The nation’s first weights and measures legislation was signed into law on March 2, 1799
The Department of Consumer Protection is celebrating National Weights and Measures Week March 1-7, to honor the earliest form of consumer protection.
The Weights and Measures Program, part of DCP’s Food and Standards Division, is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all weights and measures used in Connecticut, and operating the state's only Metrology Laboratory.
“The Weights and Measures program affects consumers every day, whether they realize it or not,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “From ensuring that a gallon of gas or a pound of deli meat is accurate, to making sure the scales that weigh trucks on Connecticut roadways are accurate, and so much more, this program has been keeping Connecticut safe since 1947. Weights and Measures Week recognizes the earliest form of consumer protection and the process of ensuring that consumers and businesses are receiving what they pay or get paid for.”
In 1947, the Connecticut General Assembly first recognized Weights and Measures as a working division of the Food and Drug Commission. Today, the program regulates roughly 1,400 fuel stations, 600 heating oil dealers, and 3,044 locations with scales or other measuring devices in Connecticut.
DCP’s Metrology Laboratory is run by the state metrologist, Chris David, who works to ensure traceability to National standards in the United States Department of Commerce, National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST in turn traces those weighing and measurement standards to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Paris, France.
Everyday items that are measured and/or calibrated by an inspector using standards calibrated by the DCP Metrology lab:
Jewelry scales in pawn shops
Airplane fuel
Truck scales
Produce or seafood scales at the grocery store, as well as self-checkout scales
Propane tanks
Gallon of milk
Prescriptions
Water meters
Bags of mulch
The Standards Unit also conducts routine inspections at gas stations in addition to responding to consumer complaints.
The program recently added a new 1,500-gallon oil truck that travels to heating fuel terminals across the state, where gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and jet fuel are stored and tested before distribution.
“The Weights and Measures team is looking forward to having an additional truck to facilitate fuel measurements,” said Food and Standards Director Frank Greene. “It provides an honest reading of a gallon and confirms if there are any shortages, whether it’s intentional or not.”
To send an oil, propane, or gasoline complaint or question, send an email to dcp.foodandstandards@ct.gov. Complaints should include the name, town, price, and any other pertinent information related to your question or complaint.
Comments