Agenda of the Board of Directors/NTEP Committee

Dennis Ehrhart, CPM

Assistant Director, Compliance

Arizona Department of Weights & Measures

# Introduction

The Board held its quarterly Board of Directors meeting on Saturday,
January 24, 2004, and continued that meeting during work periods
throughout the remainder of the Interim Meetings. The Board of Directors
and NTEP Committee invited members to dialogue with the Board on issues
that the Board and NTEP Committee have on the following issues:
Conformity Assessment, NCWM Organizational Structure, the National
Training Program, Voting Procedures, Public Relations campaign and
participation internationally, i.e., OIML, CFTM, APLMF, and USNWG.

**Table A**

**Table of Contents**

**Subject Page**

[Introduction 1](#introduction)

[1. Conformity Assessment 2](#conformity-assessment)

[2. NCWM Organizational Structure 2](#ncwm-organizational-structure)

[3. National Training Program Curriculum
2](#national-training-program-curriculum)

[4. (I) Voting Procedures 2](#i-voting-procedures)

[5. Public Relations Campaign 3](#public-relations-campaign)

[6. NCWM Participation in International Standards Setting Activities
3](#ncwm-participation-in-international-standards-setting-activities)

[7. Financial 3](#financial)

[8. Nominating Committee 5](#nominating-committee)

[9. Future Meetings 5](#future-meetings)

[10. Membership Report 5](#membership-report)

**Table B**

**Appendices**

**Appendix Title Page**

[A Strategic Planning for an NCWM National Media Campaign
A1](#appendix-a)

[B Report on the Activities of the International Organization of Legal
Metrology (OIML) and Regional\
Legal Metrology Organizations B1](#AppendixB)

# 1. Conformity Assessment

The Conformity Assessment Work Group will meet immediately following the
Central Weights and Measures Association meeting on May 6, 2004, in
Omaha, Nebraska. The Work Group will meet as a whole and then divide
into three separate working groups, i.e., Initial Verification,
Administrative Review, and Verified Conformity Assessment, to address
the details of the Conformity Assessment Program.

# 2. NCWM Organizational Structure

At its meeting in April 2004, the Board of Directors will consider the
use of National Working Groups to support the Standing Committees on an
as-needed basis. The Professional Development Committee that was formed
at the Annual Conference in 2003 has begun its work.

# 3. National Training Program Curriculum

Representatives from the Board of Directors met with the Professional
Development Committee during the Interim Meeting. They shared their
vision of how a curriculum could be designed. Dennis Ehrhart, NCWM
Chairman, pledged financial support to the Committee so that they can
accomplish their task.

# 4. (I) Voting Procedures

The Board discussed the feedback they had received on the current voting
procedures. They will continue to take comments on the proposal put
forth by the Central Weights and Measures Association (CWMA) in Pub 15,
which is as follows:

> Article X, Section 4 - Minimum Votes

A.  House of State Representatives

> **[When at least 35 delegates are in attendance in the House of
> Representatives, ~~A~~ a minimum]{.underline}** of 27 votes in favor
> of, or 27 votes in opposition to, an issue must be cast for the vote
> to considered official. If 54 or more votes are cast in the House of
> State Representatives, a simple majority of the total votes is
> required to pass (or defeat) the issue.

When fewer than 35 jurisdictions are in attendance in the House of
Representatives, a 2/3 majority of those representatives in attendance
at the Conference voting in favor of, or in opposition to, an issue must
be cast for the vote to be considered official. The rules for a quorum
still apply.

B.  House of Delegates:

A minimum of 27 votes in favor of, or 27 votes in opposition to, an
issue must be cast for the vote to be considered official. If more than
54 total votes are cast, then a simple majority rules. Should a tie vote
occur, or if the minimum votes in support or opposition are not cast,
the issue is decided by the vote of the House of State Representatives.

> They will also consider an alternate proposal made by Chris Guay that
> **[when there are fewer than 35 jurisdictions in attendance in the
> House of Representatives, a three-fourths majority of those
> Representatives in attendance at the conference voting in favor of, or
> in opposition to, an issue must be cast for the vote to be considered
> official. The rules for a Quorum still apply.]{.underline}**
>
> In recent voting sessions of the NCWM, some items have failed to move
> because the mandatory 27 votes in favor or opposed were not attained.
> These proposals would allow action on items in years of low
> attendance, but only when a strong majority is reached in favor or
> opposition to an item. The second option would strengthen the proposal
> from a two-thirds majority to a three-fourths majority in those years
> of low attendance. The intent being that such a strong majority would
> provide assurance that the same outcome would have been reached on
> voting items had the attendance been higher.
>
> Some members contend that voting procedures should not be altered
> because of a temporary decrease in attendance of annual meetings.

# 5. Public Relations Campaign

The public relations plan drafted by DeeAnn Deaton, Public Information
Officer, Arizona Department of Weights and Measures, is attached as
Appendix A to the BOD report.

# 6. NCWM Participation in International Standards Setting Activities

The Board will continue to support NCWM participation in international
standards setting activities. Ross Andersen is serving as the liaison
between NCWM and OIML on this issue. Dave Frieders, NCWM Chair-Elect,
will continue these efforts during his year as Chairman.

