The state lab charged with monitoring commercial measuring devices such as supermarket scales and gas station meters to ensure that they're accurate has been recertified.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture's Metrology Lab has been awarded a 2-year certificate of traceability by the National Institute of Standards and Technology after an evaluation of its proficiency and operations.

The lab's calibration and measurement capabilities were evaluated by the institute, in addition to the lab's equipment, quality control systems and staff competency.

Agriculture officials say the lab protects consumers and businesses from unfair practices by ensuring that the standards used to test weighing and measuring devices are precise.

Last year, more than 128,000 devices were tested.