Handbook 130 – 2016 Introduction

I. Introduction

A. Source

The Uniform Laws and Regulations1 in this handbook comprise all of those adopted by the National Conference on 

Weights and Measures, Inc. (NCWM). Contact NCWM at:

1135 M Street, Suite 100 Phone: (402) 434-4880 E-mail: info@ncwm.net

Lincoln, NE 68508 Fax: (402) 434-4878 URL: www.ncwm.net

The NCWM is supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which provides its Executive 

Secretary and publishes its documents. NIST also develops technical publications for use by weights and measures 

agencies; these publications may subsequently be endorsed or adopted by the NCWM.

All of the Uniform Laws and Regulations given herein are recommended by NCWM for adoption by states when 

reviewing or amending their official laws and regulations in the areas covered. A similar recommendation is made 

with regard to the local jurisdictions within a state in the absence of the promulgation of such laws and regulations at 

the state level.

(Amended 2015)

B. Purpose

The purpose of these Uniform Laws and Regulations is to achieve, to the maximum extent possible, uniformity in 

weights and measures laws and regulations among the various states and local jurisdictions in order to facilitate trade 

between the states, permit fair competition among businesses, and provide uniform and sufficient protection to all 

consumers in commercial weights and measures practices.

C. Amendments

Proposed amendments to NIST Handbook 130 are deliberated and developed by NCWM’s Committee on Laws and 

Regulations before presentation to the general membership for vote. In some instances amendments that significantly 

affect other NIST Handbooks may be processed jointly by two or more committees.

Amendments to the handbooks are made in accordance with NCWM procedures and policies. The process begins at 

the regional weights and measures association meetings in the fall of each year and it is culminated at the NCWM 

Annual Meeting in July. After passing through one or more of the regional associations, the proposed amendment is 

placed on the agenda of the appropriate NCWM committee for consideration at the NCWM’s Interim Meeting in 

January, and after final deliberation and development by the committee the amendment may be presented to the 

membership for a vote at the annual NCWM meeting in July. NCWM policy provides for exceptions to the process 

to accommodate urgent or priority items. NIST staff provides technical assistance and advice throughout the process.

The policy is available on the NCWM website at www.ncwm.net. For information on the regional weights and 

measures associations, visit www.ncwm.net/meetings/regions.

(Amended 2015)

1 When referring to the Uniform Laws and Regulations in Handbook 130, Laws and Regulations will be capitalized. 

When referring to general federal or state laws and regulations, no capitalization will be used.

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Introduction Handbook 130 – 2016

D. Annual Meeting

1. The Committee will hold a public hearing at the Annual Meeting to discuss items on its agenda.

2. Those who want to speak on an item during the public hearing 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.

E. Final Committee Reports and Conference Action

1. 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 voting session 

for that report.

2. 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 procedures according to Robert’s Rules of Order, as amended by NCWM Bylaws, must be 

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

(Amended 1998)

F. Revisions to the Handbook

NIST may not publish a new edition if it determines that it is reasonable to forego an annual publication 

(e.g., amendments were minor or editorial in nature) to save printing, mailing, and other costs. If this occurs, NIST 

will issue a notice that the current edition is still valid and will explain its action. (Note: Section numbering may be 

changed from one edition of the handbook to another to accommodate additions or deletions.)

(Amended 2008)

G. Annotation

Beginning in 1971, amendments or additions to sections in the Uniform Laws and Regulations are delineated at the 

end of each section (e.g., “amended 1982”) as a service to those states that are planning to update their own laws or 

regulations. The references to each revision and the year will enable legislators and rule makers to study the actual 

wording and rationale for changes (appearing in the Annual Report of NCWM for that year) and subsequently adopt 

changes in their own laws and regulations, modeling them after the Uniform Laws and Regulations.

H. Effective Enforcement Dates of Regulations

Unless otherwise specified, the new or amended regulations listed in this section are intended to become effective and 

subject to enforcement on January 1 of the year following adoption by NCWM.

1. Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation

2. Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities

3. Uniform Unit Pricing Regulation

4. Uniform Regulation for the Voluntary Registration of Servicepersons and Service Agencies for Commercial 

Weighing and Measuring Devices

5. Uniform Open Dating Regulation

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Handbook 130 – 2016 Introduction

6. Uniform Regulation for National Type Evaluation

7. Uniform Regulation for Engine Fuels, Petroleum Products, and Automotive Lubricants 

(Added 1992)

I. Section References

In most references made to specific sections or subsections in this handbook, the word “Section” is used, followed by 

the section number.

J. The International System of Units

The “International System of Units,” “SI,” or “SI Units” means the modernized metric system as established in 1960 

by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (GIPM). In 1988, Congress amended the Metric Conversion 

Act of 1975 (see Section 5164 of Public Law 100-418) to declare that it is the policy of the United States to designate 

the metric system of measurement as the preferred measurement system for U.S. trade and commerce, and it further 

defined “the metric system of measurement” to be the International System as established by the GIPM and as 

interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce. [See Metric Conversion Law 

15 U.S.C. 205, NIST Special Publication 330 – The International System of Units (SI); NIST Special Publication 814 

– Metric System of Measurement; and, Interpretation of the International System of Units for the United States in 

Federal Register of May 16, 2008, (“Federal Register” Vol. 73, No. 96) or subsequent revisions]. In 1992, Congress 

amended the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act to require certain consumer commodities to include the 

appropriate SI units along with the U.S. customary units in their quantity statements.

(Added 1993) (Revised 2008)

K. “Mass” and “Weight.” [NOTE 1, page 3]

The mass of an object is a measure of the object’s inertial property, or the amount of matter it contains. The weight 

of an object is a measure of the force exerted on the object by gravity, or the force needed to support it. The pull of 

gravity on the earth gives an object a downward acceleration of about 9.8 m/s2

. In trade and commerce and everyday 

use, the term “weight” is often used as a synonym for “mass.” The “net mass” or “net weight” declared on a label 

indicates that the package contains a specific amount of commodity exclusive of wrapping materials. The use of the 

term “mass” is predominant throughout the world, and is becoming increasingly common in the United States.

(Added 1993)

L. Use of the Terms “Mass” and “Weight.” [NOTE 1, page 3]

When used in this handbook, the term “weight” means “mass.” The term “weight” appears when U.S. customary

units are cited or when both U.S. customary and SI units are included in a requirement. The terms “mass” or “masses” 

are used when only SI units are cited in a requirement. The following note appears where the term “weight” is first 

used in a law or regulation.

NOTE 1: When used in this law (or regulation), the term “weight” means “mass.” (See paragraphs K. “Mass” and 

Weight and L. Use of the Terms “Mass” and “Weight” in Section I. Introduction of NIST Handbook 130 for an 

explanation of these terms.)

(Added 1993)

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Introduction Handbook 130 – 2016

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National Conference on Weights and Measures / National Type Evaluation Program

Form 15: Proposal to Amend Handbooks

 Information (See Instructions)

1. Date: 2. Regional Association(s): (Not applicable for proposals to the Board of Directors or NTEP Committee)

 Central (CWMA) Northeastern (NEWMA) Southern (SWMA) Western (WWMA)

3. Standing Committee:

__Laws & Regulations __ Specifications & Tolerances __Professional Development __Board of Directors __NTEP Committee

4. Submitter Name:

5. Street Address:

6. City: 7. State: 8. Zip Code: 9. Country:

10. Phone Number: 11. Fax Number: 12. Email Address:

Proposal Information (See Instructions)

13. Purpose:

14. Handbook to be Amended:

 NIST Handbook 44 NIST Handbook 130 NIST Handbook 133 __ NCWM Bylaws __NTEP Administrative Policy

Section: 

Paragraph: 

15. Proposal:

16. Justification:

17. Other Contacts:

18. Other Reasons For:

19. Other Reasons Against:

20. Evidence:

21. Additional Considerations:

22. Suggested Action:

 Recommend NCWM Voting Item Developing Item Informational Item Other (Please Describe):

23. List of Attachments:

Submit Form Via Email to don.onwiler@ncwm.net: Revised: May 2015

1135 M Street, Suite 110 / Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

P. 402.434.4880 F. 402.434.4878 E. info@ncwm.net W. www.ncwm.net/