When the new European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) passed in 2004, there was a need for revision of the Dutch IJkwet (legislation for weights and measures). Late 2006 the Dutch Metrology law was put into force.

Objectives of the Dutch Metrology law

The main objective of the Dutch Metrology law is to ensure correct and accurate measuring with measuring instruments that are mainly used for:

• measurement for trade purposes;
• measurement by for example police or customs; but also for measurements and determinations concerning safety, health and environment.

Procedure

In the Dutch Metrology law specific practices of measuring instruments are regulated. If a measuring instrument is used for that specific purpose, it has to comply with the requirements of the Dutch Metrology law and the underlying regulations. Click here to open the Dutch Metrology law (in Dutch).

Under the Dutch Metrology law, a measuring instrument is subjected to some assessments before it can be placed on the market and put into use:

1. Before a regulated measuring instrument can be placed on the market, it has to be submitted to a conformity assessment. The conformity assessment checks the measuring instrument against the essential requirements of the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID). The manufacturer has to submit his measuring instruments for an assessment to one of the designated bodies in one of the member states of the European Union.
2. The manufacturer subsequently produces the measuring instrument conform the issued declaration of conformity. The CE-marking and the supplementary metrology marking are put on the measuring instrument.

A measuring instrument that has already been put into use and that has been repaired or changed in such a way that this could influence the measuring function, must be re-checked before it can be put into use again.

This also applies for measuring instruments of which the markings have been damaged. A designated body or an organization that has been certified for re-verification must execute this check.