CIRCULAR 28 February 2000
Information from the Secretariat

1. 7th APLMF AND WORKING GROUP MEETINGS
   
   OCTOBER 2000 in TAIPEI, CHINESE TAIPEI
   
   The 7th APLMF meeting and meetings of the Working Groups will be held from in Taipei, Chinese Taipei, hosted by the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Director General of BSMI, Mr Chen Tso-Chen, and the President, John Birch is currently discussing the dates for the meeting which is expected to be in mid to late October.
   
   • 1.1 ASEAN SEMINAR, OCTOBER 2000 in TAIPEI, CHINESE TAIPEI
     
     An ASEAN seminar on legal metrology is planned to be held in association with the APLMF meeting in Chinese Taipei. This seminar is a follow-up of the PTB co-sponsored with Thailand seminar held in Chiang Mai in November last year on the "Development of legal metrology in ASEAN countries" and combining the seminar with the Forum meeting this year will help reduce travel costs. Further details on the seminar will be provided when plans are finalised.
     
   • 1.2 Hotel accommodation
     
     Details of accommodation will be made available to members as soon as this has been finalised by the BSMI.
     
   • 1.3 Preliminary registration of delegates
     
     To assist the Secretariat in the preparation of the Forum meetings, members are requested to complete and return the attached registration form to indicate their attendance at the meetings. Please return the registration form by 30 June 2000.
     
   • 1.4 Information brochures
     
     Please find enclosed with this Circular an information brochure on Chinese Taipei.
   • 1.5 Visa Requirements
     
     Please find attached an information sheet from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre, Sydney on visa requirements to Chinese Taipei. The Centre has informed that in some instances visa processing and approval may take as long as two to three months. Members are expected to apply for their own visas, however, if an official invitation letter from the APLMF is required for visa application, please request from the Secretariat.
     
2. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)
   
   Since the last Forum meeting in Bali, thirteen member economies have signed the MoU. They are as follows:
   1. Australia Mr John Birch, Executive Director, National Standards Commission
   2. People's Republic of China Professor Yiming Wang, China State Bureau of Technical Supervision (CSBTS)
   3. Hong Kong China Mr Peter KK Chan, Head of Trading Standards Investigation Bureau, Customs & Excise Department
   4. Indonesia Mr Rasben Simanullang, Director, Directorate of Metrology
   5. Japan - Dr Hidetaka Imai, Director General, National Research Laboratory of Metrology (NRLM) and
      - Mr Masanori Okonogi, Director, Weights & Measures Office, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
      
   6. Republic of Korea Mr Doug Young Joo, Administrator, Agency for Technology and Standards (ATS)
   7. Malaysia Dr Mohd Ariffin Hj Aton, President, SIRIM Berhad
   8. Mongolia Mr N. Bayarmagnai, Chairman, Mongolian National Centre for Standardization and Metrology (MNCSM)
   9. New Zealand Mr Keith Manch, General Manager, Ministry of Consumer Affairs
   10. Philippines Dr Rogelio A. Panlasigui, Undersecretary for Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology and Officer-in-charge, Industrial Technology Development Institute
   11. Chinese Taipei Mr Chen Tso-Chen Director General, Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI)
   12. Thailand Mr Noravat Suwarn, Director General, Department of Commercial Registration
   13. Vietnam Dr Nguyen Huu Thien, Director General, Directorate for Standards & Quality (STAMEQ)
   
   I would urge those member economies wishing to sign the MoU to do so as soon as possible and to inform the Secretariat.
   
   
3. IMPLEMENTATION OF FEES
   
   In Circular 27, information on the implementation of the agreed fee structure and a list of the fees payable was provided.
   
   We are pleased to inform members that the following member economies have paid their fees:
   1. Australia Category 2
   2. Indonesia Category 1
   3. Malaysia Category 1
   4. Papua New Guinea Category 1
   5. Chinese Taipei Category 2
   Fees become payable on 31 March and early payment by member economies will greatly assist our Secretariat planning. The categories of fees payable and method of payment are given below:
   
   
   • 3.1 Method of payment of APLMF membership fees
     
     The membership fee can be paid directly into the APLMF account, in equivalent Australian dollars as follows. Please advise us when the transaction is made.
     
     
     • APLMF
       
       
     • c/ National Standards Commission
     • Commonwealth Bank of Australia
     • 199 Cox's Road
     • North Ryde 2113, Australia
     • Account Number: BSB (062281) 0085 0077
   • 3.2 Categories of Fees
     
     
     • 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
4. COUNTRY REPORTS ON CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LEGAL METROLOGY
   
   At the 6th Forum meeting, economies submitted country reports on current developments in legal metrology in their respective economies. A copy of the report is attached with this Circular.
   
   
5. APEC SCSC MEETINGS & CONFERENCE
   
   The APEC SCSC meetings, the third conference on standards and conformance and associated meetings of the APEC SOM (Senior Officials Meeting) will be held in Brunei Darussalam this year. The schedule of meetings for the year is:
   • (i) 18 - 19 February First SCSC meeting
   • (ii) 26 May - 3 June Second SCSC meeting and APEC SOM II
   • (iii) 15 - 23 September Third SCSC and APEC SOM III
   
   15 - 16 September Third APEC Conference on Standards & Conformance
   It would be valuable if legal metrology authorities in member economies could bring to the attention of their SCSC delegations those issues concerning legal metrology, for discussion at the APEC SCSC meetings.
   