# 7. Financial

+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| The Board reviewed the 2002/03  |          |          |             |
| year-end audited financial      |          |          |             |
| report.                         |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| ######## Statement of Activ     |          |          | **2004      |
| ities ending September 30, 2003 |          |          | Budget**    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| **Revenue & Support**           |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Dues-government                 | \$76,800 |          | \$97,500    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Dues-associate                  | \$49,500 |          | \$61,750    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Associate member fund           | \$14,835 |          | \$14,250    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| NTEP                            | \        |          | \$432,025   |
|                                 | $447,570 |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Interim Meeting Fees            | \$19,380 |          | \$21,750    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Annual Meeting Fees             | \$67,262 |          | \$80,900    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Publication Sales               | \$22,380 |          | \$18,850    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Interest                        | \$12,528 |          | \$7,500     |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Advertising                     | \$839    |          | \$975       |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Miscellaneous                   | \$4,103  |          | \$0         |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Newsletter                      | \$9,000  |          | \$0         |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
|                                 |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Total Revenue & Support         | \        |          | \$735,500   |
|                                 | $724,197 |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
|                                 |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| **Expenses**                    |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| **Programs**                    |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Membership                      | \$11,030 |          | \$10,814    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| NTEP                            | \        |          | \$431,662   |
|                                 | $422,188 |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Interim Meeting                 | \$46,281 |          | \$51,056    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Annual Meeting                  | \$63,332 |          | \$95,545    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Publications                    | \$13,491 |          | \$15,601    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Newsletter                      | \$13,757 |          | \$15,315    |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
|                                 |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
| Total Programs                  | \        |          | \$619,993   |
|                                 | $570,079 |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+
|                                 |          |          |             |
+---------------------------------+----------+----------+-------------+

  --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------------
  **Management and general**                                

  Management Fees                   \$46,500                \$48,655

  Associate Fund                    \$24,694                \$14,000

  Board of Directors                \$21,086                \$25,000

  Bank Fees                         \$9,729                 \$6,400

  Website                           \$12,025                \$11,635

  Legal & Accounting                \$5,228                 \$7,225

  Telephone                         \$1,733                 \$2,000

  Insurance                         \$1,940                 \$2,700

  Office Supplies                   \$1,224                 \$1,200

  Printing & duplicating            \$535                   \$1,000

  Postage                           \$53                    \$100

  Committee Travel                  \$715                   \$2,500

  Miscellaneous                     \$2                     \$0

  Storage Space Rental              \$960                   \$960

                                                            

  Total Management and general      \$126,424               \$123,375

                                                            

  Total Expenses                    \$696,503               \$743,368

                                                            

  Change in net assets              \$27,694                (\$7,868)
  --------------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------------

**National Conference on Weights & Measures, Inc. Balance Sheet as of
September 30, 2003**

  ------------- -------------------------------------------- ----------------
  Assets                                                     

                                                             

  Current                                                    
  Assets                                                     

                Cash and cash equivalents                    \$202,365

                Certificates of Deposit                      \$542,085

                Accounts receivable                          \$470

                Prepaid expenses                             \$2,329

                Interest receivable                          \$6,703

                Total assets                                 \$753,952

                                                             

  Liabilities                                                
  and Net                                                    
  Assets                                                     

                                                             
  ------------- -------------------------------------------- ----------------

**Current Liabilities**

Accounts payable \$508

Deferred revenue -- other -

Deferred dues revenue \$122,225

Total liabilities \$122,733

**Net Assets**

Unrestricted \$631,219

Total liabilities and net assets \$753,952

# 8. Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee submitted the following report to the NCWM
Board of Directors:

Chairman Elect: Don Onwiler, Nebraska

Treasurer (one year term): Tom Geiler, Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts

Associate Membership (three year term): Darrell Flocken, Mettler-Toledo

Active Membership/Northeastern (five year term): Charles Carroll,
Massachusetts

# 9. Future Meetings

**NCWM Annual Meetings**

2004 July 11-15 Hilton Pittsburgh & Towers, Pittsburgh, PA

2005 July 10-14 Hilton in Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

2006 July 9-13 Chicago Marriott, Chicago, IL

**NCWM Interim Meetings**

2005 January 23-26 Fairmont Miramar, Los Angeles, CA

2006 January 22-25 Omni Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL

2007 January 21-24 Omni Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL

**NTEP Lab and Sector Meetings**

NTEP Laboratory Meeting April 23-27, 2004, Ottawa, Canada

GMM/NIR Sector Meeting August 18-20, 2004, Kansas City, MO

Weighing Sector Meeting August 29-31, 2004, Ottawa, Canada

Measuring Sector Meeting October 22-23, 2004, Biloxi, MS

# 10. Membership Report

The total NCWM membership as of December 2003 is 2,412. The membership
breakdown by category is:

State Government 804

Local Government 515

U.S. Government 32

Foreign Government 18

Associate Members 780

Foreign Associate 34

Retirees 229

D. Ehrhart, Arizona, Chairman

R. Andersen, New York, Chairman of the NTEP Committee

D. Frieders, San Francisco, California, Chairman-Elect

T. Geiler, Barnstable, Massachusetts, Treasurer

K. Angell, West Virginia

M. Cleary, California

B. McGrath, Boston, Massachusetts

D. Onwiler, Nebraska

S. Pahl, Texas

C. Guay, Procter & Gamble Co.

D. Quinn, Fairbanks Scales

Executive Secretary: H. Oppermann (NIST)

Advisors: B. Palys, Executive Director, NCWM Headquarters

G. Vinet, Canada

**Board of Directors**

## Appendix A

+--------------------------+-------------------------------------------+
| ![]                      | National Conference on Weights and        |
| (media/image1.jpeg){widt | Measures                                  |
| h="1.9979166666666666in" |                                           |
| height="1.425in"}        | *"Recognition through Transparency"*      |
|                          |                                           |
|                          | 15245 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 130,         |
|                          | Rockville, MD 20850\                      |
|                          | (240) 632-9454 FAX (301) 990-9771\        |
|                          | Email: <ncwm@mgmtsol.com>                 |
+--------------------------+-------------------------------------------+

Strategic Planning for an NCWM National Media Campaign

Prepared on October 27, 2003

By Dee Ann Deaton, Public Information Officer,\
Arizona Department of Weights & Measures

**Mission**

To develop a public relations-based committee that will assist the NCWM,
state, county and city weights and measures agencies develop a national
media campaign. The committee's mission is to increase public support,
agency communication, industry compliance and funding of weights and
measures programs by developing, coordinating and promoting an internal
and national awareness campaign that increases public and industry
support of the NCWM services and weights and measures programs.

**Objectives**

1.  Increase overall awareness of the NCWM.

2.  Increase the total number of citizens who act as the \"eyes\" of
    weights and measures agencies.

3.  Increase industry compliance.

4.  Increase funding support of both legislators and voters for weights
    and measures programs.

**Method**

1.  Identify services and challenges that weight and measures agencies
    are currently facing through detailed research so that a proactive
    media campaign can be developed that will benefit NCWM members.

