FOR MORE INFORMATION

1 Instruments must:n be of a type approved by the NMI and legal for trade usen be verified by a servicing licensee before they are usedn register zero before they are usedn be properly installed and appropriate for the intended usen be used correctly by staff adequately trained in their correct more on approved measuring instruments, verification and servicing licensees see the NMI website. REGULATING THE SALE OF FIREWOODThe NMI employs inspectors throughout Australia. The role of inspectors is to:n ensure that all measuring instruments used for trade are appropriate for the intended use, verified and used correctlyn monitor the verification activities of servicing licenseesn check prepackages for correct packer identification, measurement markings and accurate measuren investigate complaints and resolve problems with trade measurement mattersn issue infringement notices or take prosecution action where there have been breaches of the Road, Lindfield, NSW 2070PO Box 264, Lindfield, NSW 2070 Telephone: 1300 686 664 Facsimile: (61 2) 8467 3715 Email: purpose of this publication is to provide you with general INFORMATION only and should not be relied upon for any legal, business or personal purpose.

2 Nothing in this publication shall be taken in any way to replace the provisions of the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth), the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth) and any other legislative instruments made pursuant to the National Measurement Act 1960. FOR MORE INFORMATION ..See the NMI website The main laws covering trade measurement in Australia are the National Measurement Act 1960 and the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009. For offences and penalties regarding the use of measuring instruments for trade and shortfall provisions, see the following sections of the Act:n Section 18HC Certain articles must be sold by measurementn Section 18GA Measuring instruments used for trade to be verifiedn Section 18GD Inaccurate use of measuring instrumentsn Section 18KD Shortfall Measurement it all adds up!TM F 07/2010 GUIDE TO THE SALE OF FIREWOOD GUIDE TO THE SALE OF FIREWOODTRADE MEASUREMENTThe National Measurement Institute (NMI) is Australia s peak measurement organisation, a division of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research in the Australian Government.

3 The NMI is responsible for maintaining the primary standards of measurement and providing the legal and technical framework for the dissemination of measurement standards. The trade measurement laws administered by the NMI cover: n the definition of the legal units of measurementn the use of measuring instruments for traden testing and verification of these measuring instruments n transactions by measurementn pre-packed articles (or prepackages)n licensing of the businesses that verify trade measuring instruments (these are known as servicing licensees)n licensing of public weighbridges. SELLING FIREWOODF irewood can be sold by:n weight n volume, orn BY WEIGHTIf you are selling wood by weight it must be measured in tonnes (t) or kilograms (kg). When a weighing instrument is used, the instrument must be verified as accurate by a servicing licensee or trade measurement the net weight of the wood (excluding any container, trailer, ropes etc) can be you deliver to more than one customer at a time, each load should be kept separate and each customer given a delivery docket stating the weight of the wood BY VOLUMEYou may also sell firewood by the cubic metre (m3).

4 When measuring the volume of the firewood, it should be neatly stacked with as few gaps as possible (not thrown together randomly).Where firewood is sold by volume, if a measuring instrument is used the instrument must:n be a type approved by the NMI (shown by an attached NMI approval number)n be accuraten have been tested and marked by a servicing licensee or an NMI typical measuring instrument for measurement by volume would be a one-metre folding rule with metal-tipped ends, or a measuring tape. To calculate the volume of a stack of firewood, multiply the length of the stack by the width of the stack by the height of the stack (in metres). This will give you the volume in cubic in m3 = (width) m x (height) m x (length) BETWEEN VOLUME AND WEIGHTAs a seller you need to be wary of making assumptions or claims about the particular weight of a measured volume of wood, or the particular volume of a measured weight of wood.

5 Such calculations can be unreliable due to varying wood densities, moisture content and differing amounts of free space when the wood is stacked. Any claims about actual weight or volume need to be correct. Incorrect conversion assumptions are not a defence in a case of short BY LOTYou can also sell firewood by the lot as a:n stackn trailer load, or n truck load. If you use this method to sell firewood you cannot make any reference to the weight or volume of the lot. If you wish to refer to weight or volume, the sale must comply with the requirements of a sale by weight or THE BUYER IS NOT PRESENTIf the buyer is not present at the time of measurement, or doesn t have a clear and unobstructed view when the firewood is measured or weighed, an invoice or delivery note must be given at the time of delivery. This invoice must state the true measurement of the FIREWOODIf you are selling firewood or kindling in pre-packaged quantities, you must state on the outside of the package:n the net measurement of the wood in the package (eg 25 kg)n the full name and street address of the packer (if not sold on the same premises where is packed), or the person for whom it was packed.

6 The address given cannot be a post office box, an email address or phone number. The name and address of the packer must be clear and legible. Prepackages must not contain less than the stated amount at all times prior to sale. For more INFORMATION on pre-packaged items see our Guide to the sale of pre-packaged goods. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIESIf you are selling firewood by weight or volume, you are responsible for the accuracy of your measuring instruments.