NTEP is for both Manufacturers and Consumers. NTEP, National Type Evaluation Program, is a cooperative effort between the National Conference on Weights and Measures, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, individual states in the US, and the private sector. It was created for the following purpose. Through twelve participating laboratories, NTEP evaluates the performance, operating characteristics, features and options of weighing and measuring devices against applicable standards. Essentially, it provides a one-stop evaluation process that satisfies the initial requirements for introduction of weighing and measuring devices in the U.S. Ultimately, the savings that result from the efficiency of this process are passed along to consumers, making early type evaluation an integral link in the U.S. production chain.
An official NTEP Certificate of Conformance number is issued by NCWM following successful completion of the evaluation and testing of a device. This Certificate indicates that the device meets applicable requirements for commercial weighing and measuring equipment in the U.S. Normally this certificate will also list the number of divisions the scale is approved to display. Example, 3000 divisions. This means the scale could have a capacity of 30 pounds. Readability would be 0.01 pounds. To calculate, just take 30 and divide by 0.01. Equals 3000.  Both United States and Canada operate type evaluation or approval programs for weighing and measuring instruments intended to be used in commercial applications. Manufacturers who wish to market their products in either country must, under the present legislation and rules, have them evaluated and approved in each country separately.