Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 90-139 - Trade and Consumer Protection
Chapter ATCP 90 - Fair Packaging And Labeling
Section ATCP 90.05 - Weight or measure; how expressed in inch-pound units

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 90.05

Current through August 26, 2024

A net quantity, when expressed in inch-pound units, shall be expressed as follows:

(1) WEIGHT; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS. If a net quantity is declared in terms of weight, the weight shall be expressed in pounds, with any remainder expressed in ounces or common or decimal fractions of a pound. If the declared weight is less than one pound, the declared weight shall be expressed in ounces, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of an ounce.

Note: For example, a declared net weight may be expressed in any of the following forms

Wt

1 lb 8 oz

Wt

1.5 lb

Wt

1 1/2 lb

Wt

12 oz

Note: The terms "pounds" and "ounces," as used in this subsection, mean avoirdupois pounds and ounces.

(2) LIQUID MEASURE; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS.

(a) Units of liquid measure. If a net quantity is declared in terms of liquid measure, the liquid measure shall be expressed in the largest whole units of liquid quarts, quarts and pints, or pints, with any remainder expressed in fluid ounces or common or decimal fractions of the pint or quart. If the declared measure is equal to or greater than one United States gallon of 231 cubic inches, the measure may be expressed in gallons, with any remainder expressed in liquid quarts or in common or decimal fractions of a gallon. If the declared measure is less than one pint, the declared measure shall be expressed in fluid ounces, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of a fluid ounce. The declared liquid measure shall be determined at the temperature specified under par. (b).

Note: For example, a liquid measure may be expressed in any of the following ways:

Contents:

1 gal, 2 qt

Contents:

1.5 gal

Contents:

6 qt

Contents:

1 qt, 1 pt

Contents:

1.25 qt

Contents:

1 pt, 8 oz

Contents:

1.5 pt

Contents:

1 1/2 pt

Contents:

8 fl oz

(b) Temperature at which liquid measure is determined. A declared liquid measure under par. (a) shall be determined at 68° F., except that:
1. For petroleum products, the liquid measure shall be determined at 60° F.

2. For commodities normally sold and consumed while frozen, the liquid measure shall be determined at the temperature of the frozen commodity.

3. For commodities normally sold in a refrigerated state, the liquid measure shall be determined at 40° F.

(3) DRY MEASURE; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS. If a net quantity is declared in terms of dry measure, the dry measure shall be expressed in terms of the United States bushel of 2,150.42 cubic inches, or in terms of the peck, dry quart or dry pint subdivisions of the bushel. The declaration shall be expressed in an appropriate fashion to avoid misunderstanding, and to facilitate price comparisons by consumers. Whenever a declaration of dry measure is expressed in terms of a dry pint or dry quart, the term "dry" shall immediately precede the term "pint" or "quart" unless the declaration also includes a reference to bushels or pecks.

(4) CUBIC MEASURE; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS. If a net quantity is declared in terms of cubic measure, the cubic measure shall be expressed in terms of the cubic yard, cubic foot or cubic inch. The declaration shall be expressed in an appropriate fashion to avoid misunderstanding, and to facilitate price comparisons by consumers.

(5) LINEAR MEASURE; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS. If a net quantity is declared in terms of linear measure, the linear measure shall be expressed in terms of the largest whole units of yards, yards and feet, or feet, with any remainder expressed in terms of inches or common or decimal fractions of the yard or foot. If the declared measure is less than one foot, the declared measure shall be expressed in inches, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of an inch.

Note: For example, a linear measure may be expressed in inch-pound units in any of the following ways:

2 yd

1 yd, 1 ft

1 ft, 6 in

1 1/2 ft

1.5 ft

6 in

(6) AREA MEASURE; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS. If a net quantity is declared in terms of area measure, the area measure shall be expressed in terms of the largest whole units of square yards, square feet and square inches, with any remainder expressed in square inches or common or decimal fractions of the square yard or square foot. If the declared measure is less than one square foot, the declared measure shall be expressed in square inches, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of a square inch.

(7) SIZE OF BIDIMENSIONAL COMMODITIES; HOW EXPRESSED IN INCH-POUND UNITS. For bidimensional commodities, including roll- type commodities, that are customarily measured in terms of area or in terms of length and width, the net quantity of the commodity shall be expressed as follows:

(a) Less than one square foot. If the total area of a bidimensional commodity is less than one square foot, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of length and width. The length and width shall be expressed in linear inches, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of a linear inch.

(b) One to 4 square feet. Except as provided under par. (d) or (e), if the total area of a bidimensional commodity is less than 4 square feet but not less than one square foot, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of square inches. The square inch declaration shall be followed by a parenthetical declaration of length and width.

(c) Four square feet or more. Except as provided under par. (d) or (e), if the total area of a bidimensional commodity is 4 square feet or more, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of square feet, with any remainder expressed in square inches or common or decimal fractions of a square foot. The square foot declaration shall be followed by a parenthetical declaration of length and width.

(d) Width less than 4 inches. If a bidimensional commodity is less than 4 inches wide, the net quantity may be declared in terms of length and width, without any declaration of area.

(e) Two or more individual units; number, size and ply count.
1. If a package contains 2 or more separate units of a bidimensional commodity, the net quantity of package contents shall be declared in terms of the number of individual units in the package, the number of plies per unit, and the area or dimensions of each unit.

Note: For example, a package of facial tissues must disclose the number of tissues contained in the package, the number of plies per tissue and the size of each tissue ("100 2-ply facial tissues, 8 1/2 inches by 10 inches"), but need not specify the combined area of all the tissues contained in the package.

2. If a roll-type bidimensional commodity, made up of one or more plies, is perforated to create individually usable units that are connected to each other at the time of sale, the declaration of net quantity shall include the total area or dimensions of the roll, the number of individual units contained on the roll, the number of plies per unit, and the area or dimensions of each individual unit. A package containing a perforated roll of bags shall be labeled in compliance with this subdivision, but need not specify the total area or dimensions of the roll.

For example, a packaged roll of paper towels must disclose the total area of the roll, the number of individual paper towels contained on the roll, the number of plies per towel, and the size of each towel.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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