On March 2, 1799, President John Adams signed the United States’ first weights and measures law. To commemorate this event, Weights and Measures departments across the country celebrate National Weights and Measures Week, every year between March 1 – 7.
In Sacramento County, the six staff members of the Division of Weights and Measures work behind the scenes to protect both buyers and sellers from malfunctioning devices and unfair marketing practices.
“Last year, the division investigated 94 consumer complaints,” said Chrisandra Flores, Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. “The majority of our complaints are about incorrect weighing and measuring devices. For instance, we received a consumer complaint about a gas pump that had ‘meter creep.’ Meter creep is the term used for when the pump is running and charging a customer, but there is no gas coming out of the nozzle. It typically occurs due to a leaky hose or nozzle. An inspector followed up on this complaint shortly after we received it. The complaint was substantiated, and the pump was tagged out of order until repairs were completed to protect our buyers and sellers.”
Locally, the Division of Weights and Measures implements the following programs:
- Weighing and Measuring Device Program – With very few exceptions, all weighing and measuring devices used in commercial transactions, are tested for accuracy on an annual basis by department inspectors.
- Price Verification Program – The Weights and Measures Division inspects businesses that operate an Automated Point-of-Sale System, which includes scanners, cash registers, checkout stations, or similar devices used to look up the price and charge consumers for their purchases.
- Quantity Control Program - Weights and Measures inspectors inspect packaged goods to verify the weight, volume, or count.
- Petroleum Products Program - Inspectors routinely check the labeling on motor fuel dispensers and underground fuel storage tanks, and price signs are inspected for accuracy, size, and legibility.
- Weighmaster Program - Weighmasters are individuals or firms who weigh, measure, or count bulk products and issue certificates of accuracy of the weight, measure, or count. The Weighmaster program assures that commercial transactions based on quantities certified on a Weighmaster Certificate are accurate.
- Service Agent Program – Agencies and agents who repair a commercial weighing or measuring device in Sacramento County must notify the Sacramento County Division of Weights and Measures by submitting a “placed in service” report within 24 hours. The division regularly monitors the work of service agencies and agents.
Ensuring fair and honest competition for industry and accurate value comparison for consumers are the primary functions carried out by the Division of Weights and Measures. If you feel you have been overcharged or shorted in a transaction, Sacramento County inspectors will handle your complaint. The public can file a Weights and Measures complaint online or call the division at 916-875-6603.