Weights and Measures

The Bureau of Weights and Measures protects consumers from deliberate fraud or unintentional errors, and further serve to protect business owners. Weights and Measures inspects and monitors all transactions in which a commodity or service is bought or sold, or a weighing and measuring device is utilized. Consumers can be assured that the seal on each device means it is functioning properly.

Inspections are completed annually, and county inspectors check retailers randomly and un-announced. Inspectors conduct more than 10,000 tests each year, using equipment certified for use by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Random and inspections are also conducted on commercial scales (up to 1,000 lbs. capacity), jeweler's scales, airport luggage scales, parking meters, parking garage timing systems and scanners at retail checkout counters.

All gas pumps within the county are inspected by the Allegheny County Bureau of Weights and Measures. Gas pumps that fail to pass initial testing are flagged by a red sticker, or closed until they are repaired and pass a subsequent test.

Fraud Complaint

See something suspicious? Submit a fraud complaint to Allegheny County through the fraud hotline at 412-350-6496 or the online fraud complaint form. Tips will remain confidential, though reporters will be asked for contact information so that inspectors may share the results of their investigation. 

Reports

Review the archived reports of inspections and re-inspections of a variety of weighing and measuring devices in Allegheny County. Reporting standards follow guidelines set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Legislature.