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Document 32014L0032
Directive 2014/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of measuring instruments (recast) Text with EEA relevance
Directive 2014/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of measuring instruments (recast) Text with EEA relevance
Directive 2014/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of measuring instruments (recast) Text with EEA relevance
OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, p. 149–250
(BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)
In force: This act has been changed. Current consolidated version: 27/01/2015
29.3.2014 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 96/149 |
DIRECTIVE 2014/32/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 26 February 2014
on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of measuring instruments (recast)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (2),
Whereas:
(1) |
Directive 2004/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on measuring instruments (3) has been substantially amended (4). Since further amendments are to be made, that Directive should be recast in the interests of clarity. |
(2) |
Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products (5) lays down rules on the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, provides a framework for the market surveillance of products and for controls on products from third countries, and lays down the general principles of the CE marking. |
(3) |
Decision No 768/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 on a common framework for the marketing of products (6) lays down common principles and reference provisions intended to apply across sectoral legislation in order to provide a coherent basis for revision or recasts of that legislation. Directive 2004/22/EC should be adapted to that Decision. |
(4) |
This Directive covers measuring instruments which are new to the Union market when they are placed on the market; that is to say they are either new measuring instruments made by a manufacturer established in the Union or measuring instruments, whether new or second-hand, imported from a third country. |
(5) |
Correct and traceable measuring instruments can be used for a variety of measurement tasks. Those responding to reasons of public interest, public health, safety and order, protection of the environment and the consumer, of levying taxes and duties and of fair trading, which directly and indirectly affect the daily life of citizens in many ways, may require the use of legally controlled measuring instruments. |
(6) |
This Directive should apply to all forms of supply, including distance selling. |
(7) |
Legal metrological control should not lead to barriers to the free movement of measuring instruments. The applicable provisions should be the same in all Member States and proof of conformity should be accepted throughout the Union. |
(8) |
Legal metrological control requires conformity with specified performance requirements. The performance requirements that the measuring instruments must meet should provide a high level of protection. The conformity assessment should provide a high level of confidence. |
(9) |
Member States should as a general rule prescribe legal metrological control. Where legal metrological control is prescribed, only measuring instruments complying with common performance requirements should be used. |
(10) |
The principle of optionality introduced by Directive 2004/22/EC allows Member States to exercise their right to decide whether or not to prescribe the use of the measuring instruments covered by this Directive. |
(11) |
National specifications concerning the appropriate national requirements for use should not interfere with the provisions of this Directive on ‘putting into use’. |
(12) |
The performance of certain measuring instruments is particularly sensitive to the environment, in particular the electromagnetic environment. Immunity of measuring instruments to electromagnetic interference should form an integral part of this Directive and the immunity requirements of Directive 2004/108/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility (7) should therefore not apply. |
(13) |
In order to ensure the free circulation of measuring instruments in the Union, Member States should not impede the placing on the market and/or putting into use of measuring instruments that carry the CE marking and supplementary metrology marking in accordance with the provisions of this Directive. |
(14) |
Member States should take appropriate action to prevent non-complying measuring instruments from being placed on the market and/or put into use. Adequate cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States is therefore necessary to ensure a Union-wide effect of this objective. |
(15) |
Economic operators should be responsible for the compliance of measuring instruments with this Directive, in relation to their respective roles in the supply chain, so as to ensure a high level of protection of the aspects of public interest covered by this Directive, and also to guarantee fair competition on the Union market. |
(16) |
All economic operators intervening in the supply and distribution chain should take appropriate measures to ensure that they make available on the market only measuring instruments which are in conformity with this Directive. It is necessary to provide for a clear and proportionate distribution of obligations which correspond to the role of each economic operator in the supply and distribution chain. |
(17) |
In order to facilitate communication between economic operators, market surveillance authorities and consumers, Member States should encourage economic operators to include a website address in addition to the postal address. |
(18) |
The manufacturer, having detailed knowledge of the design and production process, is best placed to carry out the conformity assessment procedure. Conformity assessment should therefore remain solely the obligation of the manufacturer. |
(19) |
It is necessary to ensure that measuring instruments from third countries entering the Union market comply with this Directive, and in particular that the appropriate conformity assessment procedures have been carried out by manufacturers with regard to those measuring instruments. Provision should therefore be made for importers to make sure that the measuring instruments they place on the market comply with the requirements of this Directive and that they do not place on the market measuring instruments which do not comply with such requirements or present a risk. Provision should also be made for importers to make sure that conformity assessment procedures have been carried out and that marking of measuring instruments and documentation drawn up by manufacturers are available for inspection by the competent national authorities. |
(20) |
When placing a measuring instrument on the market, every importer should indicate on the measuring instrument his name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which he can be contacted. Exceptions should be provided for in cases where the size or nature of the measuring instrument does not allow it. This includes cases where the importer would have to open the packaging to put his name and address on the measuring instrument. |
(21) |
The distributor makes a measuring instrument available on the market after it has been placed on the market by the manufacturer or the importer. The distributor should act with due care to ensure that its handling of the measuring instrument does not adversely affect the compliance of that instrument with this Directive. |
(22) |
Any economic operator that either places a measuring instrument on the market under his own name or trade mark or modifies a measuring instrument in such a way that compliance with of this Directive may be affected should be considered to be the manufacturer and should assume the obligations of the manufacturer. |
(23) |
Distributors and importers, being close to the market place, should be involved in market surveillance tasks carried out by competent national authorities, and should be prepared to participate actively, providing those authorities with all necessary information relating to the measuring instrument concerned. |
(24) |
Ensuring traceability of a measuring instrument throughout the whole supply chain helps to make market surveillance simpler and more efficient. An efficient traceability system facilitates market surveillance authorities’ task of tracing economic operators who made non-compliant measuring instruments available on the market. When keeping the information required under this Directive for the identification of other economic operators, economic operators should not be required to update such information in respect of other economic operators who have either supplied them with a measuring instrument or to whom they have supplied a measuring instrument. |
(25) |
This Directive should be limited to the expression of essential requirements that do not impede technical progress, preferably performance requirements. In order to facilitate conformity assessment with those requirements it is necessary to provide for a presumption of conformity for measuring instruments which are in conformity with harmonised standards that are adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on European Standardisation (8) for the purpose of expressing detailed technical specifications of those requirements. |
(26) |
Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 provides for a procedure for objections to harmonised standards where those standards do not entirely satisfy the requirements of this Directive. |
(27) |
The technical and performance specifications of internationally agreed normative documents may also comply, in part or in full, with the essential requirements laid down by this Directive. In those cases the use of these internationally agreed normative documents should be allowed as an alternative to the use of harmonised standards and, under specific conditions, give rise to a presumption of conformity. |
(28) |
Conformity with the essential requirements laid down by this Directive can also be provided by specifications that are not supplied by a harmonised standard or an internationally agreed normative document. The use of harmonised standards or internationally agreed normative documents should therefore be optional. |
(29) |
In order to enable economic operators to demonstrate and the competent authorities to ensure that measuring instruments made available on the market comply with the essential requirements, it is necessary to provide for conformity assessment procedures. Decision No 768/2008/EC establishes modules for conformity assessment procedures, from the least to the most stringent, in proportion to the level of risk involved and the level of safety required. In order to ensure inter-sectoral coherence and to avoid ad-hoc variants, conformity assessment procedures should be chosen from among those modules. However, it is necessary to adapt those modules in order to reflect specific aspects of metrological control. |
(30) |
The conformity assessment of sub-assemblies should be carried out in accordance with this Directive. If sub-assemblies are made available on the market separately and independently of an instrument, their conformity assessment should be undertaken independently of the instrument concerned. |
(31) |
The state of the art in measurement technology is subject to constant evolution which may lead to changes in the needs for conformity assessments. Therefore, for each category of measuring instrument and, where appropriate, sub-assemblies, there should be an appropriate procedure or a choice between different procedures of equivalent stringency. |
(32) |
Manufacturers should draw up an EU declaration of conformity to provide information required under this Directive on the conformity of a measuring instrument with this Directive and with other relevant Union harmonisation legislation. |
(33) |
To ensure effective access to information for market surveillance purposes, the information required to identify all applicable Union acts should be available in a single EU declaration of conformity. In order to reduce the administrative burden on economic operators, that single EU declaration of conformity may be a dossier made up of relevant individual declarations of conformity. |
(34) |
The CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking, indicating the conformity of a measuring instrument, are the visible consequence of a whole process comprising conformity assessment in a broad sense. General principles governing the CE marking and its relationship to other markings are set out in Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. Rules governing the affixing of the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking should be laid down in this Directive. |
(35) |
In order to take account of differences in climatic conditions or of different levels of consumer protection that may apply at national level, it is necessary to establish environmental or accuracy classes as essential requirements. |
(36) |
Certain conformity assessment procedures set out in this Directive require the intervention of conformity assessment bodies, which are notified by the Member States to the Commission. |
(37) |
Experience has shown that the criteria set out in Directive 2004/22/EC that conformity assessment bodies have to fulfil to be notified to the Commission are not sufficient to ensure a uniformly high level of performance of notified bodies throughout the Union. It is, however, essential that all notified bodies perform their functions to the same level and under conditions of fair competition. That requires the setting of obligatory requirements for conformity assessment bodies wishing to be notified in order to provide conformity assessment services. |
(38) |
If a conformity assessment body demonstrates conformity with the criteria laid down in harmonised standards it should be presumed to comply with the corresponding requirements set out in this Directive. |
(39) |
In order to ensure a consistent level of quality in the performance of conformity assessment of measuring instruments, it is also necessary to set requirements for notifying authorities and other bodies involved in the assessment, notification and monitoring of notified bodies. |
(40) |
The system set out in this Directive should be complemented by the accreditation system provided for in Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. Since accreditation is an essential means of verifying the competence of conformity assessment bodies, it should also be used for the purposes of notification. |
(41) |
Transparent accreditation as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, ensuring the necessary level of confidence in certificates of conformity, should be considered by the national public authorities throughout the Union as the preferred means of demonstrating the technical competence of conformity assessment bodies. However, national authorities may consider that they possess the appropriate means of carrying out that evaluation themselves. In such cases, in order to ensure the appropriate level of credibility of evaluations carried out by other national authorities, they should provide the Commission and the other Member States with the necessary documentary evidence demonstrating the compliance of the conformity assessment bodies evaluated with the relevant regulatory requirements. |
(42) |
Conformity assessment bodies frequently subcontract parts of their activities linked to the assessment of conformity or have recourse to a subsidiary. In order to safeguard the level of protection required for the measuring instruments to be placed on the market, it is essential that conformity assessment subcontractors and subsidiaries fulfil the same requirements as notified bodies in relation to the performance of conformity assessment tasks. Therefore, it is important that the assessment of the competence and the performance of bodies to be notified and the monitoring of bodies already notified cover also activities carried out by subcontractors and subsidiaries. |
(43) |
It is necessary to increase the efficiency and transparency of the notification procedure and, in particular, to adapt it to new technologies so as to enable online notification. |
(44) |
Since notified bodies may offer their services throughout the Union, it is appropriate to give the other Member States and the Commission the opportunity to raise objections concerning a notified body. It is therefore important to provide for a period during which any doubts or concerns as to the competence of conformity assessment bodies can be clarified before they start operating as notified bodies. |
(45) |
In the interests of competitiveness, it is crucial that notified bodies apply the conformity assessment procedures without creating unnecessary burdens for economic operators. For the same reason, and to ensure equal treatment of economic operators, consistency in the technical application of the conformity assessment procedures needs to be ensured. That can best be achieved through appropriate coordination and cooperation between notified bodies. |
(46) |
In order to ensure legal certainty, it is necessary to clarify that rules on Union market surveillance and control of products entering the Union market provided for in Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 apply to measuring instruments covered by this Directive. This Directive should not prevent Member States from choosing the competent authorities to carry out those tasks. |
(47) |
Member States should take all appropriate measures to ensure that measuring instruments may be placed on the market only if, when properly stored and used for their intended purpose, or under conditions of use which can be reasonably foreseen, they do not endanger the health and safety of persons. Measuring instruments should be considered as non-compliant with the essential requirements laid down in this Directive only under conditions of use which can be reasonably foreseen, that is when such use could result from lawful and readily predictable human behaviour. |
(48) |
Directive 2004/22/EC already provides for a safeguard procedure allowing the Commission to examine the justification for a measure taken by a Member State against measuring instruments it considers to be non-compliant. In order to increase transparency and to reduce processing time, it is necessary to improve the existing safeguard procedure, with the view to making it more efficient and drawing on the expertise available in Member States. |
(49) |
The existing system should be supplemented by a procedure under which interested parties are informed of measures intended to be taken with regard to measuring instruments presenting a risk to aspects of public interest protection covered by this Directive. It should also allow market surveillance authorities, in cooperation with the relevant economic operators, to act at an early stage in respect of such measuring instruments. |
(50) |
Where the Member States and the Commission agree as to the justification of a measure taken by a Member State, no further involvement of the Commission should be required, except where non-compliance can be attributed to shortcomings of a harmonised standard or a normative document. |
(51) |
In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (9). |
(52) |
The advisory procedure should be used for the adoption of implementing acts requesting the notifying Member State to take the necessary corrective measures in respect of notified bodies that do not meet or no longer meet the requirements for their notification. |
(53) |
The advisory procedure should also be used for the adoption of implementing acts with respect to the objections to the internationally agreed normative documents whose references have not yet been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, given that the relevant document has not yet led to the presumption of conformity with the applicable essential requirements. |
(54) |
The examination procedure should be used for the adoption of implementing acts with respect to the objections to the internationally agreed normative documents whose references were already published in the Official Journal of the European Union and which a Member State or the Commission considers justified, given that such acts could have consequences on the presumption of conformity with the applicable essential requirements. |
(55) |
The examination procedure should also be used for the adoption of implementing acts with respect to compliant measuring instruments which present a risk to the health or safety of persons or to other aspects of public interest protection. |
(56) |
In line with established practice, the committee set up by this Directive can play a useful role in examining matters concerning the application of this Directive raised either by its chair or by a representative of a Member State in accordance with its rules of procedure. |
(57) |
When matters relating to this Directive, other than its implementation or infringements, are being examined, i.e. in a Commission expert group, the European Parliament should in line with existing practice receive full information and documentation and, where appropriate, an invitation to attend such meetings. |
(58) |
The Commission should, by means of implementing acts and, given their special nature, acting without the application of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011, determine whether measures taken by Member States in respect of non-compliant measuring instruments are justified or not. |
(59) |
In order to take into account the developments in the measurement technology, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amendments to the instrument-specific Annexes. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council. |
(60) |
Member States should lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of national law adopted pursuant to this Directive and ensure that those rules are enforced. The penalties provided for should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. |
(61) |
It is necessary to provide for reasonable transitional arrangements that allow the making available on the market and putting into use, without the need to comply with further product requirements, of measuring instruments that have already been placed on the market in accordance with Directive 2004/22/EC before the date of application of national measures transposing this Directive. Distributors should therefore be able to supply measuring instruments that have been placed on the market, namely stock that is already in the distribution chain, before the date of application of national measures transposing this Directive. |
(62) |
Since the objective of this Directive, namely to ensure that measuring instruments on the market fulfil the requirements providing for a high level of protection of the public interests covered by this Directive while guaranteeing the functioning of the internal market cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. |
(63) |
The obligation to transpose this Directive into national law should be confined to those provisions which represent a substantive amendment as compared to the earlier Directive. The obligation to transpose the provisions which are unchanged arises under the earlier Directive. |
(64) |
This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for transposition into national law and the dates of application of the Directives set out in Annex XIV, Part B, |
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
Subject matter
This Directive establishes the requirements that measuring instruments have to satisfy with a view to their being made available on the market and/or put into use for the measuring tasks referred to in Article 3(1).
