Scale Requirements for Accurate Weights, Repairs, Adjustments, and Replacement After Inspection

On October 1, 1999, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) published a direct final rule, ``Scale Requirements for Accurate Weights, Repairs, Adjustments, and Replacement After Inspection.'' This direct final rule notified the public of FSIS's intention to amend the Federal meat and poultry products inspection regulations to update references to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44, ``Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices.'' The 1999 edition of NIST Handbook 44 was published in November 1998 and is the most current edition of the handbook. FSIS is amending the provisions in its regulations that reference NIST Handbook 44 to reflect this most recent edition. Because FSIS did not receive any adverse comments, or expressions of intent to submit adverse comments, within the scope of the rulemaking, FSIS is affirming the November 30, 1999 effective date for this direct final rule.