The New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Standards & Consumer Services Division and State Metrology Lab are marking Weights and Measures Week, which takes place annually from March 1-7. This observance honors the signing of the country’s first weights and measures law by President John Adams on March 2, 1799.
The Standards & Consumer Services Division works to ensure that commercial weighing and measuring devices used across New Mexico are accurate. This oversight includes equipment that is installed, serviced, repaired or reconditioned before being put into use. The goal is to help businesses comply with standards set by the New Mexico Administrative Code and ensure consumers receive fair transactions.
The State Metrology Lab, located in Las Cruces as part of NMDA’s Laboratory Division, collaborates with SCS to maintain measurement standards for commerce throughout the state. The lab plays a role in confirming that weights used in trade meet required levels of accuracy.
“Accurate weights and measures are essential to fair trade and consumer confidence,” said Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. “From the grocery store to the fuel pump, New Mexicans rely on these standards every day, and NMDA is committed to ensuring accuracy and consistency across the marketplace.”
The department runs several laboratories for testing in areas such as chemistry, seeds, metrology and petroleum as described on its official website. As a state agency linked with New Mexico State University (source), NMDA supports agriculture through divisions focused on biosecurity, food safety, pest management and marketing (source). It also provides diagnostic support for livestock health issues, pest management assistance and helps promote agricultural products (source).
NMDA operates offices in Las Cruces, Portales and Albuquerque (source). Its resources assist the agricultural sector with challenges like drought management and pest control while maintaining oversight of pesticide use (source).