6. APLMF TRAINING COURSES
   
   
   • 6.1 Non-automatic Weighing Instruments (OIML R76)
     The second train-the-trainer module in this series based on OIML R76 (Verification and Inservice Inspection) is almost finished as the translation of the training video into Spanish, Indonesian, Chinese (Mandarin), Thai, Vietnamese and French is nearing completion.
     
     If you would like a copy of either training module for Pattern Approval or Verification and Inservice Inspection contact Kerry Marston on email: kmarston@nsc.gov.au or fax +61 2 9888 3033. Make sure that you include the language you would like for the training video and the video system you will be using (i.e. PAL, NTSC or SECAM).
     
   • 6.2 Fuel Dispensers (OIML 117 and 118)
     The development of the train-the-trainer modules for fuel dispensers for motor vehicles based on OIML R117 has commenced. They will be developed by NSC in collaboration with Australian Trade Measurement Authorities and CSBTS (China). The modules will cover both the pattern approval and the verification of fuel dispensers for petrol, diesel and LPG.
     
     It is planned to hold the first train-the-trainer course towards the end to the year (in either September or November) in Shanghai, China hosted by CSBTS (China) and NSC (Australia). This course will cover both the pattern approval and the verification of LPG dispensers.
     
     Application forms to attend this course will be sent out to all APLMF member economies as soon as the dates have been finalised.
     
7. PRE-PACKED GOODS
   
   Dr S Chappell who is responsible for OIML TC 6 Pre-Packaged Products, has announced that an International Working Group to review a first committee draft revision of R 87 "Net Content in Packages" will be held in Paris on 24 - 25 February. An outline of the draft revision of R 87 which includes new provisions for Inspection at Point of Pack (Part III) and for an International quality (IQ) Mark system is attached.
   
   The draft revision is very much in accord with proposals by the APLMF.
   
8. UTILITY METERS
   
   
   • 8.1 Water Meters
     
     The CIML meeting in Tunis in October adopted a revision of R 49 intended for the metering of cold potable water including supplementary requirements for electronic water meters. The finalisation of this recommendation now provides the basis for international free trade in water meters. Could members please notify the Secretariat when they will be adopting this recommendation.
     
   • 8.2 Electricity Meters
     
     OIML has commenced the revision of R 46 - Instruments for measuring electrical quantities. Germany who is responsible for the Secretariat (TC 12) has proposed a working group meeting in the first half of this year and NSC has offered to host the meeting in association with the Conference on Precision Electrical Measurements (CPEM 2000) to be held in Sydney on 14 - 19 May.
     
9. OIML CORRESPONDING MEMBERS
   
   OIML Corresponding members are reminded that they can now attend OIML TC/SC meetings by payment of an appropriate fee. This allows Corresponding members to participate in the development of Recommendations which are important for their economy. Please contact BIML for further details.
   
10. RICE MOISTURE MEASUREMENT
    
    Members of the working group are currently organising a selection of grain moisture meters and samples of rice grown in their economy to be sent to PTB in Germany. PTB has kindly agreed to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the pattern of a small selection of grain moisture meters commonly used throughout the region. The pattern approval testing will be according to OIML R59. It is anticipated that the results of the pilot study will be available for discussion at the next APLMF meeting.
    
    A study tour to investigate the rice moisture measurement system of Japan is also being considered by the working group. Funding is being sought from APEC through the Standards and Conformance Sub-Committee. It is hopeful that the study tour will conducted later this year during the Japanese rice harvest.
    
11. INTERCOMPARISON TESTING
    
    
    • 11.1 Intercomparison Testing of Non-automatic Weighing Instruments
      The intercomparison testing of the two non-automatic, electronic, price computing weighing instruments is nearing completion and a preliminary report has been prepared. The instruments have been retested by Australia, which is the pilot laboratory, and they are currently in Canada and Indonesia for testing. When testing by these two member economies are completed, the intercomparison would be completed.
      
      In the meantime, the draft report will be sent to those member economies that have completed the tests and have sent results so that they may comment on the results and add any comments they may wish to make. The draft report will be sent to Canada and Indonesia on completion of the report with their results included. Following the receipt of all comments, a final Report will be prepared and published.
      
    • 11.2 Intercomparison Testing and Pattern Approval of Load Cells.
      
      Two sets of load cells including a 250 kg beam cell and a 20t compression cell, were circulated to a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as several countries in Europe. The load cells have now been tested to OIML R60 and a number of reports have been received by the pilot laboratories, Australia and USA. Would those member economies who have not submitted their reports please send them to the Secretariat as soon as possible in order that a draft report can be prepared.
      
      The progress of the intercomparison is as follows:
      
      Set A has been tested by Australia, USA, Germany, UK, Russia, Japan, USA (retest). Australia has received reports from Australia, USA (initial test), Germany and Japan. USA is the pilot laboratory.
      
