TENNESSEE Recognizes
NATIONAL WEIGHTS & MEASURES WEEK
-Celebrating more than 200 years of equity in the
marketplace-
Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee is joining the National
Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) in recognizing National Weights
& Measures Week, March 1-7, to remind consumers and businesses of the
importance of equity in the marketplace. For more than 100 years, Tennessee's Department of Agriculture has
ensured that all products sold by weight, measure or count are labeled
accurately and correctly.
“Our
weights and measures inspectors work to protect our economy and system of
commerce for both consumers and merchants,” said state Agriculture
Commissioner Ken Givens. “Everyone has a direct financial stake in knowing
all transactions are fair.”
Tennessee, like many other states,
partners with NCWM to create fair and equitable national standards. State
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 products and
services sold by weight or measure complies with state laws by performing
random price verification and net weight inspections.
“Every
year, more than 16,500 scales and nearly 85,000 motor fuel pumps are
inspected,” said TDA Weights and Measures administrator Bob Williams.
“These unannounced inspections protect both the consumer and industry.”
Even
with these inspections and a more than 90 percent compliance rate, it is
important for consumers to know and understand their role by observing
basic practices when purchasing goods involving weights and measures.
TDA has
tips to help protect consumers:
1.
Check that pumps and scales always begin on zero prior to the start
of the transaction.
2.
Note that all packaged commodities should clearly state the net
quantity (ounces, pounds, quarts, liters, etc.) on the package.
3.
Pay close attention to the price of items being scanned to ensure
pricing accuracy.
If a
consumer notes a problem, they need to first talk with store personnel and
give them the opportunity to correct the discrepancy. If the problem is not
explained or corrected to their satisfaction, consumers should contact the
TDA’s Weights and Measure office and 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, contact
TDA at (615) 837-5109 or toll-free at 1-800-628-2631 or visit www.tennessee.gov/agriculture.
