Metrology

The European Parliament adopted by 656 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Directives 71//317/EEC, 71/347/EEC, 71/349/EEC, 74/148/EEC, 75/33/EEC, 76/765/EEC, 76/766/EEC, and 86/217/EEC regarding metrology.

It adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure (formerly known as the codecision procedure). The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amend the Commission proposal as follows:

• as regards the metrological measuring instruments covered by the repealed Directives, the amended text stipulates that technical progress and innovation with regard to measuring instruments covered by the Directives being repealed will be ensured in practice either by: (i) the voluntary application of the international and European standards which have been developed; (ii) or by the application of national provisions laying down technical specifications based on such standards or, in line with the principles of better law-making, by including additional provisions in Directive 2004/22/EC on measuring instruments;
• only Directive 71/349/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the calibration of the tanks of vessels is repealed with effect from 1 July 2011. The seven other Directives (Directives 71/317/EEC, 71/347/EEC, 74/148/EEC, 75/33/EEC, 76/765/EEC, 76/766/EEC and 86/217/EEC) shall repealed with effect from 1 December 2015, only after an assessment as to whether the measuring instruments falling within the scope of those Directives should be included within the scope of Directive 2004/22/EC. The Commission should carry out such an assessment in parallel with its report on the implementation of Directive 2004/22/EC in accordance with Article 25 thereof. In the context of that assessment, the date set for the repeal of those Directives could be brought forward, with a view to ensuring consistency in the legislative action of the Union in the field of measuring instruments;
• by 30 April 2011, the Commission shall, on the basis of reports provided by the Member States, evaluate whether the measuring instruments falling within the scope of the repealed Directives need to be included in the scope of Directive 2004/22/EC. It shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council, accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal to that effect;
• lastly, an amendment stipulates that EC initial verifications and calibration certificates issued until 30 June 2011 under Directive 71/349/EEC shall remain valid. Moreover, EC pattern approvals and EC pattern approval certificates issued until 30 November 2015 under the Directives 71/347/EEC, 75/33/EEC, 76/765/EEC and 86/217/EEC shall remain valid. Weights in conformity with Directive 71/317/EEC and weights in conformity with Directive 74/148/EEC may be subject to EC initial verification in accordance with Directive 2009/34/EC of relating to common provisions for both measuring instruments and methods of metrological control until 30 November 2025.