Mandatory Scale Calibration Requirements in Maryland

In Maryland, certain businesses and organizations are required to have their scales calibrated regularly to ensure accuracy and compliance with state regulations. This mandatory calibration primarily applies to commercial scales used in trade transactions and specialized equipment used in automotive inspection stations.

Commercial Scales

All businesses in Maryland that use scales for commercial purposes must have those scales calibrated and certified to meet legal-for-trade standards. This requirement ensures fair and accurate transactions between buyers and sellers. Common businesses that fall under this mandate include:

• Grocery stores
• Delis and butcher shops
• Produce markets
• Shipping and mailing services
• Recycling centers
• Precious metal dealers

These businesses rely on scales to determine the price of goods sold by weight, and therefore must follow the standards set forth in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44, which Maryland regulations adopt.

Commercial scale owners are required to register their devices with the state. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures program inspects and regulates these devices to ensure compliance. State inspectors periodically check commercial scales, and if any device is found to be out of tolerance, it may be tagged and taken out of service until it is properly calibrated and adjusted.

Automotive Inspection Stations

Maryland's vehicle inspection regulations also enforce specific calibration requirements for equipment used in licensed inspection stations. According to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 11.14.01.07, inspection stations must calibrate their equipment regularly:

• Licensed inspection stations must calibrate their equipment monthly, or as specified by the equipment manufacturer.
• Specialized equipment, such as brake micrometers and ball joint checkers, must provide accurate measurements in specific increments.
• Manufacturers, second-stage manufacturers, or authorized dealers must calibrate standard automotive air pressure gauges daily and certify them at least semiannually.
• Scales used to measure the weight of lift axles on four-axle dump trucks must also be certified semiannually.

Calibration and certification data must be recorded on forms provided by the Division of Motor Vehicles and made available for inspection upon request.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to maintain calibrated equipment can result in significant consequences for Maryland businesses:

• Commercial Scale Owners: Inaccurate scales discovered during state inspections may lead to fines or removal of the device from service.
• Inspection Stations: Equipment that is not repaired or replaced within 72 hours of being found inoperative may require surrendering unused inspection certificates and halting inspections.
• If equipment remains unrepaired or unreplaced for 90 days, the inspection station's license could be suspended or revoked.

To comply with these requirements, businesses in Maryland can engage calibration services from companies like Garber Metrology, which provides on-site and laboratory calibration for a variety of measuring devices. These services assist in ensuring adherence to state regulations and in maintaining the accuracy of scales and other measuring equipment.

In summary, mandatory scale calibration requirements in Maryland affect businesses using commercial scales in trade and automotive inspection stations. These regulations aim to protect consumers and promote fair trade practices by ensuring accurate weighing and measuring devices. Regular calibration and certification of scales and measuring equipment are not only legal requirements but also vital for sustaining trust in commercial transactions and vehicle safety inspections across the state.