Veroval Intelligent Personal Scale User Manual

: June 3, 2024
: Veroval

Table of Contents

Intelligent Personal Scale
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Intelligent Personal Scale

scale

Dear customer

We are pleased that you have decided to purchase the intelligent scale from HARTMANN. The Veroval® scale is a quality product for optimal weight and
physical analysis.

Your weight is displayed in 100-gram increments. The scale is intended for personal use at home. The scale has the following analytical functions,
which can be used by up to 4 people:

• weight measurement,
• determination of body fat percentage,
• body water percentage,
• muscle percentage,
• bone mass and
• active metabolic rate.

This scale operates using the principle of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). An undetectable current is used to determine the body composition within seconds. By measuring the electrical resistance (impedance) and taking into account constants and individual values (age, height, sex, level of activity), the body fat percentage and other physical parameters can be determined.

The detachable display can be connected to a PC using the supplied USB cable. You can evaluate the measured values on a PC using the Veroval® medi. connect software.

We wish you all the best for your health.

Please read these instructions for use carefully before first use, as correctly measuring your weight and determining your body composition depends on proper handling of the scale. These instructions for use are designed to instruct you, from the very first steps, how to use the scale. You will be given important and useful hints to ensure that you obtain reliable results for your weight and your physical data. Use this scale in accordance with the information provided in the instructions for use. Please store these instructions carefully and ensure other users can access them.
Check that the outside of the package is undamaged and that the contents are complete.

Included in delivery:

• Intelligent scale (platform)
• Detachable display (control unit)
• 2 × 3V CR2032 button batteries (for the control unit)
• 3 × 1.5V AAA batteries (for the platform)
• USB cable
• Instructions for use with warranty certificate

1. Description of the scale and display

Scale
1 Magnetic mechanism for the detachable control unit
2 Electrodes

Detachable control unit
3 ON/OFF button
4 UP button
5 SET button
6 DOWN button
7 LCD display

8 USB port
9 Battery compartment
10 Magnetic holder
11 Base

Display
12 Time
13 Date
14 Battery symbol
15 Weight
16 Physical data
17 Memory mode
18 Ideal weight
19 Body fat percentage indicator
20 Sex

Physical data

Age = age in years
cm = height in cm
BMI = Body Mass Index
kcal = basal metabolic rate in kcal
BF = body fat in %
= body water in %
= muscle mass in %
= bone mass in kg, lb or st lb

Body fat percentage indicator

low = low body fat percentage
normal = normal body fat percentage
high = high body fat percentage
very high = very high body fat percentage

2. Important notes

Signs and symbols

Follow instructions for use
Please note
Dispose of in an environmentally responsible way
Dispose of in an environmentally responsible way
Symbol regarding electrical and electronic equipment labelling
Direct current
Declaration of conformity
LOT Batch number
Reference number
Cardboard recycling code
SN Serial number

Important information about use

The scale must not be used by people with active medical implants (e.g. a pacemaker).
The scale may negatively affect the function of these devices.
Not suitable for people with electrically conducting implants (e.g. artificial hip joints).
Do not use during pregnancy.
Do not stand on the outer edge of only one side of the scale (risk of tipping).
Keep packaging material out of the reach of children (risk of suffocation).
The scale is only intended for personal use at home, not for medical or commercial use.
Please note that for technical reasons there are tolerances in the measurements because this scale is not calibrated for professional medical use.
Place the scale on a level, solid surface and not on carpet or on a damp or wet floor. A solid floor covering is essential for correct measurement.
Do not stand on the scale with wet feet or socks (risk of slipping).
The minimum weight that can be measured is 5 kg.
The maximum capacity is 180 kg. A load greater than this may damage the scale.

Power supply (batteries)

Observe the polarity labels plus (+) and minus (-).
Only use high-quality batteries (see specification in Chapter 13 ‘Technical data’). If you use low-quality batteries, we can no longer guarantee the specified number of measurements.
Never mix old and new batteries or batteries from different manufacturers.
Remove empty batteries immediately.
Replace batteries if the battery symbol remains illuminated. The error messages Lo-1 (platform) or Lo-2 (control unit) indicate whether the batteries for the platform or control unit are low; see Chapter 8 ‘Error messages’.
Always replace all the batteries at the same time.
If you do not intend to use the scale for a longer period, you should remove the batteries to prevent possible leakage from the batteries.

