Market Surveillance and In-service-inspection

The task of market surveillance and in-service-inspection is to ascertain if at any transaction liable to mandatory verification verified measuring instruments are used, i.e. instruments with valid verification mark or conformity assessment mark. Whereas market surveillance supervises the initial placing on the market of measuring instruments, in-service-inspection aims at measuring instruments in use. Furthermore, these supervising measures have to ensure that not permissible measuring instruments are put out of operation, that the legal interval of subsequent verification is observed and that the regulations which ensure correct use of verified instruments in all transactions liable to mandatory verification are adhered to. Therefore, market surveillance and in-service-inspection are an essential complement to verification, only both together give the protection of public that is the aim of the Metrology Act.

Economical needs require a preferably barrier free access of manufacturers to the Single European Market. Therefore, the hitherto stipulated initial testing (verification) by a verification body is replaced by the legally binding declaration of the manufacturer that his products are in compliance with all applicable requirements (declaration of conformity). The authorities of the member states are obliged to randomly assess the conformity of new products with the applicable regulations and thus to supervise the market access not only for the protection of consumers but also for the protection of the market. Doing so, they ensure fair competition.

The requirement of correct measurement stipulates, that the measuring instruments must stay suitable for the period of their use. In order that measuring instruments subject to mandatory verification indicate correctly for a long time they have to be verified in regular intervals (subsequent verification). Inspectors of the legal metrology authority inspect the compliance with the legal interval for subsequent verification, the stability and the correct use of verified measuring instruments. The in-service-inspection of measuring instruments is free of charge for the user.

Market Surveillance and In-service-inspection

Market Surveillance

In-Service-Inspection of Measuring Instruments

Results