John Stokes, Consumer Services Director
jstokes@scda.sc.gov
803-737-9696
123 Ballard Court
West Columbia, SC 29172
Consumer Services protects consumers by ensuring that the net content statements on packages and weighing or measuring devices are correct; and that agricultural products are measured accurately for commerce. This department is responsible for drawing official samples of motor fuels, some foods, feed, and agricultural product for the Department’s Laboratory Division to ensure the quality of these products. Consumer Services also regulates cotton and grain warehouse storage facilities.
Weights & Measures
Weights & Measures Inspections ensures consumers get the quality and quantity of the products they purchase. Consumer Services Inspectors check the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices such as scales, gasoline dispensers, fuel oil meters, and LP gas meters, as well as the net content of packaged food goods.
Inspection Stats:
- 22 SCDA Consumer Services Inspectors
- 64,000+ SC gas pumps inspected annually
- 20,000+ Commercial scales inspected annually
Problem at the Pump? Send SCDA an email or call 803-737-9700 to lets us know the issue.
SC Licensed Pump or Scale Repair-persons Registration – Registered repair-persons of commercial weighing and measuring devices are authorized to put new commercial devices into service and repaired devices back into service. Standards must be calibrated by a state standards lab every two years. The registration fee is $25 per person.
- Apply/Renew Pump or Scale Repair-persons License
- View SC Licensed Pump Repair-persons
- View SC Licensed Scales Repair-persons
Public Weighmasters and Bonded Dealers & Handlers
The Public Weighmaster Law requires that individuals verifying the accuracy of weights and other measurements, taken of commodities purchased or sold in South Carolina, must be licensed.
The Dealers and Handlers of Agricultural Products Law ensures farmers receive prompt and full payment from buyers through licensing and bonding requirements. Anyone who purchases products (except tobacco, cotton, dairy or timber) from a farmer in a payment form other than cash, is required to be licensed and bonded. Grain producers have added protection through the Grain Producers Guaranty Fund.
- Become a Licensed Dealer and Handler or Renew Your License Online
- Dealer and Handler Miller Affidavit Form or Dealer and Handler Cash Affidavit Form
Dealer and Handler Miller Exemption applies when a producer receives payment for grain in form of a check at delivery time, and producer has no protection. Dealer and Handler Cash Affidavit is used when a producer is paid cash at delivery time; therefore, no protection is needed in form of bond or guaranty fund.
It is unlawful for a dealer in agricultural products to engage in that business without a state license issued by the commissioner. This requirement applies to all dealers in agricultural products who are not exempted.
Bonded Storage Facilites
The State Warehouse System provides facilities for farmers to store their cotton and grain crops. The 25 licensed and bonded warehouses provide a total capacity of about 425,000 bales of cotton and 5.6 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, and guarantee delivery of the commodity to its lawful owner. For more information, contact John Stokes at 803-737-9696.
Ice Vending
Per South Carolina Law, registration of ice vending machines was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, effective July 1, 2024.
- All ice vending machines in operation or to be placed in operation must be registered with SCDA.
- All operators must submit a registration application for each individual machine.
- Once approved by SCDA staff, an inspector will contact operator for a site inspection.
Ice dispensing machines will be inspected for:
- Cleanliness (meaning no mold, mildew, debris, insect/rodent activity, etc.)
- Water source (Department of Environmental Services approved water source and not from things such as a hose, potable water bin, private well etc.)
- Adequate drainage (Drain tubes are not clogged, leaking, etc.)
- Advertisement depending on price and weight dispersed
- Contact information for unattended money operated machine
- Accuracy of Net Content of ice dispersed
All dispensers not approved will be taken out-of-service and operator must make needed corrective actions. Once corrective actions have been made, operator must contact SCDA for reinspection. It will be the sole responsibility of operator to furnish a means by which ice can be dispersed, for net content check.
