Weights and measures that are traceable to the United States prototype standards supplied by the federal government, or approved as being satisfactory by the national institute of standards and technology, shall be the state's reference standards of weights and measures and shall be maintained in such calibration as prescribed by the national institute of standards and technology. All secondary standards may be prescribed by the commissioner and shall be verified upon their initial receipt and as often thereafter as deemed necessary by the commissioner. The commissioner shall have the custody and keep accurate records of the state standards of weights and measures and of the other standards and equipment provided for by this article.