[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34653-34654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14699]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


National Conference on Weights and Measures 2011 Annual Meeting

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) 2011 
Annual Meeting will be held July 17 to 21, 2011. Publication of this 
notice on the NCWM's behalf is undertaken as a public service. The 
meetings are open to the public but a paid registration is required. 
See registration information in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
below.

DATES: The meeting will be held on July 17 to 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown at the 
Park located at 200 South Pattee in Missoula, MT 59802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Hockert, Chief, NIST, Weights 
and Measures Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899-2600 or by telephone (301) 975-5507 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NCWM is an organization of weights and 
measures officials of the states, counties, and cities, Federal 
agencies, and private sector representatives. These meetings bring 
together government officials and representatives of business, 
industry, trade associations, and consumer organizations on subjects 
related to the field of weights and measures technology, 
administration, test methods and enforcement. NIST attends the 
conference to promote uniformity among the states in laws, regulations, 
methods, and testing equipment that comprise the regulatory control of 
commercial weighing and measuring devices and other trade and commerce 
issues. To register for this meeting, please see the link ``96 National 
Conference on Weights and Measures'' at http://www.ncwm.net or http://www.nist.gov/owm which contains meeting agendas, registration forms and 
information on hotel reservations.
    The following are brief descriptions of some of the significant 
agenda items that will be considered along with other issues at this 
meeting. Comments will be taken on these and other issues during 
several public comment sessions. See NCWM Publication 16 (Pub 16) for 
information on all of the issues that will be considered at this 
meeting. At this stage, the items are proposals. The Committees will 
also hold work sessions where they will finalize their recommendations 
for possible adoption by NCWM on July 20 to 21, 2011. The Committees 
may withdraw or carry over items that need additional development.
    The Specifications and Tolerances Committee (S&T Committee) will 
consider proposed amendments to NIST Handbook 44, ``Specifications, 
Tolerances, and other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring 
Devices (NIST Handbook 44).'' Those items address weighing and 
measuring devices used in commercial applications, that is, devices 
that are used to buy from or sell to the public or used for determining 
the quantity of product sold among businesses.

[[Page 34654]]

    Items on the agenda of the NCWM Laws and Regulations Committee (L&R 
Committee) relate to proposals to amend NIST Handbook 130, ``Uniform 
Laws and Regulations in the area of legal metrology and engine fuel 
quality'' and NIST Handbook 133 ``Checking the Net Contents of Packaged 
Goods.''

NCWM Specifications and Tolerances Committee

General Code

Item 310-2 G-S.1. Identification (Software)
    This proposal is intended to amend the identification marking 
requirements for all electronic devices manufactured after a specified 
date by requiring that metrological software version or revision 
information be identified. Additionally, the proposal suggests listing 
methods, other than ``permanently marked,'' for providing the required 
information.
Item 310-3 G-A.6. Nonretroactive Requirements (Remanufactured 
Equipment)
    This proposal is intended to clarify the intent of the 2001 NCWM 
position on the application of nonretroactive requirements to 
commercial weighing and measuring devices which have been determined to 
have been ``remanufactured'' after undergoing repair, overhaul or 
renovation. This proposal is intended to clarify current requirements 
without causing undo costs on device manufacturers, suppliers and 
owners.
    Special Meeting Announcement: A Task Group on Retail Motor Fuel 
Dispenser (RMFD) Price Posting and Computer Capability will meet from 
1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2011 to develop criteria for 
possible inclusion in the Liquid Measuring Device Code (LMD) related to 
price posting and computing capability of RMFDs to reflect current 
market practices in posting fuel prices.

NCWM Laws and Regulations Committee

    The following items are proposals to amend NIST Handbook 130:

Method of Sale of Commodities Regulation

    Item 232-1. Polyethylene Products, Method of Sale Regulation 
Section 2.13.4. ``Declaration of Weight.''--The L&R Committee will 
consider a proposal to revise the density value used to calculate the 
net weights on some packages of polyethylene products. The intent of 
the proposal is to recognize heavier density plastics are being used in 
the production of some sheeting and bag products. Accurate density 
values are needed for use by weights and measures inspectors in 
enforcing laws that require quantity declarations to be accurate. (See 
also related Item 260-2 under NIST Handbook 133, Chapter 4.7. 
Polyethylene Sheeting-Test Procedure--Footnote to Step 3 in the 
complete agenda of the L&R Committee in NCWM Publication 16)
    Item 232-2. Proposed Method of Sale Regulation for Packages of 
Printer Ink and Toner Cartridges--The L&R Committee will consider 
recommendations to develop a proposed method of sale regulation to 
clarify the labeling requirements for packaged inkjet and toner 
cartridges to ensure that consumers can make value comparisons.
    Special Meeting Announcement: The Task Group on Printer Ink and 
Toner Cartridges will meet on Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
    Item 232-4. HB 130, Method of Sale Regulation, Section 2.33. 
Vehicle Engine Oil--The L&R Committee will consider a proposal to adopt 
a method of sale in HB 130 related to the sale of vehicle engine oil in 
conjunction with oil change services. (In 237-6, which is not included 
in this notice) there is a corresponding proposal to amend the Fuels 
and Automotive Lubricants Regulation to require detailed invoicing 
requirements for sales of engine oil.) Some oil service facilities may 
not deliver the brand and viscosity of oil that they advertise. As a 
result consumers may pay for higher quality oil than they receive. This 
proposed regulation will require sellers of oil change services to 
provide full disclosure to consumers in a written or printed document 
that lists the brand name, SAE viscosity, and other information 
(including the oil's service category) of any engine oil delivered into 
the customer's vehicle.
    The following items are proposals to amend NIST Handbook 133:
    Item 260-2. The L&R Committee will consider a proposal to amend 
Chapter 4.7. Polyethylene Sheeting-Test Procedure--Footnote to Step 3 
to provide density values for use by weights and measures inspectors in 
verifying the quantity statements on packages polyethylene sheeting and 
bags.
    Item 260-3. Moisture Allowance for Pasta Products--The L&R 
Committee will consider a proposal to adopt a 3% moisture allowance for 
macaroni, noodle, and like products (pasta products). This value will 
be used by weights and measures officials in determining whether or not 
any shortages in the weight of packages of pasta are reasonable.

    Dated: June 8, 2011.
Charles H. Romine,
Acting Associate Director for Laboratory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-14699 Filed 6-13-11; 8:45 am]
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