Article 2
Scope
1. This Directive applies to the measuring instruments defined in the instrument-specific Annexes III to XII (hereinafter ‘instrument-specific Annexes’) concerning water meters (MI-001), gas meters and volume conversion devices (MI-002), active electrical energy meters (MI-003), thermal energy meters (MI-004), measuring systems for continuous and dynamic measurement of quantities of liquids other than water (MI-005), automatic weighing instruments (MI-006), taximeters (MI-007), material measures (MI-008), dimensional measuring instruments (MI-009) and exhaust gas analysers (MI-010).
2. This Directive is a specific Directive in respect of requirements for electromagnetic immunity within the meaning of Article 2(3) of Directive 2014/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (10). That Directive continues to apply with regard to emission requirements.
Article 3
Optionality
1. Member States may prescribe the use of measuring instruments for measuring tasks, where they consider it justified for reasons of public interest, public health, public safety, public order, protection of the environment, protection of consumers, levying of taxes and duties and fair trading.
2. Where Member States do not prescribe such use, they shall communicate the reasons therefor to the Commission and the other Member States.
Article 4
Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) |
‘measuring instrument’ means any device or system with a measurement function that is covered by Article 2(1); |
(2) |
‘sub-assembly’ means a hardware device, mentioned as such in the instrument-specific annexes, that functions independently and makes up a measuring instrument together with other sub-assemblies with which it is compatible, or with a measuring instrument with which it is compatible; |
(3) |
‘legal metrological control’ means the control of the measurement tasks intended for the field of application of a measuring instrument, for reasons of public interest, public health, public safety, public order, protection of the environment, levying of taxes and duties, protection of the consumers and fair trading; |
(4) |
‘normative document’ means a document containing technical specifications adopted by the International Organisation of Legal Metrology; |
(5) |
‘making available on the market’ means any supply of a measuring instrument for distribution or use on the Union market in the course of a commercial activity, whether in return for payment or free of charge; |
(6) |
‘placing on the market’ means the first making available of a measuring instrument on the Union market; |
(7) |
‘putting into use’ means the first use of a measuring instrument intended for the end-user for the purposes for which it was intended; |
(8) |
‘manufacturer’ means any natural or legal person who manufactures a measuring instrument or has a measuring instrument designed or manufactured, and markets that measuring instrument under his name or trade mark or puts it into use for his own purposes; |
(9) |
‘authorised representative’ means any natural or legal person established within the Union who has received a written mandate from a manufacturer to act on his behalf in relation to specified tasks; |
(10) |
‘importer’ means any natural or legal person established within the Union who places a measuring instrument from a third country on the Union market; |
(11) |
‘distributor’ means any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes a measuring instrument available on the market; |
(12) |
‘economic operators’ means the manufacturer, the authorised representative, the importer and the distributor; |
(13) |
‘technical specification’ means a document that prescribes technical requirements to be fulfilled by a measuring instrument; |
(14) |
‘harmonised standard’ means harmonised standard as defined in point (c) of point 1 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012; |
(15) |
‘accreditation’ means accreditation as defined in point 10 of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) no 765/2008; |
(16) |
‘national accreditation body’ means national accreditation body as defined in point 11 of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) no 765/2008; |
(17) |
‘conformity assessment’ means the process demonstrating whether the essential requirements of this Directive relating to a measuring instrument have been fulfilled; |
(18) |
‘conformity assessment body’ means a body that performs conformity assessment activities including calibration, testing, certification and inspection; |
(19) |
‘recall’ means any measure aimed at achieving the return of a measuring instrument that has already been made available to the end-user; |
(20) |
‘withdrawal’ means any measure aimed at preventing a measuring instrument in the supply chain from being made available on the market; |
(21) |
‘Union harmonisation legislation’ means any Union legislation harmonising the conditions for the marketing of products; |
(22) |
‘CE marking’ means a marking by which the manufacturer indicates that the measuring instrument is in conformity with the applicable requirements set out in Union harmonisation legislation providing for its affixing. |
Article 5
Applicability to sub-assemblies
Where instrument-specific annexes lay down the essential requirements for sub-assemblies, this Directive shall apply mutatis mutandis to such sub-assemblies.
Sub-assemblies and measuring instruments may be assessed independently and separately for the purpose of establishing conformity.
Article 6
Essential requirements
A measuring instrument shall meet the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annex.
Member States may require, if it is needed for correct use of the instrument, the information referred to in point 9 of Annex I or in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes to be provided in a language which can be easily understood by end-users, as determined by the Member State in which the instrument is made available on the market.
Article 7
Making available on the market and putting into use
1. Member States shall not impede for reasons covered by this Directive the making available on the market and/or putting into use of any measuring instrument that satisfies the requirements of this Directive.
2. Member States shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that measuring instruments are made available on the market and/or put into use only if they satisfy the requirements of this Directive.
3. A Member State may require a measuring instrument to satisfy provisions governing its putting into use that are justified by local climatic conditions. In such a case, the Member State shall choose appropriate upper and lower temperature limits from Table 1 of Annex I and may specify humidity conditions (condensing or non-condensing) and whether the intended location of use is open or closed.
4. When different accuracy classes are defined for a measuring instrument:
(a) |
the instrument-specific Annexes under the heading ‘Putting into use’ may indicate the accuracy classes to be used for specific applications; |
(b) |
in all other cases a Member State may determine the accuracy classes to be used for specific applications within the classes defined, subject to allowing the use of all accuracy classes on its territory. |
For the purposes of point (a) or point (b), measuring instruments of a better accuracy class may be used if the owner so chooses.
5. At trade fairs, exhibitions, demonstrations or similar events, Member States shall not prevent the showing of measuring instruments not in conformity with this Directive, provided that a visible sign clearly indicates their non-conformity and their non-availability for making available on the market and/or putting into use until they are brought into conformity.
CHAPTER 2
OBLIGATIONS OF ECONOMIC OPERATORS
Article 8
Obligations of manufacturers
1. When placing their measuring instruments on the market and/or putting them into use, manufacturers shall ensure that they have been designed and manufactured in accordance with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes.
2. Manufacturers shall draw up the technical documentation referred to in Article 18 and carry out the relevant conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 17 or have it carried out.
Where compliance of a measuring instrument with the applicable requirements of this Directive has been demonstrated by that conformity assessment procedure, manufacturers shall draw up an EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking.
3. Manufacturers shall keep the technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity for 10 years after the measuring instrument has been placed on the market.
4. Manufacturers shall ensure that procedures are in place for series production to remain in conformity with this Directive. Changes in measuring instrument design or characteristics and changes in the harmonised standards, normative documents or in other technical specifications by reference to which conformity of a measuring instrument is declared shall be adequately taken into account.
When deemed appropriate with regard to the performance of a measuring instrument, manufacturers shall carry out sample testing of measuring instruments made available on the market, investigate and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints, of non-conforming measuring instruments and measuring instrument recalls, and shall keep distributors informed of any such monitoring.
5. Manufacturers shall ensure that measuring instruments which they have placed on the market bear a type, batch or serial number or other element allowing their identification, or, where the size or nature of the measuring instrument does not allow it, that the required information is provided in a document accompanying the measuring instrument and on the packaging, if any, in accordance with point 9.2 of Annex I.
6. Manufacturers shall indicate on the measuring instrument their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where that is not possible, in a document accompanying the measuring instrument and on the packaging, if any, in accordance with point 9.2 of Annex I. The address shall indicate a single point at which the manufacturer can be contacted. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities.
7. Manufacturers shall ensure that the measuring instrument which they have placed on the market is accompanied by a copy of the EU Declaration of conformity and by instructions and information in accordance with point 9.3 of Annex I, in a language which can be easily understood by end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. Such instructions and information, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and intelligible.
8. Manufacturers who consider or have reason to believe that a measuring instrument which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that measuring instrument into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate. Furthermore, where the measuring instrument presents a risk, manufacturers shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the measuring instrument available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.
9. Manufacturers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the measuring instrument with this Directive, in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by measuring instruments which they have placed on the market.
Article 9
Authorised representatives
1. A manufacturer may, by a written mandate, appoint an authorised representative.
The obligations laid down in Article 8(1) and the obligation to draw up technical documentation referred to in Article 8(2) shall not form part of the authorised representative’s mandate.
2. An authorised representative shall perform the tasks specified in the mandate received from the manufacturer. The mandate shall allow the authorised representative to do at least the following:
(a) |
keep the EU declaration of conformity and the technical documentation at the disposal of national market surveillance authorities for 10 years after the measuring instrument has been placed on the market; |
(b) |
further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide that authority with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of a measuring instrument; |
(c) |
cooperate with the competent national authorities, at their request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by measuring instruments covered by their mandate. |
Article 10
Obligations of importers
1. Importers shall place only compliant measuring instruments on the market.
2. Before placing a measuring instrument on the market and/or putting a measuring instrument into use importers shall ensure that the appropriate conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 17 has been carried out by the manufacturer. They shall ensure that the manufacturer has drawn up the technical documentation, that the measuring instrument bears the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking and is accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity and the required documents, and that the manufacturer has complied with the requirements set out in Article 8(5) and (6).
Where an importer considers or has reason to believe that a measuring instrument is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes, he shall not place the measuring instrument on the market or put it into use until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the measuring instrument presents a risk, the importer shall inform the manufacturer and the market surveillance authorities to that effect.
3. Importers shall indicate on the measuring instrument their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where that is not possible, in a document accompanying the measuring instrument and on its packaging, if any, in accordance with point 9.2 of Annex I. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities.
4. Importers shall ensure that the measuring instrument is accompanied by instructions and information in accordance with point 9.3 of Annex I, in a language which can be easily understood by end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned.
5. Importers shall ensure that, while a measuring instrument is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes.
6. When deemed appropriate with regard to the performance of a measuring instrument, importers shall carry out sample testing of measuring instruments made available on the market, investigate, and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints, of non-conforming measuring instruments and measuring instrument recalls, and shall keep distributors informed of any such monitoring.
7. Importers who consider or have reason to believe that a measuring instrument which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that measuring instrument into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate. Furthermore, where the measuring instrument presents a risk, importers shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the measuring instrument available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.
8. Importers shall, for 10 years after the measuring instrument has been placed on the market keep a copy of the EU declaration of conformity at the disposal of the market surveillance authorities and ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to those authorities, upon request.
9. Importers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of a measuring instrument in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by measuring instruments which they have placed on the market.
Article 11
Obligations of distributors
1. When making a measuring instrument available on the market and/or putting it into use, distributors shall act with due care in relation to the requirements of this Directive.
2. Before making a measuring instrument available on the market and/or putting a measuring instrument into use distributors shall verify that the measuring instrument bears the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking, that it is accompanied by the EU declaration of conformity, by the required documents and by instructions and information in accordance with point 9.3 of Annex I, in a language which can be easily understood by end-users in the Member State in which the measuring instrument is to be made available on the market and/or put into use, and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 8(5) and (6) and Article 10(3) respectively.
Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that a measuring instrument is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes, he shall not make the measuring instrument available on the market or put it into use, until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the measuring instrument presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities.
3. Distributors shall ensure that, while a measuring instrument is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes.
4. Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that a measuring instrument which they have made available on the market or put into use is not in conformity with this Directive shall make sure that the corrective measures necessary to bring that measuring instrument into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate, are taken. Furthermore, where the measuring instrument presents a risk, distributors shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the measuring instrument available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.
5. Distributors shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of a measuring instrument. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by measuring instruments which they have made available on the market.
Article 12
Cases in which obligations of manufacturers apply to importers and distributors
An importer or distributor shall be considered a manufacturer for the purposes of this Directive and he shall be subject to the obligations of the manufacturer under Article 8, where he places a measuring instrument on the market under his name or trade mark or modifies a measuring instrument already placed on the market in such a way that compliance with this Directive may be affected.
Article 13
Identification of economic operators
Economic operators shall, on request, identify the following to the market surveillance authorities:
(a) |
any economic operator who has supplied them with a measuring instrument; |
(b) |
any economic operator to whom they have supplied a measuring instrument. |
Economic operators shall be able to present the information referred to in the first paragraph for 10 years after they have been supplied with the measuring instrument and for 10 years after they have supplied the measuring instrument.
CHAPTER 3
CONFORMITY OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
Article 14
Presumption of conformity of measuring instruments
1. Measuring instruments which are in conformity with harmonised standards or parts thereof the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union shall be presumed to be in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes covered by those standards or parts thereof.
2. Measuring instruments which are in conformity with parts of normative documents, the list of which has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, shall be presumed to be in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes covered by those parts of normative documents.
3. A manufacturer may choose to use any technical solution that complies with the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes. In addition, to benefit from the presumption of conformity, the manufacturer must correctly apply solutions mentioned either in the relevant harmonised standards or in the normative documents referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.
4. Member States shall presume compliance with the appropriate tests mentioned in point (i) of Article 18(3) if the corresponding test programme has been performed in accordance with the relevant documents mentioned in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 and if the test results ensure compliance with the essential requirements.
Article 15
Publication of the references of normative documents
On request by a Member State or in its own initiative, the Commission shall, where appropriate:
(a) |
identify normative documents and, in a list, indicate the parts thereof that satisfy the requirements which they cover and which are set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes; |
(b) |
publish the reference of the normative documents and the list referred to in point (a) in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
Article 16
Withdrawal of the references of normative documents
1. When a Member State or the Commission considers that a normative document whose reference has been published or is intended to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union does not entirely satisfy the essential requirements which it covers and which are set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes, the Commission shall decide:
(a) |
to publish, not to publish or to publish with restriction the references to the normative documents concerned in the Official Journal of the European Union; |
(b) |
to maintain, to maintain with restrictions or to withdraw the references to the normative documents concerned in or from the Official Journal of the European Union. |
2. The decision referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 46(2).
3. The decision referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 46(3).
Article 17
Conformity assessment procedures
Conformity assessment of a measuring instrument with the applicable essential requirements shall be carried out by the application, at the choice of the manufacturer, of one of the conformity assessment procedures listed in the relevant instrument-specific Annex.
The conformity assessment procedures are set out in Annex II.
Records and correspondence relating to conformity assessment procedures shall be drawn up in the official language(s) of the Member State where the notified body carrying out the conformity assessment procedures is established, or in a language accepted by that body.
Article 18
Technical documentation
1. The technical documentation shall render the design, manufacture and operation of the measuring instrument intelligible and shall permit an assessment of its conformity with the applicable requirements of this Directive.
2. The technical documentation shall be sufficiently detailed to ensure compliance with the following requirements:
(a) |
the definition of the metrological characteristics; |
(b) |
the reproducibility of the metrological performances of produced measuring instruments when properly adjusted using appropriate intended means; |
(c) |
the integrity of the measuring instrument. |
3. The technical documentation shall insofar as relevant for assessment and identification of the type and/or the measuring instrument include the following information:
(a) |
a general description of the measuring instrument; |
(b) |
conceptual design and manufacturing drawings and plans of components, sub-assemblies, circuits, etc.; |
(c) |
manufacturing procedures to ensure consistent production; |
(d) |
if applicable, a description of the electronic devices with drawings, diagrams, flow diagrams of the logic and general software information explaining their characteristics and operation; |
(e) |
descriptions and explanations necessary for the understanding of the information referred to in points (b), (c) and (d), including the operation of the measuring instrument; |
(f) |
a list of the harmonised standards and/or normative documents referred to in Article 14, applied in full or in part, the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union; |
(g) |
descriptions of the solutions adopted to meet the essential requirements where the harmonised standards and/or normative documents referred to in Article 14 have not been applied, including a list of other relevant technical specifications applied; |
(h) |
results of design calculations, examinations, etc.; |
(i) |
the appropriate test results, where necessary, to demonstrate that the type and/or the measuring instruments comply with the following:
|
(j) |
the EU-type examination certificates or EU design examination certificates in respect of measuring instruments containing parts identical to those in the design. |
4. The manufacturer shall specify where seals and markings have been applied.
5. The manufacturer shall indicate the conditions for compatibility with interfaces and sub-assemblies, where relevant.
Article 19
EU declaration of conformity
1. The EU declaration of conformity shall state that the fulfilment of the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes has been demonstrated.
2. The EU declaration of conformity shall have the model structure set out in Annex XIII, shall contain the elements specified in the relevant modules set out in Annex II and shall be continuously updated. It shall be translated into the language or languages required by the Member State in which the measuring instrument is placed or made available on the market.
3. Where a measuring instrument is subject to more than one Union act requiring an EU declaration of conformity, a single EU declaration of conformity shall be drawn up in respect of all such Union acts. That declaration shall contain the identification of the Union acts concerned, including their publication references.
4. By drawing up the EU declaration of conformity, the manufacturer shall assume responsibility for the compliance of the measuring instrument with the requirements laid down in this Directive.
Article 20
Conformity marking
The conformity of a measuring instrument with this Directive shall be indicated by the presence on it of the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking as specified in Article 21.
Article 21
General principles of the CE marking and of the supplementary metrology marking
1. The CE marking shall be subject to the general principles set out in Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008.
2. The supplementary metrology marking shall consist of the capital letter ‘M’ and the last two digits of the year of its affixing, surrounded by a rectangle. The height of the rectangle shall be equal to the height of the CE marking.
3. The general principles set out in Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the supplementary metrology marking.
Article 22
Rules and conditions for affixing the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking
1. The CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the measuring instrument or to its data plate. Where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the measuring instrument, they shall be affixed to the accompanying documents and to the packaging, if any.
2. When a measuring instrument consists of a set of devices, not being sub-assemblies, operating together, the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking shall be affixed on the instrument’s main device.
3. The CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking shall be affixed before the measuring instrument is placed on the market.
4. The CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking may be affixed to the instrument during the fabrication process, if justified.
5. The supplementary metrology marking shall immediately follow the CE marking.
The CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking shall be followed by the identification number of the notified body, where that body is involved in the production control phase as set out in Annex II.
The identification number of the notified body shall be affixed by the body itself or, under its instructions, by the manufacturer or his authorised representative.
The identification number of the notified body concerned shall be indelible or self destructive upon removal.
6. The CE marking, the supplementary metrology marking and, where applicable, the identification number of the notified body may be followed by any other mark indicating a special risk or use.
7. Member States shall build upon existing mechanisms to ensure correct application of the regime governing the CE marking and shall take appropriate action in the event of improper use of that marking.
CHAPTER 4
NOTIFICATION OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES
Article 23
Notification
1. Member States shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of bodies authorised to carry out third-party conformity assessment tasks under this Directive.
2. If a Member State has not introduced national legislation for measuring tasks referred to in Article 3, it shall retain the right to notify a body for conformity assessment tasks relating to the measuring instrument concerned.
Article 24
Notifying authorities
1. Member States shall designate a notifying authority that shall be responsible for setting up and carrying out the necessary procedures for the assessment and notification of conformity assessment bodies and the monitoring of notified bodies, including compliance with the provisions of Article 29.
2. Member States may decide that the assessment and monitoring referred to in paragraph 1 shall be carried out by a national accreditation body within the meaning of and in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008.
3. Where the notifying authority delegates or otherwise entrusts the assessment, notification or monitoring referred to in paragraph 1 to a body which is not a governmental entity, that body shall be a legal entity and shall comply mutatis mutandis with the requirements laid down in Article 25. In addition it shall have arrangements to cover liabilities arising out of its activities.
4. The notifying authority shall take full responsibility for the tasks performed by the body referred to in paragraph 3.
Article 25
Requirements relating to notifying authorities
1. A notifying authority shall be established in such a way that no conflict of interest with conformity assessment bodies occurs.
2. A notifying authority shall be organised and operated so as to safeguard the objectivity and impartiality of its activities.
3. A notifying authority shall be organised in such a way that each decision relating to notification of a conformity assessment body is taken by competent persons different from those who carried out the assessment.
4. A notifying authority shall not offer or provide any activities that conformity assessment bodies perform or consultancy services on a commercial or competitive basis.
5. A notifying authority shall safeguard the confidentiality of the information it obtains.
6. A notifying authority shall have a sufficient number of competent personnel at its disposal for the proper performance of its tasks.
Article 26
Information obligation on notifying authorities
Member States shall inform the Commission of their procedures for the assessment and notification of conformity assessment bodies and the monitoring of notified bodies, and of any changes thereto.
The Commission shall make that information publicly available.
Article 27
Requirements relating to notified bodies
1. For the purposes of notification, a conformity assessment body shall meet the requirements laid down in paragraphs 2 to 11.
2. A conformity assessment body shall be established under national law of a Member State and have legal personality.
3. A conformity assessment body shall be a third-party body independent of the organisation or the measuring instrument it assesses.
A body belonging to a business association or professional federation representing undertakings involved in the design, manufacturing, provision, assembly, use or maintenance of measuring instruments which it assesses, may, on condition that its independence and the absence of any conflict of interest are demonstrated, be considered such a body.
4. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be the designer, manufacturer, supplier, installer, purchaser, owner, user or maintainer of the measuring instruments which they assess, nor the representative of any of those parties. This shall not preclude the use of assessed measuring instruments that are necessary for the operations of the conformity assessment body or the use of such measuring instruments for personal purposes.
A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be directly involved in the design, manufacture or construction, the marketing, installation, use or maintenance of those measuring instruments, or represent the parties engaged in those activities. They shall not engage in any activity that may conflict with their independence of judgement or integrity in relation to conformity assessment activities for which they are notified. This shall in particular apply to consultancy services.
The second subparagraph does not, however, preclude the possibility of exchanges of technical information between the manufacturer and the body for the purposes of conformity assessment.
Conformity assessment bodies shall ensure that the activities of their subsidiaries or subcontractors do not affect the confidentiality, objectivity or impartiality of their conformity assessment activities.
5. Conformity assessment bodies and their personnel shall carry out the conformity assessment activities with the highest degree of professional integrity and the requisite technical competence in the specific field and shall be free from all pressures and inducements, particularly financial, which might influence their judgement or the results of their conformity assessment activities, especially as regards persons or groups of persons with an interest in the results of those activities.
6. A conformity assessment body shall be capable of carrying out all the conformity assessment tasks assigned to it by Annex II and in relation to which it has been notified, whether those tasks are carried out by the conformity assessment body itself or on its behalf and under its responsibility.
At all times and for each conformity assessment procedure and each kind or category of measuring instruments in relation to which it has been notified, a conformity assessment body shall have at its disposal the necessary:
(a) |
personnel with technical knowledge and sufficient and appropriate experience to perform the conformity assessment tasks; |
(b) |
descriptions of procedures in accordance with which conformity assessment is carried out, ensuring the transparency and the ability of reproduction of those procedures. It shall have appropriate policies and procedures in place that distinguish between tasks it carries out as a notified body and other activities; |
(c) |
procedures for the performance of activities which take due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of the measuring instrument technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the production process. |
A conformity assessment body shall have the means necessary to perform the technical and administrative tasks connected with the conformity assessment activities in an appropriate manner and shall have access to all necessary equipment or facilities.
7. The personnel responsible for carrying out conformity assessment tasks shall have the following:
(a) |
sound technical and vocational training covering all the conformity assessment activities in relation to which the conformity assessment body has been notified; |
(b) |
satisfactory knowledge of the requirements of the assessments they carry out and adequate authority to carry out those assessments; |
(c) |
appropriate knowledge and understanding of the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes, of the applicable harmonised standards and normative documents and of the relevant provisions of Union harmonisation legislation and of national legislation; |
(d) |
the ability to draw up certificates, records and reports demonstrating that assessments have been carried out. |
8. The impartiality of the conformity assessment bodies, their top level management and of the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall be guaranteed.
The remuneration of the top level management and personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks of a conformity assessment body shall not depend on the number of assessments carried out or on the results of those assessments.
9. Conformity assessment bodies shall take out liability insurance unless liability is assumed by the State in accordance with national law, or the Member State itself is directly responsible for the conformity assessment.
10. The personnel of a conformity assessment body shall observe professional secrecy with regard to all information obtained in carrying out their tasks under Annex II or any provision of national law giving effect to it, except in relation to the competent authorities of the Member State in which its activities are carried out. Proprietary rights shall be protected.
11. Conformity assessment bodies shall participate in, or ensure that their personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks are informed of, the relevant standardisation activities and the activities of the notified body coordination group established under the relevant Union harmonisation legislation and shall apply as general guidance the administrative decisions and documents produced as a result of the work of that group.
