§ 317.20 - Scale requirements for accurate weights, repairs, adjustments, and replacement after inspection.

(a) All scales used to weigh meat products sold or otherwise distributed in commerce in federally inspected meat establishments shall be installed, maintained and operated to insure accurate weights. Such scales shall meet the applicable requirements contained in National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 44, “Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices”, 1999 Edition, November 1998, which is incorporated by reference. This incorporation was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (These materials are incorporated as they exist on the date of approval.) Copies may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. It is also available for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(b) All scales used to weigh meat products sold or otherwise distributed in commerce or in States designated under section 301(c) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, shall be of sufficient capacity to weigh the entire unit and/or package.

(c) No scale shall be used at a federally inspected establishment to weigh meat products unless it has been found upon test and inspection, as specified in NIST Handbook 44, to provide accurate weight. If a scale is reinspected or retested and found to be inaccurate, or if any repairs, adjustments or replacements are made to a scale, it shall not be used until it has been inspected and tested by a USDA official, or a State or local government weights and measures official, or State registered or licensed scale repair firm or person, and it must meet all accuracy requirements as specified in NIST Handbook 44. If a USDA inspector has put a retain tag on a scale it can only be removed by a USDA inspector. As long as the tag is on the scale, it shall not be used.