Inside this Issue

Changes for Product Labeling for Meats

and Poultry with Added Solutions 1

Training and Events Calendar 2

Technical Correction to 2015 NIST Hand‐

book 133: Section 4.7. Baler Twine ‐

Test Procedure for Length 3

Technical Correction to 2015 NIST Hand‐

book 130, Uniform Engine Fuels and Au‐

tomotive Lubricants Regulation 5

FAQ – How Do I Register for an OWM

Training Event? 6

1

Volume 6 Issue 4

June 25, 2015

OFFICE OF WEIGHTS AND

MEASURES

General Inquries: (301) 975‐4004; e‐mail:

owm@nist.gov

Office Chief, Carol Hockert: e‐mail:

carol.hockert@nist.gov

Newsletter Editor: Linda Crown; (301) 975‐

3998; e‐mail: linda.crown@nist.gov

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

ON WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

100TH ANNUAL MEETING

JULY 19 ‐ 23 , 2015

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Registration and lodging information for the

July meeting is available online at:

https://www.ncwm.net/sems/event_detail/2

015_annual_pa. 

The meeting schedule, supporting docu‐

ments, and hotel information are also avail‐

able at this website location.

Changes for Product Label‐

ing for Meats and Poultry 

with Added Solutions

Byline: Lisa Warfield

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Safety Inspection Service

(USDA, FSIS) released a final ruling effective January 1, 2016, amending the

regulations for descriptive designation for raw meat and poultry products con‐

taining added solutions (9 CFR Parts 317 and 381). 

In 2011, the USDA FSIS proposed changes to the regulations due to complaints

that consumers were being misled by the added solutions to poultry products.

After a review of labels in the marketplace, the FSIS decided that packages of

meat and poultry containing added solutions may not have been labeled

clearly, and consumers were not aware of how much and what was being

added to the product. For example, the name for both a single ingredient

chicken breast and a chicken breast with added solution is labeled as “chicken

breast,” even though one is 100 % chicken, and the other is not, due to the

added solution. Although the labeling of the product must include a state‐

ment that reflects the fact the product contains added solution, this may not

be apparent to consumers. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA),

labeling of meat and poultry must be truthful and not misleading. The labels

must accurately disclose to consumers what they are buying. Also, the FMIA

Act states labels for meat and poultry must be approved by the USDA, FSIS. 

To align with FMIA Act, FSIS now requires the common or usual name of the

product including the percentage of the ingredients of the added solution be

identified on the label. This descriptive information is required to appear as

part of the product name and on the principal display panel (PDP). The de‐

scriptor must be clear and conspicuous and appear as a numerical value with

the percent symbol (%). The descriptive designation must include the per‐

centage of added solution, and the individual ingredients or multi‐ingredient

components in the solution listed in descending order of predominance by

weight. The percent solution must appear as a number (e.g., 15, 20, 30) with

the percentage sign (%) and may be declared with the word “containing’’ or

``contains.’’ The print for all words in the product name, including the de‐

scriptive designation, must appear in a single, easy‐to‐read font and color on

a single‐color contrasting background. The print may appear in upper and

lower case letters, with the lower case letters not smaller than one‐third (1

/3)

the size of the largest letter. Under the final rule, the word “enhanced’’ is not

(continued on pg 2)
W&M Connection 2 Volume 6 Issue 4

Training and Events

Calendar 

2015

Registration for training in the NIST Office of

Weights and Measures is handled by Yvonne

Branden at yvonne.branden@nist.gov.

Course descriptions can be viewed on the Of‐

fice of Weights and Measures website at

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/calendar.cfm

and clicking on the name of the course. 

July 19 ‐ 23 (5 days)

National Conference on Weights and Meas‐

ures (NCWM) Annual Meeting

Philadelpha, PA

Contact: info@ncwm.net

July 19 ‐ 23 (5 days)

NCSL International Conference 2015

Metrology and the Quality of Life

Grapevine, TX

Information: www.ncsli.org

August 10 ‐ 14 (5 days) (FULL)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5373

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

August 13 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Contract Review

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5334

August 17 ‐ 21 (5 days)

Volume Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5356

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

August 19 ‐ 20 (2 days)

NTEP Grain Analyzer Sector Meeting

Live Web Meeting

Details unavailable at this time.

