Weights and Measures Section – Annapolis, MD

Maryland Weights and Measures Section

Ensuring Fair Commerce in Maryland

The Weights and Measures Section, a division of the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), acts as a neutral third party to protect both buyers and sellers in commercial transactions. Located at the MDA headquarters on Harry S. Truman Parkway, this agency is responsible for inspecting and regulating all weighing and measuring devices used for trade within the state. From the scales at your local grocery store checkout to the gasoline pumps at service stations and the fuel oil trucks delivering to homes, this section ensures that consumers receive exactly what they pay for. Their work underpins the economic integrity of the marketplace by preventing unfair competition and fraud.

Core Regulatory Activities

• Device Inspection: Field agents routinely test commercial devices including retail motor fuel dispensers, vehicle scales, and grain moisture meters to ensure accuracy within state tolerances.
• Package Checking: Officials verify the net contents of packaged goods (sold by weight, volume, or count) to ensure labeling compliance and prevent short-weighting.
• Registration and Licensing: The section registers service agencies and technicians authorized to repair commercial weighing devices and maintains a registry of all commercial devices in use.
• Metrology Laboratory: The agency maintains the state’s primary standards of mass, volume, and length, providing calibration services for industry and other government agencies.

Visiting the MDA Headquarters

The Weights and Measures Section operates out of the main Department of Agriculture building. Access to the facility is controlled; visitors must park in the designated visitor lot (look for the cow statue landmark) and enter through the main glass doors near the flagpoles. Security protocol requires all guests to present a valid photo ID at the reception desk to receive a visitor’s pass. While many services, such as device registration renewals, can be handled via their online portal, in-person inquiries regarding specific regulations or complaints are handled during standard business hours.