The National Conference of Weights and Measure (NCWM) have developed a program that evaluates weighing and measuring devices. It checks the features of the weighing devices with the codes laid down in hand book 44 of National Institute of Technology (NIST). This program has standardized the testing procedure that a scale has to undergo, before it is deemed fit for commercial use.

Any manufacturer wishing to manufacture and sell a NTEP scale for commercial purpose needs to get accreditation from the approving agency. The weighing scale under inspection undergoes tests, which check maximum capacity and verify whether all features, specified by the manufacturer, conform to program specifications or not. Once the scale is approved it can be sold for commercial use.

The National type Evaluation Program or NTEP does not grant a legal status to the weighing scale but simply indicates that the device under scrutiny complies with program codes. The final approval of NTEP scales rests with the state or local government and it decides whether the all requirements including the installation are fulfilled or not.

The certification program assigns different accuracy class to the scale, depending upon the application. The class I and class II scale is highly accurate and is used for very precise measurements in laboratory. The class III and class IV is used where large amount of load is to be measured, like vehicles, axle load, and railway track.

The main purpose of the NTEP scale is to ensure that there is no error during weight measurement and saves the end-user from confusion regarding weights and measurements. The presence of legal for trade mark on the approved weighing scale removes the doubt from the mind of the customer about the accuracy of the machine. By using a NTEP scale the end-user can showcase his or her policy of good business practice to the customer. This in turn wins the trust of the customer and plays a crucial role in building a good business relationship, which is beneficial to both. Consistently accurate measurements keep customers happy and in turn they help build businesses.