Activities associated with this program assure a level playing field within the petroleum industry of the Commonwealth. This quality assurance program protects the consumer from substandard products and protects the legitimate petroleum dealer from the adverse effects of competitors selling substandard products in order to gain a greater market share. Quality standards also address environmental aspects related to pollution reduction.
The Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) has developed a Technical Bulletin for industry guidance, addressing the installation and operation of commercial Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE). EVSEs are those devices, accessories, and systems used for the measurement of electricity dispensed in vehicle fuel applications wherein a quantity determination or statement of measure is used wholly or partially as a basis for sale or upon which a charge for service is based.
The Office of Weights and Measures is responsible for the inspection and testing of all commercially used weighing and measuring equipment including gasoline dispensers, grocery scales, scanners, vehicle scales, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) meters and vehicle tank meters. This activity involves technical support to the user in the form of advice given on the selection, installation and use of equipment. Our service is beneficial to the user clients by reducing the cost of purchasing equipment and assures that the proper equipment is matched to the application. This assistance is important to the client in reducing the cost of purchasing and maintaining weighing and measuring equipment. The Office of Weights and Measures investigates consumer complaints received related to alleged violations pertaining to weighing and measuring devices; to include questionable practices in the sales of commodities sold by weight or measure.
Other activities include the inspection and verification of packaged consumer products. This activity includes technical information and advice related to the proper labeling of packaged consumer goods as required by the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Compliance to these standards is necessary to assure acceptance of commodities introduced to interstate trade.
Services of the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) include the Weights and Measures Service Agency and Technician Permitting Program. This program trains technicians on the requirements of the Weights and Measures Law and the applicable requirements of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44.
Technician training classes are held three times a year. The seminar is mandatory for new technicians wishing to be licensed under the Virginia Service Agencies and Technicians Law and provides information regarding administrative duties of compliance as well as introduction to and explanations of the law. There is a $100 fee for service agencies and a $25 fee for service technicians. For information on the next training class, please contact the OWM Richmond Office at 804,786.2476.
The Law requires that every service technician applying for renewal must present, as part of his or her application, proof of completion of a valid course of training. Pursuant to Virginia’s Weights and Measures Service Agencies and Technicians Law (Law), (Va Code §3.2-5707), the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is offering online service technician training courses for those seeking renewal of their service technician license. The online training course is for renewal only and is not a substitute for the initial classroom training required for new service technicians. Please see the following instructions on how to access the Virginia Learning Center and the online training course. Please be advised that no application for a service technician license or renewal will be approved unless proof of completion of a course within 3 years of the date of the renewal request is provided with the application.
This program provides for the licensing of individuals to certify the accuracy of weight tickets. This function is similar to the activities of the "Notary Public" in that the Weighmaster is required to attest to the accuracy of a commodity's weight, sign a document and affix a seal.
The Cotton Handlers Law contains requirements for licensing, bonding, and record keeping for all cotton gins, cotton warehouses and cotton merchants operating in Virginia. Additionally, cotton ginned in Virginia must be graded by the United States Department of Agriculture or a comparable authority. This inspection authority includes investigation of complaints, monitoring inventories of stored cotton and auditing of sales records.
The Commission Merchants Law requires the licensing and bonding of businesses that market agricultural commodities for a commission, such as tobacco warehouses and livestock auction markets. This activity provides for the protection of the producer by limiting the commissions charged by the facility and assures that prompt payment is made to the producer.
The Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) serves as the custodian of the state standards for
mass, volume, length and temperature. These services are provided to both government and
industry clients, for both regulatory and quality control processes. OWM’s Metrology Laboratory is
the only local source available to these clients for traceability to national standards. This service is
beneficial to our clients who would, otherwise, not have reasonable access to metrological
calibrations. OWM’s Metrology Laboratory is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program (NVLAP) under laboratory code 105007-0. VDACS Metrology Laboratory NVLAP Accreditation Certificates. This accreditation shows direct
traceability of Virginia's laboratory to national standards.
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