Alternative Test Methods Work Group Meeting

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is forming a work group to examine alternative methods for testing the accuracy of commercial measuring devices including, but not limited to, retail motor-fuel dispensers. The work group will investigate current methodology and standards (e.g., neck-type volumetric field standards and associated test procedures) widely used by weights and measures officials and service companies to test commercial measuring devices as well as proposed alternatives to ensure that the methodologies and standards facilitate measurements that are traceable to the International System of Units (SI). Work Group membership is open to any interested party with expertise or interest in this subject.

The formation of this work group and its associated meetings are intended to bring together government officials and representatives of business, industry, trade associations, and consumer organizations on the subject of standards and test procedures used in the testing of commercial measuring devices by regulatory officials and service companies. NIST participates to promote uniformity among the states in laws, regulations, methods, and testing equipment that comprise the regulatory control of commercial weighing and measuring devices and other trade and commerce issues.

Included among the topics to be discussed by the work group for current and proposed device technologies used in testing commercial measuring devices are: metrology laboratory standards and test procedures; uncertainties; measurement traceability; tolerances and other technical requirements for commercial measuring devices; existing standards for testing equipment; field implementation; data analysis; field test procedures; field enforcement issues; training at all levels; and other relevant issues identified by the work group. Work group recommendations may result in the revision of current standards or the development of new standards for testing equipment, including documents such as the NIST Handbook 105 Series for field standards; NIST Handbook 44, Specifications, Tolerances, and Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices; and NIST Examination Procedure Outlines, as well as proposed changes to requirements and testing procedures for commercial measuring devices.