Legal for Trade Scales: Weighing the Possibilities

Published on: 05.10.2013

From food to pharmaceuticals, if you're selling a product by weight, you must use a legal for trade scale that's certified by the NTEP. Not doing so puts you in violation of the law. Since the laws concerning LFT scales vary from state to state, it's important to know what yours are. Once you know the answer to that, you can begin looking for the scale that's right for you.

During your search, it's important to consider the following questions:

• Where are you going to be using the scale? A basic question, but one that's easily overlooked. Are you going to be setting it in a small area? Make sure the model you're looking at will fit the space. Will it be close to an electrical outlet? If not, you might want to consider a model that runs on batteries instead of a cord-only one.
• How precise do you need the measurements to be? If you think you might need to measure something as small as .0001 of a milligram, be sure the scale will be able to handle it.
• What kind of extra features do you want it to have? For example in a pharmacy situation where you're dealing with liquids and powders, a sealed display and user buttons could come in handy to protect the machine if a spill should occur. Removable scales can reduce the time it takes to clean the machine. And a setting that automatically removes the weight of the container you're weighing the medicine in is always handy.

Buying a scale is an important decision for any pharmacy, and keeping questions like these in mind will help ensure you purchase a one that will serve you well for a long time to come.

If you need help in choosing a legal for trade scale, contact us. Scales are our business.