      Set B has been tested by Australia, USA, China, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and Australia (repeat test). Australia is the pilot laboratory.
      
      Draft reports will be prepared for circulation when all reports have been received by the pilot laboratories, Australia and USA.
      
    • 11.3 Intercomparison Testing of Mass Standards
    • 11.4 Intercomparison Testing of Master Meters
      The Secretariat is currently finalising preparations for both the intercomparisons. A survey summary "APLMF Work Plan" indicating participation by member economies in the various working groups is enclosed. If there are other members who also wish to participate, please inform the secretariat.
12. TAXIMETER STANDARDS
    
    In October 1972, the Fourth International Conference on Legal Metrology adopted Recommendation 21 - Taximeters which provided requirements for mechanical taximeters. Subsequently Germany who was responsible for the Secretariat for this Recommendation, commenced a revision to extend it to electronic taximeters. However, it was decided to develop a separate recommendation for electronic taximeters and a First Pre Draft Recommendation was issued in September 1990. Work on this standards was then delayed until CENELEC finalised its standard EN 50148 Electronic Taximeters in September 1995.
    
    The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) has also developed requirements for taximeters in the USA (Handbook 44) and WELMEC developed specific essential requirements for taximeters as part of their work on the Measurement Instrument Directive (M.I.D.). The latest draft of the M.I.D. has an annex of requirements for taximeters.
    
    There are significant differences between these regional standards and there is no satisfactory international legal metrology standard for taximeters. This issue has been taken up within CIML and BIML to progress the finalisation of an OIML Recommendation on electronic taximeters.
    
    • 12.1 FRAUD IN TAXIMETERS
      
      In recent years a number of fraudulent devices have appeared in the market place that add additional pulses to electronic taximeters. These devices known as "zappers", can increase the fare by up to 20% and were described in some detail in a paper entitled "Fraud on Taximeters - Solutions to fight it" presented at the OIML Conference on Measuring Instrument Software held in Paris on 30 September - 1 October last year. A copy of the paper is attached.
      
13. QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY ON TAXIMETERS
    
    Utility meters comprise a range of measuring instruments that are used for trade and these include water meters, gas meters, electricity meters, taximeters, telephone meters and parking meters. Whilst utility meters are trade measurement meters, they may not be included in the trade measurement legislation and the metrological control of these meters may not be the responsibility of the legal measurement authority. However, there is a need to ensure that measurements made by these instruments are accurate and traceable.
    
    Recognising the importance of this, the APLMF conducted a survey on national metrological requirements for utility meters in 1996. We would now like to update the information provided in the survey and progress the issue on taximeters as at the time, very little information was available on taximeters. The APLMF would now like to survey member economies on the administrative and legislative aspects of taximeters in order to harmonise metrological control at the regional level. The Secretariat has prepared a questionnaire survey and would request members to complete and return to the secretariat by 15 April 2000.
    
14. WORKING GROUP ON MEDICAL MEASUREMENTS
    
    At the third Forum meeting in Vancouver in 1996, Chinese Taipei requested the development of a regional program on metrological control for sphygmomanometers (blood pressure meters). Since then, the Working Group on Medical Measurements with a project on sphygmomanometers was established and a number of member economies had indicated interest in participating in the work of this working group.
    
    However as with our program on Utility Meters, progress at the regional level was impeded by the lack of an OIML Recommendation. OIML has now finalised its Recommendation on sphygmomanometers and I believe it would now be appropriate for APLMF to survey member economies on the implementation of this recommendation.
    
    If you will recall in 1999 a questionnaire survey on participation in the working group indicated that the following eight economies will participate in the WG. They are: Australia (Yen Heng), PR China (Han JP), Indonesia (Timan), Mongolia (D. Oyun), Russia (Prof Dr Tikhomirov SV), Chinese Taipei (Angela MH Chang), Thailand (Sakchai Hasamin), USA (Dr. C Ehrlich).
    
15. LOCATION OF THE 8TH FORUM IN 2001
    
    Since the inaugural meeting of the APLMF in Sydney (1994), the APLMF held meetings in Beijing (1995), Vancouver (1996), Tsukuba (1997), Seoul (1998) and Nusa Dua, Bali (1999). The Forum meetings in 1995, 1996 and 1998 were held in association with the meetings of the BIML and Development Council and conference. In order to plan ahead, the President would like members to consider hosting the 8th Forum meeting and would welcome any expressions of interest.
    
    List of documents enclosed:
    
    1. Circular 28
    2. Item 1.3 - Preliminary registration form - please complete and return by 30 June 2000
    3. Item 1.4 and 1.5 - Visa requirements from Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre, Sydney and a brochure on Chinese Taipei
    4. Item 4 - Country Report
    5. Item 7 - Pre-packed Goods - Draft revision of R 87 "Net Content in Packages"
    6. Item 11.3 and 11.4 - Participation in working groups - APLMF work plan
    7. Item 12.1 - Paper on "Fraud on Taximeters - Solutions to fight it" presented at the OIML Conference on Measuring Instrument Software held in Paris
    8. Item 13 - Survey on Taximeters - please complete and return by 15 April 2000