About NCWM
Each state, territory, the District of Columbia and the Navajo Nation has the authority to regulate weights and measures within their borders. It is vital to a robust free market system that they be uniform in laws, regulations and requirements for commercial weighing and measuring devices. Uniform standards reduce costs to industry and ultimately, costs to consumers.
Established in 1905, the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) is the organization developing model standards for legal metrology in the United States. The states and territories voluntarily adopt NCWM model standards in one form or another.
NCWM’s membership includes regulators, regulated industries and consumer interests, both domestic and foreign. Every individual and organization represented in this diverse organization is given a voice in the process. NCWM draws on the technical and practical knowledge of industry and the unbiased perspective of regulators to create standards that are effective and fair.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) supports the work of the NCWM by publishing the model standards in NIST Handbooks 44, 130 and 133. NIST also provides technical advisors to many of NCWM’s work groups and committees. These advisors assist in maintaining uniformity with related federal laws and in harmonizing, where deemed appropriate, with international standards. NIST has long served as a valuable source of training for regulatory and industry personnel.