Inside this Issue

Holiday Greeting 1

The Display of Packages in Retail Stores

Principal Display Panel Requirements

for Packaged Goods 2

TRAINING AND EVENTS CALENDAR 4

PUBLICATIONS NEWS

Updated Handbooks for 2018 Released 6

1

Volume 8 Issue 4

Winter 2017

OFFICE OF WEIGHTS

AND MEASURES

General Inquries: (301) 975‐4004 

e‐mail: owm@nist.gov

Chief: Douglas Olson 

e‐mail: dolson@nist.gov

Newsletter Editor: Linda Crown

(301) 975‐3998

e‐mail: linda.crown@nist.gov

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

WEIGHTS AND

MEASURES

2018 INTERIM MEETING

JANUARY 21 ‐ 24, 2018 

ST. PETE BEACH, FLORIDA

Registration, lodging, agenda, and supporting

documentation is available online at:

https://www.ncwm.net/sems/event_de‐

tail/2018‐interim‐fl. 

As I began putting together this newsletter edition and thinking of a title

to express the sentiments of the season, “Be of Good Cheer” and “Glad

Tidings to All” passed through this aging head of mine. What do these

phrases really mean? We hear them in traditional holiday songs and see

them on greeting cards. So, with a little exploration, here are my findings.

Good Cheer: Cheerful spirits, courage, feasting, merrymaking, and good

food and drink (Dictionary.com). Merriam‐Webster.com states, “be happy.”

Okay, that fits the goal of the holidays, and it’s a nice wish to give some‐

one.

Glad Tidings: Tidings is defined as news, informations, or intelligence (Dic‐

tionary.com) and as a piece of news ‐ usually used in plural (Merriam‐Web‐

ster.com). Good happenings or good news, yes, with the new year

approaching, we would like good news or happenings for the next year. 

Both phrases, “good cheer” and “glad tidings,” are not commonly used in

everyday language in our time, but they project a bit of “special” into the

wishes because of the rarity of their use. Often is heard “have a good day”

or “be happy,” but for the holidays it is nice to have a special phrase(s) to

express this sentiment. Just maybe, it will bring about a little optimism for

a better tomorrow. So, with that said, “Be of Good Cheer and Glad 

Tidings” from us here at the Office of Weights and Measures. 

The Editor

Be of Good

Cheer and Glad

Tidings to All
W&M Connection 2 Volume 8 Issue 4

Figure 1. Packages displayed in shipping cartons where the full

PDP (identity and net content) is not visible. 

Figure 2. Packages displayed with the PDP visible to consumers

without the need for them to handle the package.

(Continued on pg 3)

The Display of Packages in Retail Stores

and the Principal Display Panel Requirement

for Packaged Goods

Byline: David Sefcik

This article provides information on two related but distinctly different packaging and labeling issues. The first relates to

the retail display of packages. The second explains the Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation’s requirements for de‐

termining the Principal Display Panel (PDP) of a package, and some possible solutions to a reoccurring problem involving

PDP placement on so called “fragile” (e.g., bakery) products are also provided. 

PART 1. PACKAGE DISPLAY IN RETAIL STORES

One question that weights and measures inspectors often ask during Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) training

classes on packaging and labeling is if the Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation (UPLR) in NIST Handbook 130 “Uniform

Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality” www.nist.gov/pml/weights‐and‐

measures/publications/nist‐handbooks/handbook‐130 requires retailers to display, present, or show packaged

goods on retail store shelves so that the Principal Display Panel (PDP) (which must display product identity and net quantity

declarations) is always visible to the consumer. 

While OWM recommends that retailers display the PDP of packages so that the product identity and net contents are always

visible, the UPLR does not include requirements about the display of packages on store shelves. The UPLR only prescribes

the requirements on how packages are to be labeled by manufacturers and packers. 

BOTH METHODS OF DISPLAYING PACKAGES ARE PERMISSIBLE
W&M Connection 3 Volume 8 Issue 4

Although there are no package display requirements in the UPLR, most, but not all (see Figure 1) retailers stock their shelves

so the PDPs, which typically includes the brand name and must include the product identity and net quantity of contents,

are easily viewed by consumers (see Figure 2). The display pictured in Figure 2 is a common display practice in most retail

stores because manufacturers and packers spend millions of dollars to promote their brand names and trademarks through

advertising and labels designed to attract consumer attention. 

Retailers inherently display packages so consumers will not have to pick up or handle the package to see the brand name,

product identity, and the quantity stated on the package. However, for most packages of food, consumers often handle

the product to read the ingredient, nutrition, and other useful information placed on the side or back of a package. 