Information to be posted at:

https://www.ncwm.net/ntep/sectors/grain‐

analyzer/registration

August 25 ‐ 26 (2 days)

Weighing Sector Meeting

Denver, CO

Information at: 

http://www.ncwm.net/sems/event_detail/201

5_weighing

August 27 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Document Control and Record

Keeping

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5335

September 3 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ State Laboratory Annual Submis‐

sion Process (2016 PT Follow‐up and Analy‐

sis)

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5393 (continued pg 3)

allowed to appear with the product name. This change will be applicable on

January 1, 2018. 

The new rules will result in providing consumers with information on added

solutions. Sample labels illustrating this change are provided below. The rul‐

ing also removes the standard of identity regulation for “ready‐to‐cook poul‐

try products to which solutions are added.” 

Any questions concerning this ruling should be addressed to Ms. Rosalyn

Murphy‐Jenkins, Director, FSIS, USDA – Labeling and Delivery Program at

(301) 504‐0879.

Figure 1. Label example ‐ 

The product name includes

a descriptive designation at

one‐third (1/3)

4 the size of

the largest letter (9 CRR

317.2(e)(2)(IV)) and a multi‐

ingredient component

(Teriyaki Sauce). All ingredi‐

ents in the product are de‐

clared in separate

ingredients statement (9

CFR 317.2(e)(2)(iii)).

Figure 2. Label example ‐ 

The product name includes

a descriptive designation

at one‐third (1/3)

5 the size

of the largest letter (9 CFR

317.2(e)(2)(iv)) and in‐

cludes the word “contains”

(9 CFR 317.2(e)(2)(i)). The

individual ingredients in

the solution are listed in

decending order of pre‐

dominance by weight (9

CFR 317.2(e)(2)(ii), fol‐

lowed by a vignette of the

product.

4

Label shown using the one‐

third (1

/3) font size require‐

ment applicable January 1,

2018.

5

Label shown using the one‐

third (1

/3) font size require‐

ment applicable effective

January 1, 2018.
W&M Connection 3 Volume 6 Issue 4

September 10 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Calibration Certificate Evaluation

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5391

September 14 ‐ 17 (4 days)

NEMAP**

Class No. 5359

Needham, MA

September 15 ‐ 16 (2 days)

NTEP Measuring Sector Meeting

Denver, CO

Information at:

http://www.ncwm.net/meetings/ntep/mea

suring

September 16 ‐ 17 (2 days)

NTEP Software Sector Meeting

Denver, CO

Information at:

http://www.ncwm.net/meetings/ntep/soft

ware

September 24 (2 hr) 

Webinar ‐ State Laboratory Annual Submis‐

sion Process**

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5355

September 27 ‐ October 1 (5 days)

Western Weights and Measures Association

(WWMA) Annual Meeting

Boise, ID

Contact: Jerry Buendel, 

jbuendel@agr.wa.gov

September 28 ‐ October 1 (4 days)

SWAP**

Class No. 5360

Columbia or Jefferson City, MO

October 5 ‐ 7

Central Weights and Measures Association

(CWMA) Interim Meeting

St. Charles, MO

Contact: Sherry Turvey,

sherry.turvey@kda.ks.gov

October 5 ‐ 8 (4 days)

MidMAP**

Class No. 5361

Madison, WI

October 19 ‐ 23 (5 days)

Handbook 133, Check the Net Content of

Packaged Goods ‐ Basic

Class No. 5346

Frankfort, KY

October 19 ‐ 23 (5 days) (tentative)

CaMAP**

Class No. 5372

San Juan, PR

October 22 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Internal Auditing Best Practices

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5339

October 26 ‐ November 6 (2 weeks) 

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5340

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD (continued on pg 4)

Technical Correction to NIST Handbook 133,

2015 Edition

Section 4.7. Baler Twine – Test Procedure for Length

Issue: In 19921 the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM)

adopted a test procedure for verifying the declared length on packages of

baler twine that is in Section 4.7. “Baler Twine –Test Procedure for Length”

in NIST Handbook 133 (2015) “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged

Goods.” National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of

Weights and Measures (OWM) recently compared the NIST Handbook 133

test procedure to the industry standard for baler twine (refer to ANSI/ASAE

S315.4 (2011) “Agricultural Baling Twine for Automatic Balers”) to ensure that

the procedures were consistent. In review, we found that tension required

in Section 4.7. was inconsistent with the tension requirement in the industry

standard. In NIST Handbook 133, the tension requirement is 4.53 kg (10 lb)

while the tension requirement in ANSI/ASAE S315.4 is 1 kg (2.2 lb). If the cur‐

rent tension requirement in NIST Handbook 133 (2015) is used, the result will

be inaccurate since the twine will become overstretched. In researching the

history of the procedure, the source of the discrepancy was in the original

proposal. OWM contacted the source of the original proposal and confirmed

that an error was made in the original tension value, and it was agreed it

should have been 1 kg (2.2 lb), the same value as stated in the industry stan‐

dard. 

