Scale Seals and Certifications FAQ

Each business must submit its scale to be certified as Legal-for-Trade, and get a seal placed on the scale by the inspector once certified. Each state has different regulations concerning the prerequisites and forms needed to apply to the State for Legal-for-Trade. Once a scale is approved, the State puts a sticker over the calibration hole. This inspection is required so that calibration cannot be manipulated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a commercial scale that is approved and Legal-for-Trade in order to conduct business?
What constitutes a Legal-for-Trade scale?
What is Handbook 44 (H-44)?
What is NIST?
What is NCWM?
What does it mean when a device is NTEP Certified?
How do I know if my device is NTEP Certified for integration with Toast POS?
Where do I find the Certificate of Conformance (CC) Number on my Toast POS?
Do I need to register my weighing device?
How do I register my weighing device?
Can I use my new scale for commercial transactions right out of the package?
What does Placed in Service mean?

Do I need a commercial scale that is approved and Legal-for-Trade in order to conduct business?

If your business buys or sells any commodity or service by weight, you are required to have an approved, legal for trade device on which to conduct sales by weight.

What constitutes a Legal-for-Trade scale?

A Legal-for-Trade scale is one that meets the requirements of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44 and is approved by the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP). Legal-for-Trade devices will have an accuracy class designation.

What is Handbook 44 (H-44)?

NIST publishes Handbook 44 each year after the annual meeting of the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). It's developed through the cooperation of the Committee on Specifications and Tolerances of the NCWM and the Weights and Measures Division (WMD) of the NIST. The book is a comprehensive set of requirements for weighing and measuring devices that are used in commerce and law enforcement activities. The complete title of Handbook 44 is “Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices”.

What is NIST?

NIST, commonly known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), is an agency of the federal government to which all precision measurements are traceable.

What is NCWM?

The National Council on Weights and Measures (NCWM) is an association of local, state, federal, and industry representatives that adopts uniform (model) laws and regulations (e.g., NIST Handbook 44). The body of officials sets NTEP policy and has final say in disputes at the NCWM.

What does it mean when a device is NTEP Certified?

The NTEP Certificate of Conformance certification means a device meets all applicable requirements of Handbook 44.

How do I know if my device is NTEP Certified for integration with Toast POS?

The following scales have a NTEP-compliant integration with Toast POS:

- The Zebra MP7xxx
- Datalogic Magellan 8xxx
- Datalogic Magellan 9xxx

The following scales do NOT have a NTEP-compliant integration with Toast POS:

- Brecknell
- Detecto

CAS scales are only NTEP-compliant if:

- One of the two built-in LCD displays faces the guest
- There is no tare button, or per section 2.4.1 in the manual, the tare function is disabled

Where do I find the Certificate of Conformance (CC) Number on my Toast POS?

You can find your Certificate of Conformance (CC) number by navigating to the main menu of your Toast POS terminal, selecting the overflow menu (three vertical dots), and selecting NTEP CC.

Your guests can access this information on a kiosk device when weighing an item on the scale by selecting the NTEP CC information below their item weight as seen in the image below.

Note: If you are unable to see the Certificate of Conformance information contact Toast support to request that your location is configured for scale compliance. This configuration is on by default for new customers and only existing customers could be affected by this legacy configuration.

Do I need to register my weighing device?

Everyone who operates or uses a weighing device for commercial commodity purposes within the states of California and Nevada should register their device. A commodity is defined as any article of food, drink, trade, or commerce, or any service or amusement, goods, wares, merchandise, or fuel measured by any weighing and measuring or counting system.

How do I register my weighing device?

To register your device, you must obtain and complete a Registration Application from the State Office of Weights and Measures or your county office of Weights and Measures. A registration fee is also applicable. The cost of the fee depends on the type of weighing device you are registering.

Can I use my new scale for commercial transactions right out of the package?

No. A scale intended to be used commercially must first be inspected and approved by a state inspector or tested and placed in service by a registered scale service company such as Quality Scales Unlimited.

What does "Placed in Service" mean?

Placed in Service means that a registered individual using a certified testing apparatus has inspected and tested the device and certifies that the device meets all applicable rules and regulations. After certifying the device, the registered repair person will affix their seal on the device, which will allow that device to be used commercially until such time as the device has an official inspection performed on it by a Weights and Measures Bureau official.