Type examination

Breath analysis equipment is used by the Dutch police to determine the percentage of alcohol in the breath of a motorist. This equipment may only be placed on the market if it satisfies the statutory requirements given in the Regulations for Breath Analysis.

Before the official analysis, the police can test the breath of motorists by using pre-selection equipment. These portable devices only give an indication of the alcohol percentage (more or less than the permitted value). If the pre-selection equipment indicates that the alcohol percentage is too high, then the motorist must undergo an official breath test at the police station.

The Specifications for Breath Test Equipment apply to pre-selection equipment.

NMi has all the facilities and expertise to test and certify your breath analysis equipment or your pre-selection equipment in accordance with the statutory specifications. If your measurement instrument satisfies the requirements, you receive the Dutch type approval certificate and the complete test report from us.

For international use, we can test and certify your breath analysis equipment in accordance with the OIML recommendation R126. You receive a complete OIML test report, containing all of the results of the investigation, from us. Based on this test report, some countries will grant immediate approval of your breath analysis equipment.

NMi was closely involved in setting up the statutory specifications for breath analysis equipment. In 2006, the Dutch government lowered the maximum permitted level of alcohol in the blood of road users, from 0.05% to 0.02%. This only applies to young people under the age of 21. NMi advised the government about the consequences which this change would have for the measurement equipment, and helped to set up new specifications.

For further information about type examination, please contact NMi Certin’s Sales department on telephone number +31 78 633 2308.