National Conference on Weights and Measures Interim Meeting, 1302-1305 [2020-00205]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 7 / Friday, January 10, 2020 / Notices
Critical Circumstances
With regards to the ITC’s negative
critical circumstances determination on
imports of polyester textured yarn from
China discussed above, we will instruct
CBP to lift suspension and to refund any
cash deposits made to secure the
payment of estimated countervailing
duties with respect to entries of
polyester textured yarn from China,
entered or withdrawn from warehouse,
for consumption on or after February 2,
2019 (i.e., 90 days prior to the date of
Suspension of Liquidation
In accordance with section 706 of the
Act, Commerce will direct CBP to
reinstitute the suspension of liquidation
of polyester textured yarn from China
and India, effective the date of
publication of the ITC’s notice of final
determinations in the Federal Register,
and to assess, upon further instruction
by Commerce pursuant to section
706(a)(1) of the Act, countervailing
duties for each entry of the subject
merchandise in an amount based on the
net countervailable subsidy rates for the
subject merchandise. On or after the
date of publication of the ITC’s final
injury determinations in the Federal
Register, CBP must require, at the same
time as importers would normally
deposit estimated duties on this
merchandise, a cash deposit equal to the
rates noted below:
Subsidy rate
(percent)
Country
Company
China ..............
Fujian Billion Polymerization Fiber Technology Industrial Co., Ltd 4 ......................................................................
Suzhou Shenghong Fiber Co., Ltd 5 .......................................................................................................................
Suzhou Shenghong Garmant Development Co .....................................................................................................
All Others .................................................................................................................................................................
JBF Industries Limited .............................................................................................................................................
Reliance Industries Limited .....................................................................................................................................
All Others .................................................................................................................................................................
India ...............
Provisional Measures
Section 703(d) of the Act states that
the suspension of liquidation pursuant
to an affirmative preliminary
determination may not remain in effect
for more than four months. Therefore,
entries of polyester textured yarn from
China and India made on or after
August 31, 2019, and prior to the date
of publication of the ITC’s final
determination in the Federal Register,
are not subject to the assessment of
countervailing duties due to
Commerce’s discontinuation of the
suspension of liquidation.
In accordance with section 733(d) of
the Act, Commerce instructed CBP to
terminate the suspension of liquidation
and to liquidate, without regard to CVD
duties, unliquidated entries of polyester
textured yarn from China and India
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse,
for consumption on or after August 31,
2019, the date on which the provisional
CVD measures expired, through the day
preceding the date of publication of the
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publication of the preliminary
determination), but before May 3, 2019
(i.e., the date of the publication of the
preliminary determination for this
investigation).
4 As discussed in the PDM, Commerce has found
the following companies to be cross-owned with
Fujian Billion: (1) Billion Development (Hong
Kong) Limited, and (2) Billion Industrial Investment
Limited.
5 As discussed in the PDM, Commerce has found
the following companies to be cross-owned with
Suzhou Shenghong Fiber Co., Ltd.: (1) Jiangsu
Zhonglu Technology Development Co., Ltd., (2)
Jiangsu Guowang High-Technique Fiber Co., Ltd.,
(3) Jiangsu Shenghong Science and Technology Co.,
Ltd., (4) Jiangsu Honggang Petrochemical Co., Ltd.,
(5) Shenghong Group Co., Ltd., (6) Shenghong
Holding Group, Co., Ltd., (7) Shenghong (Suzhou)
Group Co., Ltd., (8) Jiangsu Shenghong Investment
Development Co., Ltd., (9) Jiangsu Shenghong New
Material Co., Ltd., and (10) Jiangsu Shenghong
Textile Imp & Exp Co. and its successor Jiangsu
Huahui Import and Export Co., Ltd.
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ITC final injury determinations in the
Federal Register. Suspension of
liquidation will resume on the date of
publication of the ITC final injury
determination in the Federal Register.
Notifications to Interested Parties
This notice constitutes the
countervailing duty orders with respect
to polyester textured yarn from China
and India pursuant to section 706(a) of
the Act. Interested parties can find a list
of countervailing duty orders currently
in effect at https://enforcement.trade.gov/
stats/iastats1.html.
These orders are issued and published
in accordance with section 706(a) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.211(b).
Dated: January 6, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistance Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance.
Appendix
Scope of the Orders
The merchandise covered by these orders,
polyester textured yarn, is synthetic
multifilament yarn that is manufactured from
polyester (polyethylene terephthalate).
