National Weights and Measures Week - March 1-7, 2023
Author: David Aguayo, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Date: 3/9/2023 10:30 AM
National Weights and Measures Week, March 1-7, commemorates President John Adams’ signing of the first United States Weights and Measures law on March 2nd, 1799. This law ultimately led to the establishment of today’s enforcement framework assuring consumer protection and equity in the marketplace.
“Collaborating With Partners and Stakeholders for a Greater Measure of Equity”
The theme for 2023, “Collaborating With Partners and Stakeholders for a Greater Measure of Equity”, highlights the partnership between Weights and Measures officials throughout the United States, the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), and the various industry partners involved in the standard development process. This process provides opportunities for stakeholders to come together and develop weights and measures standards, eventually becoming regulatory guidance and requirements for a way to keep pace with innovative advancements in the marketplace.
Weights and Measures officials are tasked with overseeing transactional accuracy to achieve an equitable and fair marketplace. Their daily efforts provide an assurance to consumers that items sold by weight, measure, count, or time are accurate and customers are provided with the information to make a fully informed decision when purchasing goods. Pricing and device accuracy continues to be important, particularly with increasing prices market wide. From fuels to groceries, the impacts of inflation are felt by many throughout the nation. Weights and Measures officials are there to ensure equity in the marketplace and assure that you get what you pay for.
NCWM’s president commented on this year’s theme, “We want consumers everywhere to take a moment this week and notice all the things in their lives bought and sold by measure, no matter where you live or what you purchase, there is an inspector who works tirelessly to make sure you get what you pay for. Inspectors favor neither the buyers or sellers – they work to ensure fairness and accuracy in the marketplace.”
Many of these issues are discussed at the National Conference on Weights and Measures where standards professionals, industry members, and regulators meet to develop future standards for consumer protection activities. San Luis Obispo County Weights and Measures officials are active members in NCWM, regularly attending annual meetings and trainings to gain insight and provide input on new technologies impacting state and county jurisdictions. County Weights and Measures officials continue to collaborate with their counterparts nationwide to share experiences and knowledge on developing technologies and challenging technical issues.
From shelf to scanner, pump to vehicle, Weights and Measures Inspectors make certain customers get what they pay for. If you have been overcharged or have a complaint about the accuracy of a weighing or measuring device, we would like to hear from you. Please contact a Weights and Measures Inspector at (805) 781-5910.
