The Division of Weights & Measures is the consumer protection arm of the Burlington County Health Department. It is responsible for ensuring that consumers in Burlington County receive the correct amount and price for the products purchased. The vast majority of the products consumers buy are sold according to weight, volume, length, count, or measure – the number of gallons to fill up a car for example.
The officials in Weights & Measures inspect
• Scales
• Meters
• Scanning equipment
• Packaged products
• Timers
The officials in Weights & Measures inspect a wide range of businesses throughout the county to make sure county shoppers are getting what is expected and paid for:
• supermarkets
• gasoline stations
• packing plants
• pharmacies,
• taxi cabs
• home heating oil companies
• parcel post companies
• gold dealers
• lumber yards
• laundromats
• tanning facilities
• home improvement stores
• and others.
Officials work to keep the marketplace honest by using highly accurate equipment to inspect the devices used to measure the products consumers buy throughout Burlington County. Weighing or measuring devices are not permitted to be used for commercial purposes unless they are registered and certified by the Health Department.
Weights and Measures officials conduct audits for price verification – making sure the price marked on an item is what rings up at the register; weighing packaged foods – ensuring its weight is marked correctly; gold buyers receipts – ensuring consumers are paid the advertised price for their gold; and gas station signage – to ensure customers are being charged the advertised price. Upon request, officials will check stacked wood to ensure a true cord is delivered.
Look for the Weights and Measures seal (shown above) when out and about in the county. It is displayed on all measuring devices to ensure accuracy of the product(s) being purchased and to let the consumer know that the devices have been inspected and certified. The seal may vary from state to state, but always look for one. If you do not see a seal, ask the store manager or contact your local weights and measures office if seals are missing.
Consumers who have questions or concerns should contact the Burlington County Health Department’s Division of Weights and Measures at 609-265-5098. The Health Department is located at 15 Pioneer Blvd, Westampton, NJ 08060 within the county complex.