2.  Develop an internal media campaign that targets members with and
    without public relations (PR) personnel.

3.  Increase awareness of the NCWM through targeted print, radio and
    television media, public service announcements (PSAs), movie theater
    pre-show ads and events.

4.  Develop and promote national investigative stories (determined by
    members' participation, needs and services) for all media outlets
    that include regulatory agencies inspection results and the monetary
    impact the results have on both consumers and industry.

5.  Capitalize on the need for increased funding and weights and
    measures presence in the marketplace through TV talk shows
    including: Primetime, Good Morning America, Dateline, CNN, Oprah,
    Larry King Live, The Today Show, 20/20 and local networks and cable
    stations for each member's area.

6.  Promote and implement Arizona's 12-month television story schedule
    entitled "Weights & Measures Tip of the Month." The NCWM should
    encourage all regulatory members to locally promote the same
    consumer awareness stories at the same time, which will assist with
    the national recognition efforts.

7.  Develop, promote and distribute two PSAs titled \"Plan Before You
    Scan" and "Who You Gonna Call?" in both audio and visual formats.
    PSAs should be in English and Spanish. Budget, PSA time-lines, story
    boards, scripts, casting, shooting location, video production,
    needed props, beta and video duplication and distribution will be
    developed by the committee with the NCWM Board's approval. Industry
    members may be asked to assist or support the production of the
    PSAs. Retail members may be asked to run the audio versions in their
    stores throughout the country.

**Challenges**

> **[Challenge #1]{.underline}:** A national campaign is
> [not]{.underline} recommended until: 1) member participation is
> increased; 2) uniformity is established for inspection procedures; and
> 3) the monetary impact of weights and measures programs is determined.
>
> **Solution:** It is recommended that before the NCWM considers
> promoting itself on a national basis, an in-depth survey of weights
> and measures programs needs to be conducted as part of the strategic
> planning process. The survey should include the following topics:

1.  Detailed description of each program including:

-   Types of inspections;

-   Procedures used;

-   Inspection results including names of companies;

-   Licensing fees;

-   Agency staff and budget;

-   Current outreach programs; and

-   Agency needs, success and challenges.

> **Benefit to NCWM:** Results will enable NCWM to better understand how
> to improve uniformity and will provide the committee with the ability
> to develop relevant stories to and identify possible challenges.

2.  The monetary impact each type of inspection has on both consumers
    and industry.

> **Benefit to NCWM:** Results will enable the committee to include the
> "so what" (financial impact) aspect of the stories. This information
> is critical if the NCWM desires to increase the support of
> legislators, industry and the public.

-   Weights and measures PR/outreach programs each state, county and
    city plans to pursue for the FY 2004.

> **Benefit to NCWM:** NCWM will be able to assess member's needs and
> identify member's resources to assist in promoting a national
> campaign.

3.  Agencies' current financial and regulatory challenges.

> **Benefit to NCWM:** The information will help determine types of
> stories and assess possible opposition NCWM and members may encounter.

4.  Media outlets and working relationships.

> **Benefit to NCWM:** NCWM can develop a media contact list for each
> area.
>
> **Industry Survey Topics**
>
> Profile of the organization such as:

-   Directory of locations including cities and states;

-   Types of weights and measures requirements and programs; and

-   The view of weights and measures regulatory efforts.

> **Benefit to NCWM:** Provides the NCWM with industry's current view of
> weights and measures and the types of challenges NCWM needs to address
> prior to promoting a national PR campaign.
>
> Once the survey(s) are complete and results are determined, the
> direction, available resources and vehicles that will be used for a
> national outreach program can be determined.
>
> **[Challenge #2]{.underline}:** In the past two months, Dee Ann Deaton
> has contacted weights and measures state and county agencies
> including: New York, California, Seattle Washington, Montana, Alaska,
> Texas, Washington DC, Florida and Pennsylvania. Only Kelley Chapman
> from Montana and Mike Cleary from California have stated they would
> like to be members of the committee. All other states contacted either
> did not have a Public Relations person currently promoting their
> agency or their PR person was part of a larger agency that currently
> does very little to promote weights and measures issues. *Note: Some
> agencies that currently have websites did not have sections for their
> weights and measure departments.*
>
> **Solutions: Internal Awareness Campaign:** An internal awareness
> campaign that focuses on educating members with and without PR
> personnel about the NCWM and weights and measures issues is needed.
>
> Agencies without PR personnel would greatly benefit from training that
> includes: strategic media planning, writing press releases, handling
> interviews, promoting stories, developing sound bites and developing
> interview scripts. NCWM should consider hosting PR-training workshops
> during conferences for those agencies without PR personnel.
>
> With the scope of the work involved in developing, promoting and
> coordinating a national campaign, the NCWM may want to consider hiring
> a National PR firm to assist and also hire a full-time Public
> Information Officer to coordinate the campaigns.
>
> **[Challenge #3]{.underline}:** **Determining NCWM's media budget and
> available support:** NCWM's media budget needs to be determined in
> order for the committee to establish the types of outreach programs
> that can be developed. The committee can research different avenues of
> promotion such as: public service announcements, print advertising,
> television and radio commercials, public service announcements, movie
> theater ads, B-roll for talk show segments, NCWM television or cable
> show, a movie, etc.
>
> **Solution:** The committee requests that an approximation of campaign
> funding be determined. NCWM may want to explore corporate sponsorship
> opportunities that may be available as they determine the
> media/outreach budget. The committee looks forward to meeting the
> above challenges and awaits both Board guidance and approval for the
> proposed direction.

