NoBoMet

There have been significant changes in the world of legal metrology since the introduction of the Measuring Instruments Directive in 2006. One of these changes is the designation of the so-called Notified Bodies that execute verifications and certifications. These bodies are no longer necessarily linked to governments but are now often private companies. NMi took the initiative, along with other major companies in this field, PTB (D), NMO (UK), LNE (F) and METAS (CH), to unite these Notified Bodies into a European professional organisation.

NoBoMet is a European platform of Notified Bodies working in legal metrology. These bodies can be governmental agencies or private commercial organisations and the range of activities can vary from single verification to type approval and quality system approval.

Practical solutions

Mr Pieter van Breugel, initiator of NoBoMet stated: “First of all I am sure that the European Notified Bodies need to be organised and become an official party to represent Notified Bodies’ interests in cooperation with other organisations like OIML, Welmec and EU. It became apparent that there was a need for a joint communication platform on topics encountered by Notified Bodies performing conformity assessment of measuring instruments. Governmental Authorities, National Accreditation Bodies, OIML and WELMEC have established interoperability capabilities and mutual agreements in place.

While these agreements formally extend beyond conformity assessment, they tend to remain governmentally controlled and nationally oriented in practice. NoBoMet aims to harmonise the conformity assessment procedures among the Notified Bodies and establish a common point of view on implementation of EU directives and WELMEC and OIML guidelines.”

Transparency

Bodies designated by their national authority for conformity assessment of measuring instruments establish in this platform interagency communication to optimise the circumstances and conditions under which the Notified Bodies operate. Mr Pieter van Breugel said, “This definitely results in more transparent interpretations for the manufacturers of measuring instruments for which conformity assessment is regulated.”

Further information about NoBoMet, its goals and participants can be found on the website.