ASTM E617-23

Standard Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards

ABSTRACT
This specification covers laboratory weights and precision mass standards including their principal physical characteristics and metrological requirements. Maximum permissible error, magnetic property, density, and surface roughness for each weight shall be within the limits indicated in this specification. Physical characteristics shall be based on construction, design, surface area, materials, magnetism, density, surface finish, weight adjustment, and marking.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers weights and mass standards used in laboratories, specifically classes 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. This specification replaces National Bureau of Standards Circular 547, Section 1, which is out of print.  
1.2 This specification and calibration method is intended for use by weight manufacturers, national metrology institutes, weight calibration laboratories, accreditation bodies, users of weights, and regulatory bodies.  
1.3 This specification contains the principal physical characteristics and metrological requirements for weights that are used.  
1.3.1 For the verification of weighing instruments;  
1.3.2 For the calibration of weights of a lower class of accuracy; and  
1.3.3 With weighing instruments.  
1.4 Maximum Permissible Errors (formerly tolerances) and design restrictions for each class are described in order that both individual weights or sets of weights can be chosen for appropriate applications.  
1.5 Weight manufacturers must be able to provide evidence that all new weights comply with specifications in this standard (for example, material, density, magnetism, surface finish, mass values, uncertainties) to make any claim of compliance to Specification E617, Maximum Permissible Errors, weight classes, or metrological traceability.  
1.5.1 During subsequent calibrations, calibration laboratories must meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.  
1.5.2 Subsequent calibrations must meet all the requirements, including Sections 7, 8, and 9, Table 8 and Table 11 (environmental parameters) to make any claim of compliance to Specification E617, Maximum Permissible Errors, weight classes, or metrological traceability.
Note 1: Requirements set forth in NIST IR 6969 and NIST IR 5672 are compliant with all the requirements of Specification E617, Sections 7, 8, and 9.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Aug-2023
• ICS: 71.040.20 - Laboratory ware and related apparatus
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.06 - Laboratory Instruments and Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E617-18 - Standard Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C1009-21 - Standard Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E2510-20 - Standard Test Method for Torque Calibration or Conformance of Rheometers
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D4753-15 - Standard Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM C114-23 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E2206-21 - Standard Test Method for Force Calibration of Thermomechanical Analyzers
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E542-22 - Standard Practice for Gravimetric Calibration of Laboratory Volumetric Instruments
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D7651-17 - Standard Test Method for Gravimetric Measurement of Particulate Concentration of Hydrogen Fuel
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D8293-22 - Standard Guide for Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of Radiochemical Measurements
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E1154-23 - Standard Specification for Piston or Plunger Operated Volumetric Apparatus and Operator Qualification
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D7416-09(2020) - Standard Practice for Analysis of In-Service Lubricants Using a Particular Five-Part (Dielectric Permittivity, Time-Resolved Dielectric Permittivity with Switching Magnetic Fields, Laser Particle Counter, Microscopic Debris Analysis, and Orbital Viscometer) Integrated Tester
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D1203-22 - Standard Test Methods for Volatile Loss from Plastics Using Activated Carbon Methods
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E458-08(2020) - Standard Test Method for Heat of Ablation
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM E2040-19 - Standard Test Method for Mass Scale Calibration of Thermogravimetric Analyzers
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D7551-10(2015) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Volatile Sulfur in Gaseous Hydrocarbons and Liquefied Petroleum Gases and Natural Gas by Ultraviolet Fluorescence
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E617 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E617; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard.
1.1 This specification covers weights and mass standards
used in laboratories, specifically classes 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
5, 6, and 7. This specification replaces National Bureau of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Standards Circular 547, Section 1, which is out of print.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This specification and calibration method is intended for Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
use by weight manufacturers, national metrology institutes, mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
weight calibration laboratories, accreditation bodies, users of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
weights, and regulatory bodies.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 This specification contains the principal physical char-
2
acteristics and metrological requirements for weights that are
2.1 ISO Standards:
used.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General Requirements for the Compe-
1.3.1 For the verification of weighing instruments;
tence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
1.3.2 For the calibration of weights of a lower class of
3
2.2 NIST Standards:
accuracy; and
NIST Handbook 143 State Weights and Measures Laborato-
1.3.3 With weighing instruments.
ries Program Handbook (2019)
1.4 Maximum Permissible Errors (formerly tolerances) and
NIST SP 811 Guide for the Use of the International System
design restrictions for each class are described in order that
of Unit (SI) 2008 Edition
both individual weights or sets of weights can be chosen for
NIST SP 1038 The International System of Units (SI) –
appropriate applications.
Conversion Factors for General Use (May 2006)
1.5 Weight manufacturers must be able to provide evidence
NISTIR 5672 Advanced Mass Calibration and Measurement
that all new weights comply with specifications in this standard
Assurance Program for State Calibration Laboratories
(for example, material, density, magnetism, surface finish,
(2019)
mass values, uncertainties) to make any claim of compliance to
NISTIR 6969 Selected Laboratory and Measurement Prac-
Specification E617, Maximum Permissible Errors, weight
tices to Support Basic Mass Calibrations (2019)
classes, or metrological traceability.
NIST Technical Note 1297 Guidelines for Evaluating and
1.5.1 During subsequent calibrations, calibration laborato-
Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results
ries must meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
(1994)
1.5.2 Subsequent calibrations must meet all the
4
requirements, including Sections 7, 8, and 9, Table 8 and Table
2.3 OIML Standards:
11 (environmental parameters) to make any claim of compli-
OIML D 28 Conventional Value of the Result of Weighing in
ance to Specification E617, Maximum Permissible Errors,
Air (2004)
weight classes, or metrological traceability.
OIML R 111–1 Weights of classes E1, E2, F1, F2, M1,
M1–2, M2, M2–3 and M3 Part 1: Metrological and
NOTE 1—Requirements set forth in NIST IR 6969 and NIST IR 5672
are compliant with all the requirements of Specification E617, Sections 7, Technical Requirements (Edition 2004)
8, and 9.
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. de
Laboratory Apparatusand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.06 on la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org.
3
Laboratory Instruments and Equipment. Available from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally Bureau Dr., Stop 1070, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1070, http://www.nist.gov.
4
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E617 – 18. DOI: Available from Organisation Internationale de Metrologie Legale, 11 Rue
10.1520/E0617-23. Turgot, 75009 Paris, France, http://www.oiml.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E617 − 23
5
2.4 BIPM Standards: dation
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E617 − 18 E617 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E617; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers weights and mass standards used in laboratories, specifically classes 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and
7. This specification replaces National Bureau of Standards Circular 547, Section 1, which is out of print.
1.2 This specification and calibration method is intended for use by weight manufacturers, national metrology institutes, weight
calibration laboratories, accreditation bodies, users of weights, and regulatory bodies.
1.3 This specification contains the principal physical characteristics and metrological requirements for weights that are used.
1.3.1 For the verification of weighing instruments;
1.3.2 For the calibration of weights of a lower class of accuracy; and
1.3.3 With weighing instruments.
1.4 Maximum Permissible Errors (formerly tolerances) and design restrictions for each class are described in order that both
individual weights or sets of weights can be chosen for appropriate applications.
1.5 Weight manufacturers must be able to provide evidence that all new weights comply with specifications in this standard (for
example, material, density, magnetism, surface finish, mass values, uncertainties). Statements of compliance by calibration
laboratories during subsequent calibrations must meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, 5.10.4.2 and indicate on the calibration
report which sections have or have not been assessed. Subsequent calibrations must meet all the requirements (including
environmental parameters as shown in Table 11, of Sections uncertainties) 7, 8, and 9; and the requirements of ISO/IEC
17025:2005, 5.10.4.2 to make any claim of compliance to Specification E617,E617, Maximum Permissible Errors, weight classes,
or metrological traceability.
1.5.1 During subsequent calibrations, calibration laboratories must meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
1.5.2 Subsequent calibrations must meet all the requirements, including Sections 7, 8, and 9, Table 8 and Table 11 (environmental
parameters) to make any claim of compliance to Specification E617, Maximum Permissible Errors, weight classes, or metrological
traceability.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on Laboratory Apparatusand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.06 on Laboratory
Instruments and Equipment.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018Aug. 15, 2023. Published November 2018November 2023. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20132018
as E617 – 13.E617 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/E0617-18.10.1520/E0617-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E617 − 23
NOTE 1—Requirements set forth in NIST IR 6969 and NIST IR 5672 are compliant with all the requirements of Specification E617, Sections 7, 8, and
9.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ISO Standards:
ISO/IEC 1702517025:2017 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (2005)
3
2.2 NIST Standards:
NIST Handbook 143 State Weights and Measures Laboratories Program Handbook (2007)(2019)
NIST SP 811 Guide for the Use of the International System of Unit (SI) 2008 Edition
NIST SP 1038 The International System of Units (SI) – Conversion Factors for General Use (May 2006)
NISTIR 5672 Advanced Mass Calibration and Measurement Assurance Program for State Calibration Laboratories
(2014)(2019)
NISTIR 6969 Selected Laboratory and Measurement Practices to Support Basic Mass Calibrations (2017)(2019)
NIST Technical Note 1297 (1994) Guidelines for Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of NIST Measurement Results
(1994)
4
2.3 OIML Standards:
OIML D 28 Conventiona
...