Corrective Action: OWM will editorially correct the tension requirement to

read 1 kg (2.2 lb) in Section 4.7. “Baler Twine – Test Procedure” in the next

edition of NIST Handbook 133 and note the change in the “Table of Amend‐

ments for 2016” that will be included in the 2016 edition. OWM published

a correction notice on the NIST Handbook 133 webpage at:

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/pubs/hb133.cfm. 

Corrected Test Procedure Shown Below

4.7. Baler Twine – Test Procedure for Length

4.7.1. Test Equipment

• A scale that meets the requirements in Section 2.2. “Measure‐

ment Standards and Test Equipment.” 

NOTE: A scale with 0.1 g (0.000 2 lb) increments must be used for

weighing twine samples. The recommended minimum load for weigh‐

ing samples is 20 divisions.

• Steel tapes and rules – Determine measurements of length to

the nearest division of the appropriate tape or rule.

1 See Item 240‐9 ‐ “5.3.3. Baler Twine,” on page 155 in NIST Special Publication 84,5

“Report of the 77th National Conference on Weights and Measures (1992).” 

(continued on pg 4)
W&M Connection 4 Volume 6 Issue 4

November 16 ‐ 20 (5 days)

Handbook 133, “Checking the Net Content

of Packaged Goods,” Basic

Class No. 5387

Lincoln, NE

December 7 ‐ 10 (4 days)

Handbook 133, “Checking the Net Content

of Packaged Goods,” Volumetric

Class No. 5388

South Gate, CA

December 7 ‐ 11 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5392

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

2016

January 9 ‐ 14

National Conference on Weights and Meas‐

ures (NCWM) Interim Meeting

San Diego, CA

Information at: 

http://www.ncwm.net/sems/event_detail/2

016‐interim‐meeting

January 25 ‐ 29 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5377

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

February 11 (2 hr) 

Webinar ‐ Conducting an Effective Management

Review

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5336

March 3 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Internal Auditing Best Practices

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5337

March 7 ‐ 18 (10 days)

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5379

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

April 4 ‐ 8 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5380

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

May 16 ‐ 27 (10 days)

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5381

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

August 25 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Contract Review

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5384

*Invitation Only

**Limited to State Laboratory Program Par‐

ticipants

Metric units:

For labeled dimensions 40 cm or less, linear measure: 30 cm in

length, 1 mm divisions; or a 1 m rule with 0.1 mm divisions, overall

length tolerance of 0.4 mm.

For labeled dimensions greater than 40 cm, 30 m tape with 1 mm di‐

visions.

U.S. customary units:

For labeled dimensions 25 in or less, use a 36 in rule with 1/64 in or 1/100 in divisions and an overall length tolerance of 1/64 in.

For dimensions greater than 25 in, use a 100 ft tape with 1/16 in divi‐

sions and an overall length tolerance of 0.1 in.

• A hand‐held straight‐face spring scale of at least 4.53 kg (10 lb)

capacity or a cordage‐testing device that applies the specified

tension to the twine being measured. When measuring twine

samples or total roll length, apply 4.53 1 kg (10 2.20 lb) of ten‐

sion to the twine.

4.7.2. Test Procedure

1. Follow Section 2.3.1. “Define the Inspection Lot.” Use a “Cate‐

gory A” sampling plan in the inspection; select a random sam‐

ple.

2. Select packages for tare samples. Determine gross weights of

the initial tare sample and record. 

3. Open the tare samples. Use the procedures for tare determi‐

nation in Section 2.3.5.1. “Determination of Tare Sample and

Average Tare Weight” to compute the average tare weight and

record this value.

4. Randomly select four balls of twine from the packages that

were opened for tare.