Batteries

Choking hazard
Small children could swallow batteries and suffocate on them. Keep the packaging, batteries and the scale out of the reach of children.
Risk of explosion
Do not throw batteries into a fire.
Batteries must not be charged or short-circuited.
If a battery has leaked, wear protective gloves and clean the battery compartment with a dry cloth. If liquid from a battery cell comes into contact with skin or eyes, clean the affected area with water and seek medical attention if necessary.
Protect batteries from excessive heat.
Do not disassemble, open or crush batteries.

Safety information concerning the scale

The scale should be cleaned occasionally. Do not use any aggressive cleaners and never immerse the scale in water.
Ensure that no liquid ends up on the scale. Never immerse the scale in water. Never place the scale under running water.
Do not place any objects on the scale when it is not in use.
Protect the scale from bumps, moisture, dust, chemicals, large variations in temperature and proximity to heat sources (ovens, heaters). Do not press
the buttons with force or sharp objects.
Do not expose the scale to high temperatures or strong electromagnetic fields (e.g. mobile telephones).
Only use the scale for the purpose for which it is intended and in the manner described in these instructions for use. Any improper use may be dangerous
and lead to injuries.
Do not open or repair the scale yourself because otherwise faultless function cannot be guaranteed. If you do open or repair the scale, the warranty becomes void.

Disposal information

To protect our environment, empty batteries must not be disposed of in household waste. Please comply with the relevant waste disposal regulations or use public collection points.
This product is subject to the European Directive 2012/19/EU on Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment and is marked accordingly. Never dispose of electronic equipment in your household waste. Please obtain information about local regulations on the proper disposal of electrical and electronic products. Proper disposal protects the environment and human health.

3. Information about weight and physical analysis

The measurement principle
This scale operates using the principle of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). Your body composition is determined within seconds using this technique. By measuring the electrical resistance (impedance) and allowing for constants and individual values (age, height, sex, level of activity), the body fat percentage and other physical parameters can be determined. Muscle tissue and water have high conductivity and therefore a low resistance. Bone and fat, on the other hand, have low conductivity because the fat cells and bone tissue barely conduct any electricity because of their high resistance.

Please note that the values measured on the scale are only an indication of the real medical analytical values for your body. Only a specialist doctor can precisely determine the percentage of body fat, body water, muscle percentage and bone mass using medical methods (e.g. computed tomography).

General tips

It is best to weigh yourself at the same time of day (in the morning is best), after going to the toilet, before eating and without any clothing to
achieve comparable results.
What is important to note when weighing yourself is that your body fat can only be determined if you are barefoot, and the soles of your feet can be
slightly damp. Completely dry or severely calloused feet can lead to unsatisfactory results because their conductivity is too low.
Stand upright and still while weighing yourself.
Wait a few hours after unusual physical exertion.
Wait about 15 minutes after getting out of bed so that the water in your body is evenly distributed.
What is important is that only the long-term trend counts. Short-term weight variations within a few days are generally caused by loss of fluid; however,
body water is important for your well-being.

Assessing the measured values

Body fat percentage (BF)

The values for the body fat are shown on the display and assessed as ‘low’, ‘normal’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’ and depend on your age and sex. The per centage of body fat is normally within the following ranges (please contact your doctor for more information):

