument measures within the Maximum Permissible Errors (MPE) established by legislation. Its purpose is to guarantee reliable and traceable measurements and to protect both consumers and businesses in any weight-based operation.
Verification is not the same as calibration
It's very common to confuse them, but they are different:
- Calibration: determines and documents the measurement errors of the equipment. It is voluntary (unless your quality system requires it).
- Legal verification: officially certifies that these errors are within legal limits. It is mandatory by regulation.
Legal framework: Spanish and European regulations
The use of weighing instruments subject to metrological control is regulated by:
In Spain
- Order ICT/155/2020, of February 7, on State metrological control.
- Updated by Order ITU/1475/2024.
- Royal Decree 244/2016 (and its subsequent update, RD 249/2025).
In the European Union
- Directive 2014/31/EU — non-automatic weighing instruments (most commercial and industrial scales).
- Directive 2014/32/EU — automatic weighing instruments.
The 3 phases of verification
- Initial verification (primitive): carried out before a new piece of equipment is put into service (conformity assessment modules F / F1 / G). This is usually covered by the manufacturer's CE-M marking.
- Periodic verification: repeated regularly throughout the instrument's useful life; generally, every 2 years.
- Verification after repair or modification: mandatory whenever the equipment is repaired or the control seals are broken.
When is it mandatory?
Your scales must be verified if you use them for:
- Direct sales to the public (supermarkets, greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers...).
- Commercial transactions by weight between companies.
- Transport and logistics (invoicing by weight, load control).
- Healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Official, expert, or fee application processes.
How often should verification be done?
The general frequency is biennial (every two years), in addition to mandatory verification after any repair or breaking of seals. Keeping these verifications up to date avoids penalties and, above all, ensures that your measurements have legal validity.
What instruments are affected?
- Automatic and non-automatic scales and weighing instruments.
- Automatic checkweighers.
- Gravimetric filling instruments.
- Discontinuous and continuous totalizers.
- Weighbridges and railway scales.
What happens if I don't comply?
Using an unverified weighing instrument in a regulated activity can lead to administrative penalties, immobilization of the equipment, and the legal invalidity of the measurements made. In a sector where weight is the basis of invoicing, this translates into economic and reputational risk.
At DeProdeCa, we help you comply
We are specialists in industrial weighing equipment and have our own technical service (SAT). We help you to:
- Choose approved scales (CE-M / MID), ready for verification.
- Coordinate the periodic verification of your equipment.
- Repair and reverify instruments after a breakdown.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from an accredited metrological control body. Regulations may be updated; consult us for your specific case.