Commercial measuring and weighing devices are routinely inspected as required by law to determine their accuracy
and ensure a fair and equitable marketplace. Monterey County has over 13,000 registered commercial. If you see the Monterey County Seal on a commercial device, it means that its accuracy was verified.

Commercial weighing and measuring devices used in California must have undergone the type evaluation program, and must have either an active NTEP Certificate of Conformance or CTEP Certificate of Approval.

Devices found to be out of compliance with standards are ordered out of service and cannot be used until corrected by the owner or by an authorized repair company. A device can only be placed back into service by a CDFA-licensed service agent or by a licensed Weights and Measures inspector. To maintain accuracy standards, the Department inspects devices after repair and re-attaches a County seal of accuracy.

A weighmaster is an individual or company who weighs, measures, or counts a product and issues a statement or memorandum of the weight, measure, or count which is used as the basis for either the purchase or sale of that product or charge for service. Weighmasters or their deputy weighmasters perform the weighing, measuring, or counting and issue the weighmaster certificate for the company.

In concert with state officials, county inspectors monitor licensed weighmasters by auditing records kept by local businesses. Program activities include reweighing of vehicles and containers to verify the net weight statements on weighmaster certificates, spot inspections of establishments involved in bulk sales through the use of undercover sales or purchases of commodities, and investigations of complaints alleging fraudulent use or misuse of weighmaster certificates.

• Public Scales in Monterey County
• Weighmaster Application Form (PDF)
• File a Complaint, call 831-759-7382

Labeling

Local Weights & Measures officials enforce the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation. This provides accurate and adequate information on packages concerning the identity, responsibility, and quantity of contents so that consumers can make fair value comparisons.

Packages

Almost everything we buy is sold by weight, volume, count, or measure. Weights and Measures officials inspect pre-packaged commodities at retail, packing, and distribution locations to ensure they contain the proper amount and have the correct labeling requirements. All packaged commodities must have a label indicating the net quantity on the principal display side of the package, which is the side of the package that consumers see. This program also investigates deceptive packaging, makes test purchases to ensure compliance and checks the accuracy of price scanners.

Firewood

If you purchased firewood and feel you did not receive the correct quantity, you should take the following steps:

• Review CDFA's fact sheet "How to Protect Yourself When Buying Firewood".
• Contact the seller and request that the discrepancy be corrected.
• If the seller can't or won't correct the problem, call 831.759.7382 to file a complaint. 

Bar code readers, scanners, and price look-up systems have replaced individual prices on items. These Point of Sale (POS) Systems have become an indispensable tool in most stores today. Currently, Monterey County does not require the registration of POS systems, however, we conduct price verification inspections to ensure the lowest advertised price is the price charged.

Price verification consists of periodic simulated purchases at businesses utilizing POS systems, to ensure that consumers are correctly charged. This area has become more important because many or all stores of national chains determine their pricing through a central computer; an error at one store is highly likely to be an error at them all. Items offered on sale are most frequently found to be in error, and the consumer must always be given the item at the lowest posted price. Businesses cannot advertise in a false or misleading manner. Retailers must honestly present their products and prices to consumers.

Tips for consumers:

• Check refund and return policies for items on sale. Store may have different policies for discounted items.
• Pay attention to the consumer display to make sure you are charged the correct price
• Immediately point out any overcharges or other errors before you leave the store. Report errors to the manager or customer service desk. If the manager can't or won't resolve your pricing issue, please submit a complaint to your local Weights & Measures office.

Weights and Measures officials enforce California laws and regulations regarding most petroleum and automotive products. County inspectors routinely check labeling on motor fuel dispensers and underground tanks. Price signs must also meet specific requirements. Inspections are primarily conducted at the same time fuel meters are tested for accuracy. Samples of gasoline or other petroleum products suspected of contamination or inferior quality may be sent to the state lab for testing.

GAS STATION REQUIREMENTS
Gasoline stations are required to provide free air and water to consumers who buy gasoline or diesel. If a station fails to provide free air and water, you may file a complaint with The State of CA Division of Measurement Standards through the linked form.

Any persons that sell, rent, install, service, or repair commercial weighing and measuring devices are required to be licensed as a Registered Service Agent or Agency with the CA Division of Measurement Standards (DMS). Weights & Measures officials may issue a violation, which result in penalty, to an RSA for improper or incorrect repair, and/or not reporting work to local officials. Repeat violations may result in license suspension or revocation.

Licensing:
Agents must take and pass an exam on the laws and regulations governing Weights and Measures. For information on RSA requirements and Weights & Measures laws and regulations, please visit the DMS RSA page. To register and take the RSA exam, visit the DMS online exam portal.

Service Reports:
Service Agents are required to notify the local county Weights and Measures office of work performed within their county. This includes the sale, rental, repair, servicing, and/or installation of commercial weighing and measuring devices. Reports are to be submitted in writing within 24 hours. This allows for efficient review of their work to validate the accuracy of that work and to verify the appropriate use of devices.

Submitting Service Reports: email: mcwm@co.monterey.ca.us, FAX: (831) 759-7344, or Mail: Monterey County Weights & Measures, 1428 Abbott Street, Salinas, CA 93901