By Marc Paquette, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
State and local jurisdictions throughout the country are celebrating Weights and Measures Week which takes place the first seven days of March each year. The date for Weights and Measures Week commemorates the signing of the first United States weights and measures law by President John Adams on March 2, 1799. The evolution of a uniform system of weights and measures has had a significant impact on society and government. It provides uniformity and confidence in the marketplace for both consumers and businesses. All participants in an economy are more likely to engage openly in trade if they are assured of fairness in transactions. Weights and Measures programs contribute greatly to economic development by promoting equity in the marketplace to all stakeholders.
Vermont’s Weights and Measures Section resides in the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets. Many consumers are surprised to learn that weights and measures programs are part of many agencies of agriculture nationwide. This is true in Vermont, where much of the state’s early economy was based on agricultural products produced on tens of thousands of farms. Historically, commodities produced in Vermont like milk, meat, grains, feed, corn, and maple were sold by weight or measure, therefore the inspection program was placed in the Agency of Agriculture.
The inspections conducted by field staff provide equity in the marketplace and consumer protection by inspecting commercial devices used in trade. Each year the Vermont program inspects over 6,000 gas pumps, 425 fuel oil and 300 propane truck meters, thousands of scales, and packages. Inspectors conduct hundreds of price verification inspections, testing the accuracy of laser scanning systems in retail outlets. This work promotes consumer protection by ensuring that these devices are accurate and correct as well as monitoring pricing integrity and weighing and measuring practices where transactions occur.
This year, Vermont is highlighting our very active Price Verification inspection program, where staff will conduct inspections of randomized items offered for sale in retail stores, comparing the advertised shelf price of items with what a customer is charged at the registers.
Related to these inspections, the Vermont program is one of 68 jurisdictions from 28 states that is participating in a nationwide survey sponsored collaboratively by the National Conference on Weights & Measures (NCWM) and the National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST). This survey was proposed in response to ongoing concerns from compliance jurisdictions around the country on the high level of failure rates being found in this area. Feedback being reported to NCWM, including from VT, has been valuable, however it has included little documentation or statistical data to gauge pricing accuracy in the marketplace.
The survey will now provide measurable documentation as data gathered will include compliance rates, total number of items inspected, overcharges, undercharges, range, average errors found, number of stores inspected, and compliance rates based on store types. The survey plan includes a list with accompanying definitions for ten commonly found types of retail stores where consumers typically purchase goods. These categories of store types include grocery, supercenters, big box/department, warehouse/club, dollar/discount, convenience, drug/pharmacy, automotive, home centers, and clothing retailers found in the consumer market.
The inspection phase of the survey will be completed by March 1, 2024. Once the results are compiled the NCWM and NIST will be evaluating the results. They will then determine the best method of dissemination of data to survey participants and the public. The anticipated release of the data is expected during the summer of 2024.
Upon completion, the survey findings may be utilized by many stakeholders. Potential utilization includes retailers who may choose to use the information as a catalyst to implement pricing improvement plans for retail establishments and create related staff training. It may be used to empower consumer groups to use the information to educate shoppers that errors exist and how to address some of those errors either at the retail level or higher. Weights & Measures compliance programs can use the survey to better allocate inspection resources based on store type and to advocate for their programs. Vermont is on schedule to complete approximately 200 of these inspections during the survey period. Program members are very enthusiastic and pleased to be participating in this national initiative.
Weights and Measures Week serves as a reminder of the great value consumers receive from weights and measures inspection programs. The next time you purchase gas, take a trip to the grocery store, or receive a delivery of fuel at your home, remember that dedicated staff from the Weights and Measures Section is working diligently to ensure accuracy, fairness, and protection to all parties.
For more information about the Agency of Agriculture’s Weights and Measures Program, contact Marc Paquette, Weights and Measures Chief, Marc.Paquete@vermont.gov 802-828-2426.