Service Agent Information / Requirements
Oregon does not require service company or service agent registration, certification, or licensing. Service companies operating in Oregon are required by OAR 603-027-0700 to ensure that any work done complies with Oregon Weights and Measures laws. Normally commercial weighing and measuring equipment in Oregon must;
- have a valid NTEP Certificate of Conformance,
- conform to the specifications and tolerance in NIST Handbook 44,
- be suitable for the use intended,
- be installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions,
- be adjusted as close to zero as possible, and
- be metrologically sealed (according to the instructions given on the NTEP certificate of conformance, i.e. lead and wire seals)
Place-in-service reports are required within 24 hours of installation for all new equipment instals whether new or to replace existing equipment.
NOTE: New equipment installs will require ODA licenses as a condition for use in commercial service. Replacements, however, do not require updates to existing licenses.
All tags (including stop use, and repair tags) issued by weights and measures require written notification when service work is complete and the tag is removed.
Placed-in-Service Reports
Placed-in-Service reports are required within 24 hours of installing commercial weighing or measuring equipment including gas pumps, fuel meters, propane meters, scales, automated weighing systems, mass flow meters, etc. Links to the forms are at the bottom of this page. The place-in-service report requirement applies for example when;
- New equipment has been installed.
- Used or reconditioned equipment has been installed.
- Equipment has been replaced.
- Previously unlicensed/unused equipment is placed into service.
- The metrological seal on the equipment has been broken in order to calibrate the equipment.
NOTE: an exception is made if recalibration was done in response to a weights and measures issued repair or stop use tag. In this case you must return the completed tag in lieu of the placed-in-service form). If the equipment is replaced in response to a tag then both the tag and the placed-in-service form must be submitted.
NOTE: A placed-in-service report may be submitted in the case where a repair or stop-use tag has been lost or destroyed. Note the tag number on the placed-in-service form so that the tag can be properly cleared upon receipt. This information can be found on the accompanying inspection report.
Repair / Stop Use Orders (Overview)
When a compliance issue is found during a weights and measures inspection then either a repair order in the form of a "blue" tag or a stop use order in the form of a "red" tag is issued. The tag is attached to the device and must remain until the compliance issue is addressed. Premature removal of the tag may result in loss of tag removal privileges and civil or criminal penatlties as are required by Oregon law. The repair tag includes the following information:
- A unique tag number beginning with the letter "R" or "S",
- The date it was issued,
- The business name and location,
- Identification infomration of the equipment, and
- A brief explanation of the issue.
The blue repair tag allows the equipment a grace period to remain in service for a limited amount of time giving the owner the opportunity to service it while still using it. The initial timeframe will normally be 10 to 30 days depending on the issue. The red stop use tag removes the equipment from service immediately.
Continued use of equipment subject to a stop use order is a violation of Oregon law and may result in civil or criminal penalties. Continued use of equipment subject to a repair order after expiration of the grace period is a violation of Oregon law and may result in civil or criminal penalties.
NOTE: Extensions for the repair tag grace period may be granted by contacting the weights and measures main office or the issuing inspector. Contact information may be found on the accompanying inspection report.
BOTH REPAIR TAGS AND STOP USE TAGS MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO OREGON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES WHEN REMOVED.
Removing Repair/Stop Use Tags
As the service agent it is your responsibility to completely address the issue(s) identified on the tag and ensure that the equipment is metrologically sealed per instructions found on the NTEP certificate of conformance (normally this requires the installation of a lead and wire seal to lock out a calibration switch or a calibration compartment).
Possible service agent responses to the tag are summarized as:
- Repair / Recalibration
- Replacement
- Removal From Service
Once the equipment is serviced and
metrologically sealed you are authorized to remove the tag from the equipment.
Once the tag is removed:
- Complete the service information on the back side of the tag.
- Return the tag to Oregon Weights and Measures per the instructions printed on the tag.