[]{#AppendixB .anchor}**Appendix B**

**Report on the Activities of the**

**International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML)**

**and**

**Regional Legal Metrology Organizations**

Weights and Measures Division, NIST

The Weights and Measures Division (WMD) of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for coordinating U.S.
participation in OIML and other international legal metrology
organizations. Learn more about OIML at the International Legal
Metrology Group (ILMG) website at
[*http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/ilmghome.htm*](http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/ilmghome.htm)
or at the OIML website at *[http://www.oiml.org](http://www.oiml.org/)*
on the Internet. Dr. Charles Ehrlich, Group Leader of the ILMG, can be
contacted at <charles.ehrlich@nist.gov> or at 301-975-4834 or by fax at\
301-926-0647.

**Table of Contents**

I.  [Report on the Activities of the OIML Technical
    Committees](#Report_OIML_Committee)

II. [Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA) on OIML Type
    Evaluations](#Mutual_Acceptance)

III. [Report on the OIML Presidential Council](#President_Council)

IV. [Report on the 38th Meeting of the International Committee of Legal
    Metrology (CIML)](#CIML)

V.  [10th Annual Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF)](#APLMF)

VI. [Inter-American Metrology System (SIM) Legal Metrology Working Group
    (LMWG) Meeting](#Inter_American_Metrology)

[]{#Report_OIML_Committee .anchor}**I. Report on the Activities of the
OIML Technical Committees**

This section provides a report on the status of work in OIML Technical
Committees (TCs) and Technical Subcommittees (SCs) of specific interest
to members of the NCWM. Also included are reports on recent activities
of those groups and schedules of future activities of Secretariats, the
U.S. National Working Groups (USNWGs), and the International Working
Groups (IWGs) of committees and subcommittees.

*TC 3 Metrological Control (United States of America)*

A joint working group of the OIML, the International Bureau of Weights
and Measures (BIPM), and the International Laboratory Accreditation
Cooperation (ILAC) developed a draft revision of OIML D1 "Elements for a
Law on Metrology." The document is now in its third committee draft and
is being reviewed by the members of TC3 and by the NIST Weights and
Measures Division for consistency with HB-130. NCWM Laws and Regulations
Committee. This revision of D1 presents the various elements that should
be considered when preparing laws related to metrology. This document
gives advice on general laws covering all the aspects of legal
metrology, as well as specific laws related to some distinct aspects of
metrology, such as legal units and traceability. It can also be used to
evaluate provisions related to legal metrology in more general laws such
as those on consumer protection and conformity assessment. When
completed, the document will be a tool that individuals can use in
preparing such laws. They can select appropriate elements and adopt them
into their legislation. Please contact Ken Butcher at 301-975-4859 or at
<Kenneth.butcher@nist.gov> if you would like to obtain a copy of the
3^rd^ draft revision of D1 or to participate in this project, which is
planned for final approval in 2004.

*TC3/SC1 "Pattern Approval and Evaluation" (United States)*

The International Documents dealing with metrological control of
measuring instruments using the processes of type approval and
verification have not been revised in over 15 years. The existing OIML
documents are D19 "Pattern evaluation and pattern approval" and D20
"Initial and subsequent verification of measuring instruments and
processes." The subcommittee has approved the U.S. proposal for a
combined revision of OIML D19 and D20 into a single document
**"Principles of metrological control of measuring instruments: type
approval and verification." Key elements of three other OIML documents
will also be incorporated into the** combined revision of OIML D19 and
D20. These documents are D3 "Legal Qualification of Measuring
Instruments," R34 "Accuracy Classes of Measuring Instruments," and R42
"Metal Stamps for Verification Officers."

The existing documents are out of date since they do not include
developments of the last fifteen years, such as the OIML certificate
system, D27 "Initial verification of measuring instruments utilizing the
manufacturer\'s quality management system," and the "Framework for a
mutual acceptance arrangement (MAA) on OIML type evaluations."
Consideration needs to be given to the appropriate conformity assessment
options developed by the ISO Council Committee on Conformity Assessment
(ISO CASCO). This includes quality systems, product certification, and
accreditation. Consideration needs to be given as well to information
technology and statistical methods to increase or decrease verification
intervals based upon proven instrument performance. For more information
on this activity, contact Dr. Ambler Thompson at 301-975-2333 or at
<ambler@nist.gov>.

*TC 5/SC 1 Electronic Instruments (Netherlands)*

A meeting was held in the Netherlands in October 2002 to discuss
comments received on the 2^nd^ committee draft (22^nd^ CD) of a revision
of D11 \"General Requirements for Electronic Measuring Instruments*.*\"
There were a number of new proposed tests to be added to D11. Based on
meeting discussions and other comments received on the 2^nd^ CD, a 3^rd^
CD was circulated by the Secretariat in May 2003. The United States
voted yes and provided comments on the 3^rd^ CD in September 2003. In
February 2004, the final Draft Document was circulated for comment by
the BIML. This is an especially important document in the OIML system
because its testing requirements will become general guidance for all
OIML recommendations for electronic measuring instruments. All
interested NCWM members are encouraged to contact Dr. Ambler Thompson at
301-975-2333 or at <ambler@nist.gov> to provide comments on the final
document.

*TC 5/SC2 Software (Germany and France)*

France's responsibilities as co-secretariat of SC2 have moved to LNE and
are now represented by Samuel Just (<samuel.just@lne.fr>). There was a
meeting of the co-Secretariats, Germany and France, Mr. Tanasko Tasić
from MIRS, Slovenia, as the representative of the TC5 chairman, and Mr.
Attila Szilvássy as the representative of BIML in December 2003 in
Paris. The goal of the meeting was to reach agreement on the next
appropriate steps for this project. It was agreed to distribute the
collated results from the software questionnaire circulated in 2002. All
TCs and SCs, that are currently revising an OIML recommendation, will be
contacted to ensure that software aspects are considered in revised
Recommendations. TCs and SCs will be asked to nominate a contact person
for exchanging information with TC5/SC2. MIRS and LNE have already
started to review all OIML Documents and Recommendations published since
1990 for terms related to software. Recommendations identified as
relevant will then be analyzed and serve as sources of information to be
considered when the software document is written. It is expected that
information from these activities will be made available for
distribution to the subcommittee in 2004 with a Working Draft document
to follow. Please contact Wayne Stiefel at 301-975-4011 or at
<stiefel@nist.gov> if you would like to participate in this project.

