Legal Metrology Services

NAWI directive

The NAWI directive is a European directive which regulates Non Automatic Weighing Instruments (NAWI). With one approval, you can sell your products in all the EU and EFTA countries. This means that you need only one approval, which is valid in over 30 European countries. This way, the trade barriers are reduced and only one approval process is sufficient.

(Measurable) quantity

The property of a phenomenon, a body or a substance which can be distinguished qualitatively and determined quantitatively. The International System of Units, or the SI system, is usually used as the starting point. The basic units of the SI system are: metre, kilogramme, second, ampere, kelvin, mol and candela.

Measurement uncertainty

Parameter, related to the result of a measurement that characterises the dispersion of the values that could reasonably be attributed to the measurement quantity. For example, the parameter may be a standard deviation (or a certain multiple of it), or half of an interval that has a certain level of reliability.

Type examination

Examination of a type (model) of a measuring instrument that is carried out to determine whether the type (model) can be approved or should be rejected.

Type or model approval

Decision that confirms that the type (model) of a measuring instrument meets the legal requirements.

Verification

A procedure (other than a type approval) which entails the examination, marking and/or issuing of a calibration certificate, which is used to determine and confirm that the measuring instrument meets the legal requirements. In the old calibration law this was called calibration.

Quality mark

Mark applied to a measuring instrument as an indication that the measuring instrument has passed the verification with satisfactory result.

Rejection mark

Mark applied to a measuring instrument in a noticeable manner to indicate that the measuring instrument does not meet the legal requirements. Calibration marks that were applied earlier are rendered invalid.

Calibration

Calibration means to determine the metrological characteristics of an instrument. This is done using a direct comparison with (measurement) standards. A calibration certificate is issued and a calibration sticker is (usually) attached. Based on this information, a user can decide whether the instrument is suitable for the application in question.

Sealing

Mark that protects the measuring instrument against forbidden modifications, removal of parts, et cetera.