The Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) in accordance with Section 30 of the Metrology Act (No. 10 of 2016), hereby informs all importers, distributors, and retailers of weighing instruments of the enforcement of the Metrology (Prohibition of Importation, Sale, or Use of Certain Types of Weighing Instruments) Order, 2021. This regulation was published in the Malawi Gazette Supplement on 19th February 2021 (Government Notice No. 8).
Effective immediately, the importation, sale, and use of the following types of weighing instruments are strictly prohibited:
- Small face dial/chart spring scales or suspended weighers with a diameter of 17 cm or below.
- Spring scales (suspended or counter type) equipped with a hand-operated knob.
- Spring scales with a balancing range exceeding 1% of the instrument’s capacity.
- Tubular spring scales.
- Open beranger counter scales.
- Class IIII weighing instruments.
Any person found importing, selling, or using prohibited weighing instruments commits an offense and shall, upon conviction, be liable to:
- A fine of K500,000.00.
- Seizure of prohibited instruments by authorized officers.
To ensure compliance with the law, all stakeholders must take the following steps immediately:
- Importers must halt all orders, shipments, and transactions involving prohibited weighing instruments.
- Retailers and distributors must review existing inventory and discontinue sales of non-compliant instruments.
- Non-compliant stock must be surrendered to the Malawi Bureau of Standards for lawful disposal.
For more information, please contact:
The Director General
Malawi Bureau of Standards
P.O. Box 946
BLANTYRE
Email: mbs@mbsmw.org
Tel: +265 887 376 444