Inside this Issue

Page

Are You Getting What You Pay For?

How Scale Use Affects Transaction

Accuracy 1

This Month in History 1

Calendar 2

Now Available, The NCWM 95th

Annual Meeting Report, SP 1115 6

Now Available the NEW Handbook

133, Checking the Net Contents of

Packaged Goods for 2011 6

This Month in 

History

July 1, 1862 - President Abraham Lincoln

signs the first income tax bill of 3 % on annual

incomes of $500 to $10,000 and a 5 % tax on

incomes over $10,000. 

July 2, 1776 - The Continental Congress

adopted a resolution presented by Richard

Henry Lee of Virginia. The proclamation

read, “Resolved, That these United Colonies

are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from

all allegiance to the British Crown, and that

all political connection between them and

the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be,

totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for

forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to

the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.”

July 2, 1788 - The U.S. Constitution was ratified by the required nine states. 

(continued on page 4)

1

Volume 2 Issue 4

July 25, 2011

Are You Getting What You Pay

For? 

HOW SCALE USE AFFECTS TRANSACTION ACCURACY

By Rick Harshman 

If we were to ask field officials today what they consider to be the greatest cause of transaction errors involving scales used in a retail application,

most would probably agree that it is improper device use. True, scales

are built better today than in years past; scale components have improved over time with advances in technology, and as a result, so has

scale performance; but that is not the primary reason why officials might

provide such an answer to this question. Rather, they have come to realize early on in their enforcement careers that the probability of finding an

inaccurate scale (i.e., one that fails to conform to accuracy requirements)

is much less than the chances of finding instances of one or more scale

operators not taking tare, taking an incorrect tare, starting the weighing

process with the scale behind or ahead of zero, or any one of a host of

other user related deficiencies that can affect the accuracy of commercial

transactions. 

There are a number of requirements in NIST Handbook 44 (HB 44), Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and

Measuring Devices, relating to proper maintenance and use of a scale and

in NIST Handbook 130 (HB 130), Uniform Laws and Regulation in the

Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality, relating to misrepresentation of quantity and pricing, that if not followed, can significantly affect the accuracy of transactions. Field inspection not only involves

verifying the accuracy of a scale, but also verifying proper design, maintenance, and use of the equipment. Experienced officials usually know

what to look for and the right questions to ask to obtain the information

they need to be able to judge with relative confidence whether scales

they are inspecting are being maintained and used in accordance with

the various requirements that apply. However, most of the time, their

judgments are based on information that they’re able to acquire only

during that small window of time when they are actually in the store conducting official inspections. Unless they receive a consumer complaint or

the store happens to be one in which they do their regular shopping, they

have little way of knowing how the scales are actually being maintained

and used once they’ve completed their inspections and left the store.

Most of the time, they are relying on trust that users will continue to operate devices properly and in accordance with applicable requirements.

This might be one reason why during visits to our local supermarket, delicatessen, garden center, etc., we sometimes observe scales that aren’t
Calendar 2011

August 4

Software Verification & Validation (Webinar)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

August 4

Internal Auditing (Webinar)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

August 11

Management Reviews (Webinar)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

August 21 - 25

NSCLI Annual Conference

Gaylord National Convention Center

National Harbor, MD

Contact: http://www.ncsli.org

August 31 - September 1

Weighing Sector Meeting

Sacramento, CA

Contact: info@ncwm.net

September 1

Calibration Report Evaluation (Webinar)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

September 8

Calibration Method Validation (Webinar)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

September 12 - 15

Central Weights & Measures Association

(Interim Meeting)

Cedar Rapids, IA

Contact: Vicky Dempsey at

dempseyv@mcohio.org

September 26 - 30 (Invitation Only)

OIML - TC 6 (Prepackaged Products)

NIST

Gaithersburg, MD

Contact: Kenneth Butcher at

Kenneth.Butcher@nist.gov

301-975-4004

September 26 - 29

Western Weights & Measures Association

San Luis Obisipo, CA

Contact: Brett Saum at bsaum@co.slo.ca.us

October 6

Annual Submission Process (Webinar)

(Limited to State Laboratory Participants)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

(continued on page 3)

W&M Connection 2 Volume 2 Issue 4

being maintained on zero, improper tare or no tare being taken, incorrect

unit prices being charged, and other user indiscretions that affect the

amount of product received or the amount charged for those products. 

