Type testing and approval of water meters, heat meters, gas meters, and cooling meters

FAQ

• Why must my meter comply with the MID?

  The Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) has been effective for application in the European Union member countries from 30th October 2006.

  Since its introduction, the MID takes precedence over national regulations in the EU member countries. In the following years, various countries outside the European Union have acknowledged the MID.

  The main focus of the MID is to harmonize the requirements for measuring instruments prior to distribution and application on the European market, and eliminate regulatory differences at a national level to facilitate transnational trade.

  Furthermore, the MID is harmonized with various European standards and recommendations assuring manufacturers a simpler and less differentiated approach to conformity procedures.

  Thus, all measuring instruments, which comply with the MID regulations, are valid for market and transaction purposes within the EU.

  The MID is regulatory for:

  • Water meters
  • Heat meters
  • Gas meters and volume conversion devices
  • Measuring systems for the continuous and dynamic measurement of quantities of liquids other than water
  • Automatic weighing instruments
  • Electrical energy meters
  • Taxi meters
  • Material measures
  • Dimensioning systems
  • Exhaust gas analysers

  Learn more about the Measuring Instrument Directive.

• What is the CEN TC176?

  The CEN TC 176 is a Technical Committee (TC) within the body for creating standards, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). 

  The CEN TC 176 Committee is responsible for developing and defining the applicable standard for heat and cooling meters, EN 1434. 

  In the EU-countries, all heat and cooling meters applied for billing must comply with the EN 1434, which is harmonized with the Measuring Instrument Directive (MID).

  When a heat or cooling meter is tested, type approved and verified in conformity with the EN 1434, and therby the MID, it can be applied for billing within the European Eunion and other countries recognizing the MID. 

  The CEN consists of 33 European countries, the EFTA members and other European countries, and is officially recognized by the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) for developing standards at European level. 

  Read more about CEN and the CEN TC 176.

• What is the OIML?

  The OIML is the International Organization of Legal Metrology which is an intergovernmental organization assuring effective and internationally recognized legal metrology infrastructures.

  The main focus of the OIML is to develop regulations, standards and related documents and publications for use by legal metrology authorities and industry. The OIML has developed an internationally acknowledged Certificate System for Type Evaluation of Measuring Instruments and the framework for a Mutual Acceptance Arrangement on OIML Type Evaluations, also known as the OIML MAA. 

  The purpose of the OIML MAA is to increase the level of mutual confidence among participating and corresponding members of OIML by:

  • establishing rules and procedures for type approval ensuring conformity with legal and technical requirements 
  • promoting global harmonization of requirements for measuring instruments
  • promoting efficiency in type approvals and facilitating global trade
  • offering alternatives to countries without acces to testing facilities. 

  A water meter, that is type approved in accordance with the OIML MAA R49, is guaranteed to fullfill all the requirements made by the OIML, thereby providing the manufacturer, the distributor and the customers with the highest level of certainty regarding it's performance. 

  Learn more about the OIML and the OIML MAA.