Rwanda Bureau of Standards’ recent move to introduce new weighing scales is timely and warranted in order to protect the interests of the consumer who often find themselves short-weighted on their purchases.There is no denying that there are widespread malpractices in weighing of commodities sold to consumers in the market. The weighing scales used in the markets spread countrywide are often adjusted to suit the traders often leading into consumers not getting value for the goods they purchase hence the importance of the new standard weighing scale regime. The resultant disparity in the weight of the commodity may be invisible to the eyes of gullible customers but it definitely results in the product weighing less than the intended weight. Even worse, by the time the customers discover the fraud, usually after reaching the kitchen, it is word by word - ‘too little too late’.This often makes the relationship between consumer and provider to be fraught with mistrust. The new weighing equipment is reportedly accurate and tamper-proof which undeniably safeguards the rights of the consumer with the weight readings spot-on.However, traders similarly raise a pertinent issue regarding the pricing of the newly recommended weighing scales with the cost of the controversial scales going for Rwf185,000 each, for the larger version, and Rwf 60,000 for the smaller ones, which may end up hurting many of the traders who may not afford the recommended equipment. here is certainly a need to listen to lend an ear to their complaints and put into consideration some of their recommendations. However, to most small traders, the price of the new weighing scale may affect their business, hence the need to reach a comprise on the raging debate.
