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Our selection of NTEP legal for trade scales includes things like laboratory balances, bench scales, digital weight indicators, industrial floor scales, load cells, and truck scales. These items have a certificate of conformance. The NTEP Certified Legal For Trade scales available from Central Carolina Scale provide the highest possible accuracy when weight is a critical factor like weighing gold. We have many legal for trade scales available from various suppliers.
For scrap hauling and transfer stations, truck scales provide extreme durability and unbeatable accuracy. Rice Lake has developed several models of Legal for Trade truck scales ideally suited for the scrap and recycling industries—there is a SURVIVOR truck scale to fit the operation, or Rice Lake will custom build it. The OTR steel or concrete deck models can be installed aboveground or as a pit-type, and with Rice Lake’s patented G-Force suspension system, SURVIVOR scales self-check, eliminating the need for check rods and bumper bolts.
In applications where customers are purchasing items based on product weight, a Legal for Trade certified scale is required. This scale must meet certain requirements from the national institute. It has to pass NTEP certification and evaluation to be NTEP approved. Those letters stand for national type evaluation program. It also has to be sealed so its calibration cannot be tampered with. The scale must be calibrated with certified test weights. Legal for Trade applications could be a deli counter, a scrap yard or even shipping, where charges are calculated based on an item's weight. Legal for Trade scales are designed to be fair for both the buyer and the seller.
When these scales are developed, they are put through a testing procedure and must meet certain minimum requirements before they can be used in a Legal for Trade application. Any work performed on the scale needs to be done by a certified scale technician who will reseal the scale or file paperwork when a NTEP certified scale is initially put into service. Non-certified weights, such as gym weights, can never be used to calibrate the NTEP scale. In most cases, the scale digital readout and the scale base with weighing pan need to be NTEP certified.
The National Conference on Weights and Measures issues a NTEP Certificate of Conformance following successful completion of an evaluation of a device. It indicates that the digital scales described in the Certificate is capable of meeting applicable requirements of the Handbook 44.
In addition to being a NTEP certified scale, other features to consider are battery life, total price, overload protection and maximum weighing capacity.
The National version of Weights and Measures is a professional not-for-profit association of state and local weights and measures officials, federal agencies, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. NCWM has developed national weights and measures standards for over a hundred years. The organization brings the right interests together to keep pace with innovative advancements in the marketplace. Their basic mission is ensuring equity and uniform standards and to promote commerce and fair competition by leveling the playing field. They also want to ensure consumers "get what they pay for" and make sure the customer has confidence when buying an item based on the NTEP certified scales weight that is displayed.
What are the benefits of using certified floor scales?
Using certified floor scales offers a range of benefits for businesses. First, these commercial scales ensure compliance with rules and regulations in terms of accurately measuring products using a legal for trade weighing device. Additionally, the use of certified weighing scales helps in establishing trust with customers. When NTEP scales are accurately weighed and they see the NTEP circle or the CoC# on the scale, customers can have confidence that they are receiving the correct quantity or weight amount, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
If you're searching for floor scales that meet stringent "Legal for Trade" requirements, there are several configurations to consider—each designed to handle different environments and applications reliably. Here's what you'll typically find:
NTEP-Certified General Use Floor Scales: These scales offer rock-solid performance for industrial, shipping, and warehouse needs. They’re built with durable steel platforms, sealed load cells, and easy-to-read digital displays. Capacities vary widely, supporting everything from compact parcels to massive pallets.
Dual-Powered Floor Scales: Perfect for flexibility, these models run on both AC power and built-in rechargeable batteries, making them ideal for locations where electrical outlets aren’t always at hand.
Stainless Steel Washdown Floor Scales: For food processing or wet environments, stainless steel versions deliver corrosion resistance and easy cleaning. Many boast washdown ratings like IP68, so grime and moisture won’t stand a chance.
Portable and Wheel-Equipped Floor Scales: Need mobility? Some scales come with heavy-duty casters, backrails, and ramps, allowing you to move them around busy loading docks or production floors without missing a beat.
Intrinsically Safe Floor Scales: FM Approved and designed for hazardous settings, these scales are certified to operate safely around flammable gases and dust—without compromising measurement accuracy or reliability.
High-Precision Floor Scales: When you need finer measurements, high-accuracy legal-for-trade models provide increased resolution, readouts to 0.1 lb, and the approvals needed for trade.
American-Made and Specialty Platform Sizes: For users with specific requirements, consider floor scales with extended platform sizes or custom features like integrated backrails or ramps.
Whichever option you choose, always look for NTEP approval and the relevant certification labels—they’re your assurance the equipment is built to rigorous standards and ready for legal-for-trade operations.
If your weighing environment calls for something extra—like rugged stainless steel construction or intrinsically safe design for hazardous areas—there are options tailor-made for the job. Whether you need a compact bench scale or a heavy-duty floor scale, several models provide Legal for Trade NTEP certification so you can legally transact business by weight.
Stainless steel options are essential for food processing, chemical labs, and wet or corrosive environments where durability and hygiene matter most. Leading manufacturers such as Rice Lake and Ohaus offer stainless steel platforms and indicator combinations that stand up to frequent washdowns and tough commercial settings.
For workplaces where flammable gases or dusts are present, intrinsically safe scales are a must. Look for models designed to prevent sparks and withstand hazardous conditions. These are available in both bench and floor versions, marrying Legal for Trade accuracy with safety compliance.
Looking for a Legal-for-Trade scale with functionalities beyond simple weighing? You’re in luck—several manufacturers offer NTEP-certified models equipped with additional capabilities such as accumulation (to totalize multiple transactions) or relay/setpoint outputs (for automation or process control).
For example, you’ll find bench and counter-top scales from trusted brands like Ohaus, Adam Equipment, Cardinal, and Rice Lake with accumulation functions, allowing you to sum weights over multiple sales—a favorite feature for busy markets or produce stands. Meanwhile, many industrial NTEP-certified indicators and platforms include programmable setpoint or relay outputs. These features can trigger alarms, lights, or control filling equipment, helping streamline production or packaging applications while staying compliant with Legal-for-Trade requirements.
When you're looking for a trade scales, options go far beyond the standard platform. Today’s NTEP-approved models can be found with a variety of features to fit your workflow:
Purchasing a good quality Legal for Trade scale is only part of the equation—ongoing service and support are key to keeping your scale compliant and accurate. Reputable providers offer a range of services to make this process seamless: