Great Lakes Wire

Each year, the first week of March is dedicated to recognizing a key consumer protection program within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The Weights and Measures program ensures that devices used by retailers to weigh and measure goods are functioning correctly. This includes verifying the accuracy of gas pumps, grocery scales, and the contents of packaged products.

"MDARD plays an important role in ensuring every Michigander is getting fair value when they’re out buying goods and products, and that’s credit to our inspectors who work incredibly hard to ensure accuracy in the marketplace,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “National Weights and Measures Week is a yearly reminder of their important role in consumer protection.”

Weights and Measures Week is observed nationally from March 1-7 each year. It commemorates President John Adams signing the first U.S. weights and measures legislation into law on March 2, 1799.

“With spring right around the corner, MDARD will be checking for items of particular interest to consumers this time of year, like bags of mulch and soil,” said Craig VanBuren, MDARD’s Laboratory and Consumer Protection Bureau Director. “And, of course, let’s not forget the gallon of gas you buy for your lawnmower. Our inspectors work daily to ensure Michiganders get what they’re paying for every time.”

Consumers with concerns about any advertisement, purchase, service, or transaction based on weight, measure, or count can call 800-632-3835 to register a complaint. Additional information about the department's weights program is available online.