Commodity Weight Requirements
Commodities must be offered for sale in such a manner that value comparison is promoted and that is not deceptive or misleading. Specific requirements regarding the allowable method of sale used for commodities in Colorado are listed below. The allowable method of sale immediately follows the commodity listed. For example, packaged aerosols must be sold by weight. This means that the declaration of quantity on an aerosol package must disclose the net weight.
The list merely covers commodities specifically mentioned in the Measurement Standards Act (MSA), the Packaging and Labeling Regulations under the MSA, and/or in a written Measurement Standards policy. Colorado Measurement Standards policies covering specific commodities not listed below are also based on the guidance provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST's) Handbook 130 and by prevailing industry practice.
For details on a specific commodity not listed, please contact the Measurement Standards office at (303) 477-4220 or by e-mail.
- Aerosol Packages & Similar Pressurized Packaged Commodities
- Baked Goods
- Bi-dimensional Commodities (including roll-type commodities)
- Coal, Coke and Charcoal
- Combination Packages
- Containers e.g., Bags, Cups, Boxes and Pans
- Container Plants
- Gift Baskets
- Fireplace and Stove Wood
- Meat, Poultry and Seafood
- Party Trays
- Ready-to-Eat Food
- Salad
- Seed Packages (Planting)
- Thread (Industrial)
- Thread (Sewing & Handicraft)
- Wood, Fire
- Wood, Stove
- Yarn (Handicraft)
Aerosol Packages & Similar Pressurized Packaged Commodities -by weight. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations, Section 11.3. Top
Baked goods - by weight and (when necessary) count. See the Baked Goods Policy. Top
Bi-dimensional Commodities (including roll-type commodities) - by area (length & width), with certain exceptions. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations, Section 6.7, Section 6.10, Section 11.12, and Section 11.13. Top
Coal, Coke and Charcoal - by weight. See the MSA, Section 35-14-114 Top
Combination Packages - This includes gift baskets and party trays. See Combination Packages including Party Trays & Gift Baskets policy. TOP
Containers e.g., Bags, Cups, Boxes and Pans-by count with an additional declaration of the container capacity. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations,Section 11.8 and Section 11.9. TOP
Container Plants -Should be sold by volume. See the Container Plant Labeling Power Point presentation given by Program Administrator Jonathan Handy at the CNGA Owners and Managers Meeting at Vail, Colorado on November 11, 2005. TOP
Fireplace and Stove Wood- by volume. Seethe Colorado Food and Agriculture Directory. Top
Meat, Poultry and Seafood - by weight, with certain exceptions e.g., shellfish in the shell and ready-to-eat food such as a meal sold in a restaurant may be sold by count/serving or weight. See the MSA, Section 35-14-113. Top
Ready-to-Eat Food - by weight, measure (serving) or count. See the Ready-to-eat Food Policy. Top
Salad - by weight, unless the Ready to Eat Food policy applies. See the Salad Method of Sale Policy. Top
Seed Packages (Planting) - by weight, unless seed is coated, encapsulated, pelletized, pre-planted, on seed tape, etc., in which case sale must be by count. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations Section 11.16. Top
Thread (Industrial) - by the meter, yard, or weight. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations Section 11.15 (d). Top
Thread (Sewing & Handicraft) - by the yard. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations Section 11.15 (a). Top
Yarn (Handicraft) - by weight. See the Packaging and Labeling Regulations Section 11.15 (b). Top