Handbook 44 - 2008 Introduction 

Introduction 

A. Source. 

The specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements published herein comprise, in their latest form, all of the 

current codes as adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), Inc.1

 NCWM is supported by 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which provides the NCWM secretariat and publishes 

documents. NIST also develops technical publications for use by weights and measures agencies; these publications may 

subsequently be endorsed or adopted by the NCWM. 

The NCWM Committee on Specifications and Tolerances2

, acting at the request of the NCWM or upon its own initiative, 

prepares with the technical assistance of NIST, proposed revisions, amendments, or additions to the material adopted by 

the NCWM (see paragraph C). Such revisions, amendments, or additions are then presented to the Conference as a 

whole, where they are discussed by weights and measures officials and representatives of interested manufacturers, 

industries, consumer groups and others. Eventually the proposals of the Committee are voted upon only by the weights 

and measures officials. 

All of the specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements given herein are recommended by the National 

Conference on Weights and Measures for official promulgation in and use by the states in exercising their control of 

commercial weighing and measuring apparatus. A similar recommendation is made with respect to the local jurisdictions 

within a state in the absence of the promulgation of specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements by a state 

agency. 

B. Purpose.

The purpose of these technical requirements is to eliminate from use, weights and measures and weighing and measuring 

devices that give readings that are false, that are of such construction that they are faulty (that is, that are not reasonably

permanent in their adjustment or will not repeat their indications correctly), or that facilitate the perpetration of fraud, 

without prejudice to apparatus that conforms as closely as practicable to the official standards. 

C. Amendments.

The Committee on Specifications and Tolerances of the NCWM provides a mechanism for consideration of amendments 

or additions to the specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements. 

D. Submission of Agenda Items - Preamble. 

The Constitution of the NCWM requires that its Officers and Committees observe the principles of due process for the 

protection of the rights and interests of affected parties. Specifically, it requires that Committees and Officers: (a) give 

reasonable advance notice of contemplated studies, items to be considered for action, and tentative or definite 

recommendations for conference vote, and (b) provide that all interested parties have an opportunity to be heard. 

E. Submission Process. 

Anyone introducing an item to the Committee must use the regional weights and measures associations initially to 

consider its merits. Using the regional associations ensures discussion and evaluation of items at the grass-roots level by 

involving the regional members in the development, evaluation, and justification of proposals. The regions include the 

Central, Northeastern, Southern, and Western Weights and Measures Associations. For information on the regional 

 

1

 When sitting as a voting body, the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) is made up of state and 

local weights and measures officials from all parts of the United States. The NCWM normally meets annually. 

2

 Communications to this Committee may be addressed as follows: Executive Secretary, National Conference on Weights 

and Measures, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600, Gaithersburg, MD 

20899-2600. 

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Introduction Handbook 44 - 2008 

associations, or to submit a proposal to a regional association, complete Form 15 (Proposal to Change NIST Handbooks 

44, 130, or 133) electronically at http://www.ncwm.net/about/, and select “Submit Proposal,” or send to: 

 NCWM, Inc. 

15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 130 

Rockville, MD 20850 

Telephone: (240) 632-9454 

 E-mail: ncwm@mgmtsol.com

 URL: https://www.ncwm.net

Note: The proposal should be submitted to a given regional association two weeks prior to its fall regional association 

meeting. For regional meeting dates, go to http://www.ncwm.net. 

F. Procedures.

The Committee will consider issues according to the following procedures: 

(a) All issues to be considered by the Committee for action at the upcoming Interim Meeting must be submitted in 

writing to the Committee by November 1. Although use of NCWM Form 15 (see page 8) is not required, it is 

recommended for use in submitting proposals to the NCWM. Proposals shall be sent to the Committee at: 

NIST Weights and Measures Division 

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600 

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2600 

Attention: Specifications and Tolerances Committee 

E-mail: owm@nist.gov 

(b) A copy of the proposal must be sent to the NCWM’s Executive Secretary at the same address, or by e-mail to 

owm@nist.gov. 

G. Criteria for Inclusion in the Committee’s Agenda. 

(a) Any item approved by at least one regional association and received by the November 1 deadline will be 

automatically placed on the Committee’s Interim Meeting Agenda. 

(b) Items that have not been approved by a regional association, but which are received by November 1, will be 

evaluated by the Committee using the criteria in Section H, Exceptions to Policy and Section I, Committee 

Agenda. 

(c) Any proposal received after the November 1 deadline, but prior to the Interim Meeting, will be evaluated by the 

Committee according to Section H, Exceptions to Policy and Section I, Committee Agenda. Only those items 

determined to be a national “priority” will be included on its agenda. 

(d) Proposals must be in writing and must include: 

(1) a concise statement of the item or problem outlining the purpose and national need for its consideration. 

When possible, an electronic copy of the background material and proposed amendment(s) should be 

submitted in a PC-compatible word processing document format (e.g., Microsoft Word) on a high density 

8.9 cm (3.5 in) disk or CD Rom, or by electronic mail sent to owm@nist.gov; 

(2) background material including test data, analysis of test data, or other appropriately researched and 

documented material for the Committee to evaluate when deciding its position or future activity on the 

proposal; 

(3) proposed solutions to problems stated in specific language in amendment form as changes to NCWM 

documents; and 

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Handbook 44 - 2008 Introduction 

(4) if a proposal involves a new area of weights and measures activity, practical, realistic, and specific 

recommendations for laws or regulations to be adopted and test methods to be utilized to provide for proper 

enforcement. 

When proposals are to modify or add requirements to existing publications, such as Handbook 44, the 

proposal should: 

(i) Identify the pertinent portion, section, and paragraph of the existing publication that would be changed 

(e.g., Sec. 1.10. General Code, Paragraph G-A.1. Commercial and Law-Enforcement Equipment). 

(ii) Provide evidence of consistency with other NCWM publications such as with other specific device code 

sections. 

(iii) Provide evidence of consistency with federal laws and regulations (e.g., USDA). 

(iv) Relay the positions of businesses, industries, or trade associations affected by the proposal including 

supporting and opposing points of view. 

H. Exceptions to Policy for Submission of Items to a Committee Agenda; Submission of 

“Priority” Items.

The Committee will use the following criteria to evaluate items that have not been approved by a regional association, but 

have been received by the November 1 deadline. If an issue is received after the November 1 deadline, it will be included 

on the agenda if the Committee determines that it is a national “priority.” 

Criteria for Inclusion in the Committee’s Agenda when no Regional Association has Approved the Items.

(a) Items must have significant legal impact on weights and measures laws and/or regulations involving: 

(1) court cases/attorney general opinions; or 

(2) pre-emption by federal statute or regulation; or 

(3) conflicts with international standards; or 

(4) items which could affect health and safety. 

(b) The Committee may contact parties that are potentially affected by an issue (e.g., trade associations, industry, 

and consumer groups) for comments. The Committee may consider these comments and any other information 

in determining if the item should be included on its agenda. 

(c) When the Committee determines that it should consider an item as a “priority” (using the criteria in (1)), the item 

will be handled in the following manner: 

(1) A “priority” item received prior to the Interim Meeting may be added to the Interim Meeting agenda by a 

majority vote of the Committee. 

(2) A “priority” item received after the Interim Meeting may be added to the Committee’s Annual Meeting 

agenda as: 

(i) a discussion issue by majority vote of the Committee, or 

(ii) as a voting item by majority vote of the Committee and the NCWM Board of Directors. 

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Introduction Handbook 44 - 2008 

I. Committee Agenda. 

(a) The Committee will review issues that have been submitted and selected by majority vote to be included on its 

agenda. The Committee will only include those issues that have been: 

(1) approved by at least one of the regional associations; or 

(2) forwarded by other committees, subcommittees, NTETC Sectors, task forces, or work groups, or those 

issues that meet the criteria in Section H, Exceptions to Policy. 

(b) The Committee will publish an agenda (NCWM Publication 15) which identifies the issues to be discussed 

during the Interim Meetings. This agenda shall be distributed to members approximately 30 days prior to the 

meetings. The agenda will be provided upon request to all other interested parties. 

 (Amended 1998) 

J. Interim Meeting. 

(a) The Committee shall hold public hearings at the Interim Meeting for the purpose of discussing and taking 

comments on all issues on its agenda. 