From each of the four balls of twine:

> Measure and discard the first 10.05 m (33 ft) of twine from

each roll. Accurate measurement requires applying tension

to the ends of the twine before measuring in order to

straighten the product.

> Take two 30.48 m (100 ft) lengths of twine from inside

each roll.

> Weigh and record the weight of each piece separately and

record the values. Compare the weight values to deter‐

mine the variability of the samples. If the individual

(continued on pg 5
Technical Correction

to 2015

NIST Handbook 130

Uniform Engine Fuels and 

Automotive Lubricants 

Regulation

Subject: Notice of an editorial correction

in Handbook 130 (2015), “Uniform Laws

and Regulations in the Areas of Legal

Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality,” Uni‐

form Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubri‐

cants Regulation section.”

In the preparation of the 2015 edition of

NIST Handbook 130, the following was ob‐

mitted from the revision of Section 3.13.

Oil, subparagraph 3.13.1.3. Engine Service

Category, “European Automobile Manufac‐

turers Association (ACEA), European Oil Se‐

quences.” 

The subparagraph should read:

3.13.1.3. Engine Service Category. – The

label on any vehicle engine (motor) oil con‐

tainer, receptacle, dispenser or storage

tank and the invoice or receipt from service

on an engine that includes the installation

of bulk vehicle engine (motor) oil dis‐

pensed from a receptacle, dispenser, or

storage tank shall contain the engine serv‐

ice category, or categories, displayed in let‐

ters not less than 3.18 mm (1

/8 in) in height,

as defined by the latest version of SAE

J183, “Engine Oil Performance and Engine

Service Classiication (Other than “Energy

Conserving”),” API Publication 1509, “En‐

gine Oil Licensing and Certification Sys‐

tem,” European Automobile

Manufacturers Association (ACEA), “Euro‐

pean Oil Sequences,” or other “Vehicle or

Engine Manufacturer Standards” as pro‐

vided in Section 3.13.1.3.1. 

(Amended 2012 and 2014)

The above error will be corrected in the

2016 editon of NIST Handbook 130 and

noted as an “editorial change” on the 2015

Editorial Changes listed in the beginning of

the handbook.

This correction is also posted on the NIST

Handbook 130 (2015) web page at:

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/pubs/hb130.cfm

W&M Connection 5 Volume 6 Issue 4

weights of the eight twine samples vary by more than one

division on the scale, use one of the following steps: (1) if

the lot is short, determine the actual length of the lightest‐

weight roll found in the lightest‐weight package of the lot

to confirm that the weight shortages reflect the shortages

in the length of the rolls; or (2) determine the average

weight‐per‐unit of measure by taking ten 30.48 m (100 ft)

lengths from inside the lightest weight package. Use this

value to recalculate its length and determine lot compli‐

ance.

5. Weigh all of the sample lengths together and record the total

value. Determine the total length of the samples (243.8 m or

800 ft, unless more than eight sample‐lengths were taken) and

record the value. Compute the average weight‐per‐unit‐of‐

length by dividing the total weight by the total length of the

pieces.

6. Determine the MAV for a package of twine (refer to Appendix

A, Table 2‐8. “Maximum Allowable Variations for Packages

Labled by Length, (Width), or Area”).

> Record the total declared package length.

> Multipy the MAV from Appendix A, Table 2‐8. “Maximum Al‐

lowable Variations for Packages Labeled by Length, (Widith),

or Area” times the total package length to obtain the MAV

for the length and record this value.

> Multiply the weight per unit of length (from Step 4) times the

MAV for the total declared package length to obtain the MAV

by weight and record this value.

> Convert the MAV to dimensionless units and record.

7. Calculte the nominal gross weight and record.

Follow Section 2.3.6. “Determine Nominal Gross Weight and

Package Error” to determine individual package errors. Deter‐

mine errors using the following formula:

Package error (weight) = (package gross weight) – (nominal

gross weight)

> To convert the package error in weight back to length, divide

the weight by the average weight‐per‐unit‐of‐length.

4.7.3. Evaluation of Results

Follow the procedures in Section 2.3.7. “Evaluate for Compliance” to

determine lot compliance.
W&M Connection 6 Volume 6 Issue 4

FAQ – HOW DO I REGISTER FOR AN OWM TRAINING EVENT?

