Table of Contents for the 4th Edition of Handbook 133 (2003) 

Foreword .................................................................................................................iii

2002 Amendments Table........................................................................................vii

Chapter 1 – General Information .........................................................................1 

1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 1 

1.2 Package Requirements.................................................................................................. 2 

1.3 Sampling Plans............................................................................................................. 4 

1.4 Other Regulatory Agencies Responsible for Package Regulations and 

 Applicable Requirements..................................................................................... 5 

1.5 Assistance in Testing Operations.................................................................................. 5 

1.6 Health and Safety ......................................................................................................... 5

1.7 Good Measurement Practices....................................................................................... 5 

Chapter 2 – Basic Test Procedure – Gravimetric Testing ..................................7 

2.1 Gravimetric Test Procedure for Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods ........ 7 

2.2 Measurement Standards and Test Equipment............................................................... 7 

2.3 Basic Test Procedure .................................................................................................... 10 

2.4 Borax ............................................................................................................................ 20 

2.5 The Determination of Drained Weight......................................................................... 21 

2.6 Drained Weight for Glazed or Frozen Foods................................................................ 22 

Chapter 3 – Test Procedures – For Packages Labeled by Volume ....................25 

3.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 25 

3.2 Gravimetric Test Procedure for Liquids....................................................................... 26 

3.3 Volumetric Test Procedures for Liquids....................................................................... 29 

3.4 Other Volumetric Test Procedures ............................................................................... 29 

3.5 Mayonnaise and Salad Dressing................................................................................... 30 

3.6 Goods Labeled by Capacity – Volumetric Test Procedure........................................... 31 

3.7 Pressed and Blown Glass Tumblers and Stemware...................................................... 32 

3.8 Volumetric Test Procedures for Paint, Varnish, and Lacquers – Non Aerosol ............ 33 

3.9 Testing Viscous Materials – Such as Caulking Compounds and Pastes....................... 38 

3.10 Peat Moss .................................................................................................................... 40 

3.11 Mulch and Soils Labeled by Volume .......................................................................... 41 

3.12 Ice Cream Novelties.................................................................................................... 43

3.13 Fresh Oysters Labeled by Volume .............................................................................. 47 

3.14 Determining the Net Contents of Compressed Gas in Cylinders................................. 48 

3.15 Volumetric Test Procedures for Packaged Firewood with a 

 Labeled Volume of 113 L (4 ft3

) or Less ............................................................. 51 

3.16 Boxed Firewood .......................................................................................................... 52 

3.17 Crosshatched Firewood ............................................................................................... 53 

3.18 Bundles and Bags of Firewood.................................................................................... 53 

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vi 

Chapter 4 – Test Procedures - Packages Labeled by Count, Linear 

 Measure, Area, Thickness, and Combinations of Quantities .....................55 

4.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................ 55 

4.2 Packages Labeled by Count.......................................................................................... 55 

4.3 Packages Labeled with 50 Items or Less...................................................................... 56 

4.4 Packages Labeled by Count of More than 50 Items ..................................................... 56 

4.5 Paper Plates and Sanitary Paper Products..................................................................... 59 

4.6 Special Test Requirements for Packages Labeled by Linear or 

 Square Measure (Area)......................................................................................... 60 

4.7 Polyethylene Sheeting .................................................................................................. 61

4.8 Packages Labeled by Linear or Square (Area) Measure............................................... 64 

4.9 Bailer Twine – Test Procedure for Length ................................................................... 66 

4.10 Procedure for Checking the Area Measurement of Chamois ....................................... 67 

Index..................................................................................................................................... 71 

Appendix A Tables .................................................................................................A-1 

Appendix B Random Number Tables..................................................................B-1 

Appendix C Glossary ............................................................................................C-1 

Appendix D Acknowledgments and References .................................................D-1 

Appendix E Model Inspection Report Forms .....................................................E-1