Metrology Laboratory Programs

Bureau of Weights and Measures

Metrology is the science of measurement, dealing with measurement units and standards. Don't confuse it with "meteorology" or atmospheric science. Metrology forms the basis of all weights and measures work. Without uniform measurement units and accurate standards our commercial marketplace would not function efficiently.

The Bureau Laboratory maintains the State Standards of mass, volume, length, and temperature. All are maintained accurate and traceable to the National Standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). For information on New York 's lab status under the NIST State Standards Program, check the NIST Weights and Measures Division.

The laboratory has a defined quality system that is designed to assure the quality of all measurement services. The laboratory is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) to ISO Guide 17025 standards for most of the calibration services offered. For more information on our Scope of AccreditedServices, click on the NVLAP logo or the adjoining link below, or check the http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/scopes/programs.htm site (look for our name under Calibration Laboratories, mechanical).

		Lab Code 200464-0

There are many sites on the internet where you can find conversion factors to convert between metric and customary units. A good starting place is to search the keywords “metric conversions.”

Calibration Services

The Bureau Laboratory offers a wide range of calibration and testing services. These services are available to both the public and private sectors on a fee basis. Calibration services are offered in the areas of mass (weight), volume, length, temperature and time in both customary and metric units. The laboratory is capable of performing calibrations at varying levels of accuracy.

Many standards do not need calibration at the highest levels and in fact, may not be stable enough to maintain high accuracy. Our laboratory staff will gladly answer your questions regarding what kind of calibration will best suit your needs. They can also assist in specifying standards that you are looking to purchase. Call or write at the phone number or address below for assistance, advice or to make an appointment.

Medium Accuracy - Calibration in the medium accuracy range typically includes weights and measures used by regulatory officials in the inspection of commercial devices, and by private companies that service these devices.

High Accuracy - Calibration in the high accuracy range typically includes weights and measures used by the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.

FEES - Fees are charged to recover the costs of performing the tests and are based on an hourly rate of $75. Estimates are available at the phone number and email address below.

Type Evaluation Services

Each type of commercial device must be approved in New York before it is sold or used in a commercial application, that is in determining the quantity for purpose of sale or transfer, or in determining the charge for services based on quantity. This approval is granted to the manufacturer or distributor of the device. Commercial devices must be capable of meeting the specifications and tolerances in NIST Handbook 44, which is adopted in New York Regulations.

New York is a Participating Laboratory in the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) and is authorized to perform evaluations in the areas of scales and weighing devices (including indicators and cash registers) and taximeters. NTEP operates under the National Conference on Weights and Measures and provides one-stop shopping for manufacturer's to get approval for the virtually the entire country. NTEP also has cooperative agreements with Canada to share test results.

You can get a New York approval for your device in one of two ways.

1.        You may request approval and an appointment to submit samples to the laboratory for test. If the device passes all the tests, a certificate will be issued. Fees are charged to recover the costs of performing the tests and are based on an hourly rate of $75. Estimates are available at the phone number and email address below.

2.        You may also submit a Certificate of Conformance issued by the NTEP as proof of compliance and request registration. Upon payment of a registration fee of $100 a certificate will be issued.

At present, NTEP does not cover all device types. Those device types not covered by NTEP must be submitted for test under option 1 above.

NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Bureau of Weights and Measures
Building 7A
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12235-0001
(518) 457-3452
weighlab@agriculture.ny.gov

Revised 05/04/10