Polyester textured yarn is produced through
a texturing process, which imparts special
properties to the filaments of the yarn,
including stretch, bulk, strength, moisture
absorption, insulation, and the appearance of
a natural fiber. This scope includes all forms
of polyester textured yarn, regardless of
surface texture or appearance, yarn density
and thickness (as measured in denier),
number of filaments, number of plies, finish
(luster), cross section, color, dye method,
texturing method, or packing method (such
as spindles, tubes, or beams).
Excluded from the scope of these orders is
bulk continuous filament yarn that: (a) Is
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32.18
473.09
472.51
32.18
21.83
4.29
4.65
polyester synthetic multifilament yarn; (b)
has denier size ranges of 900 and above; (c)
has turns per meter of 40 and above; and (d)
has a maximum shrinkage of 2.5 percent.
The merchandise subject to these orders is
properly classified under subheadings
5402.33.3000 and 5402.33.6000 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS). Merchandise subject to these
orders may also enter under HTSUS
subheading 5402.52.00.6 Although the
HTSUS subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the merchandise is
dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2020–00245 Filed 1–9–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
National Conference on Weights and
Measures Interim Meeting
National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Interim Meeting of the
National Conference on Weights and
Measures (NCWM) will be held in
Riverside, CA, from Sunday, January 26,
2020, through Wednesday, January 29,
2020. This notice contains information
about significant items on the NCWM
Committee agendas but does not include
all agenda items. As a result, the items
are not consecutively numbered.
SUMMARY:
6 HTSUS subheading 5402.52 includes
subheadings 5402.52.10.00 and 5402.52.90.00.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 7 / Friday, January 10, 2020 / Notices
The meeting will be held from
Sunday, January 26, 2020, through
Wednesday, January 29, 2020. The
meeting schedule will be available on
the NCWM website at www.ncwm.com.
ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held at
The Mission Inn & Spa, 3649 Mission
Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Douglas Olson, NIST, Office of Weights
and Measures, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop
2600, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–2600.
You may also contact Dr. Olson at (301)
975–2956 or by email at douglas.olson@
nist.gov. The meeting is open to the
public, but a paid registration is
required. Please see the NCWM website
(www.ncwm.com) to view the meeting
agendas, registration forms, and hotel
reservation information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Publication of this notice on the
NCWM’s behalf is undertaken as a
public service and does not itself
constitute an endorsement by the
National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) of the content of the
notice. NIST participates in the NCWM
as an NCWM member and pursuant to
15 U.S.C. 272(b)(10) and (c)(4) and in
accordance with Federal policy (e.g.,
OMB Circular A–119 ‘‘Federal
Participation in the Development and
Use of Voluntary Consensus
Standards’’).
The NCWM is an organization of
weights and measures officials of the
states, counties, and cities of the United
States, and representatives from the
private sector and federal agencies.
These meetings bring together
government officials and representatives
of business, industry, trade associations,
and consumer organizations on subjects
related to the field of weights and
measures technology, administration,
and enforcement. NIST participates to
encourage cooperation between federal
agencies and the states in the
development of legal metrology
requirements. NIST also promotes
uniformity in state laws, regulations,
and testing procedures used in the
regulatory control of commercial
weighing and measuring devices,
packaged goods, and for other trade and
commerce issues.
The NCWM has established multiple
committees, task groups, and other
working bodies to address legal
metrology issues of interest to regulatory
officials, industry, consumers, and
others. The following are brief
descriptions of some of the significant
agenda items that will be considered by
some of the NCWM Committees at the
NCWM Interim Meeting. Comments will
be taken on these and other issues
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during several public comment sessions.
At this stage, the items are proposals.
This meeting also includes work
sessions in which the Committees may
also accept comments, and where
recommendations will be developed for
consideration and possible adoption at
the NCWM 2020 Annual Meeting. The
Committees may withdraw or carryover
items that need additional development.
These notices are intended to make
interested parties aware of these
development projects and to make them
aware that reports on the status of the
project will be given at the Interim
Meeting. The notices are also presented
to invite the participation of
manufacturers, experts, consumers,
users, and others who may be interested
in these efforts.
The Specifications and Tolerances
Committee (S&T Committee) will
consider proposed amendments to NIST
Handbook 44, ‘‘Specifications,
Tolerances, and other Technical
Requirements for Weighing and
Measuring Devices’’ (NIST HB 44).
Those items address weighing and
measuring devices used in commercial
applications, that is, devices that are
used to buy from or sell to the public
or used for determining the quantity of
products or services sold among
businesses. Issues on the agenda of the
NCWM Laws and Regulations
Committee (L&R Committee) relate to
proposals to amend NIST Handbook
130, ‘‘Uniform Laws and Regulations in
the Areas of Legal Metrology and Fuel
Quality’’ and NIST Handbook 133,
‘‘Checking the Net Contents of Packaged
Goods.’’