Article 28
Presumption of conformity of notified bodies
Where a conformity assessment body demonstrates its conformity with the criteria laid down in the relevant harmonised standards or parts thereof, the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, it shall be presumed to comply with the requirements set out in Article 27 in so far as the applicable harmonised standards cover those requirements.
Article 29
Subsidiaries of and subcontracting by notified bodies
1. Where a notified body subcontracts specific tasks connected with conformity assessment or has recourse to a subsidiary, it shall ensure that the subcontractor or the subsidiary meets the requirements set out in Article 27 and shall inform the notifying authority accordingly.
2. Notified bodies shall take full responsibility for the tasks performed by subcontractors or subsidiaries wherever these are established.
3. Activities may be subcontracted or carried out by a subsidiary only with the agreement of the client.
4. Notified bodies shall keep at the disposal of the notifying authority the relevant documents concerning the assessment of the qualifications of the subcontractor or the subsidiary and the work carried out by them under Annex II.
Article 30
Accredited in-house bodies
1. An accredited in-house body may be used to carry out conformity assessment activities for the undertaking of which it forms a part for the purpose of implementing the procedures set out in point 2 (Module A2) and point 5 (Module C2) of Annex II. That body shall constitute a separate and distinct part of the undertaking and shall not participate in the design, production, supply, installation, use or maintenance of the measuring instruments it assesses.
2. An accredited in-house body shall meet the following requirements:
(a) |
it shall be accredited in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008; |
(b) |
the body and its personnel shall be organisationally identifiable and have reporting methods within the undertaking of which they form a part which ensure their impartiality and demonstrate it to the relevant national accreditation body; |
(c) |
neither the body nor its personnel shall be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, installation, operation or maintenance of the measuring instruments they assess nor shall they engage in any activity that might conflict with their independence of judgment or integrity in relation to their assessment activities; |
(d) |
it shall supply its services exclusively to the undertaking of which it forms a part. |
3. An accredited in-house body shall not be notified to the Member States or the Commission, but information concerning its accreditation shall be given by the undertaking of which it forms a part or by the national accreditation body to the notifying authority at the request of that authority.
Article 31
Application for notification
1. A conformity assessment body shall submit an application for notification to the notifying authority of the Member State in which it is established.
2. The application for notification shall be accompanied by a description of the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment module or modules and the measuring instrument or measuring instruments for which that body claims to be competent, as well as by an accreditation certificate, where one exists, issued by a national accreditation body attesting that the conformity assessment body fulfils the requirements laid down in Article 27.
3. Where the conformity assessment body concerned cannot provide an accreditation certificate, it shall provide the notifying authority with all the documentary evidence necessary for the verification, recognition and regular monitoring of its compliance with the requirements laid down in Article 27.
Article 32
Notification procedure
1. Notifying authorities may notify only conformity assessment bodies which have satisfied the requirements laid down in Article 27.
2. They shall notify the Commission and the other Member States using the electronic notification tool developed and managed by the Commission.
3. The notification shall include information on the kind(s) of measuring instrument(s) for which each body has been designated and, where relevant, the instrument accuracy classes, the measuring range, the measurement technology, and any other instrument characteristic limiting the scope of the notification. The notification shall include full details of the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment module or modules and measuring instrument or measuring instruments concerned and the relevant attestation of competence.
4. Where a notification is not based on an accreditation certificate as referred to in Article 31(2), the notifying authority shall provide the Commission and the other Member States with documentary evidence which attests to the conformity assessment body’s competence and the arrangements in place to ensure that that body will be monitored regularly and will continue to satisfy the requirements laid down in Article 27.
5. The body concerned may perform the activities of a notified body only where no objections are raised by the Commission or the other Member States within two weeks of a notification where an accreditation certificate is used or within two months of a notification where accreditation is not used.
Only such a body shall be considered a notified body for the purposes of this Directive.
6. The notifying authority shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of any subsequent relevant changes to the notification.
Article 33
Identification numbers and lists of notified bodies
1. The Commission shall assign an identification number to a notified body.
It shall assign a single such number even where the body is notified under several Union acts.
2. The Commission shall make publicly available the list of the bodies notified under this Directive, including the identification numbers that have been assigned to them and the activities for which they have been notified.
The Commission shall ensure that the list is kept up to date.
Article 34
Changes to notifications
1. Where a notifying authority has ascertained or has been informed that a notified body no longer meets the requirements laid down in Article 27, or that it is failing to fulfil its obligations, the notifying authority shall restrict, suspend or withdraw notification as appropriate, depending on the seriousness of the failure to meet those requirements or fulfil those obligations. It shall immediately inform the Commission and the other Member States accordingly.
2. In the event of restriction, suspension or withdrawal of notification, or where the notified body has ceased its activity, the notifying Member State shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the files of that body are either processed by another notified body or kept available for the responsible notifying and market surveillance authorities at their request.
Article 35
Challenge of the competence of notified bodies
1. The Commission shall investigate all cases where it doubts, or doubt is brought to its attention regarding, the competence of a notified body or the continued fulfilment by a notified body of the requirements and responsibilities to which it is subject.
2. The notifying Member State shall provide the Commission, on request, with all information relating to the basis for the notification or the maintenance of the competence of the notified body concerned.
3. The Commission shall ensure that all sensitive information obtained in the course of its investigations is treated confidentially.
4. Where the Commission ascertains that a notified body does not meet or no longer meets the requirements for its notification, it shall adopt an implementing act requesting the notifying Member State to take the necessary corrective measures, including withdrawal of notification if necessary.
That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 46(2).
Article 36
Operational obligations of notified bodies
1. Notified bodies shall carry out conformity assessments in accordance with the conformity assessment procedures provided for in Annex II.
2. Conformity assessments shall be carried out in a proportionate manner, avoiding unnecessary burdens for economic operators. Conformity assessment bodies shall perform their activities taking due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of the measuring instrument technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the production process.
In so doing they shall nevertheless respect the degree of rigour and the level of protection required for the compliance of the measuring instrument with this Directive.
3. Where a notified body finds that the essential requirements set out in Annex I and in the relevant instrument-specific Annexes or corresponding harmonised standards, normative documents or other technical specifications have not been met by a manufacturer, it shall require that manufacturer to take appropriate corrective measures and shall not issue a certificate of conformity.
4. Where, in the course of the monitoring of conformity following the issue of a certificate, a notified body finds that a measuring instrument no longer complies, it shall require the manufacturer to take appropriate corrective measures and shall suspend or withdraw the certificate if necessary.
5. Where corrective measures are not taken or do not have the required effect, the notified body shall restrict, suspend or withdraw any certificates, as appropriate.
Article 37
Appeal against decisions of notified bodies
Member States shall ensure that an appeal procedure against decisions of the notified bodies is available.
Article 38
Information obligation on notified bodies
1. Notified bodies shall inform the notifying authority of the following:
(a) |
any refusal, restriction, suspension or withdrawal of a certificate; |
(b) |
any circumstances affecting the scope of or conditions for notification; |
(c) |
any request for information which they have received from market surveillance authorities regarding conformity assessment activities; |
(d) |
on request, conformity assessment activities performed within the scope of their notification and any other activity performed, including cross-border activities and subcontracting. |
2. Notified bodies shall provide the other bodies notified under this Directive carrying out similar conformity assessment activities covering the same measuring instruments with relevant information on issues relating to negative and, on request, positive conformity assessment results.
Article 39
Exchange of experience
The Commission shall provide for the organisation of exchange of experience between the Member States’ national authorities responsible for notification policy.
Article 40
Coordination of notified bodies
The Commission shall ensure that appropriate coordination and cooperation between bodies notified under this Directive are put in place and properly operated in the form of a sectoral or cross sectoral group or groups of notified bodies.
Member States shall ensure that the bodies notified by them participate in the work of that group or those groups, directly or by means of designated representatives.
CHAPTER 5
UNION MARKET SURVEILLANCE, CONTROL OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS ENTERING THE UNION MARKET AND UNION SAFEGUARD PROCEDURE
Article 41
Union market surveillance and control of measuring instruments entering the Union market
Article 15(3) and Articles 16 to 29 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply to measuring instruments.
Article 42
Procedure for dealing with measuring instruments presenting a risk at national level
1. Where the market surveillance authorities of one Member State have sufficient reason to believe that a measuring instrument covered by this Directive presents a risk to aspects of public interest protection covered by this Directive, they shall carry out an evaluation in relation to the measuring instrument concerned covering all relevant requirements laid down in this Directive. The relevant economic operators shall cooperate as necessary with the market surveillance authorities for that purpose.
Where, in the course of the evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the market surveillance authorities find that the measuring instrument does not comply with the requirements laid down in this Directive, they shall without delay require the relevant economic operator to take all appropriate corrective actions to bring the measuring instrument into compliance with those requirements, to withdraw the measuring instrument from the market, or to recall it within a reasonable period, commensurate with the nature of the risk, as they may prescribe.
The market surveillance authorities shall inform the relevant notified body accordingly.
Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply to the measures referred to in the second subparagraph of this paragraph.
2. Where the market surveillance authorities consider that non-compliance is not restricted to their national territory, they shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of the results of the evaluation and of the actions which they have required the economic operator to take.
3. The economic operator shall ensure that all appropriate corrective action is taken in respect of all the measuring instruments concerned that it has made available on the market throughout the Union.
4. Where the relevant economic operator does not take adequate corrective action within the period referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, the market surveillance authorities shall take all appropriate provisional measures to prohibit or restrict the measuring instrument being made available on their national market, to withdraw the measuring instrument from that market or to recall it.
The market surveillance authorities shall inform the Commission and the other Member States, without delay, of those measures.
5. The information referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4 shall include all available details, in particular the data necessary for the identification of the non-compliant measuring instrument, the origin of the measuring instrument, the nature of the non-compliance alleged and the risk involved, the nature and duration of the national measures taken and the arguments put forward by the relevant economic operator. In particular, the market surveillance authorities shall indicate whether the non-compliance is due to either of the following:
(a) |
failure of the measuring instrument to meet requirements relating to aspects of public interest protection laid down in this Directive; or |
(b) |
shortcomings in the harmonised standards or normative documents referred to in Article 14 conferring a presumption of conformity. |
6. Member States other than the Member State initiating the procedure under this Article shall without delay inform the Commission and the other Member States of any measures adopted and of any additional information at their disposal relating to the non-compliance of the measuring instrument concerned, and, in the event of disagreement with the adopted national measure, of their objections.
7. Where, within three months of receipt of the information referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4, no objection has been raised by either a Member State or the Commission in respect of a provisional measure taken by a Member State, that measure shall be deemed justified.
8. Member States shall ensure that appropriate restrictive measures, such as withdrawal of the measuring instrument from the market, are taken in respect of the measuring instrument concerned, without delay.
Article 43
Union safeguard procedure
1. Where, on completion of the procedure set out in Article 42(3) and (4), objections are raised against a measure taken by a Member State, or where the Commission considers a national measure to be contrary to Union legislation, the Commission shall without delay enter into consultation with the Member States and the relevant economic operator or operators and shall evaluate the national measure. On the basis of the results of that evaluation, the Commission shall adopt an implementing act determining whether the national measure is justified or not.
The Commission shall address its decision to all Member States and shall immediately communicate it to them and the relevant economic operator or operators.
2. If the national measure is considered justified, all Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the non-compliant measuring instrument is withdrawn from their market, and shall inform the Commission accordingly. If the national measure is considered unjustified, the Member State concerned shall withdraw that measure.
3. Where the national measure is considered justified and the non-compliance of the measuring instrument is attributed to shortcomings in the harmonised standards referred to in point (b) of Article 42(5) of this Directive, the Commission shall apply the procedure provided for in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012.
4. Where the national measure is considered justified and the non-compliance of the measuring instrument is attributed to shortcomings in the normative documents referred to in point (b) of Article 42(5), the Commission shall apply the procedure provided for in Article 16.
Article 44
Compliant measuring instruments which present a risk
1. Where, having carried out an evaluation under Article 42(1), a Member State finds that although a measuring instrument is in compliance with this Directive, it presents a risk to aspects of public interest protection, it shall require the relevant economic operator to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the measuring instrument concerned, when placed on the market, no longer presents that risk, to withdraw the measuring instrument from the market or to recall it within a reasonable period, commensurate with the nature of the risk, as it may prescribe.
2. The economic operator shall ensure that corrective action is taken in respect of all the measuring instruments concerned that he has made available on the market throughout the Union.
3. The Member State shall immediately inform the Commission and the other Member States. That information shall include all available details, in particular the data necessary for the identification of the measuring instrument concerned, the origin and the supply chain of the measuring instrument, the nature of the risk involved and the nature and duration of the national measures taken.
4. The Commission shall without delay enter into consultation with the Member States and the relevant economic operator or operators and shall evaluate the national measures taken. On the basis of the results of that evaluation, the Commission shall decide by means of implementing acts whether the national measure is justified or not, and where necessary, propose appropriate measures.
The implementing acts referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 46(3).
5. The Commission shall address its decision to all Member States and shall immediately communicate it to them and the relevant economic operator or operators.
