1st Edition
Modern Weights and Measures Regulation in the United States A Brief History
In this book, Craig A. Leisy provides a concise history of weights and measures regulation in the United States from the early 20th century up to the present day.
Written for academic and professional readers, Leisy describes basic terms and concepts, the origins and history of weights and measures laws, weights and measures regulation, the economics of regulation, key enforcement cases, landmark legal decisions, the effects of public policy, and a forecast on the future of weights and measures regulation. He also discusses the impact of weights and measures regulation on both producers (sellers) and consumers (buyers) in the marketplace. The book also features a new 2019 survey of state weights and measures regulatory programs, an introduction to the economics of weights and measures regulation, a case study of the municipal weights and measures regulatory program in Seattle, Washington, details of a major gasoline dispenser fraud case in Los Angeles County, and landmark legal cases related to net contents of packaged goods.
Modern Weights and Measures Regulation in the United States is the only book on this subject from the perspective of a former long-time weights and measures regulatory official.
Introduction
1. Modern Weights and Measures Regulation in the U.S.
2. The Economics of Weights and Measures Regulation in the U. S.
3. Case History: Weights and Measures Regulation in Seattle
4. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM)
5. Enforcement Issues
6. Landmark Legal Cases
7. Conclusions and Forecasts
Glossary
Appendices
Biography
Craig A. Leisy served as the Manager of the Consumer Affairs Unit for the City of Seattle where he was responsible for regulation of weights and measures from 1996 to 2017. He was a member of the Western Weights and Measures Association (WWMA) and the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). He was asked by the NCWM to lead the first survey of state weights and measures regulatory programs in 2002 and he conducted a follow-up survey in 2019 for this book. He graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Puget Sound and a Master of Marine Affairs (MMA) degree from the University of Washington. He taught economics and management for three years at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. His previous book, Transportation Network Companies and Taxis: The Case of Seattle, was published by Routledge in 2019.
"As invisible third parties to nearly every transaction, weights and measures inspectors enable consumers and competitors, alike, to have trust in the marketplace. Trust, though, can be finely balanced, as author Craig Leisy explores with data and insightful projections in this book, a must-read for academics, regulators, and legislators."
Kurt Floren, Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights & Measures, County of Los Angeles
"Whether you are the regulator, the regulated, or just an average consumer, this book is a must-read to understand how the weights and measures system works in the United States and learn of the recent issues being addressed at the national, state, and local levels."
Kristin Macey, Director Division of Measurement Standards, California Department of Food and Agriculture