NOTE: If you elect to email the tag then be certain to included images of
both sides of the tag and make sure that the tag number is legible. The tag number may be found on the inspection report in the event the tag itself is damaged or otherwise illegible.
Tags must be returned even if the equipment is simply removed from service.
NOTE: To remove equipment from service meaningful action must be taken to discourage continued use. Examples:
- Physically removing the equipment from the work area,
- Disconnecting from power (i.e. disconnecting the power wires or using zip ties to secure the plug)
- Clearly marking or securing the equipment so as to discourage unauthorized use
NOTE: Failure to return a stop use or repair tag will result in official letters to your customer. These letters are the delinquent 10 day (D10) letter and the “On Notice" letter. If such a letter is received by your customer then a written response is required to clear the tag(s) identified on the letter. Instructions for response are included in the letter. Failure to respond to these notices may result in additional civil or criminal actions as required by Oregon law.
Additional information regarding tags may be found at:
http://oda.direct/repairTags
Missing or Damaged Tags
In the event that a tag is either missing or otherwise illegible due to damage then a placed-in-service report may be submitted to clear the tag. Be sure to include the tag number on the placed-in-service report when submitting it to ensure the tag is properly cleared. (original tag number(s) may be found on the inspection report; copies are available from Oregon weights and measures)
Returning Equipment to Service
Once the stop use or repair tag is removed from the equipment your customer may resume normal use of the equipment immediately. You do
not need to wait for a re-inspection by a weights and measures inspector. Once the returned tag is received by the Salem office, it will be logged, cleared, and ultimately returned to the issuing inspector. The inspector will then determine if a follow-up inspection if necessary.
A placed-in-service report is not always required when responding to a tag. A placed-in-service report is required when;
- equipment is replaced in response to the tag
- the stop use or repair tag is missing or otherwise damaged. Include the tag number on the placed-in-service report to ensure the tag is properly cleared.
If the existing equipment is repaired or recalibrated in response to the tag then you are only required to return the completed tag upon its removal from the equipment.
Oregon Weights and Measures Licensing Requirements
As the service agent you are not the responsible party when it comes to meeting the licensing requirements. It is the equipment owner or operator who is responsible for obtaining the necessary licenses to use their equipment in commerce. This information is provided to help you better advise your customers as may be needed.
The following types of weighing or measuring equipment require licenses in Oregon:
- All commercially used scales
- All commercially used mass flow meters
- All commercially used propane meters
- All commercially used motor fuel dispensers (1 license per product offered per face of the dispenser: A cabinet with regular, mid-grade, and premium on both sides requires 6 meter licenses)
- All commercially used meters used to sell motor fuels (including but not limited to gasoline, diesel, and aviation gasoline
- All commercially used propane vapor meters.
Commercial use in Oregon generally means that the scale or meter is used either directly or indirectly to assess charges in any way in a business to business or business to consumer transaction.
NOTE: the standard for commercial use is very broad and is not limited to direct sales. If the product or commodity is measured as a part of the transaction then the application is commercial.
Possible exception to the licensing requirements may include:
- Weighing or measuring equipment used solely to portion components of a recipe and are not used to determing the net weight of the finished product.
- Weighing equipment used solely to assess the weight of a vehicle for compliance with motor carrirer highway weight restrictions.
- Weighing or measuring equipment used exclusively for internal business process controls.
- Weighing or measuring equipment used exclusively within the business (i.e. a motor fuel dispenser may not need to be licensed if it is exclusively used to fuel vehicles owned by the same business)
- Positive displacement meters used to measure products other than motor fuels (i.e. water, oil, etc.)
Please contact Oregon weights and measures to discuss situations where the licensing requirements are unclear. Oregon weights and measures staff are always happy to help explain the weights and measures requirements.
License application forms are available at:
http://oda.direct/msdlicenses
FAQs
Q. What are the registration requirements for a company that wants to service commercial scales and meters in the state of Oregon?
A. Oregon does not have a service registration program, no registration, licensing, or certification is required to perform this work within the state.
