The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to developing the United States technical standards for weights and measures in commerce. The organization's official mission is "Ensuring Equity and Uniform Standards in a Changing Marketplace."
History
The Weights and Measures Law was first signed into law on March 2, 1799 by President John Adams. In 1905, a meeting of the states was held to address the challenges of regulating weights and measures. As a result, an agreement was made to convene annually to set national standards for voluntary adoption and implementation by the states. The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) emerged from this effort to bring stakeholders together. With the exception of 11 years, annual meetings have been held every year since.
From 1905 to 1957, the Director of the National Bureau of Standards served as the Chairman of NCWM. Starting in 1958, NCWM members began electing a state or local weights and measures official each year to serve as chairman. The National Bureau of Standards, later renamed the National Institute of Standards and Technology, continued to manage meetings and membership until 1997, when NCWM formed a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation. From 1998 to 2008, NCWM contracted management services through a private company. In 2008, the Board of Directors hired the first NCWM employees, Don Onwiler as Executive Director and James Truex as National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Administrator. They hired additional staff and opened offices in Lincoln, Nebraska in August 2008.
NCWM's various model standards are published annually by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in three handbooks: Handbook 44: Specifications and Tolerances and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices, Handbook 130: Uniform Laws and Regulations, and Handbook 133: Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods.
Organization
NCWM is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. NCWM is governed by bylaws as adopted by its membership and policies as set by its board of directors. NCWM administers the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP). This program provides certification that a manufacturer of a particular model or family of weighing or measuring devices is capable of meeting the United States standards as adopted by NCWM and published in Handbook 44. Most states require NTEP Certification for new equipment placed into commercial service.
Membership
NCWM membership is open to any person. The membership year is October 1 to September 30.
Committees
There are three standing committees. Specifications and Tolerances Committee Laws and Regulations Committee Professional Development Committee
Subcommittees
Fuels and Lubricants Subcommittee (FALS) Packaging and Labeling Subcommittee (PALS) Safety Subcommittee
National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP)
The National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) is a means of ensuring manufacturers of commercial weighing and measuring instruments are capable of meeting national standards before the instruments are introduced into the marketplace. NTEP provides manufacturers with one evaluation and certification that is accepted throughout the United States.
The NTEP Committee is responsible for oversight of NTEP. The Committee provides final review and approval of recommendations to amend NCWM Publication 14 Technical Policy, Checklists and Test Procedures and makes recommendations to the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) Board of Directors for amendments to NCWM Publication 14 Administrative Policy. The NTEP Committee also addresses NCWM’s involvement in international standards development and agreements related to type evaluation and certification.
NTEP Certificate of Conformance
NTEP certification is issued by NCWM upon successful completion of the evaluation process. This NTEP Certificate of Conformance indicates that the device manufacturer has demonstrated the ability to meet applicable requirements for commercial weighing and measuring equipment in the United States as specified in Handbook 44: Specifications and Tolerances and Other Technical Requirements. NTEP certification is required in most states in the United States.