May 2026 Announcements from OWM

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sent this bulletin at 05/12/2026 10:00 AM EDT

Office of Weights and Measures (OWM)

Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making

On World Metrology Day (20 May 2026), the Office of Weights and Measures will recognize the weights and measures community's vital role in ensuring fair trade and commerce that strengthens confidence in the U.S. marketplace. World Metrology Day commemorates the signing of the Meter Convention in 1875, that established a unifying measurement system known today as the International System of Units (SI). This year’s World Metrology Day theme, Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making, highlights how measurement science supports evidence-based decisions that shape our economy. (Image Credit BIPM)

A Quick Step to Stay Connected

For those customers with accounts in the OWM Contacts System, we would like to encourage you to check and update your contact information. For those without, please register, which will give you the ability to receive communications and enroll in upcoming classes, as well as request publications. The FAQ page provides instructions about how to create an account along with answering questions about the system.

NVLAP and OWM Bulletin Update

NIST recognition and accreditation services are pleased to announce a step toward better streamlining services for participants in the NIST Handbook 143 Recognition Program for U.S. state weights and measures metrology laboratories. National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) is inviting accredited labs to grant OWM access to their NVLAP accreditation materials, including assessments, that are retained at NIST. Please see NVLAP’s Lab Bulletin LB-164-2026, located on the NVLAP website. This will minimize duplication of effort by NVLAP accredited labs, allowing one primary annual submission to NVLAP versus OWM and NVLAP. Please contact your NVLAP program manager if you have any questions regarding the lab bulletin. (Image Credit: Adobe Stock)

Welcome Mary Kombolias!

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) is pleased to have Mary Kombolias from the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) at NIST join us on a one year detail assignment with the Laboratory Metrology Program. Mary’s focus over the next year will be on innovations and improvements to the Fundamentals of Metrology course through the development of on-demand learning resources and AI tool applications. She looks forward to engaging further with the laboratory metrology community, at NIST metrology seminars, online training, and at upcoming Regional Measurement Assurance Program (RMAP) meetings.

Welcome Mary! We are excited to have you join OWM. (Image Credit: J. Lee/NIST)

Learn More

Weights and Measures in the News

Grocery store inspectors make sure prices are accurate

In this video, Bucks County Weights and Measures, Pennsylvania conduct random store inspections to ensure price and scale accuracy at the register for consumers. (Image Credit: Bucks County, PA)

CBS News Philadelphia
April 24, 2026

Ocean County Settles Case Against Gold Buyer

Learn how an Ocean County New Jersey regulators investigation uncovered improper scales, missing compliance requirements, and faulty receipts in an effort to crack down on fraud to protect consumers selling valuable items. (Image Credit: Adobe Stock)

Jersey Shore Online
April 20, 2026

County Agricultural Commissioner Issues Consumer Alert on Short-Weighted Products

A new Santa Barbara County Weights and Measures Consumer Protection Division alerts consumers that some packaged goods may contain less than the labeled amount, following inspections that uncovered “short weight” products. Learn how regulatory officials are protecting shoppers. (Image Credit: Adobe Stock)

Santa Barbara Independent
April 17, 2026