Purpose:

This policy implements the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) requirements currently in place in Michigan and P.A. 283 of 1964, as amended, the Weights and Measures Act. This policy addresses both weighing devices and measuring devices. This policy includes the following categories:

A. Installations

B. Inspections

C. Testing

Installations:

A. New:

Effective Dates -

 

1. 1/1/88; NTEP requirements for scales manufactured or placed in service;

 

2. 10/1/02; NTEP requirements for measuring devices (including meters) manufactured or placed in service.

B. Existing installations:

1. "Grand fathered" - No Certificate of Conformance (COC) required, but must meet all applicable NIST Handbook 44 requirements;

a. Scales - placed in service prior to 1/1/88;

 

b. Measuring devices - placed in service prior to 10/1/02;

 

c. Scales placed in service after 1/1/88 that have received prior W&M approval must meet applicable (excluding non-retroactive) Handbook 44 requirements. Inspectors may conduct increased testing and document the status of the device (i.e., prior approval - no COC).

2. Repaired devices:

a. Parts must meet or exceed existing parameters and have no negative metrological effect; otherwise, the COC would be invalidated;

 

b. Load cell replacement - must be done with compatible, NTEP certified load cell(s). This applies to full electronic and "Levertronic" devices.

b.1. Modifications to load cell mounting designs require a new COC (in general);

 

b.2. Mounting changes on a scale with an existing COC - see "one-of-a-kind" devices;

c. Remanufactured load cells - load cells that have an original COC and are remanufactured by other than the original manufacturer must have a new COC for each type of remanufactured load cell.

 

d. Indicators - Indicators must be replaced with a compatible, NTEP certified unit.

 

e. Circuit boards - Replacement of electronic components that affect compliance with influence factors requirements with components from a different manufacturer will void the original COC and the manufacturer of the new, replacement circuit boards is to have COC numbers for the replacement boards.

3. Modifications:

a. All modifications must meet the current requirements of Handbook 44;

 

b. Mechanical to full electronic conversions must have NTEP COC for load cells and indicating unit (and any associated metrological equipment) and an NTEP COC for the scale "System." If no COC is available for the system, then an NTEP inspection, in accordance with NCWM Publication 14, must be requested in writing from Weights and Measures;

 

c. Mechanical to levertronic conversions require a NTEP COC for load cell and indicator. No special test is required if the weighbridge is otherwise unmodified;

d. Weighbridge:

d.1. If modification is metrologically equivalent as stipulated by "competent scale authority," then no special testing is required. Otherwise a COC or field test in accordance with NCWM Publication 14 (initial and permanence tests) are required.

e. Capacity increases must be approved by "competent scale authority" and Weights and Measures notified in writing.

4. Used devices:

a. Reinstallations:

a.1. Pre-NTEP, permanent devices may be reinstalled at another location provided the device meets applicable Handbook 44 requirements and the installation meets current Handbook 44 requirements. This applies to both same owner reinstallations and the reinstallation of used devices which have changed ownership. No COC is required.

 

a.2. Portable devices, defined as devices that require no special installation, must meet the requirements of 4.a.1.

b. Returned to service devices:

b.1. Pre-NTEP devices that have been previously condemned "Not Sealed" by a Weights and Measures official, or that are being used commercially without proper notification of the weights and measures jurisdiction, or are otherwise being placed in commercial service after being stipulated by the user as non-commercial, must meet current Handbook 44 requirements. No COC is required.

c. Remanufactured devices:

c.1. Pre-NTEP devices must be remanufactured to meet current Handbook 44 requirements. No COC is required.

 

c.2. After the NTEP effective date (scales 1/1/88; metering devices effective date of the W&M Act plus six months), a device with an NTEP COC that is remanufactured by the original equipment manufacturer or its authorized agent using original parts, then the original NTEP COC applies, provided that the manufacturing process does not modify the metrological design of the device.

d. Copied devices:

d.1. Copies by a different manufacturer of devices that have an NTEP COC are no longer covered by the original COC. The manufacturer copying the device must submit the copy for a separate NTEP evaluation.

e. Relabeling:

e.1. A device manufactured under an NTEP COC but sold under a different label by a company other than the original manufacturer, must have an NTEP COC requested for the newly labeled device. The request must state that no design changes have been made with this stipulation agreed to, in writing, by the original manufacturer.

f. One-of-a-kind devices:

f.1. Users wishing to construct a device for a unique application that will not have an NTEP COC must submit a written request for exemption from NTEP requirements to the weights and measures jurisdiction no later than 30 days prior to construction. Devices awarded one-of-a-kind status must meet current Handbook 44 requirements.

