The mission of the Department of Weights and Measures is to protect consumers and businesses alike in all commercial transactions based on weights and measures.

Under Article 16 of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, this department enforces such laws as required to provide for equity in the market place and insure the integrity of correct weights and measures for the benefit of the consumers and businesses of Lewis County.
 

Services:

• Inspect and test commercial weighing and measuring devices in stores, markets, warehouses, gas stations and other establishments. Devices must comply with NYS laws and regulations and NIST specifications and tolerances.

• Weigh, measure and inspect packaged commodities to determine the accuracy of labeling practices.

• Respond to consumer complaints by investigating or testing as the occasion demands.

• Operate a Petroleum Quality Program that samples gasoline and diesel fuels and enforce labeling, octane, and quality requirements of petroleum products used by motor vehicles.

• Inspect and test non-commercial devices per request.

• Provide consumer education in lectures and literature. Contact the director to arrange speaking engagements or to receive literature.

Look for the Weights and Measures Seal on Devices

The seal indicates that the device has been inspected and was performing correctly within the applicable tolerances.

Division of Bureau of Weights and Measures  

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Bureau of Weights and Measures:

The Lewis County Department of Weights and Measures operates under the authority of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets in the enforcement of the provisions of Article 16 of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law and Chapter V of the Rules and Regulations pursuant to Article 16. All standards used by the department are certified by the NYS Bureau of Weights and Measures according to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards. Technical questions and copies of laws, rules and regulations, and standards certifications can be obtained from the NYS Bureau of Weights and Measures, 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235, (518) 457-3146.

United States Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

All specification, tolerances and requirements for the design and testing of commercial weighing and measuring devices as published in Handbook 44 are used by the Lewis County Department of Weights and Measures. Procedures used for weighing, measuring and inspecting packaged commodities to determine the accuracy of labeling practices are according to Handbook 133. Copies and questions should be directed to NIST, Building 820, Room 223, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM):

This organization develops the standard and procedures used by NIST and NYS, and all local weights and measures jurisdictions. All changes to handbook and procedures are determined at this organization's annual meeting. Membership by weights and measures officials and businesses entitles the member to all publications of the organization. Certificates of Conformance (COC's) are maintained by this organization for all approved weighing and measuring devices. Copies of annual meeting minutes and committee agenda items can be obtained at 15245 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 130, Rockville, MD 20850, (240) 632-9454, fax (301) 990-9771
E-mail: ncwm@mgmtsol.com