The practical application and ethical aspects
By now it should be amply clear that the load cell(s) used in a weighing scale should be able to deliver the accuracy in terms number of divisions, equal to or better than weighing scale divisions, to achieve desired accuracy.
Taking an example for a weighbridge of 50 t x 10 kg (i.e. 50000/10 = 5000 divisions), the load cell should be at least accurate and certified to 5000 divisions (OIML R-60 C5) or higher accuracy class. Similarly a platform scale of 60 kg x 20 g (i.e. 60000/20 = 3000 divisions) should be using a load cell certified for 3000 divisions (OIML R-60 C3) or higher.
Unfortunately the Indian Legal metrology, despite following OIML guidelines, is yet to specify rules for load cell certification. As a result, the market is brimming with cheap weighing scales using unapproved load cells and the least count of scale being often projected as ‘accuracy’.
However, companies in India with global standards and ethical practices, use OIML approved load cells for weighbridge applications corresponding to accuracy classes of scales manufactured by them.