National Weights and Measures Week - March 1-7th, 2019
Author: David Aguayo: Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Date: 3/4/2019 4:10 PM
The San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/ Weights and Measures announces National Weights and Measures Week will take place from March 1-7, 2019. National Weights and Measures Week commemorates President John Adams’s signing of the first United States weights and measures law on March 2nd, 1799.
In 1901, the Federal government established the National Bureau of Standards, now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) was established shortly thereafter in 1905 when state directors first met to discuss weights and measures issues. These organizations continue to work together to address U.S. standards and the resulting impacts that technological advances have on standards used in trade.
The theme for the 2019 National Weights and Measures week is “Valued Traditions & New Innovations – Confidence in Every Transaction”. It speaks to the fundamental role that weights and measures officials perform in assuring fair and equitable commerce for traditional scales and metering devices, while also integrating the technological advancements in today’s devices to bring new innovative methods of sale to the marketplace. With increasing sales of advanced alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and electricity as a motor fuel for vehicles, and the use of global positioning systems by taxi and transportation network systems to determine charges for their services, the ongoing development of national standards is vital in protecting consumers and ensuring equity in the marketplace. Traditional practices are meeting new and innovative technologies and weights and measures officials are working hard to meet the demands of those growing technologies.
San Luis Obispo County weights and measures officials continue learning new technologies in order to complete inspections on various weighing and measuring devices throughout the county. From unmanned weighing operations to indirect online grocery sales, officials have met the workload demand through specialized training and equipment, and have contributed to the development of national weights and measures standards through their attendance at the National Conference on Weights and Measures meetings.
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 device, we would like to hear from you. Please contact a Weights and Measures Inspector at (805) 781-5910.
