The Office of Weights and Measures Proposes Revisions to the Method of Sale for Animal Bedding and Recommends New Test Procedures and Test Measures for Use in Verifying the Quantity Declarations on Packages of Peat Moss and Animal Bedding

Published

February 19, 2015

Author(s)

Kenneth S. Butcher

Abstract

Animal Bedding (bedding), also called pet or stall bedding, litter or simply bedding, is generally sold by dry volume in compressed or uncompressed packages. Based on numerous failed inspections of packaged animal bedding, the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) conducted a study in which compressed and uncompressed packages of animal bedding were measured using a variety of procedures and test equipment. The results from those tests indicate that the current procedures in NIST Handbook 133, "Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods" the dimensional inspection procedure for testing compressed packages (e.g., peat moss); and the volumetric inspection procedure (e.g., mulch); are inadequate for use in testing animal bedding. Uncompressed volume measurements of animal bedding are dependent on a number of factors, including the size and shape of the measuring container, the method of filling the measuring container, and the means used to break up the bedding prior to measuring.

Citation

Physcial Measurement Laboratory/Office of Weights and Measures

Pub Weblink

http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/index.cfm

Pub Type

Websites

Keywords

animal bedding, pet litter, litter, stall bedding, bedding, peat moss

Citation

Butcher, K. (2015), The Office of Weights and Measures Proposes Revisions to the Method of Sale for Animal Bedding and Recommends New Test Procedures and Test Measures for Use in Verifying the Quantity Declarations on Packages of Peat Moss and Animal Bedding, Physcial Measurement Laboratory/Office of Weights and Measures, [online], http://www.nist.gov/pml/wmd/index.cfm (Accessed May 10, 2024)