CIRCULAR 27 November 1999
Information from the Secretariat

1. DRAFT REPORT OF THE SIXTH APLMF MEETING AND WORKING GROUPS MEETINGS - NUSA DUA, BALI, INDONESIA
   
   Please find enclosed with this circular the draft report of the Forum and Working Groups meetings held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia. If you wish to make any amendments, please send them to the Secretariat by 31 December.
   
   
   • 1.1. VENUE FOR THE SEVENTH FORUM MEETING - CHINESE TAIPEI
     
     The Forum would like to express its appreciation and thanks to delegates from Chinese Taipei who has agreed to host the seventh Forum meeting in 2000. However, the exact date and place has not been finalised and details will be conveyed to members as soon as the secretariat and the host economy have finalised arrangements.
     
2. RECORD OF APPRECIATION
   
   The President would like to record appreciation and thanks to:
   
   Mr Bambang Hardiwiardjo, Deputy Director General for Accreditation & International Cooperation, National Standardization Agency, BSN and Vice-Chairman of National Accreditation Body of Indonesia for chairing the Forum meeting;
   
   The host Mr Rasben Simanullang, Director, Directorate Metrology Indonesia and the organising committee for the excellent organisation of the Forum meetings;
   
   The Chairman for the various Working Groups meetings; and
   
   All delegates and observers for their valuable contribution to the Forum discussions.
   
3. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)
   
   A new draft MoU incorporating the changes as proposed by the USA was discussed at the sixth Forum meeting. The finalised draft of the MoU adopted at the Bali meeting is enclosed for your information and necessary action.
   
   Please refer to Clauses 6.5 and 6.6 of the draft report which states:
   
   6.5 The Forum then considered the views of members and agreed:
   • To adopt the changes as proposed by the USA in the new MoU; and
   • That those economies requiring further consultation with their respective economies on the new proposal to do so and inform the secretariat on their decision.
   6.6 Forum members were requested to indicate their views and the following decision was recorded:
   
   
   • Australia support the proposal
   • Canada support the proposal
   • PR China support the proposal
   • Hong Kong, China support the proposal
   • Indonesia support the proposal
   • Japan support the proposal
   • Republic of Korea support the proposal
   • Malaysia require further consultation
   • Mongolia support the proposal
   • New Zealand support the proposal
   • Papua New Guinea support the proposal
   • Philippines support the proposal
   • Russia support the proposal
   • Chinese Taipei require further consultation
   • Thailand support the proposal
   • United States of America support the proposal
   • Vietnam support the proposal
   • 3.1 IMPLEMENTATION OF FEES
   
   Following the finalisation of the MoU, we will now be introducing the agreed fee structure in 2000, and we have attached a list of the fees which become payable on
   
   1 April 2000.
   
   • Extract from 5th APLMF Report
   • Membership Fees
   • The Forum endorsed the principle of introducing a membership fee to subsidize the operation of the secretariat.
   • The fee to be set using a modified OIML Formula as set out in APLMF Circular 20 with the aim of raising $US 20,000.
   • The details of the proposal are as follows:
   • The OIML formula is based on four categories and the fee for each category is twice the fee for the next lowest category. It is suggested that APLMF
   • have three categories based on the OIML formula of population and economic development. This could result in the following annual fee structure.
   
   Category 1 - one unit each Units
   
   
   • Chile, Hong Kong China, Indonesia,
   • Laos PDR, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia,
   • New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru,
   • Philippines, Singapore,
   • Thailand, Vietnam (14) 14
   
   Category 2 - 2 units each
   
   
   • Australia, Canada, People's Republic of China,
   • Republic of Korea, Russia,
   • Chinese Taipei (6) 12
   • Category 3 - 4 units each
   • Japan, USA (2) 8
   --------------
   Total: 34 units
   --------------
   
   Calculation
   
   • 34 units for $US20,000
   • One unit equals $US588.24
   • 14 economies in Category 1 of 1 unit $US588.24 $US8235.36
   • 6 economies in Category 2 of 2 units $US1176.48 $US7058.88
   • 2 economies in Category 3 of 4 units $US2352.96 $US4705.92
   • Total: $US20,000.16
   The membership fee is to be charged on an economy basis.
   
   SUMMARY
   
   • The following fees apply to these economies:
   • Category 1 - one unit each = US$588.24 each
   • Chile, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
   • (Note: Includes Colombia in Category 1)
   • Category 2 - 2 units each = $US1176.48 each
   • Australia, Canada, People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Russia, Chinese Taipei
   • Category 3 - 4 units each = $US2352.96 each
   • Japan, USA
   Further information on payment details by member economies will be provided to members.
   
   
4. COUNTRY REPORTS ON CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LEGAL METROLOGY
   
   At the Forum meeting in Nusa Dua, country reports on current developments in legal metrology were presented by all member economies. It was proposed that these reports be compiled and circulated to members for their information in order that they may keep abreast with up-dated information on legal metrology in economies in the region.
   
   The secretariat has copies of reports from the following economies:
   
   Australia, Canada, PR China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.
   
   Members, particularly those who were unable to attend the sixth Forum meeting but wish to be included, are requested to send their country reports to the secretariat as soon as possible, preferably by 31 December.
   
5. WORK PROGRAM OF THE APLMF 1999/2000
   
   A list of the work programs adopted by the Forum is given on page 19 of the draft report. All member economies are urged to consider active participation as well as take on a leading role in the implementation of any of the programs proposed particularly in chairing the various Working Groups that have been established.
   
   
6. UPDATE OF MEMBERSHIP DETAILS
   
   Recently, a number of economies have established internet and e-mail systems and it would be appreciated if members provide their up-dated information to the secretariat in order to facilitate quick and efficient communication, particularly in the implemetation of the work programs. Please e-mail your information/address to: lkhoo@nsc.gov.au
   
   
7. POSITION OF PRESIDENT AND SECRETARIAT
   
   As discussed in the Forum meeting, the positions of the President and Secretariat will terminate at the end of this year as Mr Birch will be retiring from the National Standards Commission in 2000 and all members are requested to seriously consider nominating for these positions.
   
   
8. CONFERENCE ON "THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL METROLOGY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION" IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, 8-9 NOVEMBER 1999
   
   Mr Birch presented a paper on 'Regional Cooperation in the Development and Modernisation of Legal Metrology: the Program of the Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum' at the above conference organised by the Bureau of Weights and Measures, Department of Commercial Registration and sponsored by the PTB (Germany)
   
   A copy of Mr Birch's paper is attached for your information.