Weights
and Measures 
South
Carolina Code
The Division's
Field Specialists visit over 20,000 firms per year. They use highly accurate
equipment to inspect the accuracy of all types of scales, gasoline dispensers,
fuel oil meters, LP gas meters, and the net contents of packages to protect
consumers, businesses, and manufacturers of this State. Eggs are candled
and checked for proper labeling and refrigeration. Also, official samples
of gasoline, animal feeds, seeds, produce, and meats are drawn for analysis
by the Laboratory Division.
Metrology
Laboratory 
South
Carolina Code
The
Metrology Laboratory houses the state standards for mass, length, and volume.
The Laboratory calibrates standards used by weights and measures officials
and industry and can issue certificates of traceability to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology. Calibration services are provided
to over 250 companies each year.
Bonded Storage Facilities 
South
Carolina Code
The State Warehouse
System provides storage facilities for the state's farmers for their cotton
and grain crops. Some 36 warehouses are licensed and bonded providing a
total capacity of over 295,000 bales of cotton and 11 million bushels of
grain. Periodic inspections and audits ensure the safe keeping of the commodities.
Negotiable warehouse receipts that are fully insured and protected by surety
bonds and an indemnity fund are provided for the stored commodities which
guarantee delivery of the commodity to its lawful owner.
Bonded Dealers and Handlers of Agricultural Products
The Dealers
and Handlers of Agricultural Products Law ensures prompt and full payment
to the state's farmers for their products from the buyers thereof through
licensing and bonding requirements. Additional protection is afforded grain
producers by an indemnity fund. There are approximately 200 licensed dealers.
Of these, approximately 100 purchase or handle grain.
Public Weighmasters
The Public
Weighmaster Law ensures the accuracy of weights and other measurements
taken of commodities being purchased or sold in bulk by licensing those
individuals providing this function. Currently there are approximately
3,600 licensed Public Weighmasters and Deputy Weighmasters.
Food and Cosmetics
Food sanitation inspections are made at school lunch program warehouses, institutional warehouses, commercial warehouses, food salvage operations, processing plants and flea markets. Also some inspections are done for the US Food and Drug Administration under a federal contract.