Office of Weights and Measures

Office of Weights and Measures
Type:	Government
Parent organization:	National Institute of Standards and Technology
Employees:	20
Executive:	Chief
Budget:
Address:	100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
Website:	https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures
Creation Legislation:	Established by the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST)
Wikipedia:	Office of Weights and Measures

Office of Weights and Measures

This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

Mission
To promote uniformity in U.S. weights and measures laws, regulations, and standards; to provide technical support to state and local weights and measures officials, ensuring fairness and accuracy in commerce.

Services
Standard Setting; Technical Assistance; Training

Regulations

Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) within NIST works to ensure accuracy in commerce by developing standards and providing support for weights and measures across the United States.

Official Site

Mission

The mission of OWM is to maintain national standards for weights and measures, foster uniformity in their application, and support state and local weights and measures programs. By doing so, OWM helps protect consumers and businesses from unfair trade practices, ensuring marketplace equity through accurate measurement.

Parent organization

OWM is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which falls under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Legislation

OWM was established by the activities of what was once the National Bureau of Standards, now NIST, without specific legislation but as part of its mandate to promote standards.

Partners

State and local weights and measures agencies
National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM)
Industry stakeholders in measurement technology

Number of employees

OWM has approximately 20 employees.

Organization structure

Office of the Chief oversees policy and operations.
Standards Development for national measurement standards.
Laboratory Metrology provides calibration and testing services.
Program Coordination works with states to implement standards.

List of programs

Model Laws and Regulations for Weights and Measures
Training Programs for Weights and Measures Officials
Laboratory Metrology Services
National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP)

Last total enacted budget

The specific budget for OWM is not publicly detailed as it is part of NIST's broader budget.

Leader

OWM is led by a Chief.

Services provided

OWM provides services by developing and promoting uniform standards, offering technical assistance, training state and local officials on measurement standards, and conducting research to advance measurement science. It also evaluates and certifies measuring devices used in trade.

Regulations overseen

While OWM does not directly oversee regulations, it significantly influences the development and adoption of weights and measures standards nationwide, which are then incorporated into state and local regulations to ensure consistency and accuracy in commerce.

Headquarters address

100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

Website

https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures

Wikipedia article

There is no specific Wikipedia article for OWM; for related information, see wikipedia:National Institute of Standards and Technology.

External links