(1) Weights and measures obtained by the state as standards and certified for use as such by the national institute of standards and technology shall be the state standards of weight and measure. They shall be in the custody of the department and shall be used only for verification of other standards.
(2) The department may issue rules governing the construction, installation and use of commercial weights and measures and prescribing tolerances therefor. The specifications, tolerances and regulations for commercial weighing and measuring devices issued by the national institute of standards and technology shall apply in this state except as modified by such rules.