Chapter ATCP 90

ATCP 90.01(25) (25) “Weight” means mass expressed in inch-pound units of weight or metric units of mass, or both, as provided in this chapter.

ATCP 90.01(26) (26) “Unreasonable shortage” means a shortage that exceeds the maximum allowable variation specified for a commodity in the NIST Handbook 133.

ATCP 90.01 Note Note: A copy of the national institute of standards and technology handbook 133, “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods,” is on file with the department, the secretary of state and the legislative reference bureau.

ATCP 90.01 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94; CR 02-141: am. (4) Register August 2003 No. 572, eff. 9-1-03; CR 13-043: am. (26) Register February 2014 No. 698, eff. 5-1-14; CR 14-047: cr. (15g), (15r), am. (26) Register May 2015 No. 713, eff. 6-1-15; CR 16-012: am. (15g), (15r) Register August 2016 No. 728, eff. 9-1-16; CR 18-019: am. (15g), (15r) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20.

ATCP 90.02 ATCP 90.02 Declaration of product identity.

ATCP 90.02(1) (1) Declaration required. No person may sell or distribute a consumer commodity in package form unless each package clearly and conspicuously identifies the commodity contained in that package. The declaration shall identify the commodity by its common or usual name, by its legally required name, if any, or by a generic name or other appropriate description that is readily understood by consumers.

ATCP 90.02(2) (2) Location and prominence. The declaration of identity under sub. (1) shall appear on the principal display panel of each package, and shall be a principal feature of that display panel. The declaration shall be clearly printed in the English language, in a conspicuous type size and style, and in a color that contrasts to the color of the background. The declaration shall be generally parallel to the base on which the package is designed to rest when displayed, and shall be positioned so that it can be readily seen and understood by consumers. Hand lettered information, if any, shall be at least as conspicuous and legible as printed information.

ATCP 90.02(3) (3) Deceptive declarations prohibited. The declaration of identity under sub. (1) may not be false, deceptive, or misleading. Ingredients or components that are not present in the commodity in substantial or significantly effective amounts may not be featured in the declaration of identity.

ATCP 90.02 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94.

ATCP 90.03 ATCP 90.03 Declaration of responsibility.

ATCP 90.03(1) (1) Declaration Required. No person may sell a consumer commodity in package form at any place other than the premises where the commodity was packaged unless each package of the commodity is clearly and conspicuously labeled with all of the following:

ATCP 90.03(1)(a) (a) Name of responsible person. The name of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor who is responsible for introducing the consumer commodity into commerce in package form. If the responsible person is a corporation, the label shall specify the actual corporate name of that corporation. If the responsible person is not a corporation, the label shall specify the correct name under which that person does business.

ATCP 90.03(1)(b) (b) Business address. The business address of the responsible person under par. (a). The business address shall include street address, city, state, and ZIP code, except that the street address may be omitted if it is listed in any readily accessible, well-known, widely published, and publicly available resource, such as a printed directory, electronic database or website. If a person manufactures, packs, or distributes a consumer commodity at a place of business other than the person’s principal place of business, the label may disclose the address of that principal place of business rather than the actual place of manufacture, packing, or distribution, provided that the substitute disclosure is not deceptive or misleading.

ATCP 90.03(1)(c) (c) Connection to commodity. If the responsible person under par. (a) is not the person who manufactured or produced the consumer commodity, the responsible person’s name shall be qualified by a phrase, such as “Manufactured for and packed by __________________________________” or “Distributed by __________________________________,” that indicates the responsible person’s connection to the consumer commodity.

ATCP 90.03(2) (2) Location and prominence. The declaration of responsibility under sub. (1) shall be clearly set forth on the package label. The declaration shall be clearly printed in the English language, in a conspicuous type size and style, and in a color that contrasts to the color of the background. The declaration shall be generally parallel to the base on which the package is designed to rest when displayed, and shall be positioned so that it can be readily seen and understood by consumers. Hand lettered information, if any, shall be at least as conspicuous and legible as printed information.

