The Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) encourages gas vendors to use calibrated weighing scales that meet quality standards to ensure reliable measurements, prevent business errors, and safeguard consumer safety. Vendors are required to use the ‘tare weight verification’ service, where the weight of the gas cylinder is placed on the scale, and the weight of the cylinder itself is subtracted, leaving only the weight of the gas. This system aims to reduce mistakes in business transactions and ensure that consumers receive products that meet the required standards.
Emmanueline Irizerwa, Director at National Metrology Services Division at RSB, explains that gas is widely used in Rwanda, and it is crucial to measure its weight accurately to ensure that the weight marked on the cylinder corresponds with what the customer is purchasing. This helps avoid disputes between buyers and sellers and mitigates problems caused by discrepancies in the product being sold. Irizerwa stated: “Here, we check that the weight on the gas cylinder truly reflects what is marked on it, to prevent issues in business and ensure that customers receive exactly what they asked for.”
Irizerwa also highlighted the potential risks associated with adding extra gas into cylinders, which can lead to serious safety hazards such as gas explosions. She explained that the policy of using calibrated weighing scales aims to prevent such risks, saying: “If too much gas is added, it can lead to numerous consequences, including explosions. That’s why proper measurements and standards are necessary to avoid such dangers.”
Celestin Murinzi, the manager of a gas station in Rubisi, Karongi, emphasized the importance of weighing gas before customers take it. He mentioned that this helps prevent problems where customers might return claiming their gas is underweight. Murinzi said: “Whenever a customer comes to collect gas, we first weigh it for them. Even if they don’t request it, we do it as a precaution, because someone could leave saying their gas wasn’t properly measured. Once they’ve seen the weight, they cannot come back and claim it’s incorrect.”
Placide Kabalisa,employee in the National Metrology Services Division, reminded gas vendors that they are required to use properly calibrated scales. He explained: “According to the standards, selling products that don’t meet the required weight is punishable by law. If there is an issue, we conduct checks to confirm the accuracy of the measurement, and vendors found at fault are subject to penalties.” Kabalisa further clarified that consumers have the right to verify the weight of their gas and can reject it if it does not meet the required specifications, stating: “As per the law, consumers are entitled to refuse gas that doesn’t meet the correct measurements, and vendors who violate these standards may face legal consequences.”
RSB encourages the use of accurate weighing scales to ensure the sale of products that meet the correct standards, as required by the law. Each year, vendors are required to check that their scales are still certified by RSB, as the certification sticker is valid for one year, ensuring that the quality of measurements is continuously monitored
