1 Handbook 44 Regulations
What is Handbook 44? Handbook 44 is a standard developed by the National Conference of Weights and Measures (NCWM) and publis- hed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for use in the US. It defines the specifications, tolerances, and other technical requirements for weighing and measuring devices used to facilitate commercial transactions that are based on a physical measurement (e.g. weight, volume, length, etc.). Handbook 44 covers a wide range of weighing and measuring devices from scales to gas pumps to taxi meters and even to berry baskets. The objective is to permit fair competition among businesses and provide uniform and sufficient protection to all consumers in commercial weights and measures practices. Weighing and measuring devices that are not used in commercial transactions are not required to comply with Handbook 44. Handbook 44 is not the product of any federal legislation or action. It has no legal status except when it is offici- ally adopted by states. Individual states are responsible for the Weights and Measures laws in their jurisdiction. All states adopt some version of Handbook 44 into their state law. Most states (AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, ID, IL, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, MO, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, and WV) automati- cally adopt the latest edition of Handbook 44 every year. While the rest require some additional approval, the State W&M Director can approve an installation regardless of the state’s current status.
Handbook 44 covers a wide range of weighing and measuring devices.
How do devices comply with Handbook 44? Manufacturers of weighing and measuring devices must prove the devices they produce are capable of complying with Handbook 44. The NCWM sponsors the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) to independently test and evaluate weighing and measuring device types. Once an NTEP evaluation is completed, a Certificate of Confor- mance (CC) is issued for the device type. Most states require a NTEP CC before a weighing or measuring device can be placed into commercial service. Finally, a state W&M official or representative checks an individual device for compliance with Handbook 44 before it can be placed into operation in the field. If the device passes the inspector’s test and has a valid NTEP CC, the inspector places a seal on the device and it is ready for commercial service. At this point, the device is considered to be legal-for-trade. The device is then rechecked on a periodic basis to ensure its continued compliance with Handbook 44.
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