There are other situations as well, where the PDP of packages are often not visible when they are displayed. For example,

properly labeled packages of cheese or turkeys are often placed in display coolers, shelves, or bins where a consumer

cannot view the PDP, which is often a random weight label bearing the product identity, net weight, total price and unit

price of the product (See Figure 3). Since consumers habitually pick up packages to read the label, it is not uncommon for

them to return the products to the wrong location on the shelf or to place the package back on the shelf with the PDP hid‐

den. This is the reason that the UPLR regulations do not consider a package that is displayed with the PDP out of view to

be a violation (see also Figure 4). 

BOTH METHODS OF DISPLAYING PACKAGES ARE PERMISSIBLE

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) (originally in 2000 

and again in July 2017) that, like the UPLR, neither or the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) include requirements that

apply to the display of packages on the shelves of retail stores. The UPLR and federal regulations only define the PDP 

and specify what information must appear on it. The criteria for deciding which panel(s) the PDP is placed on for display, 

pres‐entation, or examination of packages at retail is determined by the manufacturer, either by design or through 

general trade practice. While it is more convenient for consumers to make value comparisons when the PDP of the 

packages are dis‐played, regulation does not require it. 

In the OWM training classes, we explain that if an inspector encounters packages on shelves where the PDP is “not dis‐

played” to consumers, the package is not in violation of the UPLR provided the inspector verifies the manufacturer or 

packer has placed the net quantity and identity information on the panel “most likely” to be displayed, presented, 

shown, or ex‐amined under normal and customary conditions of display and purchase.

PART 2. PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL REQUIREMENTS

A separate, but related labeling issue arises when an inspector finds packages that have the Principal Display Panel (PDP)

on the back or bottom of a package or container (see Figures 5(a), 5(b), and 6). When this is found, the inspector should

Continued on pg 4

Figure 3. Properly labeled packages displayed in a case

with several PDPs not visible.

Figure 4. Properly labeled cereal packages displayed on

a shelf with several PDPs not visible.
W&M Connection 4 Volume 8 Issue 4

Training and Events

Calendar 

2018

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 ‐ 

https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights‐and‐mea‐

sures/about‐owm/calendar‐events and click‐

ing on the name of the course. 

January 9 ‐ 12 (4 days)

Balance and Scale Calibration and Uncertainties, plus

User Uncertainties

Class No. 5519

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

January 18 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Basic Uncertainity Concepts

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5533

January 21 ‐ 24 (4 days)

NCWM Interim Meeting

St. Pete Beach, FL

info@ncwm.net or

https://www.ncwm.net/sems/event_detail/2018‐in‐

terim‐fl

February 1 (2.5 hr)

Webinar ‐ Calibration Certification Evaluation

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:30 p.m.

Class No. 5522

February 5 ‐ 9 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5514

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

February 5 ‐ 8 (4 days)

NIST Handbook 133 ‐ Checking the Net Contents of

Packaged Goods ‐Volumetric

Class No. 5511

San Diego, CA

February 9 (1 day)

NIST Handbook 130 ‐UniformLaws and Regulations

in the Area ofLegal Metrology and Engine Fuel Qual‐

ity‐ Price Verification

Class No. 5521

San Diego, CA

February 12 ‐ 16 (5 days)

Fundamentals of Metrology

Class No. 5515

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

February 15 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Conducting an Effective Management Re‐

view

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5424

(continued on pg 7)

inspect the package to determine if it is labeled with the identity, quantity,

and responsibility information as required by the UPLR in NIST Hand‐

book 130. 

THE PDPs IN FIGURES 5(a), 5(b), AND

6 ARE NOT ON THE PANEL OF THE

PACKAGE “MOST LIKELY” TO BE DIS‐

PLAYED. THE PACKAGE LABELING

DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE UPLR.

Brief Overview of the PDP Re‐

quirements.

What is a Principal Display Panel

(PDP)? 

The “PDP” is that part, or those

parts of a label that is, or are “most

likely” to be displayed, presented,

shown, or examined under normal

and customary conditions of dis‐

play for retail sale. The PDP is de‐

fined in Section 2.7. of the UPLR in

NIST HB 130 (this definition is con‐

sistent with the requirements of

the Federal Fair Packaging and La‐

beling Act and the Food Drug and

Cosmetic Act.) 

The UPLR requires that the identity of the product and the net quantity of

contents of the package be shown on the PDP in conspicuous type sizes

and styles in colors that contrast with the background to allow consumers

to find the information quickly and easily to facilitate value comparison. It

is the manufacturer or packager of the product that determines which panel

or panels of the package is to be the PDP. 