While it might be true that weights and measures officials receive few

consumer complaints relating specifically to improper use of a scale, it’s

also likely that many consumers are not aware of the potential impact that

improper use can have on purchases being made from those scales. Perhaps if consumers were aware of the impact, they might be more inclined

to pay closer attention to making sure the scale operator weighed and

priced their orders correctly and they might be more likely to file complaints with the weights and measures authority when they did not. This

is not in any way meant to infer that user violations cause errors that are

always in the device owner’s favor, but rather, to make known that when

violations do occur, someone, be it either the customer or device owner,

must pay the price for those errors. 

What can consumers do to improve their chances of receiving accurate

quantities and correct prices on products that are weighed and priced in

their presence? One thing they might do is to educate themselves on the

responsibilities associated with using a commercial scale to weigh and

price products offered for sale in a direct sale application. A direct sale

application is one in which both parties in a transaction are present when

the quantity is determined. For example, the scales operated by a store

employee to weigh products in the presence of the customer, whether at

the front checkout or in any of the various departments of a grocery store

such as the deli, seafood, etc., are considered scales being used in a direct

sale application. Once equipped with that knowledge, consumers could

then begin paying closer attention to how operators maintain and use the

scales that weigh and price their orders in stores where they shop. The

NIST Weights and Measures Division (WMD) has put together a short list

of simple observations that consumers can make to determine whether

scale operators (and the businesses that employ them) are complying with

many of the requirements that apply to scales used in a direct sale application. The list is not intended to include every applicable requirement

that might apply, but rather is intended to include those in which a compliance determination can be made by simple observation of the scale in

use. This list was developed from various requirements that are currently

included in either HB 44 or HB 130. Items 1 to 5 of the list pertain to observations a consumer can make prior to placing a direct sale order for a

weighed item. Items 6 to 8 are observations typically made as the order is

weighed and priced by the scale operator. Italicized reference citations

are included in parenthesis with each listed item to make it easy for

weights and measures officials to locate the requirements. At the end of

this article, a checklist titled “Did You Get What You Paid For?” is provided

to make it easier for consumers to be able to judge whether or not the

scales used to weigh and price their orders are being operated in accordance with applicable requirements. 

THINGS CONSUMERS SHOULD LOOK FOR DURING A WEIGHING TRANS- ACTION

1. Unobstructed View of the Weighing Process. Is the scale positioned

so that customers can easily see the entire weighing operation from a reasonable customer position? Customers should be able to observe that

the:

a. scale is on zero before weighing;
October 12 - 13

Northeastern Weights & Measures Association Interim Meeting

Norwich, CT

Contact: James Cassidy at

jcassidy@cambridgema.gov

October 13

Document Control & Recordkeeping (Webinar)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

October 21 - 22

NTETC Measuring Sector

Norfolk, VA

Contact: info@ncwm.net

October 23 - 26 

Southern Weights & Measures Association

Norfolk, VA

Contact: Dale Saunders at

dale.saunders@vdacs.virginia.gov

November 10

Annual Submission Process (Webinar)

(Limited to State Laboratory Participants)

Contact: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov

Calendar 2012

January 22 - 25

NCWM Interim Meeting

New Orleans, LA

Contact: info@ncwm.net

May 14 - 17

Northeastern Weights & Measures Association

(NEWMA)

Seekonk, MA

Contact: James Cassidy at

jcassidy@cambridgema.gov

CONTACTS FORWEBINARS

•Lab Metrology: Val Miller at val.miller@nist.gov or

view the Laboratory Metrology group webpage at: 

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/labmetrology/webinar

s.cfm

•Devices: Tina Butcher at tina.butcher@nist.gov

•Laws & Metric: David Sefcik at david.sefcik@nist.gov

or Lisa Warfield at lisa.warfield@nist.gov

Additional details on the above calendar items

can be found at: 

http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/calendar3.cfm

W&M Connection 3 Volume 2 Issue 4

b. scale platform is empty before the load is applied;

c. unit price or price look-up code (PLU) on a computing scale is the

correct one for the item being purchased*; and

d. weighing elements are not being manipulated in any way by the

operator.