ATCP 90.03 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94; CR 18-019: am. (1) (b) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20.

ATCP 90.04 ATCP 90.04 Declaration of net quantity.

ATCP 90.04(1) (1) Declaration required.

ATCP 90.04(1)(a) (a) General. Except as provided under par. (b), no person may sell or distribute any consumer commodity in package form unless each package of that commodity bears a declaration of net quantity. The declaration of net quantity shall clearly and conspicuously disclose the net quantity of the consumer commodity contained in that package, exclusive of wrappers and other material packaged with the commodity. Except where different net quantity declarations are provided for specific packages or commodities under s. ATCP 90.08, the declaration of net quantity shall comply with this section.

ATCP 90.04(1)(b) (b) Exemptions. Paragraph (a) does not apply to any of the following:

ATCP 90.04(1)(b)1. 1. A commodity sold by count if the package contains only one unit of that commodity, or a small combination of items that are customarily sold together as a single unit and understood by consumers as constituting a single unit.

ATCP 90.04(1)(b)2. 2. A commodity sold by count if the package contains 6 or fewer units and the number of units can be easily counted by consumers without opening the package.

ATCP 90.04(1)(b)3. 3. Random packages of a commodity sold at wholesale, for weighing and labeling at the point of retail sale, provided that the random packages are contained in a wholesale container that is labeled to show the combined net weight of the contents of those random packages. This exemption does not apply to a random package when sold at retail.

ATCP 90.04(1)(b)4. 4. A commodity that is exempt from quantity disclosure, pursuant to an exemption under ch. ATCP 91.

ATCP 90.04(2) (2) Location and prominence. A declaration of net quantity shall appear on the principal display panel of each package, and shall comply with s. ATCP 90.07. The declaration shall be separate from other information contained on the principal display panel, and shall be printed in conspicuous, easily legible, and contrasting type.

ATCP 90.04(3) (3) Weight, measure, or count. In a declaration of net quantity, the net quantity of a consumer commodity shall be expressed in terms of weight, measure, or count, as provided under s. 98.06, Stats., and ch. ATCP 91.

ATCP 90.04 Note Note: With certain exceptions, commodities in liquid form must be sold by liquid measure, and commodities not in liquid form must be sold by weight. Liquid commodities may be sold by weight, and nonliquid commodities may be sold by measure or count, if those forms of measurement are in general use and provide an accurate statement of quantity. Specific requirements and exceptions related to method of sale may be found under s. 98.06, Stats., and ch. ATCP 91.

ATCP 90.04(4) (4) Weight or measure; how expressed. If a declaration of net quantity is expressed in terms of weight or measure, the weight or measure shall be expressed in appropriate inch-pound units under s. ATCP 90.05 and in appropriate metric units under s. ATCP 90.06.

ATCP 90.04(5) (5) Combination declarations; required.

ATCP 90.04(5)(a) (a) Weight declaration; combined with measure or count. If a declaration of net quantity is expressed in terms of weight, the weight declaration shall be combined with an appropriate declaration of measure or count, unless the weight declaration alone is fully informative.

ATCP 90.04(5)(b) (b) Declaration of measure; combined with weight or count. If a declaration of net quantity is expressed in terms of measure, the declaration of measure shall be combined with an appropriate declaration of weight or count, unless the declaration of measure alone is fully informative.

ATCP 90.04(5)(c) (c) Declaration of count; combined with weight or measure. If a declaration of net quantity is expressed in terms of count, the declaration of count shall be combined with an appropriate declaration of weight or measure, unless the declaration of count alone is fully informative.

ATCP 90.04(5)(d) (d) Declaration of count; size of counted units. If a declaration of net quantity includes any declaration of count, either as a primary or supplementary declaration, it shall also specify the size of the individual counted units unless the declaration of count is fully informative without a declaration of unit size.

ATCP 90.04(5)(e) (e) Location on package. Combination declarations required under this subsection shall be included as part of the principal declaration of net quantity on the principal display panel of the package.

