10.4 Weights and Measure - National Measurement System

NASDA recognizes the need for a nationally uniform and effective weights and measures system.  A sound weights and measures system is critical to commerce in the national and international marketplace.  Measurement standards are essential for fair competition, promoting good business practices and protecting consumers.  The individual states, territories and local jurisdictions conduct weights and measures enforcement in the United States.

NASDA recognizes the value of the national measurement system and the various organizations involved in weights and measures. States, industry representatives and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) join together under the National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM) to promulgate regulations on a consensus basis in the form of national handbooks.  The handbooks are commonly adopted by the individual states as regulations or are used as models to develop regulations with the intent of providing a nationally uniform measurement system.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a branch of the Department of Commerce, provides expert guidance on technical matters, interpretations of the national handbooks, training on measurement topics and accreditation of state metrology laboratories.

Decreased funding by states, increased costs and the resulting variations in state program operations have led to a lack of uniformity in weights and measures laws, in regulations and methods of inspection and is causing an erosion of buyer and seller confidence in the market place. Lack of uniform enforcement exposes businesses and consumers to the potential of fraud.  Non>â€uniformity subjects marketers to a patchwork of state and local requirements, which becomes a serious impediment to efficient and effective commercial distribution systems. Lack of uniform inspection and enforcement capabilities can result in buyer and seller being cheated, government tax payments avoided and a general distrust in market place measurements.

A federal grant program to restore and strengthen the weights and measures system should be approved by Congress.  The grant, administered by NIST, would provide assistance to the states in restoring and upgrading their capabilities and capacity.  The grant program would provide a method by which the states, federal government, and NCWM could work in partnership to establish programs to improve uniformity and strengthen weights and measures programs thereby restoring confidence in our national measurement system.