Article 45
Formal non-compliance
1. Without prejudice to Article 42, where a Member State makes one of the following findings, it shall require the relevant economic operator to put an end to the non-compliance concerned:
(a) |
the CE marking or the supplementary metrology marking has been affixed in violation of Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 or of Article 22 of this Directive; |
(b) |
the CE marking or the supplementary metrology marking has not been affixed; |
(c) |
the identification number of the notified body, where that body is involved in the production control phase, has been affixed in violation of Article 22 or has not been affixed; |
(d) |
the EU declaration of conformity does not accompany the measuring instrument; |
(e) |
the EU declaration of conformity has not been drawn up correctly; |
(f) |
technical documentation is either not available or not complete. |
(g) |
the information referred to in Article 8(6) or Article 10(3) is absent, false or incomplete; |
(h) |
any other administrative requirement provided for in Article 8 or Article 10 is not fulfilled. |
2. Where the non-compliance referred to in paragraph 1 persists, the Member State concerned shall take all appropriate measures to restrict or prohibit the measuring instrument being made available on the market or ensure that it is recalled or withdrawn from the market.
CHAPTER 6
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATED ACTS
Article 46
Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Measuring Instruments. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
4. Where the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so request.
5. The committee shall be consulted by the Commission on any matter for which consultation of sectoral experts is required by Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 or by any other Union legislation.
The committee may furthermore examine any other matter concerning the application of this Directive raised either by its chair or by a representative of a Member State in accordance with its rules of procedure.
Article 47
Amendments of Annexes
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 48 concerning the amendment of the instrument-specific Annexes, in relation to the following:
(a) |
maximum permissible errors (MPEs) and accuracy classes; |
(b) |
rated operating conditions; |
(c) |
critical change values; |
(d) |
disturbances. |
Article 48
Exercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 47 shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 18 April 2014. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 47 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
4. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
5. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 47 shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
CHAPTER 7
TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 49
Penalties
Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements by economic operators of the provisions of national law adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are enforced. Such rules may include criminal penalties for serious infringements.
The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
Article 50
Transitional provisions
1. Member States shall not impede the making available on the market and/or the putting into use of measuring instruments covered by Directive 2004/22/EC which are in conformity with that Directive and which were placed on the market before 20 April 2016.
Certificates issued under Directive 2004/22/EC shall be valid under this Directive.
2. The effects of Article 23 of Directive 2004/22/EC shall continue until 30 October 2016.
Article 51
Transposition
1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by 19 April 2016, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with points 5 to 22 of Article 4, Articles 8 to 11, 13, 14, 19 and 21, Article 22(1), (3), (5) and (6), Articles 23 to 45, 49 and 50 and Annex II. They shall forthwith communicate the text of those measures to the Commission.
They shall apply those measures from 20 April 2016.
When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. They shall also include a statement that references in existing laws, regulations and administrative provisions to the Directive repealed by this Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made and how that statement is to be formulated.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
Article 52
Repeal
Without prejudice to Article 50, Directive 2004/22/EC as amended by the acts listed in Annex XIV, Part A, is repealed with effect from 20 April 2016 without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for the transposition into national law and the dates of application of the Directives set out in Annex XIV, Part B.
References to the repealed Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex XV.
Article 53
Entry into force and application
This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Articles 1, 2 and 3, points 1 to 4 of Article 4, Articles 5, 6, 7, 15 to 18 and 20, Article 22(2) and (4) and Annexes I and III to XII shall apply from 20 April 2016.
Article 54
Addressees
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 26 February 2014.
For the European Parliament
The President
M. SCHULZ
For the Council
The President
D. KOURKOULAS
(1) OJ C 181, 21.6.2012, p. 105.
(2) Position of the European Parliament of 5 February 2014 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 20 February 2014.
(3) OJ L 135, 30.4.2004, p. 1.
(4) See Annex XIV, Part A.
(5) OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 30.
(6) OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 82.
(7) OJ L 390, 31.12.2004, p. 24.
(8) OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p. 12.
(9) OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13.
(10) Directive 2014/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility (see page 79 of this Official Journal).
ANNEX I
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
A measuring instrument shall provide a high level of metrological protection in order that any party affected can have confidence in the result of measurement, and shall be designed and manufactured to a high level of quality in respect of the measurement technology and security of the measurement data.
The essential requirements that shall be met by measuring instruments are set out below and are supplemented, where appropriate, by specific instrument requirements in Annexes III to XII that provide more detail on certain aspects of the general requirements.
The solutions adopted in the pursuit of the essential requirements shall take account of the intended use of the instrument and any foreseeable misuse thereof.
DEFINITIONS
Measurand |
The measurand is the particular quantity subject to measurement. |
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Influence quantity |
An influence quantity is a quantity that is not the measurand but that affects the result of measurement. |
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Rated Operating Conditions |
The rated operating conditions are the values for the measurand and influence quantities making up the normal working conditions of an instrument. |
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Disturbance |
An influence quantity having a value within the limits specified in the appropriate requirement but outside the specified rated operating conditions of the measuring instrument. An influence quantity is a disturbance if for that influence quantity the rated operating conditions are not specified. |
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Critical change value |
The critical change value is the value at which the change in the measurement result is considered undesirable. |
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Material Measure |
A material measure is a device intended to reproduce or supply in a permanent manner during its use one or more known values of a given quantity. |
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Direct sales |
A trading transaction is direct sales if:
|
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Climatic environments |
Climatic environments are the conditions in which measuring instruments may be used. To cope with climatic differences between the Member States, a range of temperature limits has been defined. |
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Utility |
A utility is regarded as a supplier of electricity, gas, thermal energy or water. |
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Allowable Errors
1.1. Under rated operating conditions and in the absence of a disturbance, the error of measurement shall not exceed the maximum permissible error (MPE) value as laid down in the appropriate instrument-specific requirements.
Unless stated otherwise in the instrument-specific annexes, MPE is expressed as a bilateral value of the deviation from the true measurement value.
1.2. Under rated operating conditions and in the presence of a disturbance, the performance requirement shall be as laid down in the appropriate instrument-specific requirements.
Where the instrument is intended to be used in a specified permanent continuous electromagnetic field the permitted performance during the radiated electromagnetic field-amplitude modulated test shall be within MPE.
1.3. The manufacturer shall specify the climatic, mechanical and electromagnetic environments in which the instrument is intended to be used, power supply and other influence quantities likely to affect its accuracy, taking account of the requirements laid down in the appropriate instrument-specific annexes.
1.3.1.
The manufacturer shall specify the upper temperature limit and the lower temperature limit from any of the values in Table 1 unless otherwise specified in the Annexes III to XII, and indicate whether the instrument is designed for condensing or non-condensing humidity as well as the intended location for the instrument, i.e. open or closed.
Table 1
|
Temperature Limits |
|||
Upper temperature limit |
30 °C |
40 °C |
55 °C |
70 °C |
Lower temperature limit |
5 °C |
–10 °C |
–25 °C |
–40 °C |
1.3.2.
(a) |
Mechanical environments are classified into classes M1 to M3 as described below.
|
(b) |
The following influence quantities shall be considered in relation with mechanical environments:
|
1.3.3.
(a) |
Electromagnetic environments are classified into classes E1, E2 or E3 as described below, unless otherwise laid down in the appropriate instrument-specific annexes.
|
(b) |
The following influence quantities shall be considered in relation with electromagnetic environments:
|
1.3.4. Other influence quantities to be considered, where appropriate, are:
— |
voltage variation; |
— |
mains frequency variation; |
— |
power frequency magnetic fields; |
— |
any other quantity likely to influence in a significant way the accuracy of the instrument. |
1.4. When carrying out the tests as envisaged in this Directive, the following points shall apply:
1.4.1.
Essential requirements specified in points 1.1 and 1.2 shall be verified for each relevant influence quantity. Unless otherwise specified in the appropriate instrument-specific annex, these essential requirements apply when each influence quantity is applied and its effect evaluated separately, all other influence quantities being kept relatively constant at their reference value.
Metrological tests shall be carried out during or after the application of the influence quantity, whichever condition corresponds to the normal operational status of the instrument when that influence quantity is likely to occur.
1.4.2.
(a) |
According to the climatic operating environment in which the instrument is intended to be used either the damp heat-steady state (non-condensing) or damp heat cyclic (condensing) test may be appropriate. |
(b) |
The damp heat cyclic test is appropriate where condensation is important or when penetration of vapour will be accelerated by the effect of breathing. In conditions where non-condensing humidity is a factor the damp-heat steady state is appropriate. |
2. Reproducibility
The application of the same measurand in a different location or by a different user, all other conditions being the same, shall result in the close agreement of successive measurements. The difference between the measurement results shall be small when compared with the MPE.
3. Repeatability
The application of the same measurand under the same conditions of measurement shall result in the close agreement of successive measurements. The difference between the measurement results shall be small when compared with the MPE.
4. Discrimination and Sensitivity
A measuring instrument shall be sufficiently sensitive and the discrimination threshold shall be sufficiently low for the intended measurement task.
5. Durability
A measuring instrument shall be designed to maintain an adequate stability of its metrological characteristics over a period of time estimated by the manufacturer, provided that it is properly installed, maintained and used according to the manufacturer’s instruction when in the environmental conditions for which it is intended.
6. Reliability
A measuring instrument shall be designed to reduce as far as possible the effect of a defect that would lead to an inaccurate measurement result, unless the presence of such a defect is obvious.
7. Suitability
7.1. |
A measuring instrument shall have no feature likely to facilitate fraudulent use, whereas possibilities for unintentional misuse shall be minimal. |
7.2. |
A measuring instrument shall be suitable for its intended use taking account of the practical working conditions and shall not require unreasonable demands of the user in order to obtain a correct measurement result. |
7.3. |
The errors of a utility measuring instrument at flows or currents outside the controlled range shall not be unduly biased. |
7.4. |
Where a measuring instrument is designed for the measurement of values of the measurand that are constant over time, the measuring instrument shall be insensitive to small fluctuations of the value of the measurand, or shall take appropriate action. |
7.5. |
A measuring instrument shall be robust and its materials of construction shall be suitable for the conditions in which it is intended to be used. |
7.6. |
A measuring instrument shall be designed so as to allow the control of the measuring tasks after the instrument has been placed on the market and put into use. If necessary, special equipment or software for this control shall be part of the instrument. The test procedure shall be described in the operation manual.
When a measuring instrument has associated software which provides other functions besides the measuring function, the software that is critical for the metrological characteristics shall be identifiable and shall not be inadmissibly influenced by the associated software. |
8. Protection against corruption
8.1. |
The metrological characteristics of a measuring instrument shall not be influenced in any inadmissible way by the connection to it of another device, by any feature of the connected device itself or by any remote device that communicates with the measuring instrument. |
8.2. |
A hardware component that is critical for metrological characteristics shall be designed so that it can be secured. Security measures foreseen shall provide for evidence of an intervention. |
8.3. |
Software that is critical for metrological characteristics shall be identified as such and shall be secured.
Software identification shall be easily provided by the measuring instrument. Evidence of an intervention shall be available for a reasonable period of time. |
8.4. |
Measurement data, software that is critical for measurement characteristics and metrologically important parameters stored or transmitted shall be adequately protected against accidental or intentional corruption. |
8.5. |
For utility measuring instruments the display of the total quantity supplied or the displays from which the total quantity supplied can be derived, whole or partial reference to which is the basis for payment, shall not be able to be reset during use. |
9. Information to be borne by and to accompany the instrument
9.1. |
A measuring instrument shall bear the following inscriptions:
|
9.2. |
An instrument of dimensions too small or of too sensitive a composition to allow it to bear the relevant information shall have its packaging, if any, and the accompanying documents required by the provisions of this Directive suitably marked. |
9.3. |
The instrument shall be accompanied by information on its operation, unless the simplicity of the measuring instrument makes this unnecessary. Information shall be easily understandable and shall include where relevant:
|
9.4. |
Groups of identical measuring instruments used in the same location or used for utility measurements do not necessarily require individual instruction manuals. |
9.5. |
Unless specified otherwise in an instrument-specific annex, the scale interval for a measured value shall be in the form 1 × 10n, 2 × 10n, or 5 × 10n, where n is any integer or zero. The unit of measurement or its symbol shall be shown close to the numerical value. |
9.6. |
A material measure shall be marked with a nominal value or a scale, accompanied by the unit of measurement used. |
9.7. |
The units of measurement used and their symbols shall be in accordance with the provisions of Union legislation on units of measurement and their symbols. |
9.8. |
All marks and inscriptions required under any requirement shall be clear, non-erasable, unambiguous and non-transferable. |
10. Indication of result
10.1. |
Indication of the result shall be by means of a display or hard copy. |
10.2. |
The indication of any result shall be clear and unambiguous and accompanied by such marks and inscriptions necessary to inform the user of the significance of the result. Easy reading of the presented result shall be permitted under normal conditions of use. Additional indications may be shown provided they cannot be confused with the metrologically controlled indications. |
10.3. |
In the case of hard copy the print or record shall also be easily legible and non-erasable. |
10.4. |
A measuring instrument for direct sales trading transactions shall be designed to present the measurement result to both parties in the transaction when installed as intended. When critical in case of direct sales, any ticket provided to the consumer by an ancillary device not complying with the appropriate requirements of this Directive shall bear appropriate restrictive information. |
10.5. |
Whether or not a measuring instrument intended for utility measurement purposes can be remotely read it shall in any case be fitted with a metrologically controlled display accessible without tools to the consumer. The reading of this display is the measurement result that serves as the basis for the price to pay. |
11. Further processing of data to conclude the trading transaction
11.1. |
A measuring instrument other than a utility measuring instrument shall record by a durable means the measurement result accompanied by information to identify the particular transaction, when:
|
11.2. |
Additionally, a durable proof of the measurement result and the information to identify the transaction shall be available on request at the time the measurement is concluded. |
12. Conformity evaluation
A measuring instrument shall be designed so as to allow ready evaluation of its conformity with the appropriate requirements of this Directive.
