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The Department of Agriculture registers commercial weighing and measuring devices used throughout Maryland to ensure that consumers receive the correct amounts of products they purchase. All scales and meters used during sales transactions where products are bought or sold must be registered each year.
STATE: Agriculture Article 11-204.2 to 11-204.7; COMAR 15.03.08
Types of businesses that may need to have devices registered include:
The Department of Agriculture requires applications be submitted before using a commercial weighing or measuring device.
All commercial weighing and measuring devices manufactured or installed in Maryland after October 1, 1992 must be approved by the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) operated by the National Council on Weights & Measures.
To register, an applicant must submit the form provided by the Department of Agriculture. The department will review the application and, upon approval, create an account for the applicant. An invoice will then be issued, with payment instructions. Please note: Any outstanding invoice beyond 30 days will be assessed a $125 late fee.
Once the payment is received, a Certificate of Registration will be emailed to the applicant. The Certificate of Registration is required to be conspicuously displayed at the place of business.
Most businesses are to some degree affected by weights and measures laws. This will vary on the type of business. In general if you will be using any type of weighing and measuring device (scale, gas pump, meter) you will be directly affected. If you will be packaging commodities you will need to know packaging and labeling, and net quantity requirements.
Determine the method of sale for your product - will you be prepackaging commodities or selling directly to the customer over the scale? Then contact the Weights & Measures section for help in guiding you through the steps in selecting a suitable scale that meets all applicable laws.
The device may be used commercially if our office is notified of the installation. You will be given permission to place the device into commercial service until a weights and measures official inspects the device.
