Measuring instruments under legal control, validity period of verification and verification marks

The measuring instruments under legal control, i.e. instruments for which regulations with metrological and technical requirements are issued, are: weighing instruments, length measures, taxi-meters, speed meters in road traffic, water meters, heat metres, capacity serving measures, stationary tanks, flow meters, gas meters and volume conversion devices, tyre pressure gauges, sphygmomanometer, devices with rollers for checking the braking force of motor vehicles, electrical energy meters, instruments for measuring vehicle exhaust gases and others.

Procedures for assessing conformity of measuring instruments

Before the instrument can be used for legal purposes, it must have its required conformity assessed. The prescribed conformity assessment procedures prior to placing on the market must be provided by the manufacturer of the measuring instrument or his representative.

Placing on the market and putting into use

Before placing instruments on the market, conformity assessment procedures are performed by a notified body (in harmonised areas) or the Metrology Institute (in non-harmonised areas), while some procedures may also be performed by designated persons (initial verifications).

Conformity assessment procedures for non-harmonised groups of instruments are set out in the Rules on the methods of conformity assessment for individual types of measuring instruments and on the types and methods of their marking with conformity marks.

The procedures for harmonised types of instruments are set out in the Rules on measuring instruments and the Rules on metrological requirements for non-automatic weighing instruments:

• Most measuring instruments under legal control must obtain instrument type approval. When approving the instrument type, the instrument must be examined and tested in accordance with the legislation. On the basis of a successfully performed test or examination of the type of measuring instrument, a certificate of approval of the type of measuring instrument is issued.
• Unit verification of the instrument is a proceeding by which the conformity assessment body assesses the conformity of an individual instrument with metrological regulations. The proceeding combines type approval and initial verification but does not require the issue of type-approval certificate.
• Through the approved quality system, the producer of the instrument meets its obligations under the law, marks the instrument, and ensures and declares that the instruments are in conformity with the relevant type.
• The initial verification is performed for each individual instrument before it is placed on the market or put into service. At the initial verification, the conformity of the instrument with the regulations and the approved type is determined.

Notified body

Metrology Institute is the notified body for several types of harmonised groups of measuring instruments under the Rules on measuring instruments and the Rules on metrological requirements for non-automatic weighing instruments. We are notified mainly for those conformity assessment modules that are important for consumer protection and the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy. This relates to the area of:

• non-automatic weighing instruments for modules B (type examination), D (quality assurance of the manufacturing process), G (unit verification of an individual instrument), and F (verification of products),
• automatic weighing instruments for modules B (type examination), D (quality assurance of the manufacturing process), G (unit verification of an individual instrument), and F (verification of products),
• capacity serving measures for module D1 (quality assurance of the manufacturing process) and F1 (verification of products),
• active electrical energy meters for modules B (type examination), D (quality assurance of the manufacturing process), and F (verification of products),
• measuring systems for the continuous and dynamic measurement of quantities of liquids other than water for modules G (unit verification of an individual instrument) and F (verification of products),
• length measures for modules B (type examination) and D (quality assurance of the manufacturing process),
• wire and cable length measuring machines for modules B (type examination) and D (quality assurance of the manufacturing process).

A search engine with information on all notified bodies in the EU is available in the New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations - NANDO database. 

Bodies appointed to carry out verification of instruments

On the basis of the Metrology Act, the institute may appoint a legal entity or an individual sole proprietor to initial, periodic and verifications after repair. The system of operation of appointed bodies and the requirements for appointment are regulated in more detail by the Rules on requirements, appointment procedure, tasks and supervision of appointed persons in the field of metrology.

Appointment may be obtained for the performance of initial verifications, periodic verifications and verifications after repair.

Performing verification of measuring instruments

Verifications of measuring instruments in the Republic of Slovenia are carried out by the Metrology Institute and the bodies (legal entities or sole proprietors) to whom the institute issues a decision on appointment for the execution of the first, periodic or verifications after repair.

Bodies appointed to carry out verification of instruments

On the basis of the Metrology Act, the institute may appoint a legal entity or an individual sole proprietor to initial, periodic and verifications after repair. The system of operation of appointed bodies and the requirements for appointment are regulated in more detail by the Rules on requirements, appointment procedure, tasks and supervision of appointed persons in the field of metrology.

Appointment may be obtained for the performance of initial verifications, periodic verifications and verifications after repair.