(b) Upon request, the Committee will provide the opportunity for presentations by government officials, industry 

representatives, consumer groups, or other interested parties during the Interim Meeting. Requests to make 

presentations must be received by the Committee Chairman or Technical Advisor at least two weeks prior to the 

start of the meetings. 

K. Interim Meeting Report. 

(a) Items under consideration by the Committee and about which the Committee offers comments or 

recommendations to the NCWM to act upon during the Annual Meetings will be included in the Committee’s 

Interim Reports published in the Annual Meeting Program and Committee Reports (NCWM Publication 16). 

(b) The Annual Meeting Program and Committee Reports will be prepared and distributed to Conference members 

approximately three months prior to the NCWM Annual Meeting. 

L. Classifications for Agenda Items.

At the Interim Meeting, the Committee can classify proposals in one of the following ways: 

(a) as “Voting” – these are items proposed for a vote by the NCWM membership and are indicated with a “V” after 

the item number in the agenda; 

(b) as “Informational” – these are items which require further study, comment, and development and are indicated 

with an “I” after the item number in the agenda; or 

(c) as “Withdrawn” – these are items which will no longer be considered by the Committee and are indicated with a 

“W” after the item number in the agenda. 

M. Developing Items.

In the past the Committee had either carried undeveloped proposals forward as informational, or withdrawn them. 

Conference members felt that carrying undeveloped informational items on its agenda for years posed an unnecessary 

drain on NCWM resources. Alternatively, the Conference was also concerned that withdrawing items prematurely 

resulted in the Committee discarding valuable work that had gone into identifying and presenting the items. The NCWM 

was also interested in providing a mechanism to inform parties about items that were developing in different localities or 

in the regional associations. 

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Handbook 44 - 2008 Introduction 

At the 1998 Annual Meeting, the NCWM established a process for disseminating information on items that may have 

merit but are insufficiently developed for Committee action. The NCWM established a new “Developing” designation to 

allow the Committee to notify the submitter that while this item may have merit, it has not been adequately developed for 

action at the national level. The NCWM agreed that “Developing” items should be submitted by the regional associations 

with a recommendation that they be presented as “D” items on the national agenda. 

The Committees will present “D” items in list format at the end of their report and include a point of contact (including 

the name and telephone number of the submitter) so that interested parties can obtain additional information. No 

comments will be taken on a “Developing” item, unless the Committee agrees to receive the new information in advance 

of the hearing. In these cases, the Chairman will announce in advance that an item will be discussed in the session. The 

use of this “D” designator is seen as an item management tool, as well as a way to keep the membership informed of 

emerging items.

N. Comments on Interim Reports.

(a) Weights and measures officials, industry representatives, and all others are encouraged to submit written 

comments on items in the Committees' Interim Reports. 

(b) All comments on the Interim Meeting Report must be submitted to the Committee with a copy to the Executive 

Secretary no later than one month preceding the opening of the Annual Meeting. 

O. Annual Meeting. 

(a) The Committee will hold a public hearing at the Annual Meeting to discuss issues on its agenda. 

(b) Those who want to speak on an item during the public hearings should request time from the Committee 

Chairman. The Committee Chairman may impose time limits on presentations, the discussion of a question, or 

the discussion of a proposed amendment. 

P. Final Committee Reports and Conference Action. 

(a) Following the public hearings, the Committee will prepare its final report for action by the voting membership of 

the Conference. Copies of the final report will be provided to the membership prior to the session during which 

it will be voted on. 

(b) The Chairman of the Committee will present the final report of the Committee to the Conference body. A vote 

will be taken on items, proposals, or sections in the report as circumstances require. The Conference will vote 

on the entire final report as presented in accordance with established Conference voting procedures. 

Parliamentary procedure according to Robert’s Rules of Order as amended by NCWM Publication No. 1, 

Bylaws, will be adhered to in the presentation of, and any action on, a Standing Committee report. 

(Amended 1998) 

Q. System of Paragraph Designation. 

In order that technical requirements of a similar nature, or those directed to a single characteristic, may be grouped 

together in an orderly fashion, and to facilitate the location of individual requirements, the paragraphs of each code are 

divided into sections. Each section is designated by a letter and a name, and each subsection is given a letter-number 

designation and a side title. 

