Average Weight

Average weight systems which ensure packages contain, on average, at least the stipulated weight printed on the package according to regulations. The regulations apply to most goods which are pre-packed in pre-determined quantities by weight or volume, including most foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs.

What does it mean to run average weight?

Where your product has an e mark, it is a legal requirement that you meet the average weight rules and be able to prove (through records) that you have done so. The average weight rules are split into what they call the ‘3 packers rules’.  If trading standards were to visit you, they would want to see evidence of your compliance all 3 packers rules.  Generally customers usually meet the average weight rule, but forget to comply with the other two rules.

The 3 packers rules are:

• The average of the batch must be at least the nominal weight
• There must be no more than 2.5% T1s
• There must be no T2s in the batch

It sounds complicated and it is a little, but there are 2 really important points to understand first:

• You must define what you mean by a ‘batch’
• You have to work out what sample size to apply

Defining A Batch

It’s important that you understand what ‘a batch’ is, as there are a few rules around what can be defined as a batch.

A batch must be:

• The same product (recipe and weight)
• Made on the same day
• Made in the same place (line)
• From one production run
• Be no more than 10,000 units
• When checks are carried out at the end of the line, the maximum number for a batch is the hourly throughput

Calculating Sample Size 

Once you have established the batch, you must work out how many samples are required to be assessed per batch.

The legislation states that the sampling rate must be at least 50 packs per 10,000 packs produced, the minimum time to produce 10,000 packs is 1 hour and the maximum allowed is 1 day. Here’s a guide:

• If you make less than 10,000 units per day, then you must sample 50 units across your run.
• If you make more than 10,000 units per day, you need sample 50 packs from each 10,000 units made.
• So if your throughput was 10,000 units per hour you would need to sample 50 packs per hour.
• If your throughput is 30,000 units per hour, then you’d need to sample 50 packs every 20 minutes (1 hour divided by 3).

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