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e-Learning Resources and Training Materials
Training Video Collection | Training Presentations | Info Hours
NIST HB 44 Self-Study Course | Inspection and Testing Study Guides | EPOs
| Publication Date | Video Title (and Link) | Topic Area | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-02-20 | Unit Pricing GuidanceClear, legible, and prominent unit price labels enhance the customer shopping experience. Retailers may use the NIST Special Publication (SP) 1181, Unit Pricing Guide, for best practices. Duration: 2 minutes. | UNIT PRICING | Best practice, comparison, consumer, e-commerce, grocery, guidance, measure, retailer, state, unit price, value, weights, NIST Special Publication 1181 |
| 2025-01-25 | Verifying the Net Contents of 20 lb Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane)This webinar suite describes the process of verifying the contents of 20 lb LPG cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or propane, and covers LPG properties, the method of sale, tare weights, cylinder materials and markings, net content labeling and labeling requirements, and evaluation of inspection results and verification tests. Total Duration: 3.25 hours. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), propane, training, method of sale, tare weight, labeling requirements, net content verification, cylinder markings, refilling locations, refillers, allowable difference, allowable tolerance, NIST Handbook 130 |
| 2024-12-20 | Method of Sale and Test Procedure for Packages of Animal BeddingThis webinar provides an overview of the method of sale and test procedure for verifying the volume declaration on packages of animal bedding according to NIST Handbooks 130 and 133. Duration: 41 minutes. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | NIST Handbook 130, NIST Handbook 133, packaging and labeling, package inspection, labeled by volume, method of sale, test procedure, animal bedding |
| 2024-12-06 | Packaging and Labeling for Consumer PackagesThis webinar provides an overview of NIST Handbook 130 and packaging and labeling for consumer packages. Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | NIST Handbook 130, packaging and labeling, UPLR, unit price laws and regulations, method of sale, identity and quantity requirements, responsibility requirements, label prominence and placement, variations |
| 2024-05-02 | Weights and Measures Inspections: Evidence, Search and Seizure and Due ProcessThis webinar will cover the legal obligations when performing weights and measures inspections, including evidence, search and seizure, and due process. Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes. | WEIGHTS AND MEASURES | NIST Handbook 130, uniform weights and measures law, special police powers, notice of inspection, search warrant, presumptive evidence, enforcement, administrative review |
| 2023-12-20 | Overview of NIST Handbook 133 “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods”After this webinar, participants will be able to: IDENTIFY and DESCRIBE NIST Handbook 133 basic requirements for checking the net content of packaged goods, and RECOGNIZE the various gravimetric and volumetric test procedures, as well as test procedures for packages labeled by count, linear measure, area, and thickness. Duration: 2 hours. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | NIST Handbook 133, net content, net quantity, package inspection, test equipment, maximum allowable variation (MAV), moisture allowance |
| 2023-12-03 | Examination Procedure for Price VerificationThis 2-hour webinar will provide inspectors with an understanding and knowledge of the NIST Handbook 130 Examination Procedure Outline (EPO) on Price Verification. Duration: 2 hours. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | NIST Handbook 130, price verification, randomized sampling, stratified sampling, accuracy requirements, test procedures, overcharges, undercharges |
| 2023-06-21 | Package Requirements (Short Explainer)David Sefcik discusses the basics around The NIST Individual Package Requirement according to NIST Handbook 133. Duration: 3 minutes. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | NIST Handbook 133, tolerances, net quantity, variations, average requirements, individual package requirements, maximum allowable variation (MAV) |
| 2023-08-09 | NIST Metric Kitchen - BrowniesJoin Angie Tehrani in the NIST Metric Kitchen and follow her along as she bakes some amazing brownies using the metric system. Duration: 5 minutes. | METRIC | metrication, SI, metric system, K-12 educators, NIST SP 1290 NIST Metric Recipes |
| 2023-08-09 | NIST Metric Kitchen - Chocolate Chip CookiesStep into the NIST Metric Kitchen with Lloyd Bekele. Follow along as she bakes a delicious batch of metric chocolate chip cookies. Duration: 5 minutes. | METRIC | metrication, SI, metric system, K-12 educators, NIST SP 1290 NIST Metric Recipes |
| 2023-01-22 | NIST Metric Kitchen - Baking Banana BreadWelcome to the NIST Metric Kitchen! Join Tanna Nguyen as she demonstrates how to prepare a delicious loaf of banana bread. Duration: 5 minutes. | METRIC | metrication, SI, metric system, K-12 educators, NIST SP 1290 NIST Metric Recipes |
