Image 1: DCP Weights and Measures Inspector Shay Tubbs demonstrates a field test on a grocery store checkout scale.

HARTFORD ­- The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is marking National Weights and Measures Week by celebrating its 227-year history of ensuring a fair marketplace for Connecticut consumers. Weights and Measures is the first form of consumer protection in the United States and widely recognized as the earliest global form of consumer protection.

"That's about 82,855 days or approximately 1,988,620 hours of continuous consumer protection in Connecticut, not that we're counting," said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. "Our team measures up to the task in every way. It's a heavy job, but our inspectors go the extra mile to ensure everything from the scales at your grocery store to the meters at your gas pump are fair and accurate. This week is an important reminder of the work done by Weights and Measures professionals all over the world. From the cereal you eat in the morning, to the gas used on your daily commute, to grocery runs, you are impacted by the work of our Weights and Measures Program."

The DCP Food and Standards Division is home to the state's Weights and Measures Program, a team of inspectors who test all scales, meters, and measuring devices to ensure they are accurate. Routine inspections help to create an honest marketplace for consumers and businesses.

On March 2, 1799, President John Quincy Adams signed the first legislation that acknowledged the need for weights and measures enforcement in public service. Today, it is estimated that approximately 50 percent of U.S. gross domestic product involves the act of weights and measures.

Connecticut's Weights and Measures Program is a team of eight, inspecting over 1,400 fuel stations, 600 heating oil dealers, and 3,044 locations with scales or other measuring devices. Some inspections may include:

• Scales at grocery stores - A Weights and Measures Inspector will place a standard weighton the scale and check that it matches the displayed weight. If there are discrepancies, the store is notified, and the scale must be calibrated. Small-scale testing inspections are conducted at cashier-operated and self-checkout counters, ensuring you are paying for the accurate weight.
• Confirming the advertised weight on packaging- A retail package inspection checks the accuracy of any grocery item that does not contain liquid. The inspector will randomly select a product off the shelf, record the weight, empty the contents, then weigh the packaging. Through calculations, the inspector can determine if the weight matches the advertised weight on the package. If there are discrepancies, the store is notified, and the item must be pulled from the shelf. This helps to ensure that consumers are paying for the product, not the package.
• Gas station inspections -Inspectors use specialized equipment to measure motor fuel, checking that the price aligns with the amount of fuel dispensed. Gas station pumps are typically inspected every two years and are marked with a DCP Food & Standards sticker indicating the last inspection date.

Image 2 and 3: Blue and white stickers indicate the last time a gas pump was inspected by DCP. Station pumps are typically inspected every two years.

Additional information about Weights and Measures Week can be found at: https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/weights-and-measures-week

To send an oil, propane, or gasoline complaint or question, send an email to [email protected]. Complaints should include the name, town, price, and any other pertinent information related to your question or complaint.