 

f.2. The written request for one-of-a-kind NTEP exemption required by 4.f.1. must include the following:

• user's (operator's) name, address, county, phone and fax number, and signature;
• manufacturer/service company performing the installation and project start date;
• applicable plans/drawings of the installation;
• reason for the request;
• purpose of the installation;
• competent authority (engineer, designer, etc.) attesting to the safety of the installation in cases of scale capacity increases;

C. Exemptions:

1. In addition to any exemptions noted above, exemptions from NTEP requirements may be requested in writing for the following:

a. When modification of an existing device with an NTEP COC is necessary but NTEP certified replacement parts are not available for that system. Applicable Handbook 44 requirements will be applied.

 

b. Other installations with special considerations will be evaluated as necessary. Special consideration may be given in these cases; however, applicable sections of Handbook 44 shall be applied.

 

c. In the case of a and b above, the written request must include the following information:

• user's (operator's) name, address, county, phone and fax number, and signature;
• manufacturer/service company performing the service or installation and start date;
• applicable plans/drawings of the installation (if applicable);
• reason for the request;
• purpose of the installation (if applicable);
• competent authority (engineer, designer, etc.) attesting to the safety of the installation in cases of scale capacity increases;

 

d. Other considerations:

d.1. Computer and software systems that affect the metrological integrity of the device or system (Such as calculating net weight from a gross and tare reading or the total price based upon price per gallon and gallons delivered at a gasoline dispenser) must have an NTEP COC (see effective dates).

 

d.2. Recording devices that calculate values used in the determination of a customer charge must have an NTEP COC (see effective dates).

 

d.3. Registered service companies must write the certificate of conformance numbers on placed-in-service reports. If the device "system" is made up of individual parts (such as a weighbridge, indicator, load cells, or a console, calculating printer and a dispenser) then each COC is to be listed. When possible, copies of the NTEP COC should be left with the operator pending official W&M inspection.

 

d.4. An auxiliary (secondary) electronic scale indicator does not require an NTEP COC provided that it is only used to show what the primary indicator is indicating and the auxiliary indicates exactly what the primary indicator is indicating (Handbook 44, g.s.5.2.2.).

 

d.5. State of Michigan NTEP requirements apply to all commercial and law enforcement weighing and measuring devices.

Inspections:

A. Weights and measures inspections to verify compliance with NTEP requirements include, but are not limited to:

1. Scales

• all applicable requirements of Handbook 44 and NCWM Publication 14;
• load cells;
• indicators;
• recording elements;
• software;
• audit trails;

 

2. Meters

• meters/dispensers;
• audit trails;
• consoles;
• cash/credit activation devices;
• software;
• recording elements;

 

3. Other

• other jurisdictional devices, such as weights and measures test standards, will be inspected I.A.W. The appropriate guidelines (i.e., NIST105 Series Handbooks).

Testing:

A. All devices/systems that require NTEP field testing shall be tested under the following guidelines:

1. Required NTEP field testing must be requested by the owner of the device in writing. Service agencies may help prepare the request, but the owner (user) must submit the request.

 

2. NTEP field testing, when required, shall consist of initial and permanence testing.

 

3. NTEP testing shall be done I.A.W. the applicable portions of Handbook 44 and NCWM Publication 14.

 

4. Arrangements must be made and agreed to for the date of the test and the delivery of adequate, calibrated test standards (weights, provers or other required equipment) to the testing site.

 

5. All standards must be certified I.A.W. the Weights and Measures Act and proof provided thereof.

 

6. Any assistance required by the weights and measures official must by agreed to and provided by the user (or his agent).

 

7. The fee assessed for an NTEP field test, both initial and permanence, shall be as provided for in the current weights and measures fee inspection schedule as approved by the department of agriculture. As of 12/10/08, the fee is code 24 ($100 per inspector, per hour). Mileage charges ranging from $1.00 to $3.00 per mile would also apply.

 

8. The device user must agree to the fees before device inspection commences.

Any questions regarding this policy can be addressed with the Weights and Measures Program Manager at (517)655-8202.