The Sutter County Weights and Measures Division routinely checks the accuracy and type approval of commercial weighing and measuring devices that are used in transactions where the cost of a product or commodity is based on weight or measure. All weighing and measuring devices used in this manner must be registered annually within the county in which they are used, type approved for use through the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) or California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP), and tested for accuracy on at least an annual basis. Devices must test within the accuracy tolerances provided in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44.

When a device is found to be out of tolerance, it may be taken out-of-service depending on whether it is over-registering (taking product) or under-registering (giving product). If red-tagged (placed out of service), that device is no longer legal to use until a Registered Service Agent corrects the device to be within tolerance and places it back in service (notifying our office in writing within 24 hours). 

How can you tell when and if a device has been checked for accuracy?
We conspicuously affix our county seal to every commercial device we test and find to be accurate. 

 Some of the typical weighing and measuring devices we test:

• Hanging scales – mechanical scale typically found at fruit stands, farmer’s markets, and your local hardware store.
• Counter scales – mechanical or electronic scale typically found at fruit stands, farmer’s markets, hardware stores, and perhaps a deli or butcher shop.
• Computing scales – electronic scale typically used as a “point of sale” device to calculate a price based on total weight and the cost per unit of weight.
• Livestock scales – mechanical or mechanical/digital scale usually used to determine the weight of livestock.
• Platform scales – mechanical or mechanical/digital scale usually used when a counter or computing scale is too small. Typically used in feeds stores, processing facilities, and recycle centers.
• Vehicle scales – mechanical or mechanical/digital scale used to determine the net and gross weight of a vehicle, loaded and unloaded, usually for bulk deliveries. Typically used by cattle trucks, bulk agricultural product carriers, and bulk agricultural commodity carriers.
• Electric sub-meters – typically found where a business or establishment purchases electric service from a serving utility provider via a master meter and then distributes that service to tenants through a system of sub-meters.
• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment- A metering system used for measurement of electricity dispensed in vehicle fuel applications.
• Fabric, Cordage, Wire meters – device used to automatically measure the length of fabric, rope, wire, etc.
• Liquefied Gas meters – device used for the delivery and measurement of petroleum gas in the liquid state (i.e. propane).
• Retail Water meters – device used for the delivery and measurement of water as it is dispensed by a consumer.
• Retail Motor Fuel meters – device used for the delivery and measurement of liquid fuel (i.e. gasoline, diesel).
• Vapor sub-meters - device used for the delivery and measurement of hydrocarbon gas in the vapor state.

Device FAQs 

• Why do I need to have my weighing and/or measuring device registered with the county?

  Answer: The Business and Professions Code, Article 2.1., Section 12240 allows the county board of supervisors, by ordinance (Sutter County Ordinance No.1657) to charge an annual registration fee for any weighing or measuring device involved in a commercial transaction.

• My scale is an all-electronic scale, is it still necessary to have it tested and sealed by Sutter County each year?

  Answer: All scales, electronic scales included, must be tested and registered in the county where they will be used. Electronic scales are capable of error and therefore must be checked by the Department of Weights and Measures.

• I only use my scale two or three times a year, do I still need it to be sealed by the county?

  Answer: Yes, all commercial scales must be sealed by the county Weights and Measures regardless of how often they are used.

• The scale I purchased in another county has an updated seal from that county on the scale. Do I still need to have it tested by Sutter County Department of Weights and Measures?

  Answer: Yes, all scales must be registered and tested by the Department of Weights and Measures in the county where the scale will be used for business.

• Can any scale be used for transactions, or does it have to be a special scale?

  Answer: Only scales that have been approved for commercial use (type approved NTEP or CTEP) and sealed by the department may be used for a commercial transaction. A licensed service agent may place a device into service for commercial use before our inspectors conduct their tests.

• I purchased a very old high-quality scale. Can I get it sealed and certified by the county for commercial use if it hasn't been type certified?

  Answer: Older scales that have not been type certified can be sealed after a thorough testing by the Department of Weights and Measures to ensure they are accurate and suitable for the use it is intended.

• The scale at the rock yard doesn't have an indicator, the indicator doesn't work, or the indicator can't be seen from the public side. Is it legal for them to use that scale to weigh my rock?
  Answer: According to the California Code of Regulations Title 4, Division 9, Section 1.10. General Code, G-UR.3.3., A device or system equipped with a primary indicating element and used in direct sales, except for prescription scales, shall be positioned so that its indications may be accurately read and the weighing or measuring operation may be observed from some reasonable “customer” and “operator” position.  If there are no weight indications present, then the scale is not legal for use in commercial transactions. 

Weighing and Measuring Device Links:

• Weighing Device Information at Division of Measurement Standards
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• CTEP Certificates of Approval Database Search
• NTEP Certificates of Conformance Database Search | NCWM

Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)

Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), also known as “charging stations,” began appearing in parking garages, strip malls, hotels, grocery stores, and apartment complexes over the last ten years.  These stations provide electricity to consumers by alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) energy to ensure their vehicle remains operational while in use.  Newer systems have begun providing an option to “fast-charge” your vehicle’s battery in less time than older systems. 

Electricity sold as a commodity to recharge electrical vehicle batteries must be sold over an approved commercial device, which meets the specifications and tolerances outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44.  All alternating current (AC) and direct current fast charge (DCFC) electrical vehicle supply equipment are subject to regulations adopted by the Department and enrolled by the Secretary of State on January 1, 2020. 

When is EVSE regulation enforceable? 

• January 1, 2021. All new commercial AC EVSE installed on or after January 1, 2021 will be fully subject to regulation.
• January 1, 2023. All new commercial DCFC EVSE installed on or after January 1, 2023 will be fully subject to the regulation.
• January 1, 2031. All commercial AC EVSE installed prior to January 1, 2021 may continue in operation, as is, but must comply with the regulation by January 1, 2031.
• January 1, 2033. All commercial DCFC EVSE installed prior to January 1, 2023 may continue in operation, as is, but must comply with the regulation by January 1, 2033.

For any questions, please contact our office for further information.