ANNEX II
MODULE A: INTERNAL PRODUCTION CONTROL
1. ‘Internal production control’ is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 3 and 4, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Technical documentation
The manufacturer shall establish the technical documentation as described in Article 18. The documentation shall make it possible to assess the instrument’s conformity to the relevant requirements, and shall include an adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s). The technical documentation shall specify the applicable requirements and cover, as far as relevant for the assessment, the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument.
3. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure compliance of the manufactured instruments with the technical documentation referred to in point 2 and with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
4. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
4.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive to each individual measuring instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
4.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for an instrument model and keep it together with the technical documentation at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the measuring instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument for which it was drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
5. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in point 4 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE A2: INTERNAL PRODUCTION CONTROL PLUS SUPERVISED INSTRUMENT CHECKS AT RANDOM INTERVALS
1. Internal production control plus supervised instrument checks at random intervals is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 3, 4, and 5, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Technical documentation
The manufacturer shall establish the technical documentation as described in Article 18. The documentation shall make it possible to assess the instrument’s conformity with the relevant requirements, and shall include an adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s). The technical documentation shall specify the applicable requirements and cover, as far as relevant for the assessment, the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument.
3. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure compliance of the manufactured instruments with the technical documentation referred to in point 2 and with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
4. Instrument checks
At the choice of the manufacturer, either an accredited in-house body or a notified body, chosen by the manufacturer, shall carry out instrument checks or have them carried out at random intervals determined by the body, in order to verify the quality of the internal checks of the instrument, taking into account, inter alia, the technological complexity of the instruments and the quantity of production. An adequate sample of the final measuring instruments, taken on site by the body before the placing on the market, shall be examined and appropriate tests as identified by the relevant parts of the harmonised standard, and/or normative document, and/or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, shall be carried out to verify the conformity of the instruments with the relevant requirements of this Directive. In the absence of a relevant harmonised standard or normative document, the accredited in-house body or notified body concerned shall decide on the appropriate tests to be carried out.
In those cases where a relevant number of instruments in the sample do not conform to an acceptable quality level, the accredited in-house body or notified body shall take appropriate measures.
Where the tests are carried out by a notified body, the manufacturer shall, under the responsibility of the notified body, affix the notified body’s identification number during the manufacturing process.
5. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive to each individual instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
5.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for an instrument model and keep it together with the technical documentation at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument for which it was drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
6. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in point 5 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE B: EU- TYPE EXAMINATION
1. |
‘EU-type examination’ is the part of a conformity assessment procedure in which a notified body examines the technical design of an instrument and verifies and attests that the technical design of the instrument meets the requirements of this Directive that apply to it. |
2. |
EU-type examination may be carried out in either of the following manners:
The notified body decides on the appropriate manner and the specimens required. |
3. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for EU-type examination with a single notified body of his choice.
The application shall include:
The application shall in addition contain, wherever applicable:
|
4. |
The notified body shall:
|
5. |
The notified body shall draw up an evaluation report that records the activities undertaken in accordance with point 4 and their outcomes. Without prejudice to its obligations vis-à-vis, the notifying authorities, the notified body shall release the content of that report, in full or in part, only with the agreement of the manufacturer. |
6. |
Where the type meets the requirements of this Directive, the notified body shall issue an EU-type examination certificate to the manufacturer. That certificate shall contain the name and address of the manufacturer, the conclusions of the examination, the conditions (if any) for its validity and the necessary data for identification of the approved type. The EU-type examination certificate may have one or more annexes attached.
The EU-type examination certificate and its annexes shall contain all relevant information to allow the conformity of manufactured measuring instruments with the examined type to be evaluated and to allow for in-service control. In particular, to allow the conformity of manufactured instruments to be evaluated with the examined type regarding the reproducibility of their metrological performances, when they are properly adjusted using appropriate means, content shall include:
The EU-type examination certificate shall have a validity of 10 years from the date of its issue, and may be renewed for subsequent periods of 10 years each. Where the type does not satisfy the applicable requirements of this Directive, the notified body shall refuse to issue an EU-type examination certificate and shall inform the applicant accordingly, giving detailed reasons for its refusal. |
7. |
The notified body shall keep itself apprised of any changes in the generally acknowledged state of the art which indicate that the approved type may no longer comply with the applicable requirements of this Directive, and shall determine whether such changes require further investigation. If so, the notified body shall inform the manufacturer accordingly. |
8. |
The manufacturer shall inform the notified body that holds the technical documentation relating to the EU-type examination certificate of all modifications to the approved type that may affect the conformity of the instrument with the essential requirements of this Directive or the conditions for validity of that certificate Such modifications shall require additional approval in the form of an addition to the original EU-type examination certificate. |
9. |
Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority concerning the EU-type examination certificates and/or any additions thereto which it has issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of such certificates and/or any additions thereto refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
The Commission, the Member States and the other notified bodies may, on request, obtain a copy of the EU-type examination certificates and/or additions thereto. On request, the Commission and the Member States may obtain a copy of the technical documentation and the results of the examinations carried out by the notified body. The notified body shall keep a copy of the EU-type examination certificate, its annexes and additions, as well as the technical file including the documentation submitted by the manufacturer until the expiry of the validity of that certificate. |
10. |
The manufacturer shall keep a copy of the EU-type examination certificate, its annexes and additions together with the technical documentation at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. |
11. |
The manufacturer’s authorised representative may lodge the application referred to in point 3 and fulfil the obligations set out in points 8 and 10, provided that they are specified in the mandate. |
MODULE C: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON INTERNAL PRODUCTION CONTROL
1. Conformity to type based on internal production control is the part of a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2 and 3, and ensures and declares that the measuring instruments concerned are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of the manufactured measuring instruments with the approved type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
3. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
3.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive to each individual instrument that is in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
3.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it was drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
4. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in point 3 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE C2: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON INTERNAL PRODUCTION CONTROL PLUS SUPERVISED INSTRUMENT CHECKS AT RANDOM INTERVALS
1. Conformity to type based on internal production control plus supervised instrument checks at random intervals is the part of a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 3 and 4, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of the manufactured measuring instruments with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
3. Instrument checks
At the choice of the manufacturer, either an accredited in-house body or a notified body, chosen by the manufacturer, shall carry out instrument checks or have them carried out at random intervals determined by the body, in order to verify the quality of the internal checks on the instrument, taking into account, inter alia, the technological complexity of the measuring instruments and the quantity of production. An adequate sample of the final measuring instrument, taken on site by the accredited in-house body or by the notified body before the placing on the market, shall be examined and appropriate tests, as identified by the relevant parts of the harmonised standards, and/or normative documents, and/or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, shall be carried out to verify the conformity of the instrument with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the relevant requirements of this Directive.
Where a sample does not conform to an acceptable quality level, the accredited in-house body or notified body shall take appropriate measures.
The acceptance sampling procedure to be applied is intended to determine whether the manufacturing process of the instrument performs within acceptable limits, with a view to ensuring conformity of the instrument.
Where the tests are carried out by a notified body, the manufacturer shall, under the responsibility of the notified body, affix the notified body’s identification number during the manufacturing process.
4. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
4.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking, and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive to each individual measuring instrument that is in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
4.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
5. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in point 4 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE D: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON QUALITY ASSURANCE OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
1. Conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process is the part of a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2 and 5, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for production, final product inspection and testing of the measuring instruments concerned as specified in point 3 and shall be subject to surveillance as specified in point 4.
3. Quality system
3.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice, for the measuring instruments concerned.
The application shall include:
|
3.2. |
The quality system shall ensure that the measuring instruments are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and comply with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records. It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:
|
3.3. |
The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2.
It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard. In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant instrument field and instrument technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point (e) of point 3.1, to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the relevant requirements of this Directive and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the instrument with those requirements. The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision. |
3.4. |
The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. |
3.5. |
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change of the quality system.
The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary. It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision. |
4. Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body
4.1. |
The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. |
4.2. |
The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the notified body access to the manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites, and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular:
|
4.3. |
The notified body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. |
4.4. |
In addition, the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the notified body may, if necessary, carry out instrument tests, or have them carried out, in order to verify that the quality system is functioning correctly. The notified body shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. |
5. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 3.1, the latter’s identification number to each individual measuring instrument that is in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
5.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
6. The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:
(a) |
the documentation referred to in point 3.1, |
(b) |
the information relating to the change referred to in point 3.5, as approved; |
(c) |
the decisions and reports from the notified body referred to in points 3.5, 4.3 and 4.4. |
7. Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
8. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 3.1, 3.5, 5 and 6 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE D1: QUALITY ASSURANCE OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
1. Quality assurance of the production process is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 4 and 7, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Technical documentation
The manufacturer shall establish the technical documentation as described in Article 18. The documentation shall make it possible to assess the instrument’s conformity with the relevant requirements, and shall include an adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s). The technical documentation shall specify the applicable requirements and cover, as far as relevant for the assessment, the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument.
3. The manufacturer shall keep the technical documentation at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market.
4. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for production, final product inspection and testing of the measuring instruments concerned as specified in point 5 and shall be subject to surveillance as specified in point 6.
5. Quality system
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice, for the measuring instruments concerned.
The application shall include:
|
5.2. |
The quality system shall ensure compliance of the measuring instruments with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records. It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:
|
5.3. |
The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 5.2.
It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard. In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant instrument field and instrument technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point 2 in order to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the relevant requirements of this Directive and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the instrument with those requirements. The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision. |
5.4. |
The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. |
5.5. |
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change of the quality system.
The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 5.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary. It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision. |
6. Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body
6.1. |
The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. |
6.2. |
The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the notified body access to the manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites, and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular:
|
6.3. |
The notified body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. |
6.4. |
In addition, the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the notified body may, if necessary, carry out instrument tests, or have them carried out, in order to verify that the quality system is functioning correctly. The notified body shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. |
7. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
7.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking, the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 5.1, the latter’s identification number to each individual measuring instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
7.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
8. The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:
(a) |
the documentation referred to in point 5.1; |
(b) |
the information relating to the change referred to in point 5.5, as approved; |
(c) |
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in points 5.5, 6.3 and 6.4. |
9. Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
10. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 3, 5.1, 5.5, 7 and 8 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE E: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON INSTRUMENT QUALITY ASSURANCE
1. Conformity to type based on instrument quality assurance is that part of a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2 and 5, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for final product inspection and testing of the measuring instruments concerned as specified in point 3 and shall be subject to surveillance, as specified in point 4.
3. Quality system
3.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice, for the measuring instruments concerned.
The application shall include:
|
3.2. |
The quality system shall ensure compliance of the measuring instruments with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the applicable requirements of this Directive.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records. It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:
|
3.3. |
The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2.
It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard. In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant instrument field and instrument technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point (e) of point 3.1, in order to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the relevant requirements of this Directive and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the instrument with those requirements. The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of audit and the reasoned assessment decision. |
3.4. |
The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. |
3.5. |
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.
The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary. It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision. |
4. Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body
4.1. |
The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. |
4.2. |
The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the notified body access to the manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites, and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular:
|
4.3. |
The notified body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. |
4.4. |
In addition, the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the notified body may, if necessary, carry out instrument tests, or have them carried out, in order to verify that the quality system is functioning correctly. The notified body shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. |
5. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking, the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 3.1, the latter’s identification number to each individual instrument that is in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
5.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
6. The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:
(a) |
the documentation referred to in point 3.1; |
(b) |
the information relating to the change referred to in point 3.5, as approved; |
(c) |
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in points 3.5, 4.3 and 4.4. |
7. Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
8. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 3.1, 3.5, 5 and 6 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE E1: QUALITY ASSURANCE OF FINAL INSTRUMENT INSPECTION AND TESTING
1. Quality assurance of final instrument inspection and testing is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 4 and 7, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Technical documentation
The manufacturer shall establish the technical documentation as described in Article 18. The documentation shall make it possible to assess the instrument’s conformity with the relevant requirements, and shall include an adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s). The technical documentation shall specify the applicable requirements and cover, as far as relevant for the assessment, the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument.
3. The manufacturer shall keep the technical documentation at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market.
4. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for final product inspection and testing of the measuring instruments concerned as specified in point 5 and shall be subject to surveillance as specified in point 6.
5. Quality system
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with the notified body of his choice, for the measuring instruments concerned.
The application shall include:
|
5.2. |
The quality system shall ensure compliance of the measuring instruments with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records. It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:
|
5.3. |
The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 5.2.
It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard. In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant instrument field and instrument technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point 2 in order to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the relevant requirements of this Directive and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the instrument with those requirements. The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision. |
5.4. |
The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. |
5.5. |
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.
The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 5.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary. It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision. |
6. Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body
6.1. |
The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. |
6.2. |
The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the notified body access to the manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites, and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular:
|
6.3. |
The notified body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. |
6.4. |
In addition, the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the notified body may, if necessary, carry out instrument tests, or have them carried out, in order to verify that the quality system is functioning correctly. The notified body shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. |
7. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
7.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking, the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 5.1, the latter’s identification number to each individual measuring instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
7.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
8. The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:
(a) |
the documentation referred to in point 5.1, |
(b) |
the information relating to the change referred to in point 5.5, as approved; |
(c) |
the decisions and reports from the notified body referred to in points 5.5, 6.3 and 6.4. |
9. Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
10. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 3, 5.1, 5.5, 7 and 8 may be fulfilled his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE F: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON PRODUCT VERIFICATION
1. Conformity to type based on product verification is the part of a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 5.1 and 6, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned, which have been subject to the provisions of point 3, are in conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of the manufactured measuring instruments with the approved type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
3. Verification
A notified body chosen by the manufacturer shall carry out the appropriate examinations and tests, or have them carried out, to verify the conformity of the instruments with the type as described in the EU-type examination certificate and the appropriate requirements of this Directive.
