$7 trillion of US economy rides on precise measures, so a little off-kilter costs bigtime

A tad over? Under? Inaccurate scales can be costly

AUGUSTA, Maine — Ever stop to think about how much difference a slightly off-kilter scale or gas pump could cost you and other customers?

Nationally, the stakes could be a staggering $7 trillion — for both customers and sellers. That estimate comes from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is the country’s lead standards-setting organization.

Earlier this year, more than a dozen states uncovered a pattern of overweighing by fish packers who added the weight of glaze ice to the labeled weight of fish. That meant consumers ended up paying several dollars more than they should for a pound of fish. Federal officials have threatened action and dealers in at least one state, Ohio, have been fined.

There’s no proof such scams are related to the recession. But authorities say unscrupulous businesses are more likely to cheat when states cut back on enforcement.