The letter that appears first in a paragraph designation has a specific meaning, as follows: 

G. The letter G is a prefix and indicates that the requirement is part of the General Code. 

A. Application. These paragraphs pertain to the application of the requirements of a code. 

S. Specification. These paragraphs relate to the design of equipment. Specification paragraphs are directed 

particularly to manufacturers of devices. 

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Introduction Handbook 44 - 2008 

N. Note. These paragraphs apply to the official testing of devices. 

T. Tolerance. Tolerances are performance requirements. They fix the limit of allowable error or departure 

from true performance or value. 

Sensitivity. The sensitivity requirements, applicable only to nonautomatic-indicating scales, are 

performance requirements and are lettered with a T. 

 UR. User Requirement. These paragraphs are directed particularly to the owner and operator of a device. 

User requirements apply to the selection, installation, use, and maintenance of devices. 

 D. Definitions of Terms. A definitions section appears in Appendix D to provide the definition of the terms 

having a special meaning. 

The numerical designation after a letter follows the decimal system of paragraph identification that fixes both the 

relationship and the limitation of the requirements of the paragraph. For example, in the Scales Code, under 

Specifications, the following numerical designations occur: 

S. Specifications 

S.1. Design of Indicating and Recording Elements and of Recorded Representations.

S.1.1. Zero Indication.

S.1.1.1. Digital Indicating Elements.

S.1.1.2. No-Load Reference Value.

S.1.2. Value of Scale Division Units.

S.1.2.1. Weight Units.

S.1.3. Graduations.

S.1.3.1. Length.

S.1.3.2. Width. 

S.1.3.3. Clear Space Between Graduations. 

In this example, Paragraphs S.1.1., S.1.2., and S.1.3. are directed and limited to paragraph S.1., which pertains to the 

design of indicating and recording elements and of recorded representations. Paragraphs S.1.1.1. and S.1.1.2. are directly 

related to each other, but they are limited to the design of zero indication. Likewise, paragraphs S.1.3.1., S.1.3.2., and 

S.1.3.3. are directly related to each other, but they are limited to the design of graduations. 

This handbook conforms to the concept of primary use of SI (metric) measurements recommended in the Omnibus Trade 

and Competitiveness Act of 1988 by citing SI metric units before inch-pound units where both units appear together and 

placing separate sections containing requirements for metric units before corresponding sections containing requirements 

for customary units. Occasionally, a paragraph or table carries the suffix "M" because the requirement in SI units is 

shown as a separate statement, rather than combined with the inch-pound units. In these few instances, separate 

requirements were judged to be more easily understood than attempting to combine SI and inch-pound units in a single 

paragraph or table. In some cases, however, trade practice is currently restricted to the use of customary units; therefore, 

some requirements in this Handbook will continue to specify only customary units until the Conference achieves a broad 

consensus on the permitted metric units. 

R. Classification of Requirements. 

The classification of requirements into "retroactive" and "nonretroactive" status is made in order that the requirements 

may be put into force and effect without unnecessary hardship and without wholesale condemnation of apparatus. 

Retroactive requirements are enforceable with respect to all equipment and are printed in upright roman type. 

Nonretroactive requirements are those that, while clearly desirable, are not so vital that they should at once be enforced 

with respect to all apparatus. Nonretroactive requirements are printed in italic type.

It is not expected that, after their promulgation in a given jurisdiction, nonretroactive requirements will always remain 

nonretroactive. It is entirely proper that a weights and measures official, following a careful analysis of existing 

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Handbook 44 - 2008 Introduction 

conditions, fix reasonable periods for the continuance of the nonretroactive application of particular requirements, after 

which such requirements will become retroactive. These periods should be long enough to avoid undue hardship to the 

owners or operators of apparatus and, in the case of some requirements, should approximate the average useful life of the 

apparatus in question. 

In order that all interested parties may have timely and ample notice of impending changes in the status of requirements, 

the following procedure is suggested for the official who plans to change the classification of requirements. If sufficient 

data are available to make such action feasible, publish in combination with the codes themselves the date or dates at 

which nonretroactive requirements are to become retroactive. In other cases, give equally effective notice at the earliest 

practicable date. 