| 2020 | Mulch and Soils Labeled by VolumeThis on-demand webinar describes how to test packages of mulch and soil labeled by volume. It contains individual learning modules, including video demonstrations. Duration: 1.5 hours. Enter password “NIST_2020” for access. No registration is required. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | method of sale, test procedures, mulch and soil council, checking net contents, labeling requirements, NIST Handbook 133 |
| 2017-03-05 | Get What You Pay For: TareDid you know you can't be charged for the packaging of products sold by weight? Learn why it's important that grocery stores not charge for this material - or tare. Duration: 2.5 minutes. | DEVICES | weight, tare, packaging material, produce bags, NIST Handbook 44 |
| 2017-03-05 | Get What You Pay For: SeafoodDid you know you can't be charged for the weight of any ice glaze that may be on your seafood? Find out how weights and measures inspectors make sure you're getting what you pay for at the seafood counter! Duration: 2.5 minutes. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | shrimp, weight of ice glaze, test procedure, net weight, NIST Handbook 133 |
| 2017-03-02 | Get What You Pay For: At the Grocery StoreTina Butcher explains how weights and measures inspectors calibrate scales at the grocery store. Duration: 2.5 minutes. | DEVICES | tare, deli scales, test weights, inspection stickers, NIST Handbook 44 |
| 2014-09-25 | Retail Motor-Fuel DispenserVideo demonstrations of the minimum tests of a retail motor-fuel dispenser (gasoline pump) in accordance with NIST Handbook 44 and NIST Examination Procedure Outlines. Duration: 14 minutes. | DEVICES | gasoline pump, RMFD, wetting the standard, leveling, reading the meniscus, selecting and maintaining the test standard, normal and slow flow test, draining a test prover, anti-drain test, NIST Handbook 44 |
Regional Weights and Measures Association (WMA) Meetings:
- WWMA Annual Meeting, September 2023: WWMA (Sept 2023) LPG Survey Overview (PDF)
- CWMA Annual Meeting, May 2024: CWMA (May 2024) Precision Scales Overview (PDF)
| Publication Date | Video Title (and Link) | Topic Area | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-05 | Manual Weight EntriesAn informal discussion on NIST Handbook 44 Scales Code paragraphs S.1.12. Manual Weight Entries and UR.3.9. Use of Manual Weight Entries including the history of these paragraphs and how to interpret and apply them, what must be printed on recorded representations, when a manual weight can be entered, and the conflict between the specification and the user requirement. Duration: 56 minutes. | DEVICES | scale, legal metrology device, specifications, |
| 2024-06-25 | Importance of Grain Moisture MeasurementsA discussion on the importance of grain moisture meter measurements and their economic impact, which will include the system of grain moisture measurements in the U.S., the economic impact of grain moisture measurements, and resources for States with grain moisture meter programs. Duration: 50 minutes. | DEVICES | grain moisture, legal metrology device, specifications, inspections |
| 2024-07-30 | e-Commerce Model RegulationA discussion on the new model regulations within NIST Handbook 130, as adopted in 2023, will help explain what information is required on e-commerce sites offering products for sale and the product information required accompanying delivery. It will also discuss the benefit of price, quantity, and identity information during an e-commerce transaction. Duration: 50 minutes. | PACKAGING AND LABELING | test procedures, inspections, net weight, NIST Handbook 130, software |
| 2024-08-15 | EVSE General and Device Specific MarkingsA discussion on how to find all required marking information during jurisdiction inspections of EVSEs, including the type and format of general and device-specific marking information applicable to electric vehicle fueling systems or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) based on NIST Handbook code requirements. Duration: 52 minutes. | DEVICES | electric vehicles, electric vehicle fueling and supply equipment, legal metrology device, specifications, inspections |
| 2024-08-29 | “Digitalization” of NIST Handbooks 44, 130 and 133.A discussion on the transition of NIST Handbook 44, 130, and 133 to new electronic file formats (PDF) and eventually into a full “digital” format, including how to best leverage this resource as a field resource tool. The session is intended to capture the needs of the states and address any issues or concerns. Duration: 53 minutes. | WEIGHTS AND MEASURES | NIST Handbook 44, 130, and 133, legal metrology standards, electronic documents, digitalization of documentary standards, machine readable standards |
| 2024-09-11 | Software in Metrological DevicesA discussion regarding the evolution of weighing and measuring devices and the impact of software on the legal metrological control of these devices, including any threats to software-controlled devices and what measures are taken to secure measurement results. This session is intended to provide guidelines on how to verify compliance with software-controlled devices, consider the role of type evaluation, and provide information on the new NCWM Publication 14 on software and on the most recent international developments. Duration: 56 minutes. | DEVICES | scales, legal metrology devices and instruments, specifications, inspections |