Male

|

low

|

Normal

|

high

|

very high

---|---|---|---|---

Age

|

low

|

normal

|

high

|

very high

10–14

|

<11

|

11–16

|

16.1–21

|

>21

15–19

|

<12

|

12–17

|

17.1–22

|

>22

20–29

|

<13

|

13–18

|

18.1–23

|

>23

30–39

|

<14

|

14–19

|

19.1-24

|

>24

40–49

|

<15

|

15–20

|

20.1–25

|

>25

50–59

|

<16

|

16–21

|

21.1–26

|

>26

60–69

|

<17

|

17–22

|

22.1–27

|

>27

70–100

|

<18

|

18–23

|

23.1–28

|

>28

Female

|

low

|

Normal

|

high

|

very high

---|---|---|---|---

Age

|

low

|

normal

|

high

|

very high

10–14

|

<16

|

16–21

|

21.1–26

|

>26

15–19

|

<17

|

17–22

|

22.1–27

|

>27

20–29

|

<18

|

18–23

|

23.1–28

|

>28

30–39

|

<19

|

19–24

|

24.1–29

|

>29

40–49

|

<20

|

20–25

|

25.1–30

|

>30

50–59

|

<21

|

21–26

|

26.1–31

|

>31

60–69

|

<22

|

22–27

|

27.1–32

|

>32

70–100

|

<23

|

23–28

|

28.1–33

|

>33

A lower value is often measured for athletes. Depending on the type of sport, the intensity of training and your physical constitution, values can be measured that are further below the guidelines indicated. Please note that there may be health risks associated with extremely low values.

Body water percentage

The percentage of body water is normally within the following ranges:

Male Female

low

|

normal

|

good

---|---|---

<50

|

50–65

|

>65

Muscle percentage

low

|

normal

|

good

---|---|---

<45

|

45–60

|

>60

The muscle percentage is normally within the following ranges: Male Female

Age

|

low

|

normal

|

high

---|---|---|---

10–14

|

<44

|

44–57

|

>57

15–19

|

<43

|

43–56

|

>56

20–29

|

<42

|

42–54

|

>54

30–39

|

<41

|

41–52

|

>52

40–49

|

<40

|

40–50

|

>50

50–59

|

<39

|

39–48

|

>48

60–69

|

<38

|

38–47

|

>47

70–100

|

<37

|

37–46

|

>46

Age

|

low

|

normal

|

high

---|---|---|---

10–14

|

<36

|

36–43

|

>43

15–19

|

<35

|

35–41

|

>41

20–29

|

<34

|

34–39

|

>39

30–39

|

<33

|

33–38

|

>38

40–49

|

<31

|

31–36

|

>36

50–59

|

<29

|

29–34

|

>34

60–69

|

<28

|

28–33

|

>33

70–100

|

<27

|

27–32

|

>32

Bone mass

Like the rest of our body, our bones undergo natural processes of growth, breakdown and ageing. Bone mass increases rapidly during childhood and reaches its peak between 30 and 40 years. As you age, your bone mass starts to gradually decline. If you have a healthy diet (particularly calcium and vitamin D) and regularly exercise, you can slow this process down. You can also strengthen the stability of your skeletal structure using targeted muscle growth. Please note that this scale does measure minerals of bones. Bone mass is very difficult to modify but does vary slightly as a result of influencing factors (weight, height, age, sex). There are no recognized guidelines and recommendations available.

Do not confuse bone mass with bone density. Bone density can only be determined using a medical examination (e.g. computed tomography, ultrasound). Drawing any conclusions about changes to the bone and bone hardness (e.g. associated with osteoporosis) is not possible using this scale.

Active metabolic rate (AMR)

The active metabolic rate (AMR) is the quantity of energy that the body consumes each day in the active state, that is, the calorie requirements in kcal per day used for activity. The energy consumption of a human rises with increasing physical activity and is determined by the level of activity (1–5) entered on the scale. To maintain your current weight, the energy consumed must be supplied to the body in the form of food and drink. If over a longer period less energy is supplied than is consumed, the body essentially obtains the difference from the fat stores and the weight decreases. If, however, more energy is supplied than the calculated active metabolic rate (AMR) over a longer period, the body cannot burn up the excess energy. The excess is stored by the body as fat and the weight increases.

Time dependence of the results

Please note that only the long-term trend is important. Short-term weight variations over a few days are usually caused by loss of fluid. The importance of the results is determined by the changes in the total weight and the percentage of fat, water and muscle in the body as well as the time over which these changes occur. Rapid changes over a few days must be differentiated from moderate changes (over weeks) and long-term chang es (months). The basic rule is that short-term changes in weight almost exclusively reflect changes in the water balance while medium-term and long term changes can also reflect the fat and muscle percentage.