The examinations and tests to verify the conformity of the measuring instruments with the appropriate requirements shall be carried out, at the choice of the manufacturer, either by examination and testing of every instrument as specified in point 4, or by examination and testing of the measuring instruments on a statistical basis as specified in point 5.
4. Verification of conformity by examination and testing of every instrument
4.1. |
All measuring instruments shall be individually examined and appropriate tests set out in the relevant harmonised standard(s) and/or normative documents, and/or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, shall be carried out in order to verify their conformity with the approved type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the appropriate requirements of this Directive.
In the absence of a harmonised standard or normative document, the notified body concerned shall decide on the appropriate tests to be carried out. |
4.2. |
The notified body shall issue a certificate of conformity in respect of the examinations and tests carried out, and shall affix its identification number to each approved instrument or have it affixed under its responsibility.
The manufacturer shall keep the certificates of conformity available for inspection by the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. |
5. Statistical verification of conformity
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure the homogeneity of each lot produced, and shall present his measuring instruments for verification in the form of homogeneous lots. |
5.2. |
A random sample shall be taken from each lot according to the requirements of point 5.3. All measuring instruments in a sample shall be individually examined and appropriate tests set out in the relevant harmonised standard(s) and/or normative document(s), and/or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, shall be carried out in order to verify their conformity with the type described in the EU-type examination certificate and with the applicable requirements of this Directive, and to determine whether the lot is accepted or rejected. In the absence of such harmonised standard or normative document, the notified body concerned shall decide on the appropriate tests to be carried out. |
5.3. |
The statistical procedure shall meet the following requirements:
The statistical control will be based on attributes. The sampling system shall ensure:
|
5.4. |
If a lot is accepted, all measuring instruments of the lot shall be considered approved, except for those measuring instruments from the sample that have been found not to satisfy the tests.
The notified body shall issue a certificate of conformity in respect of the examinations and tests carried out, and shall affix its identification number to each approved instrument or have it affixed under its responsibility. The manufacturer shall keep the certificates of conformity at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. |
5.5. |
If a lot is rejected, the notified body shall take appropriate measures to prevent the placing on the market of that lot. In the event of frequent rejection of lots the notified body may suspend the statistical verification and take appropriate measures. |
6. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
6.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 3, the latter’s identification number to each individual instrument that is in conformity with the approved type described in the EU-type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
6.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. If y the notified body referred to in point 3 agrees and under its responsibility, the manufacturer may also affix the notified body’s identification number to the measuring instruments. |
7. If the notified body agrees and under its responsibility, the manufacturer may affix the notified body’s identification number to the measuring instruments during the manufacturing process.
8. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate. An authorised representative may not fulfil the manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 2 and 5.1.
MODULE F1: CONFORMITY BASED ON PRODUCT VERIFICATION
1. Conformity based on product verification is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 3, 6.1 and 7 and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned which have been subject to the provisions of point 4, are in conformity with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Technical documentation
The manufacturer shall establish the technical documentation as described in Article 18. The documentation shall make it possible to assess the instrument’s conformity with the relevant requirements, and shall include an adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s). The technical documentation shall specify the applicable requirements and cover, as far as relevant for the assessment, the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument.
The manufacturer shall keep the technical documentation at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market.
3. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of the manufactured measuring instruments with the applicable requirements of this Directive.
4. Verification
A notified body chosen by the manufacturer shall carry out the appropriate examinations and tests, or have them carried out, to verify the conformity of the measuring instruments with the applicable requirements of this Directive.
The examinations and tests to verify the conformity with the requirements shall be carried out, at the choice of the manufacturer, either by examination and testing of every instrument as specified in point 5, or by examination and testing of the measuring instruments on a statistical basis as specified in point 6.
5. Verification of conformity by examination and testing of every instrument
5.1. |
All measuring instruments shall be individually examined and appropriate tests, set out in the relevant harmonized standards and/or normative documents, and/or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, shall be carried out to verify their conformity with the requirements that apply to them. In the absence of such a harmonised standard, or normative document, the notified body concerned shall decide on the appropriate tests to be carried out. |
5.2. |
The notified body shall issue a certificate of conformity in respect of the examinations and tests carried out, and shall affix its identification number to each approved instrument or have it affixed under its responsibility.
The manufacturer shall keep the certificates of conformity at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. |
6. Statistical verification of conformity
6.1. |
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process ensures the homogeneity of each lot produced, and shall present his measuring instruments for verification in the form of homogeneous lots. |
6.2. |
A random sample shall be taken from each lot according to the requirements of point 6.4. |
6.3. |
All measuring instruments in the sample shall be individually examined and appropriate tests set out in the relevant harmonised standards and/or normative documents, and/or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, shall be carried out in order to verify their conformity with the applicable requirements of this Directive and to determine whether the lot is accepted or rejected. In the absence of such harmonised standard, or normative document, the notified body concerned shall decide on the appropriate tests to be carried out. |
6.4. |
The statistical procedure shall meet the following requirements:
The statistical control will be based on attributes. The sampling system shall ensure:
|
6.5. |
If a lot is accepted, all measuring instruments of the lot shall be considered approved, except for those measuring instruments from the sample that have been found not to satisfy the tests.
The notified body shall issue a certificate of conformity in respect of the examinations and tests carried out, and shall affix its identification number to each approved instrument or have it affixed under its responsibility. The manufacturer shall keep the certificates of conformity at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. If a lot is rejected, the notified body shall take appropriate measures to prevent that lot from being placed on the market. In the event of frequent rejection of lots the notified body may suspend the statistical verification and take appropriate measures. |
7. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
7.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 4, the latter’s identification number to each individual measuring instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
7.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual measuring instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. If the notified body referred to in point 5 agrees and under its responsibility, the manufacturer may also affix the notified body’s identification number to the measuring instruments. |
8. If the notified body agrees and under its responsibility, the manufacturer may affix the notified body’s identification number to the measuring instruments during the manufacturing process.
9. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate. An authorised representative may not fulfil the manufacturer’s obligations set out in point 2, first paragraph, point 3 and point 6.1.
MODULE G: CONFORMITY BASED ON UNIT VERIFICATION
1. Conformity based on unit verification is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2, 3 and 5 and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the instrument concerned, which has been subject to the provisions of point 4, is in conformity with the requirements of this Directive that apply to it.
2. Technical documentation
The manufacturer shall establish the technical documentation as described in Article 18 and make it available to the notified body referred to in point 4. The documentation shall make it possible to assess the instrument’s conformity with the relevant requirements, and shall include an adequate analysis and assessment of the risk(s). The technical documentation shall specify the applicable requirements and cover, as far as relevant for the assessment, the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument.
The manufacturer shall keep the technical documentation at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market.
3. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall take all measures necessary so that the manufacturing process and its monitoring ensure conformity of the manufactured instrument with the applicable requirements of this Directive.
4. Verification
A notified body chosen by the manufacturer shall carry out the appropriate examinations and tests set out in the relevant harmonised standards, and/or normative documents, or equivalent tests set out in other relevant technical specifications, to verify the conformity of the instrument with the applicable requirements of this Directive, or have them carried out. In the absence of such a harmonised standard, or normative document, the notified body concerned shall decide on the appropriate tests to be carried out.
The notified body shall issue a certificate of conformity in respect of the examinations and tests carried out and affix its identification number to the approved instrument, or have it affixed under its responsibility.
The manufacturer shall keep the certificates of conformity at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market.
5. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 4, the latter’s identification number to each instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
5.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with the measuring instrument. |
6. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 2 and 5 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE H: CONFORMITY BASED ON FULL QUALITY ASSURANCE
1. Conformity based on full quality assurance is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2 and 5, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for design, manufacture and final product inspection and testing of the measuring instruments concerned as specified in point 3, and shall be subject to surveillance as specified in point 4.
3. Quality system
3.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with the notified body of his choice, for the measuring instruments concerned.
The application shall include:
|
3.2. |
The quality system shall ensure compliance of the measuring instruments with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records. It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:
|
3.3. |
The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2.
It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard. In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member experienced as an assessor in the relevant instrument field and instrument technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point (b) of point 3.1 to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the applicable requirements of this Directive and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the instrument with those requirements. The manufacturer or his authorised representative shall be notified of the decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision. |
3.4. |
The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. |
3.5. |
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.
The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary. It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision. |
4. Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body
4.1. |
The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. |
4.2. |
The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the notified body access to the design, manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites, and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular:
|
4.3. |
The notified body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. |
4.4. |
In addition, the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the notified body may, if necessary, carry out instrument tests, or have them carried out, in order to check the proper functioning of the quality system. It shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. |
5. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
5.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking, the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 3.1, the latter’s identification number to each individual instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
5.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
6. The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:
(a) |
the technical documentation referred to in point 3.1, |
(b) |
the documentation concerning the quality system referred to in point 3.1, |
(c) |
the information relating to the change referred to in point 3.5, as approved; |
(d) |
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in points 3.5, 4.3 and 4.4. |
7. Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
8. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s obligations set out in points 3.1, 3.5, 5 and 6 may be fulfilled by his authorised representative, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
MODULE H1: CONFORMITY BASED ON FULL QUALITY ASSURANCE PLUS DESIGN EXAMINATION
1. Conformity based on full quality assurance plus design examination is the conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2 and 6, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the measuring instruments concerned satisfy the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
2. Manufacturing
The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for design, manufacture and final product inspection and testing of the measuring instruments concerned as specified in point 3, and shall be subject to surveillance as specified in point 5.
The adequacy of the technical design of the measuring instruments shall have been examined in accordance with point 4.
3. Quality system
3.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of the quality system with the notified body of his choice for the measuring instruments concerned.
The application shall include:
|
3.2. |
The quality system shall ensure compliance of the measuring instruments with the requirements of this Directive that apply to them.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records. It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:
|
3.3. |
The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2. It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard.
In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member experienced as an assessor in the relevant instrument field and instrument technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Directive. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The manufacturer or his authorised representative shall be notified of the decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision. |
3.4. |
The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. |
3.5. |
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.
The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary. It shall notify the manufacturer or his authorised representative of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision. |
3.6. |
Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted. |
4. Design examination
4.1. |
The manufacturer shall lodge an application for examination of the design with the notified body referred to in point 3.1. |
4.2. |
The application shall make it possible to understand the design, manufacture and operation of the instrument, and to assess the conformity with the requirements of this Directive that apply to it.
It shall include:
|
4.3. |
The notified body shall examine the application, and where the design meets the requirements of this Directive that apply to the instrument it shall issue an EU design examination certificate to the manufacturer. That certificate shall give the name and address of the manufacturer, the conclusions of the examination, the conditions (if any) for its validity and the data necessary for identification of the approved design. That certificate may have one or more annexes attached.
That certificate and its annexes shall contain all relevant information to allow the conformity of manufactured measuring instruments with the examined design to be evaluated and to allow for in-service control. It shall allow the evaluation of conformity of the manufactured instruments with the examined design regarding the reproducibility of their metrological performances, when they are properly adjusted using appropriate means, including:
The notified body shall establish an evaluation report in this regard and keep it at the disposal of the Member State that designated it. Without prejudice to Article 27(10), the notified body shall release the content of this report, in full or in part, only with the agreement of the manufacturer. The certificate shall have a validity of 10 years from the date of its issue, and may be renewed for subsequent periods of 10 years each. Where the design does not satisfy the applicable requirements of this Directive, the notified body shall refuse to issue an EU design examination certificate and shall inform the applicant accordingly, giving detailed reasons for its refusal. |
4.4. |
The notified body shall keep itself apprised of any changes in the generally acknowledged state of the art which indicate that the approved design may no longer comply with the applicable requirements of this Directive, and shall determine whether such changes require further investigation. If so, the notified body shall inform the manufacturer accordingly.
The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has issued the EU design examination certificate informed of any modification to the approved design that may affect the conformity with the essential requirements of this Directive or the conditions for validity of the certificate. Such modifications shall require additional approval – from the notified body that issued the EU design examination certificate – in the form of an addition to the original EU design examination certificate. |
4.5. |
Each notified body shall inform its notifying authority of the EU design examination certificates and/or any additions thereto which it has issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to its notifying authority the list of certificates and/or any additions thereto refused, suspended or otherwise restricted.
The Commission, the Member States and the other notified bodies may, on request, obtain a copy of the EU design examination certificates and/or additions thereto. On request, the Commission and the Member States may obtain a copy of the technical documentation and of the results of the examinations carried out by the notified body. The notified body shall keep a copy of the EU design examination certificate, its annexes and additions, as well as the technical file including the documentation submitted by the manufacturer until the expiry of the validity of the certificate. |
4.6. |
The manufacturer shall keep a copy of the EU design examination certificate, its annexes and additions with the technical documentation at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. |
5. Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body
5.1. |
The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. |
5.2. |
The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the notified body access to the design, manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites, and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular:
|
5.3. |
The notified body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. |
5.4. |
In addition, the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the notified body may, if necessary, carry out instrument tests, or have them carried out, in order to check the proper functioning of the quality system. It shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. |
6. Conformity marking and EU declaration of conformity
6.1. |
The manufacturer shall affix the CE marking and the supplementary metrology marking set out in this Directive, and, under the responsibility of the notified body referred to in point 3.1, the latter’s identification number to each individual instrument that satisfies the applicable requirements of this Directive. |
6.2. |
The manufacturer shall draw up a written EU declaration of conformity for each instrument model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market. The EU declaration of conformity shall identify the instrument model for which it has been drawn up and shall mention the number of the design examination certificate.