*TC 8/SC 3 "Measuring Instruments for Liquids other than Water."
(Germany) and TC 8/SC 4 "Dynamic Mass Measurements (Liquids other than
Water)" (United States)*

OIML R117 "Measuring Instruments for Liquids other than Water" is
undergoing an extensive revision \-- incorporating new instrument
technologies and merging the document with OIML recommendations R86
"Drum Meters" and R105 "Mass Flowmeters." This is a high priority
project for OIML, and ILMG is working with the U.S. National Working
Group on flowmeters, Germany, and the Netherlands (convener of the work
group tasked with revising R117) on this effort. Meetings of the U.S.
National Working Group on flowmeters were held during the NCWM Interim
Meeting in January 2003, the NCWM Annual Meeting in July 2003, and the
NCWM Interim Meeting in January 2004. Measurement Canada has been a
strong contributor to this effort. An aggressive timetable for TC8/SC3
and SC4 to complete this major project is ongoing.

An extremely productive joint meeting of OIML TC8/SC3 and SC4 was held
October 6-9, 2003, in Paris, France. The meeting was very well attended
by 45 participants, including official representatives from 17
countries. Several representatives of major U.S. manufacturers of these
systems actively participated in the meeting. These technical experts
provided a depth of experience and technical expertise that proved
highly valuable during the meeting. Working from the first committee
draft of R117 (1^st^ CD, August 2003), participants at the 4-day Paris
meeting successfully completed a hefty and detailed agenda designed to
resolve several key issues on the document's revision. Some of these key
issues included: conversion devices, electronic sealing, significant
faults, endurance testing, and required documentation. Based largely on
the consensus decisions reached by meeting participants, the second
committee draft (2^nd^ CD) of R117 is expected to be ready for review in
March 2004. If you have questions or would like to become more involved
with this effort, please contact Mr. Ralph Richter at
<ralph.richter@nist.gov> or 301-975-4025.

*TC8/SC5 "Water Meters" (United Kingdom)*

The amended R49-1 "Water Meters Intended for the Metering of Cold
Potable Water: Metrological Requirements" was republished and placed on
the OIML web site in April 2002. Amended versions of both R49-2 "Test
Methods" and R49‑3 "Test Report Format" were approved for publication at
the November 2003 CIML meeting in Kyoto, Japan.

*TC8/SC7 "Gas Metering" (Belgium and France)*

An IWG meeting was held in Brussels in March 2001 to discuss the
comments on the 2^nd^ CD draft of OIML Recommendation "*Measuring
Systems for Gaseous Fuel*" to include natural and compressed natural
gas. A second meeting of the IWG focused on a 2^nd^ CD Recommendation
"*Measuring Systems for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for Vehicles*" and
annexes covering performance tests for electronic devices and basic test
procedures. The Secretariat circulated a 3^rd^ CD for comment and vote.
In April 2003, the United States cast a negative ballot because the
testing requirements were unrealistic. A 4^th^ CD is being prepared by
the Secretariat.

A 3^rd^ CD "*Measuring Systems for Gaseous Fuel*" has been circulated by
the Secretariat and is being balloted with comments and vote due by June
30, 2004. This Recommendation is intended for large pipelines with large
flowrates and operating pressures, or systems not fitted with diaphragm
gas meters. Different types of measuring systems are considered:
measuring systems providing indications of volume at base conditions or
mass converted from a volume of gas determined at metering conditions,
measuring systems providing directly the mass of gas, and measuring
systems providing indication of energy corresponding to a volume at base
conditions or a mass of gas. Please contact Wayne Stiefel at
301-975-4011 or at <stiefel@nist.gov> if you would like to obtain a copy
of the 3^rd^ CD or to participate in this project.

*TC 8/SC 8 "Gas Meters" (Netherlands)*

The Secretariat sent the members of the committee a letter with the
results of a questionnaire asking for comments to guide the initiation
of a work program to revise R6 "General provisions for gas volume
meters," R31 "Diaphragm Gas Meters", and R32 "Rotary Piston Gas Meters
and Turbine Gas Meters." A small majority of members voted to produce
one new recommendation for gas meters that will replace R6, R31, and
R32. The Secretariat reported that they would develop an initial draft.
The new document, according to the Secretariat, may consist of a general
chapter mainly consisting of R6 and those aspects in common with R31 and
R32 and separate chapters on household and industrial gas meters. The
USNWG provided comments and will participate in the development of the
new Recommendation. Please contact Wayne Stiefel at 301-975-4011 or at
<stiefel@nist.gov> if you would like to participate in this project.

*TC 9/SC 1 "Nonautomatic Weighing Instruments" (Germany and France)*

In May of 2002, Germany and France, the co-secretariats of OIML TC 9/SC
1 "Non-automatic Weighing Instruments" (NAWI), announced that they had
initiated the first review of OIML Recommendation 76 "Non-automatic
Weighing Instruments" since 1994. This review cycle is of major
importance to U.S. interests because R76 serves as the foundation for a
majority of the laws and regulations that governs weighing instruments
around the world. This review is significant for U.S. weighing
instrument manufacturers because the international harmonization of
requirements will eliminate technical barriers to trade and reduce the
delays and the cost of getting new weighing instruments into the global
marketplace. It is also important for legal metrology officials since it
is taking place when the NCWM is considering entering into the OIML
Mutual Acceptance Arrangement for type evaluations with other countries
(e.g., Germany). This effort supports one of the Conference's long-range
strategies that is to "work toward the harmonization of U.S. (e.g., NIST
Handbook 44 "Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical
Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices") and international
standards." The United States received the first working draft of the
revised R76 in December 2003. This draft includes new language
addressing metrological controls for type evaluations, conformity, and
initial and subsequent inspections. This draft has been circulated to
the USNWG for comment. A proposed U.S. response is being prepared and
will be circulated to the USNWG for final comment before submission to
the Secretariat. The USNWG will also be consulted concerning proposals
to modify Handbook 44 to harmonize with R76. If you would like to
participate in this effort, please contact Steve Cook at 301-975-4003 or
<steven.cook@nist.gov>.