If the weight drops in the short term but the body fat percentage increases or remains the same, you have only lost water – for example, after training,
taking a sauna or being on a diet intended to cause rapid weight loss. If your weight increases over the medium term while the body fat percentage
decreases or remains the same, you may have gained valuable muscle mass. If your weight and body fat percentage both decrease, your diet is working you are losing body fat.
Ideally, you should boost your diet with physical activity, fitness or strength training. This helps you to increase your muscle percentage in the medium
term. The body fat, body water or muscle percentages should not be summed (muscle tissue also includes part of the body water).

Body Mass Index
The body mass index (BMI) is a figure that is often used to assess weight. The number is calculated from the values for the weight and height using the following
formula:
Body Mass Index = weight ÷ height2. The unit for the BMI is therefore [kg/m2]. Weight is classified using the BMI for adults (aged over 20 years) with the following
values:

Classification

|

BMI

---|---

Underweight

|

Severely underweight

|

<16

Moderately underweight

|

16–16.9

Slightly underweight

|

17–18.4

Normal weight

|

18.5–25

Overweight

|

Pre-obese

|

25.1–29.9

Obese (overweight)

|

Obesity class I

|

30–34.9

Obesity class II

|

35–39.9

Obesity class III

|

≥40

Source: WHO, 1999 (World Health Organization)

Information about the ideal weight

The ideal weight is very individual. A guideline for the ideal weight is to use the mean of the BMI for normal weight (21.75) relative to the person’s height: 21.75 × height in m2 (example: 21.75 kg/m2 × 1.8 m2 = 70.47 kg).

Limitations

When determining the body fat and other values, deviating and implausible results may be given for:

Children younger than 10 years of age

Athletes and body builders

Pregnant women

People with a fever, undergoing dialysis, with symptoms of oedema (water retention) or osteoporosis

People who are taking cardiovascular medication (medicines that affect the heart and blood circulation)

People who are taking medications that expand or contract blood vessels

People with considerable anatomical deviations in the legs relative the total height (leg length considerably shorter or longer).

4. Preparing to measure your weight

Inserting / changing the batteries

Open the battery cover on the back of the scale. Insert three 1.5V AAA batteries (see Chapter 12 ‘Technical data’). Ensure correct polarity (‘+’ and ‘–’) when inserting batteries. Replace the battery cover.

Open the battery cover on the back of the control unit. Insert two 3V CR2032 button batteries (see Chapter 12 ‘Technical data’). Ensure correct polari ty (‘+’ and ‘–’) when inserting batteries. Replace the battery cover. Set date and time as described below.

If the battery status indicator appears, no measurements can be made and you must replace the batteries according to the following error messages: Lo-1 = scale; Lo-2 = control unit.

When changing the batteries the measured value memory is not deleted.

Set the time, date and measurement unit

Be sure to set the date and time correctly. This is the only way to save your measured values correctly with date and time for subsequent retrieval.

Date

As soon as you have inserted the two button batteries in the control unit, the year (a), the month (b) and the day (c) fl ash on the display. • Depending on the display, use the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽ to select the year, month or day and confi rm using the SET button.

Time

The hour (d) and the minutes (e) fl ash consecutively on the display.

• Depending on the display, use the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽ to select the hour (d) or minute (e) and confi rm using the SET button.

Date, time and unit of measurement can also be changed at any time subsequently by pressing the SET button. Press the ON/OFF button to cancel the process.

The date and time are always shown when the scale is switched off (standby mode).

Measurement unit

The measurement unit (f) fl ashes on the display. You can choose between kilogram ‘kg’, pound ‘lb’ and stone ‘st lb’ as the measurement unit. • Depending on the display, use the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽ to select your preferred measurement unit and confi rm using the SET but ton. END (g) appears on the display. The settings are now saved.

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)

Set the user data

So that your body fat percentage and other physical values can be determined, you must save your personal user data. The scale has 4 user memory numbers under which you can save and retrieve your personal settings and those of members of your family, for example. User memory number

• Press the ON/OFF button. On the display 0.0 (a) appears.

• Press the SET button. On the display P1 (b) fl ashes. Use the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽ to select a user memory number and confi rm using the SET button.

Height

The height (c) fl ashes on the display.

• Using the UP button △ and the DOWN button ▽, set your height. Confi rm by pressing the SET button.

Date of birth

The year (d), the month (e) and the day (f) fl ash one after the other on the display.

• Depending on the display, use the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽ to select year, month and day of birth and confirm each using the SET button.

