Yes, scales do have an important role to play on the defence of consumer rights. Weighing is present throughout all moments, from production to commercialization of articles, contributing not only to calculate the price but to guarantee the products’ quality as well.
At first sight, the relationship between scales and consumer rights might not be clear. But weighing is definitely an essential process to the defence of consumer rights.
Whether on the development or production phase, products are weighed to ensure each one presents the expected parameters, not only in terms of weight, but also in terms of quality and quantity.
Which means scales contribute in several ways to the protection of the consumer, specially of their rights to:
• Quality of goods and services
One of the consumer rights dictates that goods and services meant for consumption should fulfil the goals they are meant for and meet expectations.
And scales can help defend this same right. As instruments used during products’ packaging, for example, pieces-counting scales assure each package brings the expected quantity. This way, you can be sure that the package of screws you bought brings the amount you need and for which you paid.
• Health protection and physical safety
Another one of the fundamental consumer rights has the purpose of protecting your health and safety, forbidding the supply of products that present “risks incompatible with their use”.
And scales have a role to play here too. Industrial food products need to follow some rules and the exact recipes to make sure they reach the consumer in their better conditions and to respect the expiration date. Weighing instruments are, therefore, used on the production to weigh each ingredient and check the whole process goes according to plan. Which, for you, means more safety when it comes to food.
• Protection of economic interests
Consumer rights also include a reference to the protection of your economic interests, defending them, for example, of disloyal commercial practices.
And scales are there to guarantee it. With norms to regulate their use, weighing instruments in commercial spaces exist to weigh with precision the products you take home. As such, you can trust your fruit bag contains exactly the weight which you paid for.
So, you can now attest scales really have a protective function in several areas of your life, defending your rights as consumer.
