EN   EN 
 
 
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION   
Brussels, XXX  
[…](2018) XXX  draft  
 
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE (EU) .../…  
of XXX  
amending, for the purpose of its adaptation to technical progress, the Annex to Council 
Directive 80/181/EEC as regards the definitions of SI base units  
 
(Text with EEA relevance)  
This draft has not been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission. Any 
views expressed are the preliminary views of the Commission services and may not 
in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the Commission.    
EN 1  EN COMMISSION DIRECTIVE (EU) .../…  
of XXX  
amending, for the purpose of its adaptation to technical progress, the Annex to Council 
Directive 80/181/EEC as regards the definitions of SI base units  
 
(Text with EEA relevance)  
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,  
Having regard to Directive 2009/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Cou ncil of 23 
April 2009 relating to common provisions for both measuring instruments and methods of 
metrological control1, in particular Article 16 thereof . 
Whereas:  
(1) Council Directive 80/181/EEC2 defines the units of measurement to be used in the 
Union  thus enabling  to express measurements and indications of quantity in line with 
the International System of Units (SI) , adopted by the General Conference o n Weights 
and Measures (CGPM) set up by the Metre Convention  signed in Paris on 20 May 
1875 . 
(2) Directive 2009 /34/EC sets out the general framework for the adoption of separate 
Directives concerning, amongst others , measuring instruments and their technical 
requirements, units of measurement and the harmonisation of methods of 
measurement and metrological control.  Article 16 of that  Directive envisages that  the 
Commission may amend the annexes to the separate Directives referred to in its 
Article 1 for the purpose of adaptation to technical progress , includ ing Chapter I of the 
Annex to Directive 80/181/EEC.  
(3) The CGPM decided, at its 24th meeting in 2011 , on a new way of defining the SI based 
on a set of seven defining constants drawn from the fundamental constants of physics 
and other constants of nature. This decision was confirmed  at the 25th meeting of the 
CGPM  in 2014.  
(4) On the 26th meeting of the CGPM in 2018 , new definitions of the SI base units  were 
adopted . The new definitions are based on the new principle of fixed numerical values 
of the defining constants and will be effective as from 20 May 2019. The  new 
definitions are expected to improve the long -term stability and reliability of the SI 
base units as well as the accuracy and clarity of measurements.  
(5) The new definitions adopted by the CGPM reflect  the latest developments in 
measurement science and standards . In order to adapt the definitions of the SI base 
units set out in Directive 80/181/EEC  to technical progress  and thus contribute to  the 
                                                 
1 OJ L 106, 28.4.2009, p.7.  
2 Council Directive of 20 December 1979 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating 
to units of measurement and on the repeal of Directive 71/354/EEC (OJ L 39, 15.2.1980, p.  40).  
EN 2  EN uniform implementation of the SI, it is necessary to align them with the new 
definitions.  
(6) Directive 80/181/EE C should therefore be amended accordingly.  
(7) It is necessary to ensure that the new legislation applies as from the same date for all 
Member States, independently of the date of transposition , so that  uniform 
implementation of Directive 80/181/EEC  is in plac e. 
(8) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the 
Committee for Adjustment to Technical Progress  referred to in Article 16 of Directive 
2009/34/EC , 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:  
Article 1  
Amendment  
The Annex to Directive 80/181/EEC is amended in accordance with the Annex to this 
Directive.  
Article 2  
Transposition  
1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by  … [9 months from the entry into force  of 
this Directive ] at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions 
necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the 
Commission the text of those provisions.  
They shall apply those provisions from  … [10 months from the entry into force of 
this Directive ].  
When Memb er States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this 
Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official 
publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.  
2. Member States shall c ommunicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions 
of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.  
Article 3  
Entry into force  
This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union . 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.  
Done at Brussels,  
 For the Commission  
 Jean -Claude Juncker