Legal Metrology Act, 2014 (Act No. 9 of 2014)RegulationsLegal Metrology Regulations, 2017Part XIII : Distinctive Marks135. Protective mark |
| (1) | Protective marks are applied to prohibit unauthorised or unlawful access to the measuring instrument or any adjustment devices that may influence the measurement results with the view to negating the chance of fraudulent transactions taking place. |
| (2) | A protective mark can either be in the form of a stamp, seal or a sticker. |
| (3) | A protective mark must comply with the following criteria: |
| (a) | If in the form of a seal or stamp, it must not be possible to remove the seal or stamp without damaging it to the extent that it can’t be reused, and must clearly identify— |
| (i) | name, or abbreviated name or logo of body applying the protective mark; |
| (ii) | year when seal is applied; and |
| (iii) | verification officer or repairer number; |
| (b) | if in the form of a sticker it must be clearly marked with— |
| (i) | the words "seal" or "protective mark" to differentiate it from a verification mark; |
| (ii) | the words "Certification void when broken"; |
| (iii) | name or logo of body applying the protective mark; |
| (iv) | date when seal is applied; and |
| (v) | verification officer or repairer number. |
| (c) | a sticker must not be removable from the instrument without physical damage to the sticker and the same sticker should not be re-usable. |
| (4) | A protective mark meeting the criteria subregulation (3) is not a verification mark and must not be used as such. |
| (5) | Protective marks in the form of a sticker must be approved during the type approval of the instrument and the position of application on the instrument must be described in the type approval documentation. |
| (6) | Where designated verification or repair bodies want to apply protective marks in the form of a sticker on instruments, the designated verification or repair body must submit the design and application of the protective mark to the National Regulator. |