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Q. Do service technicians need to be certified in Oregon?
A. No. Oregon does not register, license, or certify individual service technicians.
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Q. Does Oregon require lead and wire seals on commercial equipment?
A. Most of the time, yes. Oregon requires every scale or meter in commercial service to be metrologically sealed per the instructions found on its NTEP Certificate of Conformance. Normally this includes a lead and wire seal.
NOTE: Lead and wire seals
must be installed snugly so that they restrict access to any buttons or compartments used to access the calibration functions of the device.
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Q. Does Oregon have requirements for the seal press dies used for lead and wire sealing?
A. No. You may use whatever design you wish for your seal press dies. When a weights and measures inspector inspects and tests a scale or meter the inspector will normally over press any lead and wire seals with the weights and measures seal.
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Q. What are my obligations as a service agent in Oregon?
As a service agent you are required to conduct service work in accordance with the requirements of
ORS 618 and
OAR 603-027. Failure to do so may result in loss of tag removal privileges and civil penalties as authorized under Oregon law.
603-027-0700
Responsibilities of Service Person or Service Agency
The Service person or Service Agency is responsible for placing in service, installing, repairing, and adjusting devices such that:
- The devices are in compliance with all applicable requirements of the 2010 Edition of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (N.I.S.T.) Handbook 44;
- The devices are issued an active National Type Evaluation Program (N.T.E.P.) Certificate of Conformance (CC) on the entire weighing or measuring system unless otherwise exempted;
NOTE: Multi-component systems may have separate NTEP CC's for each element of the system. For example systems with separate user selected indicators, registers, meters, controllers, weighing elements, load cells, etc which are individually connected to form a complete measuring system. Common examples include meter and register head combinations, large scales with separate indicator and weighing elements, and automatic weighing systems combining indicator, weighing element, and controler/totalizer system.
- The devices are installed in accordance with the manufacture's instructions;
- The devices are adjusted within applicable tolerances and not Predominantly in Favor of the device user;
- The devices are adjusted as closely as practicable to zero error;
- Security seals are appropriately affixed to any mechanism designed to be sealed; and
- A Placed in Service Report is completed and distributed as required in 603-027-0690.
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Q. How often do I need to recalibrate my test equipment?
A. Oregon does not specify calibration intervals. It is your responsibility to make sure your measure and test equipment is accurate and suitable for the service work you plan to take on.
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Q. Where can I get my test equipment calibrated?
A. Oregon does not have specific metrology laboratory requirements. It is, however, recommended that you employ a NIST recognized or accredited service provider familiar with the requirements for weights and measures field testing equipment.
NOTE: Oregon weights and measures operates a NIST recognized ISO 17025 accredited metrology laboratory.
IMPORTANT: Appointments are required, please contact the lab for pricing and appointments before submitting your equipment for calibration.
Laboratory Metrology Website
Calibration of mass standards, scale test weights, and meter proving equipment. Metrology Webpage
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Resources
License Application Forms
Small Scale Placed in Service Forms
Placed in service report form — small scales (< 1,160 lb capacity))
Please use this form for all small scales excluding cannabis. Scales 0-1,160 lbs. Placed in service - small scales
Placed in Service Report Form — Small Scales (Cannabis < 1,160 lb (526 kg) capacity)
A small scale placed in service report form for scales used for cannabis. Placed in Service - Cannabis
Placed in Service Report Form - Small Scales (Hemp < 1,160 lb capacity)
A small scale placed in service report form for scales used for hemp. Placed in service - Hemp
Placed in Service Report Form - Small Scales (Psilocybin < 1,160 lb capacity)
A small scale placed in service report form for scales used for psilocybin. Placed In Service Psilocybin
Placed in Service Forms for Large Scales
Placed in Service Forms for Meters
(including motor fuel dispensers)
Placed in Service Instructions / FAQs
Placed in service report information booklet
A question and answer format for information on Placed in Service Reports as well as their requirements in Oregon Administrative Rule. Placed in service report information