1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 1
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►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of12October1971
ontheapproximationofthelawsoftheMemberStatesrelatingtoancillaryequipmentformeters
forliquidsotherthanwater
(71/348/EEC)
(OJ L 239, 25.10.1971, p. 9)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►A1Act of Accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern IrelandL 73 14 27.3.1972
(adapted by Council Decision of 1 January 1973) L 2 1 1.1.1973
►A2Act of Accession of Greece L 291 17 19.11.1979
►A3Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal L 302 23 15.11.1985
▼B
COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of12October 1971
on the approximationof the lawsofthe Member States relating to
ancillary equipmentformetersforliquidsotherthanwater
(71/348/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament(1);
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee(2);
Whereasin the Member Statesthe cons truction and methodsof control
of ancillary equipment for liquid metersare s ubject to mandatoryprovisions which differ from one Member State to another and conse-
quently hinder trade in such instruments; whereas it is therefore
necessary to approximate these provisions;
Whereasthe Council Directive of 26 July 1971(
3) on the approxima-
tion of the lawsof the Member Statesrelating to meas uringinstruments and methods of metrological control laid down the EECpattern approval and EEC initial verification proceduresfor meas uring
instruments; whereas, in accordance with that Directive, the technical
requirementsfor the des ign and functioning of ancillary equipment formetersfor liquidsother than water s hould be laid down;
Whereasthe Council Directive of 26 July 1971(
4) on the approxima-
tion of the lawsof the Member Statesrelating to metersfor liquidsother than water hasalready laid down the technical requirementsfor
design and functioning which such meters must satisfy; whereas ancil-
lary equipment either may, or must, form an integral part of certainmetersfor liquidsother than water;
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
ThisDirective appliesto the ancillary equipment for volumetric meters
for liquidsother than water which iss pecified in the Annex.
Article 2
Ancillary equipment for volumetric meterswhich may bear the EEC
marks and symbols are described in the Annex. They shall be subject
to EEC pattern approval. They shall be submitted to EEC initial verifi-cation at the same time as the meters with which they are associated.
Article 3
1. Member States shall put into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions needed in order to comply with this Directivewithin eighteen monthsof itsnotification and s hall forthwith inform
the Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions
of national law which they adopt in the field governed by thisDirectiveare communicated to the Commission.1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 100, 12.10.1971, p. 4.
(2) OJ No C 93, 21.9.1971, p. 27.
(3) OJ No L 202, 6.9.1971, p. 1.
(4) OJ No L 202, 6.9.1971, p. 32.
▼B
Article 4
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 3
▼B
ANNEX
CHAPTER I
ZEROISINGMECHANISMFORVOLUMEINDICATORS
1.1. A zeroising mechanism is an arrangement which returns the indicator to
zero either by a manual operation or by an automatic system.
1.2. The zeroising mechanism must not affect the result of a measurement.1.3. When the zeroising operation is begun, it must be impossible to indicate
a new measured quantity until the zeroising operation has been
completed.
1.4. The requirementsof items1.2 and 1.3 are not mandatory:
1.4.1. for indicatorsthe dial of which bearsthe legend ‘Direct s ale to
the public is forbidden’ or another equivalent restriction of use;
1.4.2. for pointer-type indicatorsmounted on meterswhos e maximum
rate of flow doesnot exceed 1200 litresper hour; if the meters
are intended for trading purposes it must be impossible to
increase the amount indicated manually.
1.5. On indicatorshaving a continuousmovement, after each zerois ing
operation the permissible difference with respect to zero must be not
greater than one half of the maximum permissible error on the minimum
delivery marked on the dial of the indicating mechanism, but must not
exceed one-fifth of the value of the scale interval.
On indicators having a discontinuous movement, the indication must be
zero exactly.
CHAPTER II
TOTALISINGVOLUMECOUNTERS
2.1. An indicator with a zeroising mechanism may be fitted with one or
more counters which, after totalising, show the different volumes
recorded in succession by the indicator.
2.2. Counters must not incorporate a zeroising mechanism.
2.3. Countersmay only be of the s traight line type.
2.4. Counters may be so positioned that they are concealed.2.5. The unit in which the total volume is expressed (or its symbol) must be
indicated and it must comply with the requirements of the Directive on
metersfor liquidsother than water.
2.6. The scale interval of the first element of each counter must be in the
form 1 × 10
n,2×1 0nor 5 × 10nauthorised volumetric units,nbeing a
whole positive or negative number, or zero. It must be equal to or
greater than the scale interval of the first element on the indicator with
zeroising mechanism.
2.7. If the indicationson the countersand thos e of the indicator with
zeroising mechanism can be seen simultaneously, the figures on the
counters must have dimensions not greater than half the corresponding
dimensions of the figures on the indicator with zeroising mechanism.
CHAPTER III
MULTIPLEVOLUMEINDICATINGMECHANISMS (1)
3.1. The indicating mechanism may have several dials. Furthermore, one or
more simultaneous repeater indicating mechanisms may be linked with
it.
3.2. The scale intervals on the various indicators may have different values
but the minimum delivery must be the same throughout and must be
established as a function of the scale interval which results in the largest
value for thisdelivery.
3.3. The requirementsof thisDirective and thos e of the Directive on meters
for liquidsother than water apply to each indicator and to each dial.1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 4
(1) Remote indication by non-mechanical meanswill be