| National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) |
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| Introduction |
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What is NTEP?
NTEP stands for National Type Evaluation Program. The National Conference of Weights and Measures, in conjunction with industry and weights and measures officials, established a Task Force to develop NTEP in 1976. The purpose of NTEP was to establish a uniform set of criteria and test procedures for the evaluation of commercial weighing and measuring devices.
When was NTEP established?
NTEP was established in 1984 and is a cooperative program among manufacturers, users, and weights and measures officials. Prior to the adoption of NTEP there were 16 different type approval agencies in the United States. With the establishment of NTEP, a single evaluation can satisfy all states. In addition to promoting uniformity it
- reduces cost and time in getting a device to market.
- reduces the burden on state type approval programs.
- reduces costly mistakes to device users.
- enables tests not practical in the field to be conducted prior to the device being sold for commercial use.
An NTEP evaluation is the one time that device is subjected to testing that includes maximum capacities and all features specified by the manufacturer. At the present time, 44 of the 50 states are NTEP states. That means they require an NTEP Certificate of Conformance (CC) for any device used commercially in their state.
Since Oregon is an NTEP State, how does that affect you?
First of all, it means that the manufacturer of a device must submit it for an NTEP evaluation prior to its being sold for commercial use. The user and scale company must purchase and sell only devices with an NTEP CC if the device is to be used commercially (unless it meets the exceptions of OAR 603-027-0640(2) (f). The weights and measures officials must verify that the specific model of the device is covered by the NTEP CC and is set up consistent with the CC.
Where do you find out if a device has a CC?
Prior to January 1998, hard copies of CC were published in NCWM Publication 5. Now all CC's are available on the NCWM website at http://www.ncwm.net/ntep/index.cfm?fuseaction=search. Also, the manufacturer of a device should be able to provide you with NTEP information concerning their device.
Why do I need to know if a device is NTEP approved?
All devices put into commercial use in the state of Oregon after August 1990 must have a CC, or meet the exception as noted above. Once you verify the CC number of the device you will need to include that information on your placed in service report. After you have filled out the placed in service report and sent it in with your license application, you will be able to use your device commercially.
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| More information on NTEP |
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For more general information about the program, please see the following links:
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