ATCP 90.04(6) (6) Supplementary declarations; optional. Net quantity declarations required under this section may be supplemented by other declarations of weight, measure, or count, provided that the supplementary declarations are not deceptive or misleading. A supplementary declaration of net quantity may not appear on the principal display panel of a package, or in conjunction with the principal declaration of net quantity, unless the supplementary declaration is required or specifically authorized under this chapter to appear in conjunction with the principal declaration.

ATCP 90.04(7) (7) Abbreviations. The following quantity abbreviations, or other generally accepted abbreviations, may be used in a declaration of net quantity:

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ATCP 90.04 Note Note: The above symbols need not be followed by periods or expressed as plurals. For example, “oz” is the symbol for both “ounce” and “ounces.” Both upper and lower case letters and exponents are acceptable.

ATCP 90.04 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94.

ATCP 90.05 ATCP 90.05 Weight or measure; how expressed in inch-pound units. A net quantity, when expressed in inch-pound units, shall be expressed as follows:

ATCP 90.05(1) (1) Weight; how expressed in inch-pound units. If a net quantity is declared in terms of weight, the weight shall be expressed in pounds, with any remainder expressed in ounces or common or decimal fractions of a pound. If the declared weight is less than one pound, the declared weight shall be expressed in ounces, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of an ounce.

ATCP 90.05 Note Note: For example, a declared net weight may be expressed in any of the following forms:

- See PDF for table

ATCP 90.05 Note Note: The terms “pounds” and “ounces,” as used in this subsection, mean avoirdupois pounds and ounces.

ATCP 90.05(2) (2) Liquid measure; how expressed in inch-pound units.

ATCP 90.05(2)(a) (a) Units of liquid measure. If a net quantity is declared in terms of liquid measure, the liquid measure shall be expressed in the largest whole units of liquid quarts, quarts and pints, or pints, with any remainder expressed in fluid ounces or common or decimal fractions of the pint or quart. If the declared measure is equal to or greater than one United States gallon of 231 cubic inches, the measure may be expressed in gallons, with any remainder expressed in liquid quarts or in common or decimal fractions of a gallon. If the declared measure is less than one pint, the declared measure shall be expressed in fluid ounces, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of a fluid ounce. The declared liquid measure shall be determined at the temperature specified under par. (b).

ATCP 90.05 Note Note: For example, a liquid measure may be expressed in any of the following ways:

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ATCP 90.05(2)(b) (b) Temperature at which liquid measure is determined. A declared liquid measure under par. (a) shall be determined at 68° F., except that:

ATCP 90.05(2)(b)1. 1. For petroleum products, the liquid measure shall be determined at 60° F.

ATCP 90.05(2)(b)2. 2. For commodities normally sold and consumed while frozen, the liquid measure shall be determined at the temperature of the frozen commodity.

ATCP 90.05(2)(b)3. 3. For commodities normally sold in a refrigerated state, the liquid measure shall be determined at 40° F.

ATCP 90.05(3) (3) Dry measure; how expressed in inch-pound units. If a net quantity is declared in terms of dry measure, the dry measure shall be expressed in terms of the United States bushel of 2,150.42 cubic inches, or in terms of the peck, dry quart, or dry pint subdivisions of the bushel. The declaration shall be expressed in an appropriate fashion to avoid misunderstanding, and to facilitate price comparisons by consumers. Whenever a declaration of dry measure is expressed in terms of a dry pint or dry quart, the term “dry” shall immediately precede the term“pint” or “quart” unless the declaration also includes a reference to bushels or pecks.

ATCP 90.05(4) (4) Cubic measure; how expressed in inch-pound units. If a net quantity is declared in terms of cubic measure, the cubic measure shall be expressed in terms of the cubic yard, cubic foot, or cubic inch. The declaration shall be expressed in an appropriate fashion to avoid misunderstanding, and to facilitate price comparisons by consumers.

ATCP 90.05(5) (5) Linear measure; how expressed in inch-pound units. If a net quantity is declared in terms of linear measure, the linear measure shall be expressed in terms of the largest whole units of yards, yards and feet, or feet, with any remainder expressed in terms of inches or common or decimal fractions of the yard or foot. If the declared measure is less than one foot, the declared measure shall be expressed in inches, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of an inch.

ATCP 90.05 Note Note: For example, a linear measure may be expressed in inch-pound units in any of the following ways:

ATCP 90.05 Note   2 yd
  1 yd, 1 ft
  1 ft, 6 in
  1 1/2 ft
  1.5 ft
  6 in

ATCP 90.05(6) (6) Area measure; how expressed in inch-pound units. If a net quantity is declared in terms of area measure, the area measure shall be expressed in terms of the largest whole units of square yards, square feet, and square inches, with any remainder expressed in square inches or common or decimal fractions of the square yard or square foot. If the declared measure is less than one square foot, the declared measure shall be expressed in square inches, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of a square inch.

ATCP 90.05(7) (7) Size of bidimensional commodities; how expressed in inch-pound units. For bidimensional commodities, including roll- type commodities, that are customarily measured in terms of area or in terms of length and width, the net quantity of the commodity shall be expressed as follows:

ATCP 90.05(7)(a) (a) Less than one square foot. If the total area of a bidimensional commodity is less than one square foot, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of length and width. The length and width shall be expressed in linear inches, with any remainder expressed as a common or decimal fraction of a linear inch.

ATCP 90.05(7)(b) (b) One to 4 square feet. Except as provided under par. (d) or (e), if the total area of a bidimensional commodity is less than 4 square feet but not less than one square foot, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of square inches. The square inch declaration shall be followed by a parenthetical declaration of length and width.

ATCP 90.05(7)(c) (c) Four square feet or more. Except as provided under par. (d) or (e), if the total area of a bidimensional commodity is 4 square feet or more, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of square feet, with any remainder expressed in square inches or common or decimal fractions of a square foot. The square foot declaration shall be followed by a parenthetical declaration of length and width.

ATCP 90.05(7)(d) (d) Width less than 4 inches. If a bidimensional commodity is less than 4 inches wide, the net quantity may be declared in terms of length and width, without any declaration of area.

ATCP 90.05(7)(e) (e) Two or more individual units; number, size and ply count.

ATCP 90.05(7)(e)1. 1. If a package contains 2 or more separate units of a bidimensional commodity, the net quantity of package contents shall be declared in terms of the number of individual units in the package, the number of plies per unit, and the area or dimensions of each unit.

ATCP 90.05 Note Note: For example, a package of facial tissues must disclose the number of tissues contained in the package, the number of plies per tissue and the size of each tissue (“100 2-ply facial tissues, 8 1/2 inches by 10 inches”), but need not specify the combined area of all the tissues contained in the package.

ATCP 90.05(7)(e)2. 2. If a roll-type bidimensional commodity, made up of one or more plies, is perforated to create individually usable units that are connected to each other at the time of sale, the declaration of net quantity shall include the total area or dimensions of the roll, the number of individual units contained on the roll, the number of plies per unit, and the area or dimensions of each individual unit. A package containing a perforated roll of bags shall be labeled in compliance with this subdivision, but need not specify the total area or dimensions of the roll.

ATCP 90.05 Note Note: For example, a packaged roll of paper towels must disclose the total area of the roll, the number of individual paper towels contained on the roll, the number of plies per towel, and the size of each towel.

ATCP 90.05 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1994, No. 459, eff. 4-1-94.

ATCP 90.06 ATCP 90.06 Weight or measure; how declared in metric units. A net quantity, when expressed in metric units, shall be expressed as follows:

ATCP 90.06(1) (1) Weight; how expressed in metric units. If a net quantity is declared in terms of weight, the weight shall be expressed in terms of kilograms, grams, or milligrams, as follows:

ATCP 90.06(1)(a) (a) Less than one kilogram. If the declared weight is less than one kilogram but not less than one gram, the declared weight shall be expressed in grams, with any remainder expressed as a decimal fraction of a gram. If the declared weight is less than one gram, it shall be expressed in milligrams.

ATCP 90.06(1)(b) (b) One kilogram or more. If the declared weight is one kilogram or more, the declared weight shall be expressed in kilograms, with any remainder expressed as a decimal fraction of a kilogram.

ATCP 90.06(2) (2) Liquid measure; how expressed in metric units.

ATCP 90.06(2)(a) (a) General. If a net quantity is declared in terms of liquid measure, the liquid measure shall be expressed in liters or milliliters. If the declared measure is less than one liter, the declared measure shall be expressed in milliliters. If the declared measure is one liter or more, the declared measure shall be expressed in liters, with any remainder expressed in milliliters.

ATCP 90.06(2)(b) (b) Temperature at which liquid measure is determined. If a net quantity is declared in terms of liquid measure, the declared liquid measure shall be determined at 20° C., except that:

ATCP 90.06(2)(b)1. 1. For petroleum products, the liquid measure shall be determined at 15° C.

ATCP 90.06(2)(b)2. 2. For commodities normally sold and consumed while frozen, the liquid measure shall be determined at the temperature of the frozen commodity.

ATCP 90.06(2)(b)3. 3. For commodities normally sold in a refrigerated state, the liquid measure shall be determined at 4° C.

ATCP 90.06(3) (3) Volume other than liquid measure; how expressed in metric units. If net quantity is declared in terms of volume, the volume shall be expressed in terms of the liter and milliliter, except where use of the cubic meter and cubic centimeter are specifically authorized or required by law.

ATCP 90.06(4) (4) Linear measure; how expressed. If net quantity is declared in terms of linear measure, the linear measure shall be expressed in terms of meters, centimeters, or millimeters. If the declared measure is less than one meter, it shall be expressed in centimeters or millimeters. If the declared measure is one meter or more, it shall be expressed in meters, with any remainder expressed as a decimal fraction of a meter.

ATCP 90.06(5) (5) Area measure; how expressed. If net quantity is declared in terms of area measure, the declared measure shall be expressed in terms of square meters, square decimeters, or square centimeters. If the declared measure is less than one square meter, it shall be expressed in square decimeters and decimal fractions of a square decimeter, or in square centimeters and decimal fractions of a square centimeter. If the declared measure is one square meter or more, it shall be expressed in square meters and decimal fractions of a meter.

ATCP 90.06(6) (6) Size of bidimensional commodities; how expressed. For bidimensional commodities, including roll-type commodities, that are measured in terms of area or in terms of length and width, the net quantity of the commodity shall be expressed as follows:

ATCP 90.06(6)(a) (a) Less than one square meter. If the total area of the bidimensional commodity is less than one square meter, the net quantity shall be declared in terms of length and width.

ATCP 90.06(6)(b) (b) One square meter or more. If the total area of the bidimensional commodity is one square meter or more, the declaration of net quantity shall specify the area and the linear dimensions of the commodity. No declaration of area is required if the width of the commodity is 100 millimeters or less, or if the length and width of the commodity are critical for the end use of the commodity.

ATCP 90.06(6)(c) (c) Two or more individual units; number, size, and ply count.

ATCP 90.06(6)(c)1. 1. If a package contains 2 or more separate units of a bidimensional commodity, the net quantity of package contents shall be declared in terms of the number of individual units in the package, the number of plies per unit, and the area or dimensions of each unit.

ATCP 90.06 Note Note: For example, a package of facial tissues must disclose the number of tissues contained in the package, the number of plies per tissue, and the size of each tissue, but need not specify the combined area of all the tissues contained in the package.

ATCP 90.06(6)(c)2. 2. If a roll-type bidimensional commodity, made up of one or more plies, is perforated to create individually usable units that are connected to each other at the time of sale, the declaration of net quantity shall include the total area or dimensions of the roll, the number of individual units contained on the roll, the number of plies per unit, and the area or dimensions of each individual unit. A package containing a perforated roll of bags shall be labeled in compliance with this subdivision, but need not specify the total area or dimensions of the roll.