§ 13.39. Units of weights and measures.
(a) General references to quantitative concepts shall be made as follows:
(1) General references to quantitative concepts shall be consistent with ultimate primary or predominant use of the metric system of measurement. Examples are as follows:
(i) ‘‘State the distance traveled,’’ not ‘‘State the mileage traveled.’’
(ii) ‘‘The application shall set forth the area of the farm,’’ not ‘‘The application shall state the acreage of the farm.’’
(2) If a document containing a reference of the type proscribed by paragraph (1) is reprinted, the Bureau—without action by the promulgating agency—will, under the authority of this paragraph, substitute a reference which complies with paragraph (1) if, after 10 days written notice of the proposed editorial revision, the promulgating agency does not file written objections thereto with the Bureau.
(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to quantity declarations. Examples are as follows:
(i) ‘‘Each farm shall have an area of not less than 40 acres.’’
(ii) ‘‘The speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.’’
(4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to documents codified in 70 Pa. Code (relating to weights, measures and standards).
(b) Specific quantity references shall be made as follows:
(1) If consistent with the other programmatic objectives of an agency, a quantity should be expressed exclusively in metric terms. An example is: ‘‘Each specimen shall have a weight of at least 2.5 kg.’’
(2) If the programmatic objectives of an agency require that a quantity be expressed in customary terms, the quantity should also be expressed in metric terms. The regulation should clearly indicate which dimension expresses the desired degree of tolerance. Examples are as follows:
(i) ‘‘Each specimen shall have a length of at least 10 inches—approximately 25 cm.’’
(ii) ‘‘Each specimen shall have a length of at least 25 cm— approximately 10 inches.’’
(3) If a document which does not comply with paragraphs (1) and (2) is deposited in the Bureau, the Bureau will promptly inquire of the promulgating agency whether the rules of style suggested thereby have been considered by the agency. If the agency indicates that in its judgment adherence to the style would be inappropriate, the Bureau will process the document as filed. A written summary of Bureau action under the preceding sentence shall be submitted by the Bureau to the next meeting of the Joint Committee.
(c) Metric measurement usage and practice shall conform to the following in descending order of priority:
(1) A requirement or preference adopted by the United States Metric Board.
(2) The most recent edition of the U. S. Government Printing Office Style Manual, as provided by § 13.31 (relating to punctuation, capitalization, orthography).
(3) American National Standard z210.1—1976.
(4) The most recent edition of any applicable style guide published by the American National Metric Council; 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20036.
(d) The words ‘‘meter’’ and ‘‘liter’’ shall be spelled according to the American usage in documents published under this part except where an agency, under its authorizing legislation, promulgates a regulation for the purpose of regulating the spelling usage of persons subject to its jurisdiction. An example is as follows:
‘‘The container shall contain the following legend:
‘‘Do not overfill. Always leave at least 100 milliliters (or ‘millilitres’) of air space.’ ’’
(e) As used in this section, the term ‘‘metric system of measurement’’ means the International System of Units (SI) as established by the General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960 and interpreted or modified for the United States by the Secretary of Commerce under the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (15 U.S.C.A. § § 205a—205k).
Source The provisions of this § 13.39 adopted June 6, 1980, effective June 7, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 2327.
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