Figure 5(a). PDP placed on the bottom of the

fruit container.

Figure 5(b). PDP placed on the

bottom of a retail package.

Figure 6. This is a retail display of pack‐

ages of produce where the PDP is placed

on the back or bottom of the container.

(The inspector displays a package at left

that shows the PDF label on the back.)

(Continued on pg 5)
W&M Connection 5 Volume 8 Issue 4

Can the packer or manufacturer use the bottom or back of a package as the PDP? 

No. The UPLR requirements ensure that consumers are informed of what and how much they are going to buy when they

purchase packaged goods. When a package complies with the UPLR, it is not necessary for the consumer to search all over

the package for the required information to make an informed purchasing decision. Most packages are “designed” to be

displayed with the PDP upright and in a forward‐facing position under “normal” and “customary” conditions. The back or

bottom of the package are not considered “most likely” to be viewable. 

For this reason, placing the product identity and net quantity of contents on the bottom or backside of a container does

not comply with the requirement that the PDP be that part of the package label “most likely” to normally or customarily

be displayed, presented, or shown to consumers on a retail display. However, a manufacturer may design a package that

includes multiple PDPs to allow retailers to display the packages in different orientations. 

Why do retailers place the PDP and UPC barcode on the bottom of a package?

You will find that retailers sometimes affix a random weight label that includes the UPC barcode and the PDP with the re‐

quired information (i.e., identity, net quantity) to the bottom of a package. This often occurs on packages containing iced

birthday cakes, pies, and other fragile goods packaged in store that may be damaged if turned upside down. The primary

reason for the placement of the UPC barcode on the bottom of the package is so a checkout clerk does not have to turn

the package over to scan the UPC barcode at checkout. While this approach lessens the chance that an iced birthday cake

will be damaged it can be difficult for the consumer to find the product identity, net weight, and price information. 

Even in this situation, there is no justification for the PDP to be on the bottom of the package (because, as explained above,

the bottom of a package is not the panel “most likely” to be displayed). If this labeling approach is used, retailers should,

at a minimum, affix a duplicate label on top of these packages as a customer service to allow easy access to the required

net quantity and product identity information. The “dual” label solution addresses the issue of label placement on “fragile”

products where the store’s scanner only reads from the bottom. In many stores, retailers have moved beyond the need to

use duplicate labels and instead they use “wraparound” labels as shown below (see Figure 7 and 8). 

One practical solution is for the retailer to use a single long label that reaches from the top of the package, where the PDP

shows the product identity and net quantity, around the side of the package and over the bottom where the UPC scan bars

are presented for scanning (see Figures 7 and 8).

Wrap Around Label on “Fragile” Product

Figure 7. The picture above shows a “fragile” product (i.e., those products that would become damaged if turned over). In this 

example, the retailer places a “wraparound” label on the product that places the identity, net weight, and price information on 

the top of the package for easy access and “wraps” the label onto the bottom where the UPC barcode is accessible without 

turning the package over when scanned.

(Continued on pg 6)
W&M Connection 6 Volume 8 Issue 4

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures

homepage: www.nist.gov/owm

Publication News

Updated Handbooks for 2018 Released

In summary, the UPLR does not apply to the display of packages in retail stores but does apply to labeling violations in cases

where it is determined that the PDP is not on the panel “most likely” to be displayed. 

Please contact David Sefcik at david.sefcik@nist.gov or at (301) 975‐4868 or Lisa Warfield at lisa.warfield@nist.gov or

at (301) 975‐3308 for additional assistance and information. 

Figure 8. An iced cake with a wraparound label showing the PDP on top of the package with identity,

price, and net weight and the UPC on the package bottom for scanning. Inspectors can recommend that

retailers found placing the PDP label on the bottom or back of packages consider using the wraparound

label as a suitable alternative.

• Handbook 133, “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods.”

Members of the National Conference on Weights and Measures will receive their copies in

the mail shortly. These documents are also available on the OWM website at

www.nist.gov/owm.

The three primary weights and measures handbooks produced by the National Institute of Stan‐

dards and Techology, Office of Weights and Measures, update for 2018, are now available.

