Trading Standards and General Practice: Understanding Your Responsibilities

Trading Standards, a department within the Local Authority, is one of the many regulatory bodies with the authority to inspect General Practice settings. Their role extends beyond consumer protection and fair trading; they also have a duty to ensure compliance with legislation that directly impacts healthcare providers.

One key area of enforcement is the Weights and Measures Act 1985, along with its associated regulations. This legislation governs the accuracy and suitability of weighing equipment used in various sectors, including healthcare.

Since 1st January 2003, when the Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2003 came into full effect, all weighing scales used within medical settings—including GP practices—must comply with statutory weights and measures requirements. This means that any weighing scale used for:

• Medical diagnosis
• Patient monitoring
• Treatment planning

must meet strict accuracy standards and be appropriately calibrated.

What This Means for GP Practices

1. Compliance Checks

Trading Standards officers have the right to inspect weighing equipment to ensure it is legally compliant and correctly calibrated. Non-compliance could result in enforcement action, including fines or formal notices requiring corrective action.

2. Regular Calibration

To maintain compliance, GP practices must ensure their weighing scales are:

• • Regularly serviced and calibrated by an accredited provider.
  • Checked for accuracy following any relocation or suspected damage.
  • Accompanied by a valid calibration certificate demonstrating compliance.

3. Medical Use Classification

Weighing scales used for medical purposes should be Class III approved and bear the appropriate CE or UKCA marking to confirm compliance with medical device regulations.

4. Staff Awareness

Practice staff should:

• • Understand the importance of using correctly calibrated equipment.
  • Be trained to identify any signs of weighing scale inaccuracies.
  • Report any suspected faults or discrepancies immediately.

How to Arrange Inspections and Calibration Services

• Contact Your Local Trading Standards Office

  • If you need guidance on compliance or wish to arrange an inspection, you can contact your Local Authority’s Trading Standards department.
  • Visit the UK Government website or your local council’s website for contact details.

• Use an Accredited Calibration Service Provider

  • Ensure calibration is carried out by a UK Weighing Federation (UKWF) accredited or ISO 17025-certified provider.
  • Many suppliers of medical weighing equipment offer calibration services—check your existing provider’s support options.
  • Maintain calibration records as evidence of compliance during inspections.

• Self-Checks Between Servicing

  • Regularly test scales using a known weight to check for any discrepancies.
  • Look for signs of wear, such as erratic readings or a failure to reset correctly.

Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in legal consequences and impact patient care by providing inaccurate weight readings, potentially affecting diagnoses and treatment decisions.

For further support, contact your Local Medical Committee (LMC), NHS Estates Team, or Trading Standards Office for up-to-date guidance.