For the purpose of this subpart:

(a) The term sq m (“sq. ft.”) shall mean the area plated expressed in square meters (square feet).

(b) The term electroless plating shall mean the deposition of conductive material from an autocatalytic plating solution without application of electrical current.

(c) The term operation shall mean any step in the electroless plating process in which a metal is deposited on a basis material and which is followed by a rinse; this includes the related operations of alkaline cleaning, acid pickle, and stripping, when each operation is followed by a rinse.