CIRCULAR 5 November 1995

1. REPORT OF THE SECOND FORUM MEETING
   
   Enclosed is the draft of the Second Forum meeting held in Beijing on 22 October. I would appreciate receiving as soon as possible any corrections, additions or alterations to the Report (including the attendance list). Bound copies of the Report when finalised will be distributed to all attendees before 1 January 1996.
   
   The Report will also be included in a Forum publication in March 1996 that will include a supplement to the Directory of Legal Metrology in the Asia-Pacific (including entries for Forum members not in the first edition), and the finalised survey reports on legislative harmonization, prepacked goods and training.
   
2. PROGRAM FOR 1996
   
   I would draw your attention to item 12.9 of the Report of the Second Forum meeting which provides the consolidated work program for the Forum for 1995-1998.
   
   There are now six Forum Working Parties viz:
   
   • Legislative harmonization
   • Requirements for prepacked articles
   • Training
   • Intercomparison on mass standards, non-automatic weighing instruments and load cells
   • Utility Meters
   • Mutual Recognition Agreements.
   Forum members are requested to indicate their membership of the Working Party on Utility Meters and Mutual Recognition Agreements. In addition, those who have not yet indicated participation in the Working Parties on Legislative Harmonisation, Requirements for Prepacked Articles, Training and Intercomparison, should inform the Forum Secretariat as soon as possible.
   
   Members of the working parties who would like to accept responsibility for chairing the Working Parties should inform the Convenor as soon as possible. The Chair of the Working Party will be expected to chair meetings when held and to present the Working Party Report at Forum meetings. The Forum secretariat will continue to provide the secretariat support for each Working Party.
   
3. TRANSLATION OF LEGISLATION INTO ENGLISH
   
   Members should advise the Forum Secretariat if they wish to have their national measurement legisiation translated into English. The Convenor is investigating sources of funding for this project.
   
4. SURVEY REPORTS
   
   The Secretariat is finalising the Reports for the surveys on Legislative Harmonisation, Requirements for Prepacked Articles, and Training and would request those member economies who have not yet sent their responses to do so as soon as possible.
   
5. CURRENT ISSUES
   
   The Second Forum meeting in Beijing was well attended and highly productive. However limited time did not allow for full discussion on a number of important issues. These include:
   
   • 5.1 Working Group Meetings
     There is a need for Working Groups to meet between Forum meetings, however, lack of travel funds is an impediment for many members. The Convenor has been investigating possible sources of assistance but with little success. One proposal would be to hold working group meetings in Vancouver on Friday 1 November. The Convenor would welcome members views on this proposal.
   • 5.2 Infrastructure Survey
     If funding can be obtained there would be value in employing a consultant to visit Forum members to conduct a detailed survey on legal metrology infrastructure needs. The Convenor is currently investigating sources of funding.
   • 5.3 Fourth Forum Meeting 1997
     The International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) will be meeting in Rio de Janiero Brazil in October/November 1997. There are three options for APLMF for its 1997 meeting:
     • Hold the meeting in Rio de Janiero in conjunction with OIML. A principal objection to this proposal is that the location is outside the region and not all Forum members will be attending the CIML meeting;
     • Hold the meeting just before or after CIML at a location in the Asia-Pacific region that would be "on the way" to Rio de Janiero for most members e.g. Hawaii, San Francisco, Mexico City. Such a solution may optimise travel costs for Forum members;
     • Hold the Forum meeting in a location in the region at a time not related to the CIML meeting.
     The Convenor would appreciate members view on these options and any other suggestions.