Sex

On the display the sex (g) flashes. Using the UP button △ and the DOWN button ▽, select your sex (male , female ). Confirm by pressing the SET button.

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)

Level of activity

The level of activity A3 (h) fl ashes on the display.

• Depending on the display, use the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽ to select your level of activity and confi rm using the SET button. Physical data such as body fat and your calorie needs (AMR) can only be determined with more precision once you have set your level of activity. Below is a summary of the individual levels of activity including a description.

Level of activity

|

Physical activity

---|---

1

|

No or only little movement.

2

|

Low: Little and gentle physical exertion (e.g. walking, gentle gardening, gymnastic exercises).

3

|

Moderate: Physical exertion at least 2 to 4 times a week of 30 minutes each.

4

|

High: Physical exertion at least 4 to 6 times a week of 30 minutes each.

5

|

Very high: Intense physical exertion, intense training or hard physical work, daily, of at least 1 hour.

After you have selected your level of activity, END (i) appears on the display. The user data are now saved to the selected user memory number.

(i)

On the display 0.0 (j) appears. The scale is now ready to measure. To switch the scale off again, press the ON/OFF button. If you do not press any button for 40 seconds, the scale will switch off.

(j)

5. Measure your weight, carry out physical analysis

Switch on the scale

• Press the ON/OFF button.

‘0.0 kg’ (a) appears on the display. The scale is now ready to measure your weight.

Carry out physical analysis

Select the user memory number

• Press the UP button △. On the display P1 (b) appears, for example. Within 1.5 seconds, select the required user memory number using the UP but ton △ or the DOWN button ▽. If you do not press any other button, the previously selected user memory number remains. • After 1.5 seconds, the ideal weight (c) corresponding to your user data appears briefly on the display.

Stand on the scale

0.0 (d) appears on the display. The scale is now ready to measure.

• Now stand on the scale with bare feet, ensuring that you stand still with your weight evenly distributed over both legs. An acoustic signal sounds. Ensure that both feet make contact with the electrode surfaces of the scale. During the measurement 0.0 (e) flashes on the display.

Within 5 seconds four squares move across the display. The measured weight and body fat (BF) then appear (f).

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

Along with your weight, your body water (g), muscle percentage (h), bone mass (i) and active metabolic rate in kcal (j) appear one after the other at intervals of 5 seconds.

(g) (h) (i) (j)

After the active metabolic rate has been displayed, the weight measured appears again along with the body fat (f). The scale then returns to the start display and 0.0 (c) appears.

You can either carry out another measurement for the same user or switch the scale off using the ON/OFF button. After the measured result is display ed, for several seconds 2 acoustic signals are emitted from the scale platform and the scale switches off automatically.

Measure your weight

You can also measure your weight without selecting a user.

• Switch the scale on until ‘0.0 kg’ appears. Now stand on the scale. An acoustic signal sounds. The display ‘0.0 kg’ starts to fl ash.

Stand still on the scale with your weight evenly distributed over both legs. When the measurement is complete, the result is displayed (a) but it is not allocated to a memory number. (a) Switch the scale off

After the measured result is displayed, for several seconds 2 acoustic signals are emitted from the scale platform and the scale switches off automatically. Alternatively, you can switch the scale off by pressing the ON/OFF button.

6. Memory function

The Veroval® scale stores up to 30 measurements for each user memory number. The oldest measured value is always at memory position number 1 and all newer stored values shift up by one memory position. Once all memory slots are occupied, the oldest value is deleted.

To retrieve the saved measurements, work through the following steps:

Select the user memory number

• Press the UP button △. On the display P1 (a) appears. Within 1.5 seconds, select the user memory number for which you would like to retrieve the saved measurements using the UP button △ or the DOWN button ▽. If you do not press any button, the previously selected user memory number remains.

• After 1.5 seconds, the ideal weight (b) corresponding to your user data appears briefl y on the display.

On the display 0.0 (c) appears.

Select the measured value memory position

• Press the DOWN button ▽. On the bottom left of the display (d) an [M] (e.g. 04) appears and the last measured value (e.g. 04).

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Along with your weight, your BMI, body fat, body water, muscle percentage, bone mass and active metabolic rate in kcal appear one after the other at intervals of 2 seconds.

