Weights & Measures

Promoting a Fair and Equitable Marketplace

Weights and Measures protects consumers. The Director of Weights and Measures follows and implements the rules set out in Article 16 of the Agriculture and Markets Law to protect county residents and visitors in Madison County. Our goal is to ensure:

• what you buy is correctly weighed or measured and  
• you get the right amount of any product you pay for.

Weights and Measures creates a level playing field for all businesses to compete fairly in the marketplace.

• protects businesses from giving away product without payment, which can happen if a device is inaccurate or ‘out of tolerance’ and errs in customers’ favor

Types of Devices

Weights and Measures staff inspects and tests many different devices used in stores and businesses to sell products. Examples of devices inspected for accuracy:

• scales in supermarkets,
• gas pumps, and
• vehicle scales

Weights and Measures staff test these devices at least once a year, to make sure they are precise and that amounts are displayed correctly. This means that if you buy a pound of meat at one store, it will weigh the same at another store.  Look for this seal on all devices used to weigh, measure and sell goods.  The seal indicates the device has been inspected for accuracy.

Petroleum Quality Program

Madison County is part of the New York State Petroleum Quality Program. This program checks that the fuel sold meets certain standards for octane and quality. Samples of the fuel are taken from gas stations and sent to a lab for testing. If the fuel does not meet the standards, action is taken to fix the problem.

Our staff also checks underground fuel storage tanks for water. If water is detected over acceptable limits the gas station is ordered to remove it

Madison County samples all gas stations at least once a year to make sure they continue to sell good quality fuel.

Pricing Accuracy and Package Checking

Weights and Measures staff also checks that product prices are displayed correctly. Staff:

• compare the price on the shelf to what you pay at the cash register.
• check packaged items like cereal and meat to ensure that you are only paying for the product and not the packaging (net weight).

If there is a problem with the pricing at checkout or packages are short of the stated net weight, the item will be removed from sale until the problem is fixed.

Consumer Complaints

 If you believe you have been overcharged from the shelf price for something or an item weight is short of stated weight, you can file a complaint for investigation.

Complaint examples:

• if you think you were charged more than the shelf price, or
• if a gas station gave you less fuel than you paid for, if you think you have purchased a product that has a net weight (product minus packaging) that is less than the stated weight on the packaging, you should

How to file a complaint:

1. Write down the business name, business location, and the date of the incident.
2. Take note of pump number, checkout lane, product name, device location etc.
3. Take pictures or keep receipts, if you can.
4. Contact the Director of Weights and Measures by phone or email to file a complaint (see contact information below).

Device Owners

Business owners are required by law to notify the Director of Weights and Measures prior to a weighing or measuring device being used to sell goods.

• Failure to inform the Director will lead to a notice of violation and/or a civil penalty.   
• All devices used to sell goods must be labeled Legal for Trade. Look for a Certificate of Conformance number (CC# XX-YYY) to make sure the device is approved. Follow the link below to ensure your device has been certified Legal for Trade.   If you are not sure if your device is approved, you can ask our office for help before you buy it.
• National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Device Approval Database from the National Council on Weights and Measures (NCWM) is available at this link: https://www.ncwm.com/ntep-certificates

Weights and Measures does not charge any fees for their services.