*Item c. does not apply to mechanical price-computing scales since only

weight indications are required on the customer side of a mechanical

price-computing scale and price look-up codes are not typically used. Additionally, the information in item c. is not required to be immediately observable to the customer at the time an item is weighed and priced on a

scale interfaced with an electronic cash register (i.e., a Point-of-Sale (POS)

System) although some POS systems do display this information to the

customer by way of a digital display. Instead, POS systems are required to

print (rather than display) the sales information relative to items that are

weighed to include the: 

• net weight

• unit price

• total price; and 

• product class or, in a system equipped with price look-up capability,

the product name or code number.

Thus, customers oftentimes are not able to view the final weighing and

pricing information required of POS systems until they actually receive a

sales receipt generated by the system. 

(HB 44 Code References: paragraph G-UR.3.3. Position of Equipment and

Scales Code paragraph S.1.8.4. Customer’s Indications)

2. Level Condition. Does the scale appear level and fully supported on a

firm foundation? Most scales are designed to weigh accurately only when

in a level condition. Nearly all of the small portable scales intended for

commercial application are equipped with some form of level-indicator

(e.g., bulls-eye level, plumb-bob, etc.) and a means to adjust the level condition of the scale (e.g., one or more adjustable leveling legs, etc.). Scales

equipped with a level indicator are required to be maintained in level by

the scale owner or operator. Thus, these scales should be leveled after

they have been positioned on a firm foundation, and firmly supported on

all sides. The supporting foundation should be of sufficient strength to

withstand the largest load to be weighed and such that the level does not

change throughout the entire weighing range of the scale. If the scale to

be used to weigh your order does not appear to be level or is not fully

supported on a firm foundation, you should ask the scale operator to

check the level condition and adjust it as necessary, making certain that

once it is adjusted to a proper level condition all sides of the scale are fully

supported. 

(HB 44 Code Reference: Scales Code paragraph UR.4.2. Level Condition)

3. Cleanliness of the Platform. Is the platform clean and relatively free of

loose debris? Loose material that is allowed to accumulate over time on a

scale’s platform can cause a change in the zero load reference or shift during the weighing process, altering the accuracy of loads weighed. For this

reason, it is a good practice for device users to periodically clean the platform, being certain to remove all loose material that may have accumulated since the previous cleaning. Once the platform is clean and dry, it

will be necessary for the user to reset the scale to zero prior to initiating
W&M Connection 4 Volume 2 Issue 4

July 2, 1964 - The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was

signed by President Lyndon Johnson. 

July 3, 1775 - George Washington took command of the Continental Army.

July 4, 1776 - The Continental Congress approves the Declaration of Independence;

however, it is not signed until August 2, 1776.

July 5, 1775 - The Olive Branch Petition

adopted by the Continental Congress was

adopted and sent to King George III who refused to look at the petition. King George instead issued a proclamation declaring the

colonists to be in a state of open rebellion.

July 6, 1747 - John Paul Jones (1747 - 1792)

was born. He served as a naval officer in the

Revolutionary War. He is best known for his

statement “I have not yet begun to fight!” 

July 8, 1776 - Philadephia - The first public

reading of the Declaration of Independence

was performed by Colonel John Nixon.

July 9, 1868 - The 14th Amendment to the

U.S. Constitution was ratified. This Amendment defines U.S. citizenship and prohibits

states from taking any of these rights away

from American citizens without due process

and equal protection under the law. The

Amendment also prohibits individuals involved in rebellion against the United States

from holding public office.

July 18, 1947 - President Harry Truman

signed an Executive Order determining the

line of succession if the president should become incapacitated or die in office. This became the 25th Amendment to the U.S.

Constitution, which was ratified on February

10, 1967.

July 20, 1969 - Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his 1st step on the moon.

July 31, 1790 - The U.S. Patent Office opens

its doors.

