Handbook 44 – 2009 5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems 

and/or Devices - Tentative Code 

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

and/or Devices - Tentative Code 

This tentative code has only a trial or experimental status and is not intended to be enforced. The requirements are 

designed for study prior to the development and adoption of a final Code for Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation 

Systems and/or Devices. Officials wanting to conduct an official examination of a device or system are advised to see 

paragraph G-A.3. Special and Unclassified Equipment. 

A. Application 

A.1. 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. See also Section 1.10. General Code requirements. 

A.3. 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 F 2342 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 F 2343 Test Method 

for Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Devices. 

N.2. Testing Standards. – ASTM Standard F 2343 requires device or system users to maintain accurate reference 

standards that meet the tolerance expressed in NIST Handbook 44 Fundamental Considerations, paragraph 3.2. (i.e., onethird 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 F 2341 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. 

T. Tolerances 

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

shall be as shown in Table T.1. 

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 F 2343 

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5.59. Electronic Livestock, Meat, and Poultry Evaluation Systems Handbook 44 – 2009 

and/or Devices - Tentative Code 

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 F 2341. 

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. 

(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. 

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