Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) General
references to quantitative concepts shall be made as follows:
(1) General references to quantitative
concepts shall be consistent with ultimate primary or predominant use of the
metric system of measurement. Examples are as follows:
(i) "State the distance
traveled," not "State the mileage traveled."
(ii) "The application shall set forth the
area of the farm," not "The application shall state the
acreage of the farm."
(2) If a document containing a reference of
the type proscribed by paragraph (1) is reprinted, the Bureau-without action by
the promulgating agency-will, under the authority of this paragraph, substitute
a reference which complies with paragraph (1) if, after 10 days written notice
of the proposed editorial revision, the promulgating agency does not file
written objections thereto with the Bureau.
(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to
quantity declarations. Examples are as follows:
(i) "Each farm shall have an area of not less
than 40 acres."
(ii) "The speed
limit shall be 35 miles per hour."
(4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to documents
codified in 70 Pa. Code (relating to weights, measures and
standards).
(b) Specific
quantity references shall be made as follows:
(1) If consistent with the other programmatic
objectives of an agency, a quantity should be expressed exclusively in metric
terms. An example is: "Each specimen shall have a weight of at least 2.5
kg."
(2) If the programmatic
objectives of an agency require that a quantity be expressed in customary
terms, the quantity should also be expressed in metric terms. The regulation
should clearly indicate which dimension expresses the desired degree of
tolerance. Examples are as follows:
(i) "Each
specimen shall have a length of at least 10 inches-approximately 25
cm."
(ii) "Each specimen shall have
a length of at least 25 cm- approximately 10 inches."
(3) If a document which does not comply with
paragraphs (1) and (2) is deposited in the Bureau, the Bureau will promptly
inquire of the promulgating agency whether the rules of style suggested thereby
have been considered by the agency. If the agency indicates that in its
judgment adherence to the style would be inappropriate, the Bureau will process
the document as filed. A written summary of Bureau action under the preceding
sentence shall be submitted by the Bureau to the next meeting of the Joint
Committee.
(c) Metric
measurement usage and practice shall conform to the following in descending
order of priority:
(1) A requirement or
preference adopted by the United States Metric Board.
(2) The most recent edition of the U.
S. Government Printing Office Style Manual, as provided by §
13.31 (relating to punctuation,
capitalization, orthography).
(3)
American National Standard z210.1-1976.
(4) The most recent edition of any applicable
style guide published by the American National Metric Council; 1625
Massachusetts Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20036.
(d) The words "meter" and "liter" shall be
spelled according to the American usage in documents published under this part
except where an agency, under its authorizing legislation, promulgates a
regulation for the purpose of regulating the spelling usage of persons subject
to its jurisdiction. An example is as follows:
"The container shall contain the following legend:
"Do not overfill. Always leave at least 100 milliliters (or
'millilitres') of air space.' "
(e) As used in this section, the term "metric
system of measurement" means the International System of Units (SI) as
established by the General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960 and
interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce
under the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (15 U.S.C.A. §§
205a-205k).