Note in passing: July is a month rich in historical events denoting the development of

the United States of America. The ones listed

are some of the more significant ones.

MORE THIS MONTH IN HISTORY

the next commercial transaction. If you observe a seemingly large amount

of loose material (e.g., tiny bits and pieces of deli meats and cheeses, chips

of ice, etc.) on the platform of the scale that is to be used to weigh your

order, you should ask the scale operator to clean the platform and reset

the scale to zero prior to weighing your item. 

(HB 44 Code References: paragraphs G-UR.3.1. Method of Operation

and/or G-UR.4.1. Maintenance of Equipment.) 

Note that a buildup of loose material on a scale platform is usually not considered a user violation unless the amount accumulated changes the zero

balance condition of the scale or it becomes apparent that the material

could shift during a weighing process altering the accuracy of the quantity

weighed or the return to a zero balance condition once the weighed load is

removed. 

4. Correct Zero Start. Is the scale indicating zero with no load on the platform? Scales are designed to weigh accurately when the load to be

weighed is applied starting from a proper zero balance condition (i.e., a

zero indication with no load on the platform). Scale users are required to

maintain the zero-load adjustment so that when there is no load on the

platform, the scale will indicate or record a zero balance condition. Additionally, the weight indication at zero load should be a constant stable zero

indication, as opposed to flashing back and forth between zero and a behind zero indication or zero and the next higher scale increment. Such

flashing back and forth between increments could be caused by some environmental factor such as wind, vibration, etc., or it may simply be that the

zero load reference needs adjusting. Whatever the cause, the condition

should be corrected so that a stable zero indication is being displayed before the scale is used. 

(HB 44 Code References: Scales Code paragraph UR.4.1. Balance Condition.

Also, possibly G-UR.1.2. Environment and Scales Code paragraph

UR.2.3.Protection from Environmental Factors.) 

5. Clearance around the Scale. Is adequate clearance maintained around

the scale platform, (i.e., the “live” portion of the scale designed to receive

the load to be weighed)? There should be clearance provided around the

entire platform to the extent that no contacts may result when the platform is empty, nor throughout the entire weighing range of the scale. Contacts cause friction, which can alter the force of the applied load,

ultimately affecting the accuracy of loads weighed. Some common sources

of contact with the platform include such things as: 

• store advertising signs inappropriately positioned against or taped to

a scale platform; 

• packages offered for sale or the racks in which they are displayed

improperly positioned against the scale platform;

• scales that have shifted to the extent that their platform is now resting against an adjacent countertop, wall, frame, housing, or some

other stationary object; 

• bits of produce, small pieces of paper, plastic wrap, etc., lodged in

the crack between the “live portion” of the scale platform and its

surrounding frame for scales installed in a “front checkout” stand;

• pieces of paper, wood, plastic wrap, and various other forms of debris, left to accumulate over time and become lodged between the

scale platform and some stationary object or the housing surrounding the scale, etc. 
IN THE FIELD

Is there a W&M topic that you would

like to have discussed in the Weights

and Measures Connection?

How can we better serve our W&M

community?

Do you have a safety tidbit to share?

Do you have a W&M event that you

wish to post in the Connection’s calendar?

Submissions can be sent to the Editor,

Linda Crown at linda.crown@nist.gov

W&M Connection 5 Volume 2 Issue 4

(HB 44 Code Reference: G-UR.2.1. Installation)

6. Adequate Deduction for Tare. Did the scale operator make an adequate deduction for the weight of all packaging material (i.e., tare) when

weighing the order? Products that are offered for sale and sold by weight

must be sold by “net” weight, which is the weight of a commodity excluding all packaging material not considered to be part of the commodity.

