This Recommendation prescribes the principal metrological static r 2.1 equirements and static evaluation procedures for load cells used in the determination of conformity to this Recommendation. It is intended to provide authorities with uniform means for determining the metrological characteristics of load cells used in measuring instruments that are subjected to metrological controls. It is acknowledged that test procedures found in OIML R 60-2 are useful in the evaluation of load cells that are currently in service (i.e. primarily of the strain gauge design) however, there may be variations in designs for load cells that will require additional or modified test procedures to appropriately evaluate them. These additional test procedures may be annexed when necessary. Except where otherwise specified, these requirements apply regardless of the technology or operating principle employed. The requirements and evaluation procedures in this Recommendation have been drafted to be non-specific with regard to load cell design and their operating principles. 2.2 This Recommendation utilizes the principle that several measurement errors shall be considered together when applying load cell performance characteristics to the permitted error envelope. Thus, it is not considered appropriate to specify individual errors for given characteristics (e.g. non-linearity, hysteresis, effects of influence factors), but rather to consider the total error envelope allowed for a load cell as the limiting factor. The use of an error envelope allows the balancing of the individual contributions to the total error of measurement while still achieving the intended final result. Note: The error envelope may be defined as the boundary of the combined individual errors (see Table 4) as a function of the force introduced by the applied load (expressed in mass units) over the measuring range. The combined error determined may be positive or negative and include the effects of non-linearity, hysteresis and temperature. 2.3 “Weighing modules” as noted in OIML R 76 [1], T.2.2.7 (see R 60, Annex A, A.2.1), are not covered by this Recommendation. Weighing instruments that include load cells and which give an indication of mass are the subjects of separate Recommendations. While digital load cells may be covered under this Recommendation, a load cell that produces an output consisting of more than digital “raw counts” is not covered. In the illustration from OIML R 76 below, the scope of R 60 would not extend beyond module #3.