Weighing Balance and Scale Verification

Does this situation sound familiar? As a production manager, you must ensure that all your scales are proven to be accurate enough for precise formulations, but you're not sure how to do that. Or as a lab manager for a quality control lab, you must define quality assurance processes, but how can you ensure the consistent quality you need? In both cases, it's a challenge to correctly interpret and implement weighing guidelines and regulations. So you ask yourself, how can I set up an effective and efficient quality assurance plan for weighing? What is part of such a quality assurance plan for balances and scales? Regardless of whether you operate in a regulated or non-regulated environment, the process begins by defining the following elements: standard operating procedures, records and documentation, training, quality control checks, performance verification, Instrument calibration and recalibration, preventive maintenance and routine testing. The final three points, which focus on the routine operation of your balances or scales, are difficult to define, but crucial to ensure trustworthy weighing results over your device's lifetime. This is where our concrete quality assurance plan comes in. Now, let's define the benefits of a quality assurance plan for a balance or scale. The most obvious is compliance, because for certain industries, it is a legal requirement based on GMP, USP, European Pharmacopeia, or similar. Further, it is important to ensure quality in production and laboratories to reduce costs associated with waste, rework, recalls, and overfilling. Even though it does take time to set up and perform quality assurance procedures, a well-designed quality assurance plan can actually save time and effort in the long run. But how should you define your proper procedures without having to become an expert in metrology? To help you with this, we offer the GWP Verification, a risk-based analysis of your balance or scale's performance. GWP Verification gives you recommendations regarding calibration and service frequency to be performed by a service technician, routine testing plan to be performed by the user, and a fit-for-purpose check on your device's performance. The definition of a quality assurance plan is dependent on the criticality of a weighing result. The risk level is determined by how serious the impact of a wrong weighing result is and how likely such an impact is to happen. This GWP verification risk assessment of the weighing process leads directly to a concrete routine testing and recalibration action plan. This routine testing plan includes the test frequency, meaning how often you should perform the tests, test methods, Meaning which tests you need to perform. Test weights, as in which are the correct weights for these tests. And test tolerances, meaning clearly defined limits to verify if your test results are sufficient. A GWP verification provides you with all these details and can be used as reference for your next audit. But that's not all. The GWP verification also provides a fit for purpose assessment of your weighing device. Based on your weighing performance and process, is the accuracy of your balance or scale fit for its intended use and able to deliver the results you need? The GWP Verification can help you find the answer to this question for any new or existing weighing devices from any manufacturer in any industry or workplace. For clear answers to unclear requirements and regulations and weighing results you can trust, request a GWP Verification and get your concrete quality assurance plan now.

Are you sure your balance or scale is performing as it should? Could you document its performance if you had to? In this video, we'll talk about the routine testing of your balance or scale. You'll learn what routine testing is, why it's necessary, and how to do it right. First, let's look at what routine testing actually is. Imagine your balance or scale is a car. As a responsible car owner, you have regularly scheduled service appointments with a mechanic to help keep your car running well. Are you sure your weighing equipment is performing as it should? Could you document it if you need to? In this video by METTLER TOLEDO, you will learn about the routine testing of balances or scales and the answers to common questions such as: What is routine testing? Why is it necessary? How can it be done correctly? Over time, the performance of your weighing device can change. By testing routinely, you can make sure your weighing results remain accurate. Learn more about how to perform successful routine testing. Click the link below to find out more about GWP-Verification: https://www.mt.com/global/en/home/library/laboratory-weighing/Good-Weighing-Practice/verification-of-good-weighing.html?cmp=smo_GLO_YT_LAB_OTH_Youtube_LAB_zs3Y0w0hh3w Over time, the performance of your weighing device can change due to environmental influences, wear and tear, and other damage that's not visible. Routine testing checks to ensure that the device continues to perform accurately enough based on your needs until your next calibration. What is the right way to test a weighing device? There are four pillars that influence the routine testing of any weighing device. They are test frequency, test methods, test weights, and test tolerances. User training is also a key factor and forms the basis for the success of your routine testing program. First, let's take a closer look at what test frequency entails. How often do you need to perform your tests? The frequency will increase depending on the risks that are a part of your weighing process and how those risks could affect results. If the risk to accuracy, your process, or your product quality is high, you will need to perform testing more frequently. The second pillar involves your test methods. To verify the performance of your weighing device, there are three different tests that need to be run. Sensitivity tests are quick and simple. Sensitivity is measured by comparing the indicated value to the reference weight value. This is performed by placing a calibrated test weight on your balance or scale. The repeatability test checks the ability of a balance or scale to supply the same result with repeated weighings using the same load under the same conditions. It's usually measured by 6 to 10 consecutive measurements. A standard deviation is then calculated. Repeatability tests are usually done less frequently than sensitivity tests. However, they are important, especially when measuring small samples. The eccentricity test checks the corners of your balance or scale. Is there a difference in the indicated weight depending on where you place the load on the weighing pan? For each of these three tests, we offer SOPs, standard operating procedures, that you can download for free. They guide you through each of these test methods in detail. You learn how to perform these tests and assess the results. Now, let's look at the third pillar, choosing and using correct test weights based on your device, your process, and standard operating procedures. Good weighing practice, Mettler Toledo's global weighing standard, specifies that you only need two test weights for the routine testing of a balance or scale. This reduced requirement can simplify and optimize your testing efforts, while saving you a considerable amount of time and money. A smaller weight is needed for repeatability tests, typically about 5% of your device's capacity, and a larger weight is needed for sensitivity and eccentricity tests. And finally, let's review test tolerances, the fourth pillar of an effective balance testing program. Routine testing tells you whether or not your balance or scale is performing accurately enough. To have a clear pass or fail result, you need to define testing tolerances. GWP offers three levels of performance verification based on the concept of tolerance. The first level, in green, means the device performs within your predefined tolerances. The second level is a warning limit. This indication in yellow means that the device is not out of tolerance yet, but the safety margin has decreased. The balance or scale can still be used, but Mettler Toledo should be contacted. The control limit in red specifies when the device is out of tolerance and no longer fit for purpose. In this case, the balance or scale must be taken out of operation. Contact Mettler Toledo for a calibration and to assess the next steps. Keep in mind that the results of your routine testing depend on proper user training. This essential component should also be documented for audit purposes. Congratulations! You're now familiar with the four pillars of a robust and effective routine testing program. If you need help determining your necessary test frequency, which tests you should perform, and which weights you should use, Good Weighing Practice offers the GWP Verification Service. This easy-to-apply service answers these questions for your specific case, based on your requirements and your assessed risk. On selected Mettler Toledo weighing devices, a routine testing program is pre-installed. For more information on whether these devices are right for your process, contact us. Thank you for watching. We hope we can support you as you work to achieve accurate weighing results.