When choosing industrial or transport scales, many businesses are tempted by a lower price. Suppliers from Poland or other Eastern European countries are becoming especially popular. But is it really a savings? At first glance, yes. However, in reality, cheaper equipment often costs more – not in money, but in time, nerves and risk.
Certificates are not a decoration, but a necessity
If scales are used in trade, logistics, production or anywhere else where data is used for billing or reporting, they must have legal metrological verification . This means:
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CE conformity according to Directive 2014/31/EU
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OIML R76 certification by scale class
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Marking with the letter M and annual inspection stickers
Some foreign manufacturers (especially cheap models) do not have such certificates or use only their own domestic certification , which is not recognized in Lithuania. The consequence? The scales cannot be used legally , and there is a risk of fines or business suspension.
Poor quality of platforms
Visually, all car platforms may look similar – metal structure, ramp, painted surface. But in reality, the difference is enormous.
Poor quality products have the following problems:
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Thin metal construction , not resistant to deformation
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Poor painting – paint peels off after the first season, brown spots appear
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Unpolished welds that interfere with accurate weighing
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No impact resistance (especially from forklift or truck wheels)
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Deceptive design – looks neat from a distance, but the internal structure is weak
There are often cases when the platform cracks or even breaks within the first 6 months of use , and there is simply no warranty service... The only solution is to buy a new one.
What will you do when you need service?
When your scales break down, it's important to have fast, local service . However, when purchasing equipment from abroad:
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Spare parts can travel for weeks
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Factories often do not have a representative office in Lithuania.
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No one calibrates or re-certifies the scales
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Documentation is often missing or only in Polish
Customers working with KEMEK have Lithuanian prompt service , tested spare parts and certified metrologists who ensure that the equipment always operates accurately and legally.
The real price: hidden costs
Cheap scales | What could it mean? |
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Without CE/OIML certificate | Not permitted for commercial use |
No calibration | Readings are inaccurate, risk of financial losses |
No local service | Long troubleshooting time |
Unknown manufacturer | No spare parts, no warranty |
How to avoid risks?
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Ask about certificates. Not just the CE sticker – but also declarations of conformity, OIML certificates, and verification marks.
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Require a metrological verification certificate.
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Choose a supplier that has service in Lithuania.
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Ask who will take care of the calibration in a year.
Scales need to be not only purchased, but also maintained
KEMEK Engineering has been working with weighing solutions for more than 30 years, which comply with EU requirements , have all legalization certificates , and most importantly, ensure that the customer always receives the correct weighing result .
Do you have any questions? Contact us – our metrologists and engineers are ready to help you from A to Z.