Byline: Elizabeth Gentry

The Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) have published two resources to help customers enroll in training events. The

Quick Guide for Requesting Training provides an overview of the registration process (see Figure 1 on page 8, or

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/upload/Quick‐Guide‐for‐Requesting‐Training.pdf) and the How to Request Training & Tran‐

script Using the Contacts System provides step‐by‐step enrollment instructions, including how to request a training transcript

after you’ve completed a class (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/upload/InstructionsHowToRequestTrainingTranscripts.pdf). 

OWM promotes upcoming training events in a variety of ways, including promotional fliers, e‐mail announcements, the

Weights and Measures Connections newsletter, and the OWM Calendar of Events webpage. You’re encouraged to register

as soon as possible to ensure a seat is held in your name. Classes may be added, cancelled, or rescheduled based on re‐

quests and registrations.

When visiting the online OWM Calendar of Events, simply click on the Event Name and the URL link will connect to an in‐

dividual class webpage that provides event specifics, such as the class number, learning objectives, prerequisites, pre‐work

assignments, instructor(s), and other important information (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/calendar.cfm). It’s helpful to

note the four‐digit Class Number for any class you are interested in taking because it can help you quickly register once

you’ve logged into the OWM Contacts System.

Step A: Register in the OWM Contacts System

Each interested participant must register for a class using the OWM Contacts System (https://tsapps.nist.gov/WMD/de‐

fault.aspx). If you don’t already have an individual account, it’s easy to establish a new account. Visit the link above, select

the REGISTER button, and follow the online instructions. New accounts are usually activated within one business day. Once

you receive your User ID and Password, you’re ready to register for training using the system. If you’ve forgotten your user

ID or password, select the RESET PASSWORD button to contact OWM for assistance (http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/up‐

load/InstructionsHowToRequestResetPassword‐web.pdf). Ms. Isabel Chavez, OWM Contacts System Administrator, is avail‐

able to help with this process and to answer your questions at (301) 975‐2128 or isabel.chavez@nist.gov). 

Step B: Request Training

Use your confirmed user ID and password to log into the OWM Contacts System (https://tsapps.nist.gov/WMD/default.aspx)

and select the MY TRAINING tab, where you can select the REGISTER FOR A CLASS option. There are several ways to find

a scheduled training event, including searching by class number (listed on the online Calendar of Events), course number,

course type, or topic. Once you’ve identified the class in which you want to participate, select the SUBMIT button and

follow the online instructions.

When the minimum class size has been achieved and if there are available class seats, your training request will be processed

by OWM, and you’ll receive an e‐mail registration Acknowledgement. For some classes, OWM staff must also evaluate

course prerequisites, which will add to the time needed to respond to your training request. If course prerequisites are

not met, the training request will be denied. (continued on pg 7)

Visit the National Weather Service for Heat Safety Tips

http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml#safety

TOPICS

Child Safety Tips, Adult Heat Wave Safety Tips, Heat Disorder Symptoms, Community Guidance: Preparing for and Responding to

Excessive Heat Events
W&M Connection 7 Volume 6 Issue 4

If a class is full, you may ask to be placed on the waiting list for that course. If a cancellation occurs, OWM will notify you

that you’ve been accepted into the class. If you choose a course where no classes have been scheduled, your request will

be used to help OWM plan future training events.

As the date of the training event approaches, OWM will contact you with a separate Confirmation communication (letter

and/or e‐mail), which will include travel and lodging information, tuition payment instructions for fee‐supported events,

pre‐work assignments, and other important details. Ms. Yvonne Branden, OWM Training Coordinator, is available to help

with this process and to answer your questions and can be reached at (301) 975‐3272 or yvonne.branden@nist.gov. 

Please explore the current listing of available training and register for one of the many classes designed to support your

ongoing professional development. OWM instructors look forward to your participation during an upcoming training event!

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

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Idaho Statesman

Don’t trust your gas pump? Meet Idaho’s inspectors

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/06/17/3845533_dont‐trust‐your‐gas‐pump‐meet.html?rh=1

THE KGB File

Lincoln Chafee doubles down on metric conversion

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/lincoln‐chafee‐2016‐presidential‐bid‐metric‐conversation‐

118633.html?hp=l5_4

(see Figure 1. Steps for Registration on pg 8)
W&M Connection 8 Volume 6 Issue 4

Happy Birthday 

America!

Figure 1. Steps for Registration