*TC 9/SC 2 "Automatic Weighing Instruments" (United Kingdom)*

In July of 2003, the United States voted "no" on a third committee draft
of Recommendation \"Automatic Instruments for Weighing Road Vehicles in
Motion - Part B - Axle Loads\" that was prepared by the OIML Secretariat
in the United Kingdom. Several technical and clarification items were
forwarded to the Secretariat as justification for this negative vote. If
you would like to receive a copy of the latest draft of this document or
participate in this work please contact Richard Harshman at 301-975-8107
or <harshman@nist.gov>.

*TC17/SC1 "Humidity" (China)*

In February 2001, the 1^st^ Committee Draft Revision of OIML R59
\"Moisture Meters for Cereal Grains and Oilseeds\" was received from the
TC17/SC1 Secretariat, the Peoples Republic of China. The current edition
of R59 was developed in the 1980s and includes technical and
metrological requirements for both automatic and manual meters. A U.S.
National Working Group reviewed the draft revision of R59 and sent
comments to the Secretariat in the spring of 2001. Because of
substantial problems with this draft, the Secretariat asked the United
States to prepare a new OIML draft based on the National Conference on
Weights and Measures National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP)
requirements. A working draft of the Recommendation was prepared based
upon requirements for moisture meters in Handbook 44 and Publication 14.
After preparation by the United States, this working draft was
distributed by China to the IWG in February 2003 for comment. Based on
comments received on the working draft, a first committee draft was
distributed to the IWG in May 2003. Both drafts were distributed to the
U.S. National Working Group, which for the most part is a subset of the
NTEP Grain Sector. In October 2003, China hosted a meeting of the
TC17/SC1 subcommittee in Beijing to review and discuss this revised
document. A second committee draft is expected to be available for
review in the summer of 2004. Please contact Diane Lee at 301-975-4405
or at <diane.lee@nist.gov> if you would like to participate in this
working group.

*TC17/SC8 "Quality Analysis of Agricultural Products" (Australia)*

A new subcommittee has been formed to study the issues and write a
working draft document "Measuring Instruments for Protein Determination
in Grains." The Secretariat for this new subcommittee is Australia and a
meeting is scheduled in May 2004 in Sydney. Please contact Diane Lee at
301-975-4405 or at <diane.lee@nist.gov> if you would like to participate
in this working group.

[]{#Mutual_Acceptance .anchor}**II. Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA)
on OIML Type Evaluations**

The MAA document and its associated document "Checklists for issuing
authorities and testing laboratories carrying out OIML type evaluations"
were both adopted at the 38th CIML meeting in November 2003 in Kyoto,
Japan, after presentations given by the International Bureau of Legal
Metrology (BIML) Director and Dr. Charles Ehrlich, the Secretariat of
TC3. The CIML agreed to set up a working group in order to address the
financial aspects of the implementation of the MAA and to come up with
financial regulations for this MAA before the 2004 CIML Meeting.

The Working Group on "Implementation of the MAA" met in Paris in
February 2004. Further discussions on MAA Implementation were held at
the OIML Presidential Council meeting in March 2004. The following
[proposals]{.underline} will be included in a document submitted for the
approval of the 2004 CIML Meeting in Berlin:

-   The implementation of the MAA will have consequences on the existing
    OIML Certificate System. When a Declaration of Mutual Confidence
    (DoMC) is signed for a given category, the following rules shall
    apply:

    -   The Issuing Authorities who participate in this DoMC will issue
        all their Certificates and Test Reports under the conditions of
        the OIML Certificate System plus the specific conditions of this
        DoMC;

    -   Issuing Authorities that do not sign this DoMC will be allowed
        to continue issuing OIML Certificates in this category for a
        limited period (e.g. one year) after the signature of the DoMC
        (in order to be able to complete work in progress). [After this
        period, they will either have to join the DoMC or to stop
        issuing OIML Certificates for this category]{.underline}; and

    -   OIML Certificates and Test Reports issued under the conditions
        of a DoMC will bear a specific OIML logo. The individual
        registration fee due by the manufacturer in application of the
        OIML Certificate System will be replaced by a contribution
        payable to the Bureau by the participating Issuing Authority.
        These Certificates will be recorded by the Bureau on a specific
        database, which will be published on the OIML web site.

-   The participation of an Issuing Authority in a particular DoMC will
    generate fees to the BIML, comprising two complementary parts:

    -   A fixed annual amount for each participation in a DoMC (\~1200
        euros);

    -   An additional amount for each Certificate issued under the DoMCs
        in which the Issuing Authority participates (\~150 euros), which
        will bear the specific OIML logo above mentioned.

-   An additional staff member will be recruited by the Bureau to
    undertake the new tasks resulting from the implementation of the
    MAA. This additional staff member should start work at the BIML on
    January 1, 2005, for a 4-year period.

-   Implementation of the MAA will start with two categories: R 60 (Load
    cells) and R 76 (Nonautomatic weighing instruments). These two
    categories will be addressed in parallel, as it may save costs for
    visits and assessments by experts, since the experts for these
    categories generally being the same people. Work on the
    implementation of the MAA for these two categories will start
    immediately, so that the two corresponding DoMCs can be expected
    early in 2005. The following events will be organized at the end of
    2004:

    -   A workshop for all OIML Issuing Authorities to inform them of
        the provisions related to the implementation of the MAA that
        have been approved at the 39th CIML Meeting, and on the planned
        schedule; and

    -   Two one-day meetings for potential participants of the first two
        DoMCs.

-   The Bureau will soon invite all parties interested in taking part in
    DoMCs on R 60 and R 76 to start preparing their application
    documents, so that these two one-day meetings can focus on more
    practical issues. A more formal meeting of the Committees on
    Participation Review for these two Declarations of Mutual Confidence
    will be scheduled shortly after the two one-day meetings.

For further information on the MAA and its implementation, please
contact Dr. Charles Ehrlich, at <charles.ehrlich@nist.gov> or at
301-975-4834 or by fax at 301- 975-5414.

