NMI's trade measurement inspectors regularly check that things such as fuel and food are measured correctly in Australia, so you get what you pay for.
The new compliance with measurement regulation report shows NMI is continuing to work hard to keep businesses honest. NMI audited 5,152 traders last financial year. NMI's inspectors found that, at the initial audit, 71% were following the rules, which is 3% better than last year. Where businesses broke the rules, NMI sent out 1,520 non-compliance notices and collected $65,100 in fines. NMI also checked equipment such as scales and fuel pumps to make sure they're accurate.
Helping to reduce the cost of living
As things get more expensive, NMI checked items that matter most to families to help counter the increasing cost of living. Of the bakeries audited, we found 78% were measuring bread and baked goods correctly. Monitoring the fuel industry remained another key compliance activity. Inspectors visited 2,613 retail fuel dispensers and found over 90% to be delivering the right amount of fuel.
Where there were differences, they were generally minor and more often favoured the consumer. In hardware and building supply stores, we found 73% of 459 businesses visited to be following measurement laws correctly.
When people complained about incorrect measurements, NMI trade measurement inspectors:
- visited 517 businesses
- tested nearly 1,200 measuring devices
- checked over 1,000 prepackaged products
- completed 63 trial purchases.
Overall, NMI checked 7,427 measuring instruments. Only 2% gave less than they should, to the consumer's disadvantage, while 5% gave a bit extra, to the consumer's advantage. Of the instruments checked, the most common problems were with gold and precious stone scales, bulk fuel meters and drink dispensers.
Most businesses fix mistakes quickly once NMI lets them know.
