OIML Recommendations have been published in three parts for the last couple of years to allow consistency, transparency and thereby increased international acceptance. An International Working Group (IWG) headed by Germany and USA has also been working on R117-2 (Measurements system liquids other than water) during this time.
Challenging and time consuming task
Given the broad scope of part 1, part 2 has proven to be a challenging and time consuming task: part 1 contains the requirements, part 2 the test procedures and part 3 the test report format. R117-1 was published in 2007, however, the first committee draft was published recently with a deadline for comments closing this month.
International agreement on the requirements in part 1 is a vital first step. However, part 2 is likely to solve a number of issues that has existed since 1995, the year of issue of the “old” R117. Guidance is provided for the first time in the part 2 committee draft for the so-called Family of Meters. This would then determine which sizes should be tested for the approval of an entire range of meters.
R118 is to be replaced by R117-2
Testing at the limits of the operating range is also addressed in detail for the first time. Guidance is provided dealing with the approval of measuring systems intended for applications with unusual temperatures, pressures, densities and viscosities. Not all is new, though, as the R118 (1995) presents the test procedures for fuel dispensers. Since this document is to be replaced by 117 part 2 and contains well-known and well-accepted procedures, the core of the part 2 committee draft is made up of R118.
Economic impact
Experience has learnt that OIML R117 related issues are well read throughout the industry, which is not surprising in view of its economic impact. It is therefore expected that the committee draft will generate a fair amount of comments, although it may be some time until part 2 is agreed upon and officially published. However, significant progress has been made and the International Working Group is keen to continue its activities.
