Simplification of metrology directives
Latest news from the Enterprise & Industry DG is to Simplification of metrology directives. Measuring instruments are essential to ensure accuracy of measurement, notably for transactions by consumers and industry in every day life: examples include water meters, taximeters, electricity meters and weighing machines. Concerns have been expressed about eight technical rules used for regulating measuring instruments used for tasks requiring legal metrological control, are not easily adaptable to technological progress and therefore risk hindering innovation.
The Eight "old approach" directives apply to equipment used in the following areas:
- Cold Water Meters for Non-Clean Water
- Alcohol Meters and Alcohol Tables
- Medium and Above-Medium Accuracy Weights
- Tyre Pressure Gauges for Motor Vehicles
- Standard Mass of Grain and
- Calibration of Ship Tanks.
In 2004, the Council and the European Parliament adopted a new Directive on Measuring Instruments which covers 10 categories and abolishes previous cumbersome legislation. This Directive is based on a completely modern approach, allowing for more technological innovation and more choices for manufacturers.
The simplification of existing legislation may take various forms, including the cancelation of existing texts, the codification of existing legislation into a new legal instrument or the change in the pursued regulatory approach. Decisions on the exact form that simplification takes will be done on the basis of Better Regulation principles and will be based also upon reasons which become apparent from this public consultation.
The aim of the consultation is to take stakeholders' views in the broadest sense:
- Industry.
- Small and medium sized enterprises.
- Trade unions.
- Consumers.
- Governments.
- Interested individuals.
All reactions will be published on the website of DG Enterprise and Industry, unless requested otherwise. Those who send contributions will be notified about the publication of the report on the public consultation foreseen for mid-September. The Commission is expected to adopt its proposal before the end of 2008.