Scales must conform to National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) standards. Scales that comply with NTEP guidelines typically will be marked with the NTEP logo and the associated accuracy class which is normally “III” with produce scales. Scales marked “not legal for trade” are not acceptable for retail use in Tennessee. Scales must also comply with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44 (H44) which mandates tolerances, specifications and other technical requirements for all weighing and measuring devices. Both NTEP and H44 requirements are national standards utilized by the vast majority of all states. See article

• Weigh items in pounds, kilograms, or ounces
• 36 direct speed keys added to pole models
• VFD models now equipped with a rechargeable battery
• Optional DEP-50 Receipt Printer now works with S2KJR

1. Buy a NTEP Approved Legal for Trade Scale. In most cases, you do not receive any paperwork saying your scale is “certified”. All you receive is your scale, with the certificate of conformance number (CoC#) stamped on the side of the scale.
2. Have the scale checked and calibrated in your store or at your produce stand, in other words in its final working location — by either a local scale company or the state weights & measures. At this point, in most cases, you receive paperwork showing the test results.
3. Have the state weights & measures come by and “certify” your scale and place their sticker on the scale.

So as you can see, in most cases you can search for and buy “certified scales” but they aren’t quite certified until you do a little homework upon receiving your scale.  The reason for this is simple. A scale can be NTEP approved and have a CoC# but that doesn’t mean it is 100 percent accurate. Perhaps the scale was calibrated in a different region of the country and gravity has changed just enough to throw the calibration off. Suppose the delivery company decided to use your scale as a football? That can very easily throw off the calibration of a scale. That is why it is always a good idea to buy your NTEP Approved “certified scale” and get it checked and calibrated locally to ensure you comply with your state regulations.

Do some research and buy a legal for trade price computing scale that can be certified by the state.  In most states it is a requirement.  However, sometimes due to budget restraints and manpower, merchants get the idea that they can get away with not purchasing a legal for trade scale.  Sometimes every now and then you hear comments from sellers of fruit and vegetables who sell produce at farmers markets, that they don’t worry about bending the rules of the State Weights and Measures Department.  The thought process basically being, “we are not a priority for the Department of Agriculture.”  Need proof, take a look at the article below

The S-2000 JR scales feature a “dual range” capacity. This is a nice feature that means you get increased readability that you probably wouldn’t get on most other price computing scales. For example on a 60 pound capacity price computing scale from most other manufacturers, the scale will increment up/down from zero to 60 pounds in 0.02 lb increments. The 60 lb. S2000 JR displays weight from zero to 30 lbs in increments up/down in 0.01 lbs. Then from 30 to 60 lbs, the scale will increment up/down in 0.02 lb increments.  Add a DLP-50 label printer and you have an affordable price computing scale with label printer.

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.

1. Does anyone know what/if there are regulations for what type of scale
     a produce vendor uses at farmers markets?
2. Do other farmers have their scales certified by a state
      Weights and Measures department?
3. Is digital better than an old mechanical hanging dial scale?

If you’re curious or new to the farmer’s market or produce stand business and need a legal for trade scale for weighing  apples, potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins, strawberries, squash and more; scroll down because we have answers to many of your questions.

First up regulations and certifications. Check with your state weights and measures standards department for the specific requirements (you should be able to find your state’s info here:  http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/statedirectors.cfm) Many states require that you have a NTEP legal for trade scale that will  have a Certificate of conformance number (CoC#) somewhere on the scale. Many states will also want to check the scale and make sure it is weighing accurate. Once that check is done, they will put a sticker on your scale (certify it)  and make sure it is sealed so that you can not go inside the scale and change the settings without breaking the seal.

As recent as a few years ago, many thought that the mechanical dial scales were as good or better than the digital scales. That trend seems to be going away each year. Digital price computing scales calculate the price per pound and make weighing and charging your customers by the pound very easy. Almost all of these scales are being imported nowdays so the costs are very reasonable and the quality is generally better than it has ever been.  Many of these scales feature rechargeable battery power as well, making them useful in almost any environment.