[]{#President_Council .anchor}**III. Report on the OIML Presidential
Council**

*OIML Presidential Council Meeting -- March 1-2, 2004*

Dr. Charles Ehrlich attended a meeting of the OIML Presidential Council
at the OIML Headquarters (the International Bureau of Legal Metrology
(BIML) in Paris) on March 1-2, 2004. The following are some highlights
of this meeting:

-   The OIML Long-Term Action Plan will not be revised immediately; the
    existing version will continue to be followed.

-   Approved Recommendations, Documents, and other publications will be
    printed and distributed as soon as possible, priority being given to
    those Recommendations applicable under the Certificate System and
    the MAA.

-   New financial regulations are being prepared for implementation in
    2005.

-   Work will be initiated on the newly established permanent Working
    Group on Developing Countries, which will be chaired by Dr. Seiler
    (PTB, Germany) for the next two years.

-   The revision of the Directives for Technical Work will be started. A
    Working Group is being established for that purpose with the main
    goals of accelerating the technical work and further developing the
    OIML web site.

The draft budget for the next financial period (2005 to 2008) was
reviewed in light of the decisions of the 38th CIML Meeting.

*Upcoming OIML Meetings*

The 2004 CIML meeting will be held in conjunction with the next
quadrennial OIML Conference in Berlin, Germany, from October 25 -- 29,
2004. Anyone wishing to be a member of the U.S. delegation in Berlin is
requested to contact Dr. Charles Ehrlich at <charles.ehrlich@nist.gov>
or at 301-975-4834.

The 2005 CIML meeting will be held June 13-17, 2005, in Lyon, France to
coincide with the 50^th^ Anniversary of the establishment of OIML.

[]{#CIML .anchor}**IV. Report on the 38th Meeting of the International
Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML)**

Representatives from 49 of the 60 member nations participated in the
38^th^ Annual Meeting of CIML from November 5-8, 2003, in Kyoto, Japan.
The CIML President welcomed two new member countries, New Zealand and
Vietnam. Meetings of the OIML Presidential and Development Councils were
also held. Dr. Charles Ehrlich is the CIML Member for the United States.
Dr. Ehrlich was accompanied in Kyoto by Mr. Ross Andersen (NTEP Chair)
and Mr. Wayne Stiefel of ILMG.

The CIML approved the following draft Recommendations and Documents in
Kyoto:

-   Revision of R 48\
    *Tungsten ribbon lamps for calibration of radiation thermometers*;

-   Amended version of R 49-2\
    *Water meters intended for metering cold potable water. Part 2: Test
    methods;*

-   Draft Recommendation R 49-3\
    *Water meters intended for metering cold potable water. Part 3: Test
    report format;*

-   Revision of R 52\
    *Hexagonal weights, ordinary accuracy class from 100 g to 50 kg*;

-   Revision of R 61-1\
    *Automatic gravimetric filling instruments, Part 1: Metrological and
    technical requirements - Tests*;

-   Draft Revision of R 61-2\
    *Automatic gravimetric filling instruments. Part 2: Test report
    format;*

-   Revision of R 87\
    *Quantity of products in prepackages*;

-   Draft amendment to OIML R 99/ISO 3930\
    *Instruments for measuring vehicle exhaust emissions;*

-   Draft Recommendation R 134\
    *Automatic instruments for weighing road vehicles in motion - Test
    Report Format; and*

-   New Recommendation (R 135)\
    *Spectrophotometers for medical laboratories*.

*Budget*

The BIML Director gave a presentation on a preliminary proposal for the
2005-2008 OIML budget. The Committee approved the guidelines set out in
this document and instructed the BIML Director to prepare a proposal for
the 2004 Conference, highlighting the distinction between (1) the normal
budget, financed by Member State Contributions, and other usual income
of the Organization; and (2) the optional, additional budget,
corresponding to the implementation of the MAA and changes in the way in
which publications will be distributed, and whose charges and income
shall be specific. The Committee also noted information given by the
BIML Director concerning the revision of the OIML Financial Regulations.
The Committee instructed the Bureau to complete this Draft Revision and
to submit it to Member States in time for approval at the 39^th^ CIML
Meeting and 12^th^ OIML Conference in 2004.

*Work of the TCs/SCs*

Concerning the OIML technical activities, the CIML expressed its
satisfaction with the increased volume of work accomplished during the
last 12 months (compared with the previous one-year period). The CIML
requested OIML TCs and SCs continue to accelerate their work, especially
in the fields listed as high priority and priority projects.

The Committee approved the project as proposed by TC 18 on *Ophthalmic
instruments - Impression and applanation tonometer.*

The Committee noted a proposal submitted by France to develop
\'interpretation documents\' pertaining to the accreditation of legal
metrology Issuing Authorities and Testing Laboratories. Noting an
agreement between the TC3/SC5 Secretariat (U.S.) and the BIML, the
Committee instructed TC3/SC5 to set up a Working Group (convened jointly
by France and the BIML) to develop the first drafts of these documents.

*OIML Certificate System*

The CIML decided that the following Recommendations would be applicable
within the OIML Certificate System when published:

-   Revision of R 48, *Tungsten ribbon lamps for calibration of
    radiation thermometers*;

-   New Recommendation - R 135, *Spectrophotometers for medical
    laboratories*.

The CIML noted several proposed actions for implementing the revised P1
"OIML Certificate System for Measuring Instruments:"

-   The responsible TCs/SCs should include new provisions for modules
    and families of measuring instruments (as far as the definition of
    families, identification of modules and/or families together with
    their metrological requirements, test methods, and test report forms
    are concerned) when developing new or revising existing
    Recommendations intended for application within the OIML Certificate
    System, in order that Certificates may be issued accordingly;

-   The TCs/SCs concerned should accelerate the development of
    horizontal type OIML Documents (e.g. on software, uncertainty, etc.)
    to be implemented when drawing up new and revised Recommendations;

-   The BIML should assist TCs/SCs and Issuing Authorities in the
    implementation (realization of new and additional tasks) of the
    revised P1; and

-   CIML Members and the BIML should pursue further general actions in
    promoting the OIML Certificate System at national, international and
    regional levels, and keep international and regional organizations
    in liaison with the OIML informed of the advantages of the OIML
    Certificate System with special regard to its new features.