Thus, when a product offered for sale is placed onto a piece of paper, or inside a container and weighed, a deduction for the weight of the paper or

container must be made to avoid charging the customer for the tare material. Tare typically includes, but is not limited to: wrappers, containers, lids,

bags (including the ties), labels, absorbent cloths, wax on cheeses (if not intended to be consumed), etc. When witnessing orders being weighed, customers should 1) verify that a tare deduction is taken (i.e., assuming the

product is weighed with some type of tare material), and 2) that the

amount of the deduction taken is adequate in amount to offset the actual

weight of the tare material. For example, if a 0.02 lb tare deduction is

taken for tare material that actually weights 0.05 lb, the customer would

receive 0.03 lb less product than what is charged when that particular

package is weighed. If the deduction for tare does not seem adequate,

customers might question the scale operator whether the tare is correct

for the amount of packaging material being used or ask the scale operator

to weigh the tare material in their presence to enable verification of its accuracy. 

As noted earlier, customers oftentimes are not able to view the final

weighing and pricing information relative to items weighed on a POS system until they actually receive a sales receipt generated by the system. Although some POS systems provide this information to customers when

their item is being weighed during checkout, most do not. For those systems that do not display the information during checkout, the only way

customers are able to tell whether a tare deduction was taken (or how

much of a tare deduction was taken) for a particular item weighed is to

compare the displayed weight of the item (indicated during checkout) to

the recorded weight of the item (printed on the receipt generated from the

system).

The receipt must provide an indication of the net weight of the item and

may also provide an indication of the gross weight of the item and the tare

deduction that was taken. However, the information required to be displayed to a customer during checkout is not the same as that which is required to be printed on the receipt. The weight values displayed may be

either gross weight (even though a tare deduction has been made) or net

weight. Thus, if the weight printed on the receipt is identical to the weight

that was displayed on the customer readout when the product was

weighed, this may provide an indication that no tare was taken. 

(HB 130, Uniform Weights and Measures Law, Section 15. Misrepresentation of Quantity) 

7. Selling Price Charged. Was the unit price charged the same as that advertised? Before placing an order for a weighed item, observe the unit

price advertised and compare it to the unit price charged when the product

is weighed in your presence. Prices of products can change frequently, and

unless scale operators are made aware of or recall price changes, they may

continue using the old (incorrect) price. Be aware that some scales are

equipped with price look-up capability. Price look-up numbers are asVisit the National Weather

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TOPICS

Heat Stress, Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion,

Heat Syncope, Heat Cramps, Heat Rash, and

the First Aid for these ailments.
W&M Connection 6 Volume 2 Issue 4

signed to give products a numerical identification which is then stored into

scale memory (or linked to a computer), along with the product’s associated unit price, and other useful information. When a price look-up code is

entered by the scale operator, the scale automatically computes the total

sale price based on the unit price that is stored into memory. If the store

elects to increase or decrease the unit price of a product (e.g., the price per

pound posted on the store shelf), but fails to reprogram the new unit price,

the scale will continue to compute at the old (incorrect) price. 

(HB 130, Uniform Weights and Measures Law, Section 16. Misrepresentation of Pricing)

8. Price Computation. Was total sale price computed properly? The total

sale values computed by digital retail-computing scales are required to be

in mathematical agreement with their associated quantity representation

or indication to the nearest 1 cent. That is, any computed total sale price

indicated or recorded by the scale must agree to the nearest 1 cent of the

product in the equation: 

Net Weight x Unit Price = Total Sale. 

For example, if the displayed net weight of a package being weighed is

1.015 lb and the unit price entered into the scale by the operator is $ 5.99

per pound, the scale must compute a total sale price that is to the nearest

1 cent of the answer (product) to the equation:

1.015 lb Net Weight X $ 5.99 Unit Price = $ 6.07985 Total Sale 

The product in the example equation is “$ 6.07985,” which when rounded

to the nearest 1 cent becomes “$ 6.08.” Thus, any indicated or recorded

total price other than $ 6.08 would be considered incorrect for this transaction. On a scale that’s capable of printing a ticket or label, you can verify

compliance with this requirement by examining values printed on the

label. However, if the scale isn’t equipped with a ticket or label printer, the

calculation must be made from values displayed on the scale after the

package has been applied and a unit price or price look up code entered. A

simple handheld calculator can be used to calculate the unrounded total

sale price value, which is then compared to the rounded value indicated or

recorded by the scale. 