| 2025-03-17 | Emerging Legal Metrology Device TechnologyA discussion regarding new measurement technology in legal metrology devices as well as devices that use established technology in new or unique weights and measures applications. This includes (but is not limited to) bi-direction metering and wireless charging for EVs, driverless taxis, and caper cart mobile and “no scan” point of sale systems. This session is intended to capture the recent experiences and anticipated needs of the states and other stakeholders using this emerging technology. Duration: 62 minutes. | DEVICES | Caper cart, device, emerging technology, EV charging, grocery store, network, point of sale system, price verification, rideshare, self-driving car, taxi, transportation, volume, wireless charging |
| 2025-03-20 | Mathematical Agreement in Tare OperationsA discussion regarding NIST Handbook 44 Section 2.20., S.1.2.1. Digital Indicating Scales, Units to clarify and ensure scales are designed to properly determine an accurate net weight, specifically the role that mathematical agreement between the gross, net, and tare weight values plays when a tare mechanism is in operation. This session is intended to capture the recent experiences and anticipated needs of the weights and measures community who are responsible for regulating, designing, or evaluating weighing instruments. | DEVICES | scale, mathematical agreement, net, gross, tare, rounding, accuracy of zero, multi-interval, multiple range, tare operation |
This self-study course covers the history, organization, and intended use of the 2009 edition of NIST Handbook 44. It also provides instruction on NIST Handbook 44 terminology, how to locate specific paragraphs, use of the NCWM final reports to understand the application of specific sections, and use of requirements in conjunction with the NIST Examination Procedure Outlines.
This course is designed for use as a self-study activity to work on your own and without an instructor. However, the course can also be used for group activities and discussion. While this course is particularly relevant for newer inspectors, it is also valuable for more experienced inspectors to enhance their understanding and use of the NIST Handbook 44.
- Cover and Table of Contents DOC
- Chapter 1 – Introduction to the Course DOC
- Chapter 2 - Background DOC
- Chapter 3 – Organization and Format of NIST Handbook 44 DOC
- Chapter 4 - How to Use NIST Handbook 44 DOC
- Chapter 5 - Basic Principles Underlying NIST Handbook 44 DOC
OWM “Study Guides” are designed for use by weights and measures officials and service personnel to enhance and strengthen their knowledge of specific areas of legal metrology inspection and testing and to assist individuals in their professional development. They are also intended for use with NIST Handbooks 44, 130, and 133 and to supplement more comprehensive training and development opportunities.
Below are links to study guides (PDF) for several field inspection areas:
Included in each study guide are the following:
- An overview of resources available on the OWM website, including self-study course material; videos; and newsletter articles and guidance documents on legal metrology issues.
- Suggestions for how each of these resources might be used for either independent, individual study or by groups of inspectors/service personnel led by an instructor or supervisor.
- Information on other training opportunities, including both online training and in-person instructor-led training and other resources for professional development.
OWM Examination Procedure Outlines (EPOs) are designed to serve as a guide for the field examination of commercial weight and measuring devices. They include inspection and test procedures, with code references to NIST Handbook 44, “Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices.”
The available EPOs are posted here. Most are based on the 2015 edition of NIST Handbook 44, with the exception of the recently published EPO 29 - Hydrogen Gas Retail Vehicle Fuel Dispensers and EPO 30 - Electric Vehicle Fueling Systems which are based on the 2025 edition.
Older EPO versions based on the 2002 edition of NIST Handbook 44 were also published in NIST Handbook 112, "Examination Procedure Outlines (EPOs) for Commercial Weighing and Measuring Devices". If you employ any of these EPOs as a guide for field examinations, please conduct a cross-check of the current version of NIST Handbook 44 for your intended use and application.
Many of the EPOs are being updated to align with the 2025 version of NIST Handbook 44, which will include a revision of the NIST Handbook 112 to reflect these updates (anticipated in 2025). OWM is also working on new EPOs to include:
- EPO 50 - Grain Moisture Meters
- EPO 54 - Transportation Network Measuring Systems
Contacts
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General Information - OWM