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NTEP Approved scales and what makes a scale “Legal-for-Trade"
We regularly receive questions related to NTEP Approved scales and what makes a scale “Legal-for-Trade". This article aims to clear up some of that confusion while also helping you identify if you need to be using an NTEP approved (or certified) scale.
What is a Legal for Trade / NTEP Approved Scale?
NTEP stands for National Type Evaluation Program. It's an approval system created by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) and the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). If you are buying a product that is being weighed on a scale or selling a product that is being weighed on a scale, this scale has gone through NTEP approval, deeming that it was manufactured to a specific standard suitable for daily monetary transactions. This applies to the smallest of retail scales, all the way up through vehicle scales. If you are using a scale simply to check the weight or verify something is within range, then you typically will not need an NTEP Certified Scale.
Who Regulates Legal for Trade / NTEP Approved Scales?
An authorized agent of the local county or state department of Weights and Measures will verify the model of the scale and look for its certificate of compliance before commissioning the scale for service. This scale will also go on a list for yearly inspection by the county or state to make sure that the scale stays within tolerance through all daily transactions. Sometimes the state or county will hire these inspections out to local scale service companies if they do not have the resources to handle these duties on their own.
Relate this to a gas pump that is regularly checked for accuracy. The state or county wants to make sure that you're getting a gallon of gas when you pay for a gallon of gas, much like they want to ensure that a pound of product is showing up on the scale as that exact measure as well.
How to Ensure that a Scale is Legal for Trade / NTEP Approved?
You can visibly inspect a scale and observe it being “sealed out" with a small lead cable physically wired through the instrumentation's hardware. This is done after it is tested and proven to perform to the necessary conditions for an NTEP approved device. A seal prevents adjustment of the calibration and also includes an audit trail that will be recorded and checked upon the next inspection. Tampering with the seal or failing to follow the law and using a scale that is not NTEP approved or is untested, could result in large fines and penalties.
If you are not able to physically examine the scale but need to determine if it's NTEP Approved, the most recent calibration report will typically have this information. If these service records are unavailable, then you can also input the scale's information in the NCWM database (https://www.ncwm.com/ntep-certificates) to ensure proper certification.
B-TEK has one of the largest portfolios of legal for trade industrial scales. Check out our product lineup to learn more and find one that fits your application!
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