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In our October 2023 edition of Measurement Matters, we are pleased to showcase the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NCWM and NIST OWM signed at the NCWM Annual meeting on August 1, 2023. Also included are updates for our ongoing technical projects and programs, including electric vehicles, international legal metrology, scales, the USNWG on Coriolis mass flow meters, as well as highlights and activities during National Metric Week being held October 8 to 14, 2023. Finally, we wish to recognize the many years of excellent work from our recent retirees from NIST OWM and celebrate the accomplishments of our recent student research fellows to the office.
 NCWM Board of Directors and staff together with NIST representatives after the MOU signing at the NCWM Annual Meeting (August 1, 2023). Left to right: Allen Katalinic, Ivan Hankins, Matt Curran, Kevin Schnepp, Craig VanBuren, Don Onwiler, and Mahesh Albuquerque of NCWM, Laurie Locascio and Katrice Lippa of NIST, Gene Robertson of NCWM, David Sefcik, Jan Konijnenburg, Ralph Richter, and Toni Litorja of NIST, Rebecca Richardson of NCWM, and Lisa Warfield of NIST.
NIST OWM – NCWM: An Enduring Partnership for Over 100 Years
On August 1, 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to reaffirm a long-existing mutual cooperation to develop uniform and equitable weights and measures standards and enhance and strengthen the promotion of uniformity in State and local weights and measures laws, regulations, standards and practices. NIST OWM will continue to actively engage with NCWM through its Executive Secretary (OWM Chief) on the Board of Directors (BOD), numerous Technical Advisors serving on NCWM’s Standing Committees and National Marketplace surveys, and through the cooperative development of professional development and training video products.
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Metric Week 2023: Seven Days of SI Fun
National Metric Week (October 8 to 14, 2023) is an opportunity to underscore the usefulness of metric system measurements, formally known as the International System of Units (SI). Metric Week was originated in 1977 by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Now led by the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) Metric Program and the U.S. Metric Association (USMA), Metric Week is celebrated in classrooms around the country.
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International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM) for Review and Comment
The 2nd Committee Draft of Fourth Edition of the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM) is now out for review and comment. Comments must be submitted through one of the eight member organizations of the Joint Committee for Guides on Metrology (JCGM). Those organizations are: BIPM, OIML, ILAC, ISO, IEC, IUPAC, IUPAP and IFCC. If you are interested in reviewing and submitting comments for consideration by the drafting committee, please contact your affiliate to one of these organizations to obtain details on how to do so. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Nelson.
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 NIST SP2200-03: An Evolving Regulatory Landscape for Commercial Electric Vehicle Fueling
NIST OWM has just published the latest installment of its NIST Special Publication 2200 series on Legal Metrology, NIST SP 2200-03 An Evolving Regulatory Landscape for Commercial Electric Vehicle Fueling. This SP 2200 document provides quick access to a variety of topical information about federal initiatives, state laws, regulations, and new standards for commercial EV charging. It is intended to be a convenient resource for all EV stakeholders, especially state regulators, manufacturers, service providers, and consumers that are navigating this complex and changing landscape.
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Coriolis Mass Flow Meters as Field Test Standards
Commercial metering systems are ubiquitous in the commercial marketplace (to dispense liquified products, from gas and water to food products and agricultural chemicals). Coriolis mass flow meters are being explored as the next generation of field test standards to evaluate the performance of such systems. NIST OWM has also established a NIST U.S. National Work Group (USNWG) on Field Reference Meters to provide a forum for working with the State weights and measure programs and industry stakeholders in this activity.
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 Scale division versus verification scale division
If you are a state weights and measures official, scale manufacturer, or any other stakeholder dealing with scales used for commercial transactions, then this article may be of interest to you.
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Tina Butcher Retires from NIST OWM
Tina G. Butcher retired from the NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) on August 12, 2023, after 35-1/2 years with NIST and a 40-year career in weights and measures. Tina began her career in 1983 as a weights and measures inspector in the Maryland Department of Agriculture, where she inspected and tested a wide range of weighing and measuring devices, such as small and medium capacity scales, vehicle-tank meters, grain moisture meters, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) meters and prepackaged commodities and responded to consumer complaints on a variety of topics.
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Richard (Rick) Harshman Retires from NIST OWM
Richard (Rick) A. Harshman was a Weights and Measures Coordinator for the NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM). Rick served as an expert technical advisor to regulatory weights and measures programs and the manufacturing industry on a wide range of weighing and measuring equipment and served as a lead developer and presenter of training courses on this equipment.
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 David Sefcik (center) accepting his award from NCWM Chair-elect Gene Robertson (at the podium), NCWM Chair Mahesh Albuquerque (left) and NIST Director Laurie Locascio (right).
2023 NCWM Outstanding Contributions Award
David Sefcik of the NIST OWM received the 2023 NCWM Outstanding Contributions Award for his service as a co-organizer of the 2022 NCWM-NIST National Survey on 20 lb LPG (Propane) Cylinders.
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2023 NIST Internship Reflections
During the summer of 2023, the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory’s (PML) Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) hosted four undergraduate students who were passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Professional Research Experience (PREP) and other programs, NIST collaborates with universities to offer work experience opportunities under the mentorship of a NIST scientist or engineer.
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Weights and Measures in the News
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How Weights and Measures Regulations Protect Consumers Behind the Scenes
24 August 2023
Stephen Benjamin, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Standards Division Director discusses the program, his role and how weights and measures regulations benefit consumers. Enjoy viewing “Protecting Consumers Behind the Scenes,” an embedded video (3 minutes 29 seconds).
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Why does the US use Fahrenheit instead of Celsius? NBC (English Language) and Telemundo (Spanish Language)
14 August 2023
NBC’s Miguel Estrada discusses United States temperature scale use with Elizabeth Benham, NIST Metric Program and Don Hillger, US Metric Association President.
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