(HB 44 Code Reference: G-S.5.5. Money Values, Mathematical Agreement

Although not a User Requirement, this Specification Requirement applies

to the computing capability of computing type scales and is an easy check

for consumers to make certain that the computing scale used to weigh and

price their orders is calculating total sale properly)

What you should do when you see a scale being used improperly is a matter of personal choice. This article was written with the intention of helping consumers judge whether or not the scales used to weigh their orders

are being maintained and used properly and to verify that the amount

charged for products purchased from those scales is correct. This article is

not suggesting that each and every time a consumer witnesses an apparent

violation involving improper use or maintenance of a scale that they contact the weights and measures authority and file a complaint. In many

cases, the best course of action may be to seek immediate correction by

making the scale operator or store manager aware of the concern in an effort to get the issue resolved immediately. For example, if a customer notices that the unit price entered by a scale operator for a particular product

The NIST

Weights and Measures Division 

has a new homepage at: 

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

Please change your 

browser’s bookmark.

NOW AVAILABLE,

THE NCWM 95TH

ANNUAL MEETING REPORT, 

SP 1115

The Annual Report from the 2010 meeting is

now available online at: 

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/pubs/sp1115.cfm. 

In the next few weeks, the Reports of the National Conference on Weights and Measures

1905 - 2010 (SP 979) will become available.

This searchable DVD will be distributed by

mail to the NCWM membership. A limited

number of copies of this DVD will also be

available through the NIST Weights and

Measures Division by contacting Linda Crown

at Linda.Crown@nist.gov.

NOW AVAILABLE, THE NEW

HANDBOOK 133, CHECKING THE NET

CONTENTS OF PACKAGED GOODS

FOR 2011

The newly revised and formatted Handbook

133 is now available online for your immediate reference. The printed editions have arrived from the printer, and those who

requested a copy of the printed edition

through their National Conference on

Weights and Measures membership should

have received their copy. 

The free online edition is available here: 

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

11.cfm.

A listing of the amendments and editorial

changes are available at the above URL.
W&M Connection 7 Volume 2 Issue 4

is not in agreement with the advertised sale price, he or she might immediately make the scale operator aware so that

the discrepancy can be corrected immediately. On the other hand, it might be appropriate to file a complaint with the

weights and measures authority if incorrect pricing of products seems to be an ongoing problem in a particular store or

if misuse of a device seems intentional and typically benefits the store. The choice on how to act is left up to the consumer. Your local weights and measures authority may also be able to offer guidance on an appropriate action to take

relative to the severity of a problem, including how long the problem has existed or how many times you’ve witnessed it

occurring. A list of all the state weights and measures directors and their contact information is available on the WMD’s

website at www.nist.gov/owm. To access the information, click on the link titled “State Directors,” which is located towards the bottom of the right hand column of the website’s home page. For additional information relating to this article, contact Rick Harshman by e-mail at richard.harshman@nist.gov or by phone at (301) 975-8107.

DID YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR?

CONSUMER CHECKLIST FOR WEIGHING TRANSACTIONS

Consumers can help ensure they receive accurate weights and “get what they pay for” by completing these observations when witnessing an order being weighed and priced by store personnel. 

Position of Scale (Can You See the Entire Weighing Operation?)

Scale Level

Scale Platform Empty (Before Item is Weighed)

Cleanliness of Platform

Correct Zero Start (Scale on Zero Before Your Item is Place on the Scale?

Clearance Around the Scale (No Platform Contacts)

Is Tare Material Included With Item Being Weighed? If so:

Was a Deduction Made for the Tare Material?

Did the Amount of the Tare Deduction Seem Reasonable?

Item: _____________Tare Description: ___________ Deduction Taken:______

Was the Unit Price Charged the Same as that Advertised?

Item/Advertised Price:_______________________ Price Charged:____________

Was Total Price Computed Properly (To the Nearest Cent)

Other Concerns (List): 

(e.g., Scale operator did not know how to take tare or that it even needed to be taken, etc.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

For details and an explanation of each item listed in the checklist, visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Weights and Measures website at http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd and download a copy of

the newsletter article “Are you Getting What you Pay For? How Scale Use Affects Transaction Accuracy” from the

newsletter archives.