The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is pushing back against recent claims that consumers are effectively on an “honor system” when purchasing fuel and that businesses are responsible for reporting their own violations.

In a news release, the department said its Weights & Measures Division continues to regulate and enforce requirements for commercial weighing and measuring devices throughout the state.

ADAI reported that its inspectors and licensed service technicians inspected 104,100 pumps and meters and tested 8,256 petroleum products during fiscal year 2025.

“The suggestion that Alabama consumers are operating on an honor system is an inaccurate representation of the work being done by this department. Our employees are in communities across Alabama every day protecting consumers and maintaining fairness in the marketplace,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. “To suggest that businesses can simply cheat consumers unless they choose to report themselves is misleading and discounts the work our inspectors perform every day. Anyone who says otherwise is either uninformed or disingenuous.”

The department said licensed service companies are responsible for installing, calibrating, repairing and verifying commercial devices, including fuel dispensers, but they do not replace ADAI’s regulatory authority. ADAI licenses and monitors service technicians, conducts inspections, investigates complaints and enforces compliance requirements.

According to the release, inspectors can remove noncompliant devices from commercial service until violations are corrected and can issue stop-sale orders for products that violate state or federal requirements.

Alabama has approximately 5,000 retail fuel locations with more than 100,000 gas pumps, along with more than 25,000 light, medium and heavy commercial scales, the department said.

“All complaints received by our division are addressed within 24 to 48 hours. The costs of violations are substantial, up to as much as $25,000,” said Weights & Measures Director Stacy Boshell. “We work to ensure everyone is treated equally and fairly. Protecting both consumers and businesses through accurate weights and measures remains our priority.”

The department also said its inspectors now complete inspection reports electronically from the field, allowing records to be processed in real time and helping inspectors track devices, inspections and compliance across the state.

Consumers who believe a fuel pump, commercial scale, price verification system or other regulated device is inaccurate can contact ADAI’s Weights & Measures Division at (334) 240-7133. The department said complaints are addressed within 24 to 48 hours.