CIRCULAR 15 November 1997

1. DRAFT REPORT OF THE 4th APLMF MEETING, WORKING PARTIES MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS
   
   The draft Report has been circulated to all members on 28 October. If you wish to make any amendments, please send them to the Secretariat by 10 December.
   
   
2. RECORD OF APPRECIATION
   
   The Convenor would like to thank all delegates/observers for their valuable contribution at the meetings of the fourth APLMF and Working Groups in Tsukuba, and particularly the technical experts for their presentations at the workshops/seminars on:
   
   • - Workshop/Seminar on Introduction to High Capacity Flowmeters
   • - Workshop/Seminar on Legislation & Administration
   • - Training Workshop on Implementation of OIML IR 76 on non-automatic weighing instruments
     We would like to record our appreciation to Dr Hidetaka Imai, the Director General of the National Research Laboratory of Laboratory (NRLM), Japan and the organising committee of ATPC (APLMF Tsukuba Preparatory Committee), particularly Dr. Ken Tanaka (Chairman) and Mr Atsushi Kirita (Secretary) for the excellent organisation of the meetings and the facilities provided.
3. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)
   
   The Secretariat has prepared the fourth draft of the above MoU which is enclosed with this Circular, for comments.
   As recorded in the Report of the APLMF (Clause 16, pg 20), members are requested to provide any comments on the MoU to the Secretariat by 31 March 1998, for finalization before the next Forum meeting.
   
4. WELMEC TYPE APPROVAL AGREEMENT
   
   A copy of the above is enclosed for information of members.
   
5. METROLOGICAL CONTROL OF TELEPHONE METERS - PAPER ON PATTERN APPROVAL OF ELECTRONIC CUSTOMER METERS FOR TELEPHONE CALL CHARGING
   
   Arising from the discussion of telephone meters in the Working Group on Utility Meters, a paper by Mr Ian Hoerlein of the National Standards Commission which was published in the OIML Bulletin in July 1996 is enclosed for your information.
   
6. REMINDER ON ACTIONS REQUIRED BY MEMBER ECONOMIES
   
   The Secretariat would like to remind members of the follow-up action required by all member economies in the following Working Groups:
   
   • 6.1 Working Group on Utility Meters
     Resolutions 1 and 4 of the Working Group on Utility Meters:
     
     • R-1: Member economies be asked to revise their contributions to the Survey of Utility meters including heat meters and the Survey Report be finalized and printed.
     • R-2: Member economies be asked for their views on the refurbishment or reconditioning of utility meters to their original condition and whether this is remanufacture and the relevance of these processes to international pattern approval of utility meters.
   • 6.2 Working Group On Goods Packed By Measure
     Members are requested to contribute any information that they may have on national requirements for "other economic areas" to supplement the Forum survey. Please refer to the extract from the draft APLMF Report below:
     The Working Group also noted that national requirements for goods packed by measure on:
     • - Allowance for loss due to dehydration;
     • - Standard package sizes; and
     • - Drained weight;
     
     can create technical barriers to trade.
     
     Harmonisation of these requirements should be a priority for the Working Group. However, such harmonisation should be international rather than regional.
     
     The Secretariat was requested to obtain information on these requirements in other economic areas to supplement the information in the Forum Survey.
     
   • 6.3 Working Group On Mutual Recognition Arrangements
     With reference to the discussion at the Working Group on MRA, the Secretariat would invite contributions on this issue. Please refer to the extract from the draft APLMF Report below:
     
     The Working Group discussed the elements of mutual recognition agreement on acceptance of pattern approval certificates and test reports and it was agreed to circulate the following list for consideration by member economies:
     • - Testing is in accordance with OIML International Recommendations, or other international standards as appropriate;
     • - Mutual confidence has been established in testing capability, preferably supported by intercomparisons.
     • - There was some discussion on whether traceability was required for all test results.
     • - Accreditation of test facilities by a recognized national accreditation organisation.
   HANDBOOK OF LEGAL METROLOGY IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC 1997
   This publication is in the final stages of preparation. If any member economy would like to send up-dated information for inclusion, please do so by 15 December.
   
7. APLMF WEB SITE
   
   http://www.aplmf.org
   
   The above web site has been updated with information on the fourth APLMF meeting and other relevant information. The secretariat would appreciate receiving any contributions/comments from members for inclusion on the page for the benefit of members.
   

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