Weights and Measures
Notice to Customers
Update May 30, 2023: During this transition (outlined below), some business invoices issued by the Consumer and Industry Services Division have been temporarily delayed.
Invoices for all programs except for Pesticides will be sent by June 9 to the email we have on file for the business.
Invoices for the Pesticides program will be sent through the postal mail.
In all instances, business owners have until July 31 to pay any balances owed.
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The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is making it easier for customers to interact with the Division of Consumer and Industry Services.
Invoices, licenses, and permits have a new look in 2023. Streamlining the documents makes them simpler to interpret and understand.
A new, secure online portal is easing access to invoice, license, and permit information. Business owners can see the status of a license or registration, when payment is due, and the balance owed. Additionally, payments can be made online with a credit card or eCheck, eliminating the need to send payments through the mail.
The following programs transitioned to the new Trace First portal April 5:
· Apiary
· Dairy
· Food Safety - Manufacturing
· Food Safety - Retail
· Metrology
· Produce
· Tobacco
The following programs transitioned to the new Trace First portal May 1:
· Ag Inputs (Feed, Seed, Fertilizer, Lime)
· Hemp
· Plant Certification
· Weights and Measures
As always, we appreciate your partnership in serving the citizens of Tennessee. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Consumer and Industry Services Division at (615) 837-5150.
The major functions of the Weights and Measures Section include the testing of measuring devices such as fuel pumps, scales, and liquid propane gas (LPG) meters; package check weighing for net quantity declaration accuracy; and the verification of accurate Universal Product Codes (UPC) at the retail level. Most items must be sold by weight, measure or count.
Our inspectors review advertisements and price declaration on labels and shelves to verify that the method of sale is appropriate for the type of product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call 1-800-628-2631 or (615) 837-5109. You can also submit your info here. Consumer should have name and address of the establishment including street name/ number and city along with a description of the exact nature of the problem for all complaints. Please furnish the pump number or the physical location of the pump at the establishment and grade of fuel for pump related complaints. Please furnish the location of the scale at the establishment if it is a scale related complaint. For price verification or net weight complaints, consumer should furnish the brand/name and size/weight of the commodities and any other applicable information that may assist us.
Call (615) 837-5159.
Tenn. Code Ann. 47-26-907 states: “technical requirements for weighing and measuring devices, packaging and labeling, method of sale of commodities, and type evaluation” shall apply to all weighing and measuring devices in the state used for direct commercial sales. Requirements can be found in NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Handbook 44, Handbook 130, and the NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program).
You will find more information here and here. Call (615) 837-5109 with additional questions.