In the United States, who performs routine dissemination of traceable mass calibrations for commerce?

Routine dissemination of traceable mass calibrations for commerce in the United States is primarily the responsibility of state weights and measures laboratories. These laboratories operate under state laws and regulations to ensure that measuring devices used in commerce are calibrated against known standards, which helps maintain accuracy and fairness in trade.

State weights and measures laboratories perform the essential function of certifying that weighing and measuring instruments used in commercial transactions conform to established standards. This certification process is vital for ensuring that consumers receive fair value and that businesses operate on a level playing field. They often work closely with national standards organizations, but their key role in directly overseeing and performing these calibrations for commerce is what sets them apart.

Federal calibration bureaus and national standards organizations may provide foundational standards and support, but they do not typically engage in the direct, routine calibration of mass standards used in everyday commercial activities. Private calibration companies also play a role in the calibration process, but they often work in conjunction with, or under the guidelines set forth by, state laboratories, which hold the official authority and responsibility for ensuring compliance with legal standards in commerce.