| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE February 28, 2006 |
CONTACT: Tom Womack |
National Weights & Measures Week March 5-11
Celebrating Fairness in Commerce
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ever wonder who’s minding the store? Who’s making sure that the product you buy weighs correctly, holds as much volume as it should or is the right length? The answer might surprise you.
Weights and measures officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) are there everyday in most every transaction from grocery and home heating fuel purchases to department stores and gas stations.
TDA is joining with the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) in recognizing National Weights & Measures Week, Mar. 5 –11 to remind consumers and businesses of the importance of equity in the marketplace.
“As much as 50 percent of an average family’s income is spent on items sold by weight, volume or count,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “The goal of Weights and Measures Week is to build awareness among citizens of their role in commerce and to recognize the important community service performed by our standards officials.
“Fortunately, Tennessee consumers don’t have to give much thought about it, but applying uniform weights and measure standards to commercial transactions is one of the most important aspects of a strong state and national economy.”
Tennessee, like many other states, partners with the NCWM to create fair and equitable national standards. Tennessee weights and measures officials ensure that these standards are met by conducting inspections of weighing and measuring devices at various establishments across the state. Officials also help ensure that products and services sold by weight or measure comply with state laws by conducting random price verification and net weight inspections.
“These unannounced inspections protect both the consumer and industry in marketplace transactions as witnessed by the nearly 97 percent compliance rate on almost 85,000 motor fuel pumps and 94 percent compliance on over 16,500 scales inspected in Tennessee last fiscal year,” said TDA Weights and Measures administrator Bob Williams.
According to Williams, more than 96 percent of products checked for price accuracy and 92 percent of products tested for accurate net weight or measure were found to be in compliance during the same period.
“We want consumers to know and understand that they have an important role to play too by observing basic practices when making a purchase involving weights and measures.” Williams suggests that consumers:
1. Check that pumps and scales always begin on zero prior to the start of their transaction,
2. Note that all packaged commodities should clearly state the net quantity (ounces, pounds, quarts, liters, etc) on the package, and
3. Pay attention to the price of items being scanned to ensure pricing accuracy.
If you note a problem, Williams says to first talk with store personnel and give them a chance to correct the problem. If the problem is not explained or corrected to your satisfaction, you should immediately contact the state Weights and Measures office to provide a detailed explanation of the issue. Following the completion of an inspection, the Weights and Measures office will provide a report of their findings upon request.
For more information or to register a weights and measures complaint, consumers can contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at (615) 837-5109 (local) or toll-free at 1-800-628-2631, or visit TDA online at www.tennessee.gov/agriculture.
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This and other news from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture can be found online at Tennessee.gov/agriculture/news