NCWM S&T Committee
The following items are proposals to
amend NIST Handbook 44:
SCL—Scales Code
Item SCL–17.1 S.1.8.5. Recorded
Representations, Point of Sale Systems,
Appendix D—Definitions: Tare
This item is a carry-over item from the
2019 NCWM Annual Meeting that has
been on the S&T Committee’s Agenda
since 2017. The S&T Committee will
consider a proposal requiring additional
sales information to be recorded by cash
registers interfaced with a weighing
element for items that are weighed at a
checkout stand. This item was assigned
for further development by a Task
Group in July 2018. The Task Group has
provided two different versions of the
proposal to the S&T Committee. One
version is retroactive and the other is a
nonretroactive version. The version that
will be adopted is expected to be part
of the NCWMs 2020 voting process. The
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retroactive version would be enforceable
on all systems, and the nonretroactive
version will be enforceable on only
those systems manufactured and placed
in service on or after the effective date
specified. These systems are currently
required to record the net weight, unit
price, total price, and the product class,
or in a system equipped with price lookup capability, the product name or code
number. The change proposed would
add ‘‘tare weight’’ to the list of sales
information currently required.
Item SCL–16.1 Sections Throughout
the Code To Include Provisions for
Commercial Weigh-in-Motion Vehicle
Scale Systems
This item is another carry-over item
originally appearing on the S&T’s
agenda in 2016. The S&T Committee
will consider a proposal drafted by the
NCWM’s Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) Task
Group (TG) to amend various sections of
NIST HB 44, Scales Code to address
WIM vehicle scale systems used for
commercial applications. The TG is
made up of representatives of WIM
equipment manufacturers, the U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal
Highway Administration, NIST Office of
Weights and Measures, truck weight
enforcement agencies, state weights and
measures agencies, and others.
The WIM TG was first formed in
February 2016 to consider a proposal to
expand NIST HB 44, Weigh-In-Motion
Systems Used for Vehicle Enforcement
Screening—Tentative Code to also apply
to legal-for-trade (commercial) and law
enforcement applications.
The focus of the TG since July 2016
has been to concentrate on the
development of test procedures that can
be used to verify the accuracy of a WIM
vehicle scale system given the different
axle and tandem axle configurations of
vehicles that will typically be weighed
by a system and a proposed
maintenance and acceptance tolerance
of 0.2 percent on gross (total) vehicle
weight. Members of the TG, to date,
have been unsuccessful in agreeing on
test procedures, and, as a result, the TG
recently developed a ‘‘White Paper’’
during the summer of 2017, which it
distributed to the different regional
weights and measures associations
requesting feedback from their fall 2017
conferences on some different draft test
procedures being considered and some
other concerns. The TG is awaiting
evidence that will substantiate the
submitter’s claims that these types of
WIM systems are capable of meeting
NIST HB 44 Scales Code Class III L
tolerances.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 7 / Friday, January 10, 2020 / Notices
SCL–20.12 Multiple Sections To Add
Vehicle Weigh-in-Motion to the Code
and Appendix D—Definitions; Vehicle
Scale and Weigh-in-Motion Vehicle
Scale
This new item to be considered by the
S&T Committee is similar to the
previous SCL–16.1 item in that it
proposes to add WIM systems for motor
vehicles to the NIST HB 44 Scales Code.
This new proposal differs from SCL–
16.1 however, since it would not apply
to axle-load type scales but instead,
would apply to a full-length vehicle
scale used for WIM.
LMD requirements specify that a printed
copy of an event logger must be
available and only state that an
electronic version of this log can be
additionally provided. This new
proposal would amend the language in
Table S.2.2. ‘‘Categories of Device and
Methods of Sealing’’ to permit either
form (printed or electronic) of the event
logger to be made available.
SCL–20.10 S.1.2.2.2. Class I and II
Scales Used in Direct Sale and S.1.2.2.3.
Deviation of a ‘‘d’’ Resolution.
The S&T Committee will consider a
new proposal to replace two current
requirements (S.1.2.2.2. and S.1.2.2.3.)
with a new, amended version of
S.1.2.2.2. ‘‘Class III and IIII Scales.’’ This
item is also related to two other items
(individual item SCL–20.11 and SCL–
20.2 that is included as part of Block 2
on the agenda) on the S&T Agenda in
2020 in that all three items address the
value of ‘‘e’’ and ‘‘d’’ in precision scales.
