ASTM E898-20 PDF

Full title and description

Designation: ASTM E898-20 — "Standard Practice for Calibration of Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments". This practice provides procedures, test points and reporting requirements for calibrating electronic non-automatic weighing instruments (balances and scales) to quantify error and state measurement uncertainty for each calibration point.

Abstract

ASTM E898-20 defines a standardized approach for calibrating electronic non-automatic weighing instruments (top-loading and other non-automatic balances and scales). The practice addresses required test characteristics (warm-up, off‑center error, repeatability, linearity, hysteresis, settling time, temperature effects, resistance to disturbances), selection and use of calibration weights, environmental and procedural controls, and the requirement that each reported calibration result include an estimated measurement uncertainty. The practice is based on and harmonizes with established guidance such as EURAMET CG‑18 to enable comparability between laboratories.

General information

• Status: Published / Active.
• Publication date: May 1, 2020 (effective date 01‑May‑2020).
• Publisher: ASTM International (ASTM).
• ICS / categories: 17.100 — Measurement of force, weight and pressure.
• Edition / version: E898‑20 (revision of prior E898 editions).
• Number of pages: 13 pages.

Scope

This practice applies to electronic non‑automatic weighing instruments where indication is obtained from a digital display and the instrument requires operator intervention to perform a weighing. It covers instruments with capacities from sub‑gram ranges up to several thousand kilograms and typical scale intervals from 0.1 μg up to 1 g (depending on instrument class). The standard is intended for use by calibration laboratories, manufacturers and users to quantify error across the measurement range and to enable fitness‑for‑purpose decisions using stated measurement uncertainty.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of required calibration characteristics: warm‑up, off‑center error, repeatability, reproducibility, linearity/accuracy, hysteresis, settling time, temperature effects, resistance to external disturbances.
• Use of calibrated reference weights and traceability to national/international mass standards.
• Specification of test points across the weighing range and clear reporting of results at each point.
• Mandatory estimation and reporting of measurement uncertainty for every calibration point; guidance aligned with EURAMET CG‑18 for uncertainty evaluation.
• Environmental, handling and procedural controls to ensure valid calibration results (temperature, draft protection, stabilization time, off‑center placement, etc.).
• Documentation and reporting requirements to support fitness‑for‑purpose assessment and accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025 compatibility noted).

These topics and requirements are described in the standard and emphasized in industry guidance and supplier materials.

Typical use and users

Used by: calibration and testing laboratories (including ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs), equipment manufacturers, laboratory quality managers, process engineers, pharmaceutical and food industry laboratories, research facilities, and national metrology institutes. Typical uses include initial calibration, periodic recalibration, performance verification and establishing routine testing or risk‑based calibration schedules.

Related standards

Referenced and related documents include ASTM E617 (Specification for Laboratory Weights and Precision Mass Standards), ISO/IEC 17025 (general requirements for laboratory competence), and guidance such as EURAMET CG‑18 (calibration of balances). The practice is intended to be compatible with accreditation and traceability frameworks used in metrology and laboratory quality systems.

Keywords

calibration; balances; scales; non‑automatic weighing instruments; measurement uncertainty; traceability; performance verification; metrology; ISO/IEC 17025; EURAMET CG‑18.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E898‑20 is the ASTM International practice that defines procedures for calibrating electronic non‑automatic weighing instruments (balances and scales) and for reporting calibration results with associated measurement uncertainty.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers test procedures and performance checks (warm‑up, repeatability, linearity, off‑center error, hysteresis, settling time, temperature effects, etc.), selection and use of reference weights, environmental and procedural controls, and reporting requirements including uncertainty estimation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Calibration laboratories (including accredited labs), manufacturers of balances and scales, laboratory managers and quality personnel, process engineers, and anyone responsible for ensuring weighing equipment is fit for purpose.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the E898‑20 revision was published/effective in May 2020 and supersedes earlier E898 editions (previously E898‑88 and reapproved versions). Users should consult the current ASTM text for authoritative details.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee E41 (Laboratory Apparatus) publications and references related ASTM specifications (for example E617 for laboratory weights) and international guidance documents used in mass metrology and laboratory accreditation.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: balances, scales, calibration, measurement uncertainty, traceability, performance verification, non‑automatic weighing instruments, metrology.