FPS Economy, S.M.E., self-employed and Energy
Regulation and Control Policy division
FPS Economy, S.M.E.s, Self-employed and Energy
Directorate-General Quality and Safety
Regulation and Control Policy division
North Gate
Boulevard du Roi Albert II, 16
1000 Brussels
Phone: 02 277 71 70
Fax: 02 277 54 02
E-mail: metrology@economie.fgov.be
Metrology
The FPS Economy ensures that economic measurements are carried out correctly. To do so, it intervenes in the fundamental metrology and legal metrology sectors.
It carries out metrological verifications.
Fundamental metrology
Fundamental metrology, or scientific metrology, aims to develop and maintain national standards and to enable the industry to achieve the traceability of its measuring instruments to the International System of Units.
The FPS Economy participates in research programmes and contributes to scientific innovation.
It is helping to develop nanometrology in order to improve measurements in the fields of industrial and scientific nanotechnology.
Legal metrology
Legal metrology covers all measuring instruments under regulations established by national and European public authorities.
The FPS Economy seeks to ensure the quality of measurements carried out for commercial transactions (retail weighing scales, petrol pumps, water meters etc.) and for certain transactions involving public health and safety (radar speed meters, breathalysers etc.)
Verifications
Metrological verifications are carried out at various stages.
They occur:
- in the design and manufacture of measuring instruments (EC type examination, initial verification etc.)
- in the proper functioning of measuring instruments during their economic lifetime (verifications of instruments in use).
The role of the FPS Economy
- to oversee the development and maintenance of national standards;
- to perform calibration operations;
- to identify and seek to respond to emerging needs, particularly in the field of dimensional nanometrology;
- to coordinate scientific research in metrology;
- to monitor international metrology activities and the implementation of international comparative measurements;
- to draw up and update laws and regulations regarding measuring instruments used in the economy;
- to organise tests and issue pattern approvals before the market entry of measuring instruments;
- to perform a market entry monitoring of the instruments through initial verification;
- to carry out periodic checks;
- to authorize the inspection bodies to provide certain metrological services;
- to inspect the prepackaging by weight or volume of prepackaged products;
- to draw up specific laws and regulations on prepackaged products;
- to commence an annual inspection programme and evaluate the result;
- to carry out verifications prior to the approval of games of chance.