National Conference of Weights & Measures

What National Conference of Weights & Measures does

The National Conference of Weights & Measures (NCWM), legally organized as the National Council on Weights and Measures, is a U.S. non-profit professional membership association founded in 1905 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. NCWM develops and maintains national consensus standards for commercial weights and measures, most notably producing NIST Handbook 44 — the definitive U.S. technical reference for commercial weighing and measuring devices. The organization also operates the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP), which evaluates and certifies devices including weighing and measuring instruments, grain moisture meters, NIR grain analyzers, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), and software for compliance with federal and state measurement requirements.

NCWM's core technology is a standards development and certification management platform that supports the searchable NTEP certificate database (by CC number, manufacturer, device type, and model), publication distribution (NCWM Publication 14 and Handbooks 44, 130, 133), and professional certification exam administration (Basic Competency, Professional Certification, and Registered Service Agent programs). The platform is conventional web/database infrastructure with no disclosed AI/ML components; the technical depth lies in NCWM's content library and certification processes, not in software innovation.

Revenue is generated through five streams: (1) annual membership fees (subscription, October-September cycle) providing access to standards processes, handbooks, exam credits, and discounts; (2) publication sales (Publication 14 bundles); (3) NTEP application and annual maintenance fees from device manufacturers; (4) meeting registration for the Annual Meeting, Interim Meeting, and sector/work group meetings; and (5) professional certification exam fees. NCWM serves state and local weights and measures officials (primary), device manufacturers (primary), federal agencies and retailers (secondary), and consumers (secondary). The organization collaborates strategically with NIST, FDA, and four regional weights and measures associations (CWMA, NEWMA, SWMA, WWMA) in its consensus-driven governance model.

Name

National Conference of Weights & Measures

Legal name

National Council on Weights and Measures

Website

https://ncwm.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Conference of Weights & Measures (NCWM) is a 1905-founded U.S. non-profit membership association that develops national consensus standards for commercial weights and measures and operates the NTEP device certification program, serving state and local officials, device manufacturers, federal agencies, and retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Weights and Measures Standards & Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAOAC

Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Regulatory Agencies & Licensing (Cross-sector)

SECONDARYMPAJACAB

Standards Development & Publishing (SDOs, Technical Standards)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/Professional & Legal Publishing (Standards, Compliance, Reference)

SECONDARYIMAGAFAH

Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Electrical Equipment & Industrial Electronics/Sensors, Instrumentation & Measurement (Industrial sensing, metrology, test)

SECONDARYEUAEAHAN

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Energy Infrastructure & Services (EPC, O&M, Field Services)/Inspection, Testing & Certification (ITC) / NDT for Energy Infrastructure

Keywords

• Weights and measures standards
• Device type evaluation
• Technical publications
• Professional certification exams
• Regulatory standards development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees providing access to standards development processes, handbooks, certification exams, meeting registrations, and NTEP directories. The membership year runs from October 1 through September 30.
2. Publication Sales: Revenue from sale of NCWM Publication 14 (covering weighing devices, measuring devices, grain moisture meters, EVSE devices, software, and administrative policy) and other technical publications. Members receive discounts on these publications.
3. NTEP Application and Certification Fees: Fees associated with National Type Evaluation Program certification applications and annual maintenance for certified devices and manufacturers. Members receive discounts on NTEP application and annual maintenance fees.
4. Meeting Registration: Registration fees for the Annual Meeting, Interim Meeting, and various NTEP sector/work group meetings. Members receive discounts on NCWM meeting registration.
5. Professional Certification Exams: Fees for Basic Competency and Professional Certification exams for weights and measures officials and service agents. Complimentary exam access is provided to members.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NCWM develops and maintains U.S. national standards for commercial weights and measures, administers the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) for certification of weighing and measuring devices, publishes technical reference documents including NCWM Publication 14 and NIST Handbooks 44, 130, and 133, and provides professional certification exams and training for weights and measures officials and service agents.

Product overview

NCWM is a professional membership association that develops and maintains U.S. weights and measures standards. Its primary offerings center around the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) for device certification, supported by NCWM Publication 14 containing technical specifications. Additional offerings include the NTEP Certificate Database for searchable certification records, training and certification programs for weights and measures officials, and organized sector meetings and annual conferences for standards development participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program): A program that evaluates and certifies weighing and measuring devices for commercial use in the United States