A nonretroactive requirement, in italic type, will indicate the year from which it should be enforced and, in some cases, 

the date the requirement shall be changed to retroactive status. For example, [Nonretroactive as of 1978 and to become 

retroactive on January 1, 1985]. As a general rule, each nonretroactive requirement is reviewed after it has been in effect 

for 10 years to determine the appropriateness of its nonretroactive status. 

S. Using the Handbook. 

Handbook 44 is designed to be a working tool for federal, state, and local weights and measures officials, the equipment 

manufacturers, installers, and service agencies/agents. As noted in General Code Paragraph G-A.1. Commercial and 

Law-Enforcement Equipment, applicable portions of Handbook 44 may be used by the weights and measures official to 

test noncommercial weighing and measuring equipment upon request. Additionally, applicable language in Handbook 44 

may be cited as a standard in noncommercial applications. For example, when the Handbook is referenced or cited as 

part of a quality system or in multiple party contract agreements where noncommercial weighing or measuring equipment 

is used. 

The section on Fundamental Considerations (Appendix A) should be studied until its contents are well known. The 

General Code, with general requirements pertaining to all devices, obviously must be well known to a user of the 

Handbook. The makeup of the specific codes, the order of paragraph presentation, and particularly paragraph designation 

are worthy of careful study. 

It is not deemed advisable for a user to attempt to commit to memory tolerances or tolerance tables, even though these are 

used frequently. For the Handbook to serve its purpose, it should be available when any of its requirements are to be 

applied. Direct reference is the only sure way to apply a requirement properly and to check whether other requirements 

may be applicable. 

This Handbook supplies criteria which enable the user to determine the suitability, accuracy, and repetitive consistency of 

a weighing or measuring device, both in the laboratory and in the field. However, not all code sections can be 

appropriately applied in both settings. Since some sections are designed to be applied specifically to tests performed 

under laboratory conditions, it would be impractical or unrealistic to apply them to field tests. Not all tests described in 

the “Notes” section of the Handbook are required to be performed in the field as an official test. An inspector may 

officially approve or reject a device which has been tested in accordance with those sections applicable to the type of test 

being conducted. 

(Paragraph added 1996) 

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Introduction Handbook 44 - 2008 

NCWM Form 15 

Proposal to Change NIST Handbook 44, 130 or 133 

Date: Regional Association (s) you wish to consider this 

proposal: 

Name/Address of Contact Person 

Phone: Fax: 

Email: 

Regional Actions: (for use by regional standing committeevotes for and against)

Please attach any background information, test data, research or additional documentation that will help the Committee 

consider the proposal. 

Proposal: (Proposed solutions to problems must be stated in the format and language used in the handbooks [i.e., Section 1.10 

General Code, paragraph G-A.1 Commercial and Law-Enforcement Equipment]. If a proposal involves a new area of weights and 

measures activity, recommendations for both regulations and test methods for proper enforcement must be provided.)

Problem/Justification: (Include a concise statement of the item or problem outlining the purpose and national need for its 

consideration.

Other Contacts: (Provide position statements, comments, etc. from names and addresses of individuals, firms, manufacturers, 

and/or trade associations included in developing the proposal.)

Other Reasons For: (If none, please indicate none have emerged.)

Other Reasons Against: 

Additional Considerations: (Provide cost estimates and state the anticipated benefits for all parties or indicate how the proposal 

may affect other requirements, programs, etc.)

Attachments: (List the accompanying documents, data, 

studies, etc.)

Suggested Action: (Be specific on what actions the committee 

should take on the item.) 

 Recommend NCWM:  Adopt  Withdraw 

  Designate as Developing Item 

  Designate as Informational Item 

  Other (Please describe) _________________________ 

 _____________________________________________

Send submissions for Regional Associations to: 

National Conference on Weights & Measures 

15245 Shady Grove Road 

Suite 130 

Rockville, MD 20850 

Attention: Executive Director, ncwm@mgmtsol.com

Regional Standing Committees, Sectors, and other 

appropriate sources submit form to: 

National Institute of Standards & Technology 

Weights & Measures Division 

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600 

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2600 

Attention: ______________________ Committee 

cc: Attention: Executive Secretary, owm@nist.gov

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