A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request. A copy of the EU declaration of conformity shall be supplied with each measuring instrument that is placed on the market. However, this requirement may be interpreted as applying to a batch or consignment rather than individual instruments in those cases where a large number of instruments is delivered to a single user. |
7. The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the instrument has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:
(a) |
the documentation concerning the quality system referred to in point 3.1, |
(b) |
the information relating to the change referred to in point 3.5, as approved; |
(c) |
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in points 3.5, 5.3 and 5.4. |
8. Authorised representative
The manufacturer’s authorised representative may lodge the application referred to in points 4.1 and 4.2 and fulfil the obligations set out in points 3.1, 3.5, 4.4, 4.6, 6 and 7, on his behalf and under his responsibility, provided that they are specified in the mandate.
ANNEX III
WATER METERS (MI-001)
The relevant requirements of Annex I, the specific requirements of this Annex and the conformity assessment procedures listed in this Annex, apply to water meters intended for the measurement of volumes of clean, cold or heated water in residential, commercial and light industrial use.
DEFINITIONS
Water Meter |
An instrument designed to measure, memorise and display the volume at metering conditions of water passing through the measurement transducer. |
Minimum Flowrate (Q1) |
The lowest flowrate at which the water meter provides indications that satisfy the requirements concerning the maximum permissible errors (MPEs.) |
Transitional Flowrate (Q2) |
The transitional flowrate is the flowrate value occurring between the permanent and minimum flowrates, at which the flowrate range is divided into two zones, the ‘upper zone’ and the ‘lower zone’. Each zone has a characteristic MPE. |
Permanent Flowrate (Q3) |
The highest flowrate at which the water meter operates in a satisfactory manner under normal conditions of use, i.e. under steady or intermittent flow conditions. |
Overload Flowrate (Q4) |
The overload flowrate is the highest flowrate at which the meter operates in a satisfactory manner for a short period of time without deteriorating. |
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Rated Operating Conditions
The manufacturer shall specify the rated operating conditions for the instrument, in particular:
1. |
The flowrate range of the water. The values for the flowrate range shall fulfil the following conditions:
|
2. |
The temperature range of the water. The values for the temperature range shall fulfil the following conditions:
The meter may be designed to operate over both ranges. |
3. |
The relative pressure range of the water, the range being 0,3 bar to at least 10 bar at Q3. |
4. |
For the power supply: the nominal value of the AC voltage supply and/or the limits of DC supply. |
MPE
5. |
The MPE, positive or negative, on volumes delivered at flowrates between the transitional flowrate (Q2) (included) and the overload flowrate (Q4) is:
The meter shall not exploit the MPE or systematically favour any party. |
6. |
The MPE, positive or negative, on volumes delivered at flowrates between the minimum flowrate (Q1) and the transitional flowrate (Q2) (excluded) is 5 % for water having any temperature.
The meter shall not exploit the MPE or systematically favour any party. |
Permissible Effect of Disturbances
7.1. Electromagnetic immunity
7.1.1. |
The effect of an electromagnetic disturbance on a water meter shall be such that:
|
7.1.2. |
After undergoing an electromagnetic disturbance the water meter shall:
|
7.1.3. |
The critical change value is the smaller of the two following values:
|
7.2. Durability
After an appropriate test, taking into account the period of time estimated by the manufacturer, has been performed, the following criteria shall be satisfied:
7.2.1. |
The variation of the measurement result after the durability test, when compared with the initial measurement result, shall not exceed:
|
7.2.2. |
The error of indication for the volume metered after the durability test shall not exceed:
|
Suitability
8.1. |
The meter shall be able to be installed to operate in any position unless clearly marked otherwise. |
8.2. |
The manufacturer shall specify whether the meter is designed to measure reverse flow. In such a case, the reverse flow volume shall either be subtracted from the cumulated volume or shall be separately recorded. The same MPE shall apply to both forward and reverse flow.
Water meters not designed to measure reverse flow shall either prevent reverse flow or shall withstand an accidental reverse flow without any deterioration or change in metrological properties. |
Units of Measurement
9. |
Metered volume shall be displayed in cubic metres. |
Putting into Use
10. |
The Member State shall ensure that the requirements under points 1, 2 and 3 are determined by the utility or the person legally designated for installing the meter, so that the meter is appropriate for the accurate measurement of consumption that is foreseen or foreseeable. |
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
The conformity assessment procedures referred to in Article 17 that the manufacturer can choose between are:
B + F or B + D or H1.
ANNEX IV
GAS METERS AND VOLUME CONVERSION DEVICES (MI-002)
The relevant requirements of Annex I, the specific requirements of this Annex and the conformity assessment procedures listed in this Annex, apply to gas meters and volume conversion devices defined below, intended for residential, commercial and light industrial use.
DEFINITIONS
Gas meter |
An instrument designed to measure, memorise and display the quantity of fuel gas (volume or mass) that has passed it. |
Conversion device |
A device fitted to a gas meter that automatically converts the quantity measured at metering conditions into a quantity at base conditions. |
Minimum flowrate (Qmin) |
The lowest flowrate at which the gas meter provides indications that satisfy the requirements regarding maximum permissible error (MPE). |
Maximum flowrate (Qmax) |
The highest flowrate at which the gas meter provides indications that satisfy the requirements regarding MPE. |
Transitional flowrate (Qt) |
The transitional flowrate is the flowrate occurring between the maximum and minimum flowrates at which the flowrate range is divided into two zones, the ‘upper zone’ and the ‘lower zone’. Each zone has a characteristic MPE. |
Overload Flowrate (Qr) |
The overload flowrate is the highest flowrate at which the meter operates for a short period of time without deteriorating. |
Base conditions |
The specified conditions to which the measured quantity of fluid is converted. |
PART I
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
GAS METERS
1. Rated operating conditions
The manufacturer shall specify the rated operating conditions of the gas meter, taking into account:
1.1. The flowrate range of the gas shall fulfil at least the following conditions:
Class |
Qmax/Qmin |
Qmax/Qt |
Qr/Qmax |
1,5 |
≥ 150 |
≥ 10 |
1,2 |
1,0 |
≥ 20 |
≥ 5 |
1,2 |
1.2. The temperature range of the gas, with a minimum range of 40 °C.
1.3. The fuel/gas related conditions
The gas meter shall be designed for the range of gases and supply pressures of the country of destination. In particular the manufacturer shall indicate:
— |
the gas family or group; |
— |
the maximum operating pressure. |
1.4. A minimum temperature range of 50 °C for the climatic environment.
1.5. The nominal value of the AC voltage supply and/or the limits of DC supply.
2. Maximum permissible error (MPEs)
2.1. Gas meter indicating the volume at metering conditions or mass
Table 1
Class |
1,5 |
1,0 |
Qmin ≤ Q < Qt |
3 % |
2 % |
Qt ≤ Q ≤ Qmax |
1,5 % |
1 % |
The gas meter shall not exploit the MPEs or systematically favour any party.
2.2. For a gas meter with temperature conversion, which only indicates the converted volume, the MPE of the meter is increased by 0,5 % in a range of 30 °C extending symmetrically around the temperature specified by the manufacturer that lies between 15 °C and 25 °C. Outside this range, an additional increase of 0,5 % is permitted in each interval of 10 °C.
3. Permissible effect of disturbances
3.1. Electromagnetic immunity
3.1.1. |
The effect of an electromagnetic disturbance on a gas meter or volume conversion device shall be such that:
|
3.1.2. |
After undergoing a disturbance, the gas meter shall:
|
3.1.3. |
The critical change value is the smaller of the two following values:
|
3.2. Effect of upstream-downstream flow disturbances
Under installation conditions specified by the manufacturer, the effect of the flow disturbances shall not exceed one third of the MPE.
4. Durability
After an appropriate test, taking into account the period of time estimated by the manufacturer, has been performed, the following criteria shall be satisfied:
4.1. Class 1,5 $3
4.1.1. |
The variation of the measurement result after the durability test when compared with the initial measurement result for the flow rates in the range Qt to Qmax- shall not exceed the measurement result by more than 2 %. |
4.1.2. |
The error of indication after the durability test shall not exceed twice the MPE in point 2. |
4.2. Class 1,0 $3
4.2.1. |
The variation of the measurement result after the durability test when compared with the initial measurement result shall not exceed one-third of the MPE in point 2. |
4.2.2. |
The error of indication after the durability test shall not exceed the MPE in point 2. |
5. Suitability
5.1. |
A gas meter powered from the mains (AC or DC) shall be provided with an emergency power supply device or other means to ensure, during a failure of the principal power source, that all measuring functions are safeguarded. |
5.2. |
A dedicated power source shall have a lifetime of at least five years. After 90 % of its lifetime an appropriate warning shall be shown. |
5.3. |
An indicating device shall have a sufficient number of digits to ensure that the quantity passed during 8 000 hours at Qmax does not return the digits to their initial values. |
5.4. |
The gas meter shall be able to be installed to operate in any position declared by the manufacturer in its installation instruction. |
5.5. |
The gas meter shall have a test element, which shall enable tests to be carried out in a reasonable time. |
5.6. |
The gas meter shall respect the MPE in any flow direction or only in one flow direction clearly marked. |
6. Units
Metered quantity shall be displayed in cubic metre, or in kilogram.
PART II
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
VOLUME CONVERSION DEVICES
A volume conversion device constitutes a sub-assembly when it is together with a measuring instrument with which it is compatible.
For a volume conversion device, the essential requirements for the gas meter shall apply, if applicable. In addition, the following requirements shall apply:
7. Base conditions for converted quantities
The manufacturer shall specify the base conditions for converted quantities.
8. MPE
— |
0,5 % at ambient temperature 20 °C ± 3 °C, ambient humidity 60 % ± 15 %, nominal values for power supply; |
— |
0,7 % for temperature conversion devices at rated operating conditions; |
— |
1 % for other conversion devices at rated operating conditions. |
Note:
The error of the gas meter is not taken into account.
The volume conversion device shall not exploit the MPEs or systematically favour any party.
9. Suitability
9.1. |
An electronic conversion device shall be capable of detecting when it is operating outside the operating range(s) stated by the manufacturer for parameters that are relevant for measurement accuracy. In such a case, the conversion device must stop integrating the converted quantity, and may totalise separately the converted quantity for the time it is operating outside the operating range(s). |
9.2. |
An electronic conversion device shall be capable to display all relevant data for the measurement without additional equipment. |
PART III
PUTTING INTO USE AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
Putting into use
10. |
|
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
The conformity assessment procedures referred to in Article 17 that the manufacturer can choose between are
B + F or B + D or H1.
ANNEX V
ACTIVE ELECTRICAL ENERGY METERS (MI-003)
The relevant requirements of Annex I, the specific requirements of this Annex and the conformity assessment procedures listed in this Annex, apply to active electrical energy meters intended for residential, commercial and light industrial use.
Note:
Electrical energy meters may be used in combination with external instrument transformers, depending upon the measurement technique applied. However, this Annex covers only electrical energy meters but not instrument transformers.
DEFINITIONS
An active electrical energy meter is a device which measures the active electrical energy consumed in a circuit.
I |
= |
the electrical current flowing through the meter; |
In |
= |
the specified reference current for which the transformer operated meter has been designed; |
Ist |
= |
the lowest declared value of I at which the meter registers active electrical energy at unity power factor (polyphase meters with balanced load); |
Imin |
= |
the value of I above which the error lies within maximum permissible errors (MPEs) (polyphase meters with balanced load); |
Itr |
= |
the value of I above which the error lies within the smallest MPE corresponding to the class index of the meter; |
Imax |
= |
the maximum value of I for which the error lies within the MPEs; |
U |
= |
the voltage of the electricity supplied to the meter; |
Un |
= |
the specified reference voltage; |
f |
= |
the frequency of the voltage supplied to the meter; |
fn |
= |
the specified reference frequency; |
PF |
= |
power factor = cosφ = the cosine of the phase difference φ between I and U. |
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. Accuracy
The manufacturer shall specify the class index of the meter. The class indices are defined as: Class A, B and C.
2. Rated operating conditions
The manufacturer shall specify the rated operating conditions of the meter; in particular:
The values of fn, Un, In, Ist, Imin, Itr and Imax that apply to the meter. For the current values specified, the meter shall satisfy the conditions given in Table 1;
Table 1
|
Class A |
Class B |
Class C |
For direct-connected meters |
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Ist |
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Imin |
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Imax |
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For transformer-operated meters |
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Ist |
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Imin |
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(1) |
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In |
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Imax |
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The voltage, frequency and power factor ranges within which the meter shall satisfy the MPE requirements are specified in Table 2. These ranges shall recognise the typical characteristics of electricity supplied by public distribution systems.
The voltage and frequency ranges shall be at least:
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power factor range at least from cosφ = 0,5 inductive to cosφ = 0,8 capacitive.
3. MPEs
The effects of the various measurands and influence quantities (a, b, c,…) are evaluated separately, all other measurands and influence quantities being kept relatively constant at their reference values. The error of measurement, that shall not exceed the MPE stated in Table 2, is calculated as: