CIRCULAR 11 January 1997

1. INTERCOMPARISON TESTING OF LOAD CELLS
   
   
   • 1.1 The Forum meeting in Vancouver has agreed that the intercomparison of testing of load cells and mass standards would commence in 1997.
   • 1.2 A paper on "Intercomparison of Testing of Load Cells - Proposed Procedures and Forms" was presented at the Vancouver meeting. These documents, together with a participation form with questions on contact person/laboratory, type of load cell participation and load cell test capabilities are enclosed for your easy reference.
   • 1.3 Arrangements for the above intercomparison testing are currently being made by the Secretariat, and if you wish to participate in the intercomparison, we would appreciate it if you would fill in the Participation Form - Load Cells, (attached) and return to the Secretariat by 28 February 1997.
   
   
2. INTERCOMPARISON TESTING OF MASS STANDARDS
   
   
   • 2.1 We would also like to inform members that arrangements for the mass standards intercomparison is also underway. The documents for the intercomparison of mass has been presented at the Beijing meeting in October 1995, and the economies who had indicated an interest in participating were as follows: Australia, Canada, PR of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Chinese Taipei and United States of America.
     
   • 2.2 We would like to bring to your attention that a mass intercomparison will be conducted by the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP), which will begin in February 1997. The economies participating are: Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Chinese Taipei, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Philippines and Thailand.
     
   • 2.3 In view of the above, the APLMF would propose that the mass intercomparison be carried out for those Forum members whose economies are not covered by the APMP intercomparison, or for those particular economies where there is no direct traceability connection between the Forum member and the APMP member.
     
   • 2.4 We would therefore invite economies who have not indicated their participation, and not covered in the above list to do so. If you wish to participate in the intercomparison, please fill in the Participation Form - Mass Standards and return to the Secretariat by 28 February 1997.
     
3. WORKING GROUPS ON MEDICAL MEASUREMENTS (PROJECT ON SPHYGMOMANOMETERS), WORKING GROUP ON RICE MOISTURE METERS
   
   
   • 3.1 The Forum meeting in Vancouver has resolved the setting up of the above working groups. Information on the background, scope, objectives and target outcomes of the working groups are enclosed with this Circular.
     
     Members wishing to participate in the working groups are requested to indicate their participation and return the Participation Form (attached) to the Secretariat. by 28 February 1997.
     
4. FOURTH FORUM MEETING - SEPTEMBER 1997
   
   
   
   • 4.1 Arising out of our discussions in Vancouver on the recommendations of Dr Birkeland's report on technical infrastructure development and the reports on training, it is proposed to hold in association with the fourth Forum meeting, the following meetings:
     
   • Working Party meetings - Pre Packed goods, Utility metering, - one day;
     
   • Workshop/Seminar on Legislation and Administration - three days;
     
   • Workshop/Seminar on High Capacity Flow Measurement - two days.
     
   • 4.2 Following discussions with Dr Kurita, President of NRLM (Japan), we now hope to hold the Forum meeting and associated Working Party meetings
     
   • and workshop/seminars at the Conference Centre at Tsukuba near Tokyo, in late September 1997.
     
   • 4.3 In addition, arising from the Australia-China collaboration on Measurement Skills, it is also proposed to organise a three day workshop/seminar on Implementation of OIML International Recommendation IR 76 (non-automatic weighing instruments). It is proposed that this workshop/seminar be held in Shanghai, China either immediately before or immediately after the Tsukuba meetings.
     
   • 4.4 To assist the Forum secretariat and host economies to organise these meetings, could you please return the attached form by 28 February 1997.