In 2017, the NCWM adopted a proposal
adding a new paragraph (S.1.2.2.2.)
requiring the value of the scale division
(d) and verification scale interval (e) to
be equal on Class I and Class II scales
installed into commercial service as of
January 1, 2020, when used in a direct
sale application (i.e., both parties of a
weighing transaction are present when
the quantity is determined). The S&T
Committee will now consider a new
proposal that, if adopted, would
eliminate the requirement adopted in
2017. This item would instead state that
on Class III and IIII scales, the value of
‘‘e’’ will be specified by the
manufacturer, and that (except on
dynamic monorail scales) ‘‘e’’ must be
less than or equal to ‘‘d’’. The absence
of any requirement included in this
proposal regarding the value of ‘‘e’’ and
‘‘d’’ for Class I and Class II scales would
imply that for those scales, the values of
e and d may differ. The other two items
mentioned, SCL–20.11 and SCL–20.2,
propose different approaches on how
the values of ‘‘e’’ and ‘‘d’’ should be
addressed in scales used in direct sales
applications.
The S&T Committee will again
consider this carry-over item that
proposes to provide specifications and
user requirements for manifold flush
systems designed to eliminate product
contamination on VTMs used for
multiple products. This proposal would
add specifications on the design of
VTMs under S.3.1.1., ‘‘Means for
Clearing the Discharge Hose,’’ and add
a new user requirement UR.2.6.,
‘‘Clearing the Discharge Hose.’’ During
open hearings at previous NCWM
meetings, comments were heard about
the design of any system to clear the
discharge hose of a product prior to the
delivery of a subsequent product which
could provide opportunities to
fraudulently use this type of system.
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LMD—Liquid Measuring Devices
LMD–20.1 Table S.2.2. Categories of
Device and Methods of Sealing
The S&T Committee will consider a
new proposal to permit the use of an
electronic log in lieu of a printed copy
of a Category 3 sealing method on liquid
measuring devices. Current NIST HB 44
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VTM—Vehicle Tank Meters
VTM–18.1 S.3.1.1. Means for Clearing
the Discharge Hose and UR.2.6. Clearing
the Discharge Hose
EVF—Electric Vehicle Fueling Systems
EVF–20.1 S.1.3.2. EVSE Value of the
Smallest Unit
The S&T Committee will consider a
new proposal that would specify the
maximum value of the indicated and/or
recorded electrical energy unit used in
an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment). This proposal would
reduce (by a factor of 10) the current
specified values of these units. The
current maximum values of 0.005 MJ
and 0.001 kWh would be changed to
0.0005 MJ and 0.0001 kWh respectively.
The submitters contend that testing of
these systems would be expedited
through these changes and reduce the
amount of time necessary to complete
official tests.
GMA—Grain Moisture Meters 5.56 (A)
GMA–19.1 Table T.2.1. Acceptance
and Maintenance Tolerances Air Oven
Method for All Grains and Oil Seeds
The S&T Committee will consider a
proposal that would reduce the
tolerances for the air oven reference
method. The proposed new tolerances
would apply to all types of grains and
oil seeds. This item is a carry-over
proposal from 2019 and would replace
the contents of Table T.2.1. with new
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criteria. Additional inspection data will
be collected and reviewed to assess
whether the proposed change to the
tolerances are appropriate.
Block 3 Items
The S&T Committee will consider
changes included in this block affecting
the NIST HB 44 Taximeters Code
(Section 5.54.) and the Transportation
Network Measurement Systems (TNMS)
Code (Section 5.60.) that would amend
the value of tolerances allowed for
distance tests. The changes proposed in
this item would change the Taximeters
Code requirement T.1.1. ‘‘On Distance
Tests’’ by increasing that tolerance to
2.5% when the test exceeds one mile.
The change to the TNMS Code affects
requirement T.1.1. ‘‘Distance Tests’’ by
reducing the tolerance allowed on
overregistration under T.1.1.(a) from the
current 2.5% to 1% when the test does
not exceed one mile and would increase
the tolerance for underregistration in
T.1.1.(b) from 2.5% to 4%. These
changes if adopted would align the
tolerances values for distance tests
allowed for taximeters and TNMS.
NCWM L&R Committee
NIST Handbook 130 and NIST
Handbook 133
The following items are proposals to
amend NIST Handbooks 130 and 133:
Block 1 (B1) Items
NIST Handbook 133, ‘‘Checking the
Net Contents of Packaged Goods,’’ and
NIST Handbook 130, Uniform Packaging
and Labeling Regulation (UPLR),
Section 2.8. Multiunit Package.
The L&R Committee will consider a
proposal to add a test procedure in NIST
Handbook 133 for addressing the total
quantity declaration on multiunit or
variety packages. In addition, in NIST
Handbook 130, it will clarify the
definition of Section 2.8. Multiunit
package.
NIST Handbook 130, Uniform Method
of Sale of Commodities (MOS)
Item MOS–20.4.
Cartridges
2.XX. Ink and Toner
The L&R Committee will consider a
proposed method of sale for adoption to
clarify the labeling requirements for
packaged inkjet and toner cartridges to
ensure that consumers are informed
about the net quantity of contents of
these products, value comparisons can
be made, and quantities can be verified
to ensure equity between buyer and
seller and fair competition between
sellers, including original equipment
manufacturers. Page verification would
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 7 / Friday, January 10, 2020 / Notices
be in accordance to the ISO/IEC
standard.
NIST Handbook 133, ‘‘Checking the Net
Contents of Packaged Goods’’
Item NET–20.2. 4.5. Polyethylene
Sheeting, Bags, and Liners
The L&R Committee will consider a
proposal under Item NET 20.2. to
consider changes to the equipment that
is used to test the thickness of
polyethylene sheeting, bags, and liners.
This modification would allow for
electronic instruments to be used for
thickness measurements. In addition,
changes to the test procedure would
need to be modified for the use of
electronic instruments.
Under Item ODR NEW, the L&R
Committee will consider a
recommended proposal to remove the
Open Dating Regulation in its entirety
from NIST Handbook 130.
Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2020–00205 Filed 1–9–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
Visiting Committee on Advanced
Technology; Meeting
National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
AGENCY:
National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST)’s
Visiting Committee on Advanced
Technology (VCAT or Committee) will
meet on Wednesday, February 12, 2020,
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, and Thursday, February 13, 2020,
from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern
Time.
DATES: The VCAT will meet on
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday,
February 13, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
the Portrait Room, Administration
Building, at NIST, 100 Bureau Drive,
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, with an
option to participate via webinar. Please
note admittance instructions under the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Shaw, VCAT, NIST, 100
Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1060,
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899–1060,
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telephone number 301–975–2667. Ms.
Shaw’s email address is
stephanie.shaw@nist.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278, as amended,
and the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C.
App., notice is hereby given that the
VCAT will meet on Wednesday,
February 12, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and Thursday,
February 13, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The meeting
will be open to the public. The VCAT
is composed of not fewer than 9
members appointed by the NIST
Director, eminent in such fields as
business, research, new product
development, engineering, labor,
education, management consulting,
environment, and international
relations. The primary purpose of this
meeting is for the VCAT to review and
make recommendations regarding
general policy for NIST, its organization,
its budget, and its programs within the
framework of applicable national
policies as set forth by the President and
the Congress. The agenda will include
an update on major programs at NIST.
The Committee also will present its
initial observations, findings, and
recommendations for the 2019 VCAT
Annual Report. The agenda may change
to accommodate Committee business.
The final agenda will be posted on the
NIST website at https://www.nist.gov/
director/vcat/agenda.cfm.
Individuals and representatives of
organizations who would like to offer
comments and suggestions related to the
Committee’s business are invited to
request a place on the agenda.
Approximately one-half hour will be
reserved for public comments and
speaking times will be assigned on a
first-come, first-serve basis. The amount
of time per speaker will be determined
by the number of requests received but,
is likely to be about 3 minutes each. The
exact time for public comments will be
included in the final agenda that will be
posted on the NIST website at https://
www.nist.gov/director/vcat/agenda.cfm.
Questions from the public will not be
considered during this period. Speakers
who wish to expand upon their oral
statements, those who had wished to
speak but could not be accommodated
on the agenda, and those who were
unable to attend in person are invited to
submit written statements to VCAT,
NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 1060,
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, via fax at
301–216–0529 or electronically by email
to stephanie.shaw@nist.gov.
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All visitors to the NIST site are
required to pre-register to be admitted.
Please submit your name, time of
arrival, email address, and phone
number to Stephanie Shaw by 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Wednesday, February 5,
2020. Non-U.S. citizens must submit
additional information; please contact
Ms. Shaw. Ms. Shaw’s email address is
stephanie.shaw@nist.gov and her phone
number is 301–975–2667. For
participants attending in person, please
note that federal agencies, including
NIST, can only accept a state-issued
driver’s license or identification card for
access to federal facilities if such license
or identification card is issued by a state
that is compliant with the REAL ID Act
of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–13), or by a state
that has an extension for REAL ID
compliance. NIST currently accepts
other forms of federal-issued
identification in lieu of a state-issued
driver’s license. For detailed
information please contact Ms. Shaw at
301–975–2667 or visit: https://nist.gov/
public_affairs/visitor/. For participants
attending via webinar, please contact
Ms. Shaw at 301–975–2667 or
stephanie.shaw@nist.gov for detailed
instructions on how to join the webinar
by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday,
Dated: February 10, 2020.
Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2020–00206 Filed 1–9–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XA007]
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
The New England Fishery
Management Council (Council, NEFMC)
will hold a three-day meeting to
consider actions affecting New England
fisheries in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ).
DATES: The meeting will be held on
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,
January 28, 29, and 30, 2020, beginning
at 9 a.m. on January 28 and 8:30 a.m. on
January 29 and 30.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Portsmouth Harbor Events and
Conference Center, 100 Deer Street at 22
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 7 (Friday, January 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1302-1305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00205]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Conference on Weights and Measures Interim Meeting
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Interim Meeting of the National Conference on Weights and
Measures (NCWM) will be held in Riverside, CA, from Sunday, January 26,
2020, through Wednesday, January 29, 2020. This notice contains
information about significant items on the NCWM Committee agendas but
does not include all agenda items. As a result, the items are not
consecutively numbered.
[[Page 1303]]
DATES: The meeting will be held from Sunday, January 26, 2020, through
Wednesday, January 29, 2020. The meeting schedule will be available on
the NCWM website at www.ncwm.com.
ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held at The Mission Inn & Spa, 3649
Mission Inn Avenue Riverside, CA 92501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Douglas Olson, NIST, Office of
Weights and Measures, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600, Gaithersburg, MD
20899-2600. You may also contact Dr. Olson at (301) 975-2956 or by
email at [email protected]. The meeting is open to the public, but
a paid registration is required. Please see the NCWM website
(www.ncwm.com) to view the meeting agendas, registration forms, and
hotel reservation information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Publication of this notice on the NCWM's
behalf is undertaken as a public service and does not itself constitute
an endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) of the content of the notice. NIST participates in the NCWM as
an NCWM member and pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 272(b)(10) and (c)(4) and in
accordance with Federal policy (e.g., OMB Circular A-119 ``Federal
Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus
Standards'').
The NCWM is an organization of weights and measures officials of
the states, counties, and cities of the United States, and
representatives from the private sector and federal agencies. These
meetings bring together government officials and representatives of
business, industry, trade associations, and consumer organizations on
subjects related to the field of weights and measures technology,
administration, and enforcement. NIST participates to encourage
cooperation between federal agencies and the states in the development
of legal metrology requirements. NIST also promotes uniformity in state
laws, regulations, and testing procedures used in the regulatory
control of commercial weighing and measuring devices, packaged goods,
and for other trade and commerce issues.
The NCWM has established multiple committees, task groups, and
other working bodies to address legal metrology issues of interest to
regulatory officials, industry, consumers, and others. The following
are brief descriptions of some of the significant agenda items that
will be considered by some of the NCWM Committees at the NCWM Interim
Meeting. Comments will be taken on these and other issues during
several public comment sessions. At this stage, the items are
proposals. This meeting also includes work sessions in which the
Committees may also accept comments, and where recommendations will be
developed for consideration and possible adoption at the NCWM 2020
Annual Meeting. The Committees may withdraw or carryover items that
need additional development.
These notices are intended to make interested parties aware of
these development projects and to make them aware that reports on the
status of the project will be given at the Interim Meeting. The notices
are also presented to invite the participation of manufacturers,
experts, consumers, users, and others who may be interested in these
efforts.
The Specifications and Tolerances Committee (S&T Committee) will
consider proposed amendments to NIST Handbook 44, ``Specifications,
Tolerances, and other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring
Devices'' (NIST HB 44). Those items address weighing and measuring
devices used in commercial applications, that is, devices that are used
to buy from or sell to the public or used for determining the quantity
of products or services sold among businesses. Issues on the agenda of
the NCWM Laws and Regulations Committee (L&R Committee) relate to
proposals to amend NIST Handbook 130, ``Uniform Laws and Regulations in
the Areas of Legal Metrology and Fuel Quality'' and NIST Handbook 133,
``Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods.''
NCWM S&T Committee
The following items are proposals to amend NIST Handbook 44:
SCL--Scales Code
Item SCL-17.1 S.1.8.5. Recorded Representations, Point of Sale Systems,
Appendix D--Definitions: Tare
This item is a carry-over item from the 2019 NCWM Annual Meeting
that has been on the S&T Committee's Agenda since 2017. The S&T
Committee will consider a proposal requiring additional sales
information to be recorded by cash registers interfaced with a weighing
element for items that are weighed at a checkout stand. This item was
assigned for further development by a Task Group in July 2018. The Task
Group has provided two different versions of the proposal to the S&T
Committee. One version is retroactive and the other is a nonretroactive
version. The version that will be adopted is expected to be part of the
NCWMs 2020 voting process. The retroactive version would be enforceable
on all systems, and the nonretroactive version will be enforceable on
only those systems manufactured and placed in service on or after the
effective date specified. These systems are currently required to
record the net weight, unit price, total price, and the product class,
or in a system equipped with price look-up capability, the product name
or code number. The change proposed would add ``tare weight'' to the
list of sales information currently required.
Item SCL-16.1 Sections Throughout the Code To Include Provisions for
Commercial Weigh-in-Motion Vehicle Scale Systems
This item is another carry-over item originally appearing on the
S&T's agenda in 2016. The S&T Committee will consider a proposal
drafted by the NCWM's Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) Task Group (TG) to amend
various sections of NIST HB 44, Scales Code to address WIM vehicle
scale systems used for commercial applications. The TG is made up of
representatives of WIM equipment manufacturers, the U.S. Department of
Transportation Federal Highway Administration, NIST Office of Weights
and Measures, truck weight enforcement agencies, state weights and
measures agencies, and others.
The WIM TG was first formed in February 2016 to consider a proposal
to expand NIST HB 44, Weigh-In-Motion Systems Used for Vehicle
Enforcement Screening--Tentative Code to also apply to legal-for-trade
(commercial) and law enforcement applications.
The focus of the TG since July 2016 has been to concentrate on the
development of test procedures that can be used to verify the accuracy
of a WIM vehicle scale system given the different axle and tandem axle
configurations of vehicles that will typically be weighed by a system
and a proposed maintenance and acceptance tolerance of 0.2 percent on
gross (total) vehicle weight. Members of the TG, to date, have been
unsuccessful in agreeing on test procedures, and, as a result, the TG
recently developed a ``White Paper'' during the summer of 2017, which
it distributed to the different regional weights and measures
associations requesting feedback from their fall 2017 conferences on
some different draft test procedures being considered and some other
concerns. The TG is awaiting evidence that will substantiate the
submitter's claims that these types of WIM systems are capable of
meeting NIST HB 44 Scales Code Class III L tolerances.
[[Page 1304]]
SCL-20.12 Multiple Sections To Add Vehicle Weigh-in-Motion to the Code
and Appendix D--Definitions; Vehicle Scale and Weigh-in-Motion Vehicle
Scale
This new item to be considered by the S&T Committee is similar to
the previous SCL-16.1 item in that it proposes to add WIM systems for
motor vehicles to the NIST HB 44 Scales Code. This new proposal differs
from SCL-16.1 however, since it would not apply to axle-load type
scales but instead, would apply to a full-length vehicle scale used for
WIM.
SCL-20.10 S.1.2.2.2. Class I and II Scales Used in Direct Sale and
S.1.2.2.3. Deviation of a ``d'' Resolution.
The S&T Committee will consider a new proposal to replace two
current requirements (S.1.2.2.2. and S.1.2.2.3.) with a new, amended
version of S.1.2.2.2. ``Class III and IIII Scales.'' This item is also
related to two other items (individual item SCL-20.11 and SCL-20.2 that
is included as part of Block 2 on the agenda) on the S&T Agenda in 2020
in that all three items address the value of ``e'' and ``d'' in
precision scales. In 2017, the NCWM adopted a proposal adding a new
paragraph (S.1.2.2.2.) requiring the value of the scale division (d)
and verification scale interval (e) to be equal on Class I and Class II
scales installed into commercial service as of January 1, 2020, when
used in a direct sale application (i.e., both parties of a weighing
transaction are present when the quantity is determined). The S&T
Committee will now consider a new proposal that, if adopted, would
eliminate the requirement adopted in 2017. This item would instead
state that on Class III and IIII scales, the value of ``e'' will be
specified by the manufacturer, and that (except on dynamic monorail
scales) ``e'' must be less than or equal to ``d''. The absence of any
requirement included in this proposal regarding the value of ``e'' and
``d'' for Class I and Class II scales would imply that for those
scales, the values of e and d may differ. The other two items
mentioned, SCL-20.11 and SCL-20.2, propose different approaches on how
the values of ``e'' and ``d'' should be addressed in scales used in
direct sales applications.
LMD--Liquid Measuring Devices
LMD-20.1 Table S.2.2. Categories of Device and Methods of Sealing
The S&T Committee will consider a new proposal to permit the use of
an electronic log in lieu of a printed copy of a Category 3 sealing
method on liquid measuring devices. Current NIST HB 44 LMD requirements
specify that a printed copy of an event logger must be available and
only state that an electronic version of this log can be additionally
provided. This new proposal would amend the language in Table S.2.2.
``Categories of Device and Methods of Sealing'' to permit either form
(printed or electronic) of the event logger to be made available.
VTM--Vehicle Tank Meters
VTM-18.1 S.3.1.1. Means for Clearing the Discharge Hose and UR.2.6.
Clearing the Discharge Hose
The S&T Committee will again consider this carry-over item that
proposes to provide specifications and user requirements for manifold
flush systems designed to eliminate product contamination on VTMs used
for multiple products. This proposal would add specifications on the
design of VTMs under S.3.1.1., ``Means for Clearing the Discharge
Hose,'' and add a new user requirement UR.2.6., ``Clearing the
Discharge Hose.'' During open hearings at previous NCWM meetings,
comments were heard about the design of any system to clear the
discharge hose of a product prior to the delivery of a subsequent
product which could provide opportunities to fraudulently use this type
of system.
EVF--Electric Vehicle Fueling Systems
EVF-20.1 S.1.3.2. EVSE Value of the Smallest Unit
The S&T Committee will consider a new proposal that would specify
the maximum value of the indicated and/or recorded electrical energy
unit used in an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). This proposal
would reduce (by a factor of 10) the current specified values of these
units. The current maximum values of 0.005 MJ and 0.001 kWh would be
changed to 0.0005 MJ and 0.0001 kWh respectively. The submitters
contend that testing of these systems would be expedited through these
changes and reduce the amount of time necessary to complete official
tests.
GMA--Grain Moisture Meters 5.56 (A)
GMA-19.1 Table T.2.1. Acceptance and Maintenance Tolerances Air Oven
Method for All Grains and Oil Seeds
The S&T Committee will consider a proposal that would reduce the
tolerances for the air oven reference method. The proposed new
tolerances would apply to all types of grains and oil seeds. This item
is a carry-over proposal from 2019 and would replace the contents of
Table T.2.1. with new criteria. Additional inspection data will be
collected and reviewed to assess whether the proposed change to the
tolerances are appropriate.
Block 3 Items
The S&T Committee will consider changes included in this block
affecting the NIST HB 44 Taximeters Code (Section 5.54.) and the
Transportation Network Measurement Systems (TNMS) Code (Section 5.60.)
that would amend the value of tolerances allowed for distance tests.
The changes proposed in this item would change the Taximeters Code
requirement T.1.1. ``On Distance Tests'' by increasing that tolerance
to 2.5% when the test exceeds one mile. The change to the TNMS Code
affects requirement T.1.1. ``Distance Tests'' by reducing the tolerance
allowed on overregistration under T.1.1.(a) from the current 2.5% to 1%
when the test does not exceed one mile and would increase the tolerance
for underregistration in T.1.1.(b) from 2.5% to 4%. These changes if
adopted would align the tolerances values for distance tests allowed
for taximeters and TNMS.
NCWM L&R Committee
NIST Handbook 130 and NIST Handbook 133
The following items are proposals to amend NIST Handbooks 130 and
133:
Block 1 (B1) Items
NIST Handbook 133, ``Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods,''
and NIST Handbook 130, Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation
(UPLR), Section 2.8. Multiunit Package.
The L&R Committee will consider a proposal to add a test procedure
in NIST Handbook 133 for addressing the total quantity declaration on
multiunit or variety packages. In addition, in NIST Handbook 130, it
will clarify the definition of Section 2.8. Multiunit package.
NIST Handbook 130, Uniform Method of Sale of Commodities (MOS)
Item MOS-20.4. 2.XX. Ink and Toner Cartridges
The L&R Committee will consider a proposed method of sale for
adoption to clarify the labeling requirements for packaged inkjet and
toner cartridges to ensure that consumers are informed about the net
quantity of contents of these products, value comparisons can be made,
and quantities can be verified to ensure equity between buyer and
seller and fair competition between sellers, including original
equipment manufacturers. Page verification would
[[Page 1305]]
be in accordance to the ISO/IEC standard.
NIST Handbook 133, ``Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods''
Item NET-20.2. 4.5. Polyethylene Sheeting, Bags, and Liners
The L&R Committee will consider a proposal under Item NET 20.2. to
consider changes to the equipment that is used to test the thickness of
polyethylene sheeting, bags, and liners. This modification would allow
for electronic instruments to be used for thickness measurements. In
addition, changes to the test procedure would need to be modified for
the use of electronic instruments.
Under Item ODR NEW, the L&R Committee will consider a recommended
proposal to remove the Open Dating Regulation in its entirety from NIST
Handbook 130.
Kevin A. Kimball,
Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2020-00205 Filed 1-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
