Handbook 44 – 2017 5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems

and/or Devices

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Table of Contents

Section 5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems and/or 

Devices............................................................................................................ 5-91

A. Application .................................................................................................................................................. 5-91

A.1. General................................................................................................................................................5-91

A.2. Additional Code Requirements...........................................................................................................5-91

A.3. Exceptions...........................................................................................................................................5-91

S. Specifications............................................................................................................................................... 5-91

S.1. Design and Manufacture. ....................................................................................................................5-91

N. Notes............................................................................................................................................................. 5-91

N.1. Method of Test....................................................................................................................................5-91

N.2. Testing Standards................................................................................................................................5-91

N.3. Verification. ........................................................................................................................................5-91

N.3.1. Official Tests.........................................................................................................................5-91

T. Tolerances.................................................................................................................................................... 5-92

T.1. Tolerances on Individual Measurements. ...........................................................................................5-92

UR. User Requirements ..................................................................................................................................... 5-92

UR.1. Installation Requirements. ..................................................................................................................5-92

UR.1.1. Installation. ...........................................................................................................................5-92

UR.2. Maintenance of Equipment. ................................................................................................................5-92

UR.2.1. Maintenance..........................................................................................................................5-92

UR.3. Use Requirements. ..............................................................................................................................5-92

UR.3.1. Limitation of Use. .................................................................................................................5-92

UR.4. Testing Standards................................................................................................................................5-92
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Handbook 44 – 2017 5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems

and/or Devices

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Section 5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems 

and/or Devices

The status of Section 5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems and/or Devices was changed

from “tentative” to “permanent” effective January 1, 2013.

(Added 2005) (Amended 2012)

A. Application

A.1. General. – This code applies to electronic devices or systems for measuring the composition or quality 

constituents of live animals, livestock and poultry carcasses, and individual cuts of meat or a combination thereof for 

the purpose of determining value.

A.2. Additional Code Requirements. – In addition to the requirements of this code, Electronic Livestock, Meat, 

and Poultry Evaluation Systems shall meet the requirements of Section 1.10. General Code.

A.3. Exceptions. – This code does not apply to scales used to weigh live animals, livestock and poultry carcasses, 

and individual cuts of meat unless the scales are part of an integrated system designed to measure composition or 

quality constituents. Scales used in integrated systems must also meet NIST Handbook 44, Section 2.20. Scale 

requirements.

S. Specifications

S.1. Design and Manufacture. – All design and manufacturing specifications shall comply with American Society 

for Testing Materials (ASTM) International Standard F2342 Standard Specification for Design and Construction of 

Composition or Quality Constituent Measuring Devices or Systems.

N. Notes

N.1. Method of Test. – Performance tests shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard F2343 Test 

Method for Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Devices.

N.2. Testing Standards. – ASTM Standard F2343 requires device or system users to maintain accurate reference 

standards that meet the tolerance expressed in NIST Handbook 44 Fundamental Considerations, 

paragraph 3.2. Tolerances for Standards (i.e., one-third of the smallest tolerance applied).

N.3. Verification. – Device or system users are required to verify and document the accuracy of a device or system 

on each production day as specified by ASTM Standard F2341 Standard Practice of User Requirements for Livestock, 

Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Devices or Systems.

N.3.1. Official Tests. – Officials are encouraged to periodically witness the required “in house” verification of 

accuracy. Officials may also conduct official tests using the on-site testing standards or other appropriate 

standards belonging to the jurisdiction with statutory authority over the device or system.
5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems Handbook 44 – 2017

and/or Devices

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T. Tolerances

T.1. Tolerances on Individual Measurements. – Maintenance and acceptance tolerances on an individual 

measurement shall be as shown in Table T.1. Tolerances.

Table T.1. 

Tolerances

Individual linear measurement of a single constituent ± 1 mm (0.039 in)

Measurement of area ± 1.6 cm2 (0.25 in2)

For measurements of other constituents As specified in ASTM Standard F2343

UR. User Requirements

UR.1. Installation Requirements.

UR.1.1. Installation. – All devices and systems shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s 

instructions.

UR.2. Maintenance of Equipment.

UR.2.1. Maintenance. – All devices and systems shall be continually maintained in an accurate condition and 

in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and ASTM Standard F2341.

UR.3. Use Requirements.

UR.3.1. Limitation of Use. – All devices and systems shall be used to make measurements in a manner 

specified by the manufacturer.

UR.4. Testing Standards. – The user of a commercial device shall make available to the official with statutory 

authority over the device testing standards that meet the tolerance expressed in Fundamental Considerations, 

paragraph 3.2. Tolerances for Standards (i.e., one-third of the smallest tolerance applied). The accuracy of the testing 

standards shall be verified annually or on a frequency as required by the official with statutory authority and shall be 

traceable to the appropriate SI standard.