Metrology

PURPOSE: to repeal eight metrology Directives with a view to simplifying and improving legislation in this field.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2011/17/EU 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.

CONTENT: following agreement in first reading with the European Parliament, the Council repealed eight directives relating to metrology.

The following directives are technically outdated, do not reflect the state of the art in measurement technology or concern instruments which are not subject to technological development and which are increasingly less in use, and are repealed

• with effect from 1 July 2011, Directive 71/349/EEC relating to the calibration of the tanks of vessels;
• with effect from 1 December 2015, Directives 71/347/EEC relating to the measuring of the standard mass per storage volume of grain, 75/33/EEC on cold-water meters, 76/765/EEC relating to alcoholometers and alcohol hydrometers, 76/766/EEC relating to alcohol tables, 86/217/EEC relating to tyre pressure gauges for motor vehicles, 71/317/EEC and 74/148/EEC on weights and measures.

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of reports provided by the Member States, evaluate whether the measuring instruments falling within the scope of the repealed directives need to be included in the scope of Directive 2004/22/EC and whether the transitional measures and date set for repeal of those Directives need to be adjusted accordingly. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council, accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal to that effect.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 07/04/2011.