Legal Metrology in Europe: Harmonising requirements trough directives and the cooperation of authorities trough WELMEC by Knut Lindløv Director Legal Metrology Justervesenet – Norwegian Metrology Service

Objective of Legal Metrology to establish confidence by the interested parties that the measurements are sufficiently correct Interested parties: –Consumer –Industry (user of instruments to produce measurements) –The authorities

”Sufficiently correct”? Accuracy of the measuring instrument (measurement) Given in regulations –Accuracy and accuracy classes when new –Accuracy in use, target for supervision

Harmonising requirements in Europe EU directives “New approach” directives –Full harmonisation of requirements –No additional national requirements – (except for installation etc. not covered by the directive)

The NAWI directive (1990) NAWI (Non-Automatic-Weighing-Instruments) Accuracy requirements and field of application –Trade, toll/tax, application of laws, …. –All countries shall implement the requirements –May choose accuracy classes (harmonised by tradition) –Requirements similar to OIML R-76

The MID directive (2006) Accuracy requirements –Option on field of application –Option on the use of accuracy classes –Less harmonising than for the NAWI –Ten groups of measuring instruments

MID – ten groups of measuring instruments Water meters, Gas meters, Heat meters, Electrical energy meters Measuring systems for liquids Automatic weighing instruments Taximeters Material measures Dimensional measurung instruments Exhaust gas analysers

Europe – not only EU EU (European Union; European Commission ) EEA (European Economic Area) EU members + 3 EFTA members Candidate countries to EU Other cooperation with EU Commen for all: the obligation to implement the EU directives

WELMEC European cooperation in legal metrology European Cooperation in Legal Metrology

WELMEC Membership European cooperation in legal metrology Memorandum of Understanding 1990 –Members: Legal metrology authorities from 18 countries 12 Countries: European Union (EU) 6 Countries: European Free Trade Association (EFTA) “Western European Legal Metrology Co-operation“ -WELMEC in Members (25 EU countries; 3 EFTA countries) - 4 Assosiate Members (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Croatia) ”European cooperation in legal metrology”

WELMEC Member States European cooperation in legal metrology Common Legal Framework Common Approach Common Application Common Interpretation Common Measures Regional Problems Recognise Tests NEW 2006: CR

WELMEC Objectives European cooperation in legal metrology Mutual confidence between legal metrology services in Europe Equivalence and harmonisation of legal metrology activities Activities taking into account the relevant guidelines Exchange of information for legal metrology at national and local level Identification and promotion of the removal of barriers to trade in the field of measuring instruments Consistent application of normative documents Working links with all relevant bodies Maintenance of channels for a continuous flow of knowledge

WELMEC Structure European cooperation in legal metrology Committee Chairman Chairman´s Group Secretariat Measuring Systems for liquids Measuring Instruments Directive Weighing Instruments Software Prepackages Common Working Groups Instrument specific Working Groups General Aspects Metrological Supervision Observers and Corresponding Organisations Utility Meters Information Exchange MID Contact Points Taximeter Length Measuring Instruments MID

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 2 Weighing Instruments Working Program Non Automatic Weighing Instruments (90/384/EEC) Automatic Weighing Instruments (MID) Technical Guidances Application Documents OIML Documents and MID

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 4 General Aspects of Legal Metrology Working Program Uncertainty in Legal Metrology Use of Accuracy Classes Acceptable „failure rate“ (non-conformity rate)

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 5 Metrological Supervision Working Program Supervision Levels in EU CE-Marking in NAWI Sector Promotion of Development of Market Surveillance Directory Legal Metrology in Europe

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 6 Prepackages Working Program Uniform Application of Directives (Guides) Exchange of Information Advice and Proposals for New European Legislation

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 7 Software Working Program Harmonise Type Approval Requirements (Software) Develop Software Guides Software and MID

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 8 Measuring Instruments Directive Working Program Conformity Assessment Modules Criteria for Appointment of Notified Bodies Operation of Notified Bodies OIML Documents and MID

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 10 Liquids other than Water Working Program Harmonization of Type Approval Examination and Initial Verification Development of guides for interpretation, testing and test report format with respect of OIML Recommendations OIML Documents and MID

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology WG 11 Utility Meters Working Program Application of Conformity Modules Drafting technical Guides Clarification of Measuring Instruments covered by MID OIML Documents and MID

WELMEC Working Groups European cooperation in legal metrology Ad hoc WG for Information Exchange Working Program Market Surveilllance Activities and Results Type Examination and Design Examniation Quality System Approvals Analysis of Internet Platforms for Information Propose technical Solutions bases on Web-technology

 Market Surveillance  Conformity Assessment, Operation of Notified Bodies  Identification of relevant OIML Documents  Development of Guidance Documents  Administrative Cooperation WELMEC and European Commission European cooperation in legal metrology Cooperation Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) NAWI-Directive

WELMEC Working with EC European cooperation in legal metrology WELMEC Committee Meeting –Analysis of WELMEC Work –Common Working Program –WELMEC Guidelines –Published by WELMEC –Reference on Commission Webpage –Commission Working Group

WELMEC Documents European cooperation in legal metrology Guidance for the application of EC Directives –to manufacturers of measuring instruments –to notified bodies responsible for conformity assessment –to legal metrology authorities Guides (published): n An Introduction to WELMEC n European Directory of Legal Metrology n WELMEC Type Approval Agreement n Software Requirements and Interfaces n Instrument specific guides n Guides for the control of e-marked pre-packages n Guide for assessing Notified Bodies for NAWI n Guide on elements for deciding the appropriate level of confidence in regulated measurements

WELMEC Near Future European cooperation in legal metrology Support the Implementation of the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) Identification of unclear areas in the MID Co-operation with the European Commission Application of software requirements Seminars/Workshops concerning MID

Thank you for your attention! WELMEC European cooperation in legal metrology