LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Weights Measures: Scales
built 255 days ago
The Division of Weights and Measures enforces all of the state's laws affecting the measurement of commodities moving in commerce. The purpose is to ensure consumers receive an accurate quantity and adequate information about commodities so that they can make price and quantity comparisons. Among its functions is the inspection of scales weighing in thousandths of a pound up to platform scales used to weigh up to 100,000 pounds. It inspects meters used for delivery of fuel oil, liquid propane gas, gasoline pumps, and containers used for measuring any type of liquid or solid commodity. The division ... enforces the uniform date code system for processed food products and numerous other provisions of law affecting pricing and sale of commercial goods. The division also provides measurement calibration services in the areas of mass, length and volume to industry located within the state as well industry located outside the state.
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The County Department of Weights and Measures was created in 1915 in response to California's Weights and Measures Act of 1913. This act established regular testing of scales and measures, required the County to appoint a person to perform these duties and provided that the person be paid five dollars per day. Prior to this act, inspection of scales and measures was a responsibility of the County Clerk. J.M. Bracewell was the first Sealer appointed by the County.
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Weights and measures inspectors test all kinds of commercial weighing and measuring devices. They test scales used in grocery stores, grain elevators, livestock sale barns, pawn shops and other locations. They test gas pumps and meters used to sell chemicals or to sell propane to home owners. They check packages containing edible and inedible products to ensure that the consumer receives the quantity stated on the label. They even verify that in-store scanners scan the correct price. Essentially, all consumer goods are subject, in one way or another, to the weights and measures law.
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For hundreds of years, your local Weights and Measures officials have been working behind the scenes to protect consumers, businesses and manufacturers from unfair practices. Weights and Measures officials work in agriculture departments, consumer protection offices and other state and local government agencies. These men and women use highly accurate equipment to inspect scales, meters and packaged products at supermarkets. They ... inspect weighing and measuring equipment and packages at warehouses, packing plants, feed mills, shipping companies, lumber yards and gasoline stations. They act as a third party to help maintain fairness and keep the marketplace in balance.
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To minimize the chance of overcharges happening to you, always check for the Weights and Measures seal indicating the scale has been tested and sealed. Make sure the scale is on zero prior to the weighing. There should not be anything on the scale or touching or obstructing the pan of the scale. If the weight display on the scale indicates a weight when there is nothing on the scale, ask to have the scale zeroed out.
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The Weights and Measures Department enforces all Massachusetts General Laws and Regulations pertaining to weights and measures, which may consist of: the regulation of trade, unit pricing, and price verification. Weighing and measuring devices used by local establishments include automatic check-out systems (scanners), taximeters, home heating oil truck meters, gasoline pumps, supermarket and deli scales, manufacturing and shipping scales, as well as apothecary and jewelry scales, and troy weights. In accordance with the Consumer Merchant Protection Act Chapter 295 of the Acts of 1998 the Sealer of Weights and Measures performs bi-annual inspections of all retail stores with three or more scanners.
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