The Auditor is the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the entire County, maintaining “Equity in the Marketplace,” thus protecting both buyer and seller from possible loss which may occur from faulty measuring devices, such as scales, scanners, retail motor fuel dispensers and meters. The Auditor is charged with the legal responsibility of ensuring that all State and National Laws relating to Weights and Measures are strictly enforced.
Sealers perform inspections, and test on both commercial and some non-commercial devices to insure those devices meet the criteria of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Type Evaluation Program. Audits and Tests are also performed on Random Packed items a store may weigh such as meats, cheeses and produce and Standard Packed items. These tests are conducted to insure the product meets or exceeds the requirements of Handbook 130, Checking The Net Contents of Packaged Goods. Price Verification test are also performed to make sure there is no misrepresentation of pricing. County Sealers are certified by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and must maintain the required Minimum Training Requirements established by the State. Inspectors must pass all National Institute of Standards and Technology test with an 80% or higher grade to attain certification, and 18 credit hours of training are mandatory for inspectors who have completed their training for maintaining certification each year.
Look for the Yearly County seal on those devices inspected and tested to be assured that they were correct, accurate and sealed. Again, these services are performed to “Maintain Equity in the Marketplace,” if you believe a device is not performing properly, or for more information, please contact the Erie County Auditor’s Office, Weights and Measures Division at (419) 627-7746. For web information concerning Weights and Measures go to www.ncwm.net and be sure to checkout the link page http://savvyconsumer.org/help/money/whatupay/whatupay.htm - a Consumers Guide to Getting What You Pay For. It is very informative. For more information on weights and measures check out the National Institute of Standards and Technology.