The Committee instructed the BIML to carry out inquiries among OIML
members and among manufacturers and applicants who already possessed
OIML certificates as to their experience in the voluntary acceptance and
use of OIML certificates for national or regional type approvals, as
well as to their views on the functioning of the OIML Certificate System
with a special view to the new provisions of P1. The outcome of these
inquiries shall be included in the report on the OIML Certificate System
to be presented in 2004.

*Study on the benefits of legal metrology*

Mr. John Birch gave a presentation on his report *The Benefits of Legal
Metrology for the Economy and Society*. The Committee expressed its
great appreciation of this report and instructed the BIML to distribute
it as an expert report. A summary report compiled by Mr. Birch will also
be published in the OIML Bulletin. The Committee instructed the CIML
President and the BIML to consider any complementary actions or studies,
which would be helpful in raising the awareness of metrology and legal
metrology.

*Liaisons with international and regional institutions*

The CIML President gave a report on the good cooperation OIML enjoys
with the Metre Convention (BIPM/CIPM) and with ILAC.

The Committee approved a policy paper on OIML liaisons with other
organizations.

The Committee noted a progress report given by the BIML Director on a
paper formalizing OIML relations and cooperation with Regional Legal
Metrology Organizations (RLMOs); this paper is being submitted for
comments to the RLMOs. The Committee instructed the BIML to continue
progress with this paper so as to establish a formal framework for OIML
cooperation with the RLMOs.

[]{#APLMF .anchor}**V. 10th Annual Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum
(APLMF)**

The 10^th^ Annual Meeting and Working Group meetings of the Asia-Pacific
Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF) were held from November 2-4, 2003, in
Kyoto, Japan. Dr. Charles Ehrlich served as Head of Delegation and was
accompanied by Mr. Ross Andersen representing the National Conference on
Weights and Measures (NCWM) and Mr. Wayne Stiefel (ILMG). The meetings
were attended by more than 70 delegates from 17 member countries and
invited guests from international and regional organizations.

The President of APLMF is Dr. Akira Ooiwa who is Director of the
Mechanical Metrology Division at the National Metrology Institute of
Japan. Dr. Ooiwa stated that one of the main objectives of the APLMF is
to harmonize measurement legislative systems in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Forum is making efforts to achieve confidence in metrological
control, reduce transaction costs in trade, and promote technical
training. He also emphasized that APLMF should support mutual
recognition arrangements among regional economies to accept each other's
data of trade measurements and test results concerning utilities
metering and regulatory standards.

The Forum currently has six active Working Groups: (1) Training chaired
by Australia, (2) Prepackaged Goods chaired by New Zealand, (3) Mutual
Acceptance Arrangements chaired by USA, (4) Utility Meters chaired by
Canada, (5) Medical Measurements chaired by Chinese Taipei, and (6) Rice
Moisture Measurements chaired by Japan. All of these working groups held
meetings in Kyoto.

Mr. Gilles Vinet of Canada presented the 2003 Report of the Utility
Meters Working Group. He discussed the responses to the utility meters
survey; 15 economies of the Asia-Pacific region had responded, and the
response summary tables were distributed. He also discussed the work of
OIML TC12 on electricity meters. An APLMF training seminar or workshop
on electricity meters is being organized.

Dr. Ehrlich, serving as Chairman of the WG on Mutual Recognition
Arrangements, presented a report on the status of the OIML Mutual
Acceptance Arrangement (see separate section in this report). Dr.
Ehrlich confirmed that the WG would continue to support the work of the
OIML and would not attempt to develop a regional MRA. The WG also plans
to continue encouraging the revision by OIML of D1 "Law on Metrology."

There are presently 26 member economies, 20 full members and 6
corresponding members, in the Forum. Japan is now serving the second
year of a two-year term as Secretariat of the APLMF. Because a new
president for 2004-2005 was not selected in Kyoto, the current president
would remain in the office for one more term.

The United States will host the 2004 APLMF meeting in San Diego, October
6-7, 2004. Sponsorship and attendance by all interested U.S. parties is
encouraged; please contact Dr. Ehrlich for details at
<charles.ehrlich@nist.gov> or at 301-975-4834 or by fax at 301-
926-0647.

[]{#Inter_American_Metrology .anchor}**VI. Inter-American Metrology
System (SIM) Legal Metrology Working Group (LMWG) Meeting**

A meeting of the SIM Legal Metrology Working Group took place September
18, 2003, in Panama City, Republic of Panama in conjunction with the SIM
General Assembly. Mr. Wayne Stiefel served as Head of the U.S.
Delegation. Cesar Luiz da Silva of INMETRO in Brazil served as the LMWG
Chair. Attending the meeting were representatives from eighteen member
countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,
Grenada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru,
Santa Lucia, St. Vincent, Uruguay, USA, and Venezuela.

*OIML - Law on Metrology*

*A* draft revision of OIML D1 "Law on Metrology" was distributed to the
attendees for comment at the meeting last year in Chile. The Chair
indicated that no comments had been received on D1 for transmittal to
the U.S. Secretariat.

*SIM Web Site*

The legal metrology portion of the SIM web site
<http://www.science.oas.org/SIM/organization/twg/smt_twg_11.htm> has
improved, and now has more information and links to other sites. The
Chair sent a questionnaire to all countries asking for links to country
web sites. The intent is to present legal metrology information by means
of links rather than country submissions that have to be regularly
updated. The Chair decided to encourage response by sending another
survey similar to the APLMF Directory of Legal Metrology and encourage
structuring this with web links.

*Packaging and Labeling Survey*

Mr. W. Stiefel led this discussion. Twenty (20) countries responded to a
survey on packaging and labeling in 2001. Responses are posted on the
SIM LM site
<http://www.science.oas.org/SIM/organization/twg/smt_twg_11news.htm>.
The survey will be sent to members a second time to obtain updated and
more complete information on requirements.