• Handbook 44, “Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing

and Measuring Devices,”

• Handbook 130, “Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine

Fuel Quality,” and
W&M Connection 7 Volume 8 Issue 4

March 1 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Internal Auditing Best Practices

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5425

March 12 ‐ 15 (4 days)

NIST Handbook 130, Uniform Packaging

and Labeling Regulation

Class No. 5509

Orange County, CA

March 15 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Software Verification and Valida‐

tion, Part I

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5536

March 26 ‐ 29 (4 days)

NIST Handbook 133 ‐ Checking the Net

Contents of Packaged Goods ‐ Basic

Class No. 5513

Lebanon, MO

April 3 ‐ 5 (3 days)

NTEP Lab Meeting

Gaineau, Quebec

info@ncwm.net

April 12 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Software Verification and Valida‐

tion, Part II

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5536

April 16 ‐ 19 (4 days)

NIST Handbook 133 ‐ Checking the Net

Contents of Packaged Goods‐ Basic

Class No. 5520

Montgomery, AL

April 16 ‐ 27 (10 days)

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5516

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

April 30 ‐ May 3 (4 days)

Southeast Measurement Assurance Pro‐

gram (SEMAP)**

Class No. 5525

Bay St. Louis/Biloxi, Seminar, MS

May 7 ‐ 10 (4 days)

Western Regional Assurance Program

(WRAP)**

Class No. 5526

Salt Lake City, UT

May 7 ‐ 10 (4 days)

Northeastern Weights and Measures As‐

sociation (NEWMA)

Saratoga Springs, NY

Contact: jcassidy@cambridgema.gov

May 8 ‐ 9 (2 days)

NTEP MDMD Work Group

Columbus, OH

Info@ncwm.net

May 14 ‐ 17 (4 days)

Handbook 133 ‐ Checking the Net

Contents of Packaged Goods ‐ Basic

Class No. 5512

Pompano Beach, FL

May 14 ‐ 25 (10 days)

Mass Metrology Seminar

Class No. 5531

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

May 21 ‐ 24

Central Weights and Measures Association

(CWMA)

Springfield, IL

Contact: sherry.turvey@ks.gov

June 4 ‐ 8 (5 days)

Volume Metroogy Seminar

Class No. 5523

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

June 5 ‐ 7 (3 days)

NIST Handbook 130 ‐ Uniform Packaging

and Labeling Regulation

Class No. 5510

Cleveland, OH

July 15 ‐ 19 (5 days)

NCWM 103rd Annual Meeting

Tulsa, OK

info@ncwm.net

https://ncwm.net/meetings

August 9 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Contract Review

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5426

August 13 ‐23 (10 days)

Advanced Mass Seminar

Class No. 5532

NIST/Gaithersburg, MD

August 15 ‐ 16 (2 days)

NTEP Grain Analyzer Meeting

Kansas City, MO

info@ncwm.net

August 21 ‐ 23 (3 days)

NTEP Weighing/Software Meeting

Louisville, KY

info@ncwm.net

August 27 ‐ 30 (4 days)

NCSLI Workshop and Symposium

“Measurements of Tomorrow”

Oregon Convention Center

Portland, OR

http://www.ncsli.org/aws

August 30 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Document Control and Record‐

keeping

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5427

September 10 ‐ 13 (4 days)

Northeastern Measurement Assurance

Program (NEMAP)**

Class No. 5527

Montpelier, VT

September 17 ‐ 20 (4 days)

Southwest Assurance Program (SWAP)

Class No. 5528

Oklahoma City, OK

September 25 ‐ 26 (2 days)

NTEP Measuring Meeting

Baltimore, MD

info@ncwm.net

October 1 ‐ 4 (4 days)

MidAmerica Measurement Assurance Pro‐

gram (MidMap)**

Class No. 5529

Burnsville, MN

October 18 (2 hr)

Webinar ‐ Internal Auditing Best Practices

2:00 p.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

Class No. 5428

2019

January 13 ‐ 16 (4 days)

National Conference on Weights and

Measures (NCWM) Interim Meeting

Charleston, SC

Info@ncwm.net

*StateW&M labs only or invitation only.

**Regional Measurement Assurance

Program “MEMBERS” (State and In‐

dustry RMAP member laboratories.)

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

The following international organiza‐

tions hold meetings/conferences con‐

cerning varied weights and measures

topics. 

Asia‐Pacific Legal Metrology Forum

(APLMF)

http://www.aplmf.org/

Bureau of International des Poids et

Mesures(BIPM)

Calendar of BIPM Meetings https://

www.bipm.org/en/about‐us/

Inter‐American Metrology System

(SIM)

Calendar of SIM Meetings

http://sim‐metrologia.org.br/meet‐

ings.php

International Organization of Legal

Metrology (OIML)

Calendar of OIML Meetings https://

www.oiml.org/en/events/calendar

International Society of Weighing and

Measurement (ISWM)

2019 Conference and Expo (TBD)

http://www.iswm.org/