Media Release

21 April 2005

Ministry of Consumer Affairs works with business for good measure

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service (MAPSS) has recently approved a new one cubic metre (1m³) bin to measure mulch, bark chip and soil.

This is the first measure of this kind to be approved by MAPSS for use by a landscape and garden supply business, for the sale of these types of goods.

MAPSS has been working with Digworks, a Christchurch landscape and garden supplies business, to develop the one cubic metre (1m³) measure.  To allow for flexibility it can be also subdivided so a customer can purchase in 0.33m³, 0.66m³or 1m³ quantities.

This type of bin can also be used to measure other loose materials such as shingle, aggregate and firewood.

MAPSS worked closely with Digworks for about a year to design and develop the measure.  It was then manufactured by a Christchurch engineering company.

The measure was developed as a joint initiative between MAPSS and Digworks to deal with issues relating to the sale of landscaping product by volume.  It’s an example of MAPSS and businesses working together to make sure consumers get the correct amount of goods that they pay for.

“Traditionally loose materials and goods are sold by description, such as a trailer load or a scoop, often without the consumer knowing the exact quantity they were purchasing,” says Julian Crane, Measurement and Product Safety Officer.

“Customers must be confident that the quantity of goods they are receiving, when they buy by weight or measure, is accurate.  Having this type of measure available will ensure that they are receiving accurate measure.”

It is illegal for a business to say that, for example, a scoop equals approximately 0.3 of a cubic metre when they are not using an accurate method to measure the goods being sold.  Where a reference is made to a volume measurement there can be no approximation, it has to be correct.

To be approved, a measure must be built to a standard that will not facilitate fraud.  It is then tested and approved by MAPSS to ensure that the quantity statements are correct.  The measure is then stamped with a mark of verification confirming it can be used for trade as required under the Weights and Measures Act.

Any business wanting to build its own measure similar to the one Digworks developed should contact the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service on 0508 627 774."

Note - A photograph, in PDF format, of the approved measure is available on request from Julie Allan, Senior Communications Advisor, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, ph 04 470 2302 or email: julie.allan@mca.govt.nz