Products and services

• NTEP (National Type Evaluation Program) Certification Certification program that evaluates and certifies weighing devices, measuring devices, grain moisture meters, NIR grain analyzers, EVSE devices, and software for compliance with U.S. weights and measures standards. Intended for device manufacturers seeking legal market access for commercial measuring devices.
• NCWM Publication 14 Comprehensive technical publication covering specifications and tolerances for weighing devices, measuring devices, grain moisture meters and NIR grain analyzers, EVSE devices, and software. Available as PDF bundles and individual category downloads. Targeted at manufacturers, regulators, and service agents.
• NTEP Certificate Database Searchable public database of NTEP-certified devices, manufacturers, and certificate contacts. Searchable by CC number, manufacturer name, device type, model, and certificate status (Active/Inactive/Withdrawn). Used by regulators and manufacturers for compliance verification.
• Professional Certification and Training Programs Professional development offerings including Basic Competency exams, Professional Certification exams, Registered Service Agent program, and EVSE training. Intended for weights and measures officials, inspectors, and service agents.
• NCWM Annual and Interim Meetings Annual meeting (111th scheduled July 26-30, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA) and interim meetings (January 24-27, 2027 in Redondo Beach, CA) for standards development, committee work, and networking among weights and measures professionals.
• NTEP Sector and Work Group Meetings Specialized sector meetings covering Weighing, Grain Analyzer, Measuring, Software, MDMD, and EVSE topics, providing manufacturers and regulators with standards development participation opportunities and application guidance.
• NCWM Annual Membership Annual membership (October 1 through September 30) providing complimentary handbooks 44, 130, and 133; NCWM-News subscription; NTEP sector and work group meeting registration; professional certification exams; employment opportunity postings; and discounts on meeting registration, Publication 14, and NTEP application and maintenance fees.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCWM collaborates with NIST in developing national weights and measures standards. NIST Handbook 44 serves as the foundational technical reference for NCWM's standards development activities, and NIST officials participate in NCWM's consensus process.
• Central Weights and Measures Association (CWMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCWMA is one of four regional weights and measures associations affiliated with NCWM. Regional associations promote NCWM membership and participate in standards development, acting as a distributed network for NCWM's standards adoption.
• Northeastern Weights and Measures Association (NEWMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEWMA is one of four regional weights and measures associations affiliated with NCWM. NEWMA represents northeastern U.S. states and promotes NCWM standards and membership within its region.
• Southern Weights and Measures Association (SWMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWMA is one of four regional weights and measures associations affiliated with NCWM. SWMA serves southern U.S. states and coordinates with NCWM on standards development and adoption.
• Western Weights and Measures Association (WWMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWMA is one of four regional weights and measures associations affiliated with NCWM. WWMA represents western U.S. states and participates in NCWM's standards development process.
• FDA (Food and Drug Administration)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDA participates in NCWM's standards development process, contributing to standards that affect food labeling, quantity determination, and commercial measurement accuracy in FDA-regulated industries.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CSA Group: Testing and certification organization with standards development capabilities across multiple product categories including EVSE and electrical equipment. Comparable to NCWM as a standards publisher and product certification body operating on a member-funded model.
• A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation): Non-profit accreditation body that accredits testing and calibration laboratories to ISO standards. Comparable as a non-profit, membership-supported accreditation organization with overlapping customers (testing labs, calibration providers) in the same metrology ecosystem.
• NSF International: Non-profit public health and safety organization that develops standards and provides testing/certification across food, water, and consumer products. Comparable to NCWM as a non-profit standards developer and third-party certification provider with a membership-funded operating model.
• UL (Underwriters Laboratories): Independent testing, inspection, and certification organization with a global footprint. Comparable to NCWM because both operate certification programs that manufacturers must obtain to sell regulated products, with published directories of compliant devices.

Broad incumbents

• NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program): Laboratory accreditation program run by NIST. Comparable to NCWM's NTEP accreditation function — both provide third-party recognition that laboratories and devices meet formal standards — though NVLAP focuses on lab accreditation while NCWM certifies commercial devices.
• ANSI (American National Standards Institute): U.S. national standards body that coordinates and accredits standards developers. ANSI is comparable as a standards governance counterpart; it oversees the consensus process that NCWM follows to publish Handbook 44 and related documents.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): U.S. federal standards and metrology agency that publishes NIST Handbook 44, the foundational reference underpinning NCWM's standards. NIST is a direct counterpart and mutual partner; both organizations develop and reference the same technical specifications, but NIST operates federally and across all measurement domains, while NCWM focuses on commercial weights and measures.
• ASTM International: Major international voluntary standards development organization covering a wide range of industries including materials, energy, and consumer products. Comparable to NCWM as a consensus-driven standards publisher, though ASTM operates broader and internationally while NCWM is narrowly focused on commercial weights and measures.
• OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology): Intergovernmental organization that develops international legal metrology recommendations. Directly comparable to NCWM as a counterpart in legal metrology, operating at the international level while NCWM operates at the U.S. national level; NCWM already references international recognition.

Regional players

• Measurement Canada: Canadian federal agency responsible for legal metrology and commercial measurement standards. The most direct cross-border functional equivalent of NCWM, performing the equivalent of NTEP certification and weights & measures standards for Canada.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLg_rvut3OXbZn94rIILiMA
• Facebookfacebook.com/weightsmeasures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weightsmeasures
• Xx.com/weightsmeasures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Conference of Weights & Measures