• Press the DOWN button ▽ again within 10 seconds to retrieve the previous measures values.

Delete measured value

• To delete the currently displayed measured value, press the SET button in the memory function. ‘dEL’ and ‘YES’ (e) appear on the display. Confi rm the delete process by pressing the SET button again.

Restore the factory default settings

Remove the batteries in the control unit, then simultaneously press the SET and UP buttons and reinsert the batteries.

7. Transfer measured values to Veroval® medi.connect

Download the Veroval® medi.connect software from the website www.veroval.info. Compatible with any computer with Windows 7, 8 or 10 (for the duration of offi cial Microsoft support).

Start the program and connect the Veroval® scale to your PC using the enclosed USB cable. Then follow the instructions in the Veroval® medi.connect software.

No data can be transferred during a measurement.

‘ ’ appears on the display of the control unit.

Start the data transfer using the ‘medi. connect’ software. Successful data transmission is shown on the display of the control unit with ‘PASS’.

8. Error messages

Error that has occurred

|

Possible causes

|

Remedy

---|---|---

‘Lo-1’ is shown on the display.

|

The batteries in the scale (platform) are empty.

|

Replace the batteries in the platform.

‘Lo-2’ is shown on the display.

|

The batteries in the control unit are empty.

|

Replace the batteries in the control unit.

‘Err’ is shown on the display.

|

The maximum capacity of 180 kg has been exceeded.

|

The scale can only carry up to 180 kg.

„FErr“

|

No contact or only poor contact with the electrodes.

|

Measure with bare feet or dampen the feet.

„FULL“

|

All memory positions have been allocated.

|

Transfer the data to the Veroval® medi.connect software. If the data is not transferred, the oldest value will be overwritten.

No display.

|

The batteries in the control unit are completely empty.

|

Change the batteries (see Chapter 4: Settings before the measure men).

The batteries are not correctly inserted in the control unit.

|

Check that the polarity is correct (see Chapter 4: Settings before the measurement).

Measurement does not start.

|

The control unit was not activated before standing on the scale.

|

Activate the scale correctly (wait for ‘0.0 kg’ to appear) and repeat the measurement.

Switch the control unit on before the measurement.

If necessary, wait 30 seconds and then repeat the measurement.

Remote connection between the scale and the control unit is faulty.

|

Re-insert the batteries in the scale and the control unit. Maintain a greater distance from the following electromagnetic sources: high-voltage pylons, televisions or computer radio systems, fitness devices, mobile telephones, weather stations.

The control unit is too far away from the scale.

|

Reduce the distance between the scale and the control unit, maximum guaranteed distance is 2 metres.

The batteries in the platform are empty or incorrectly inserted.

|

Insert full batteries correctly.

When standing on the scale platform, an acoustic signal sounds.

Incorrect weight measurement.

|

Scale is on carpet.

|

Place the scale on an even and solid surface.

Scale do not have the correct zero point.

|

Activate the scale until an acoustic signal sounds. Wait about 4 seconds. Repeat the measurement.

9. Caring for the scale

Only use a damp cloth to clean the scale. If required, you can spray a little cleaner on the cloth. Do not use any aggressive cleaners and never immerse the scale in water.

Do not clean the scale in the dishwasher!

The electrodes must not be cleaned with alcohol or disinfectant.

10.Warranty conditions

We offer a 3-year warranty for this premium scale from the day of purchase and in accordance with the conditions listed below.

Claims must be made during the warranty period. The date of purchase must be documented by an appropriately completed and stamped warranty certificate or proof of purchase.

Within the warranty period, HARTMANN will replace or repair free of charge any faulty device components caused by material faults or manufactur ing errors. This does not extend the warranty period.

The device is intended for the purpose described in this instruction manual only.

The warranty does not cover damage resulting from improper use or unauthorised interference. Accessory parts that are subject to wear and tear (e.g. batteries) are excluded from the warranty. Claims for compensation are limited to the value of the merchandise. Compensation for consequential damage or injury is expressly excluded.

In warranty cases, please send the scale, together with the fully completed and stamped warranty certificate or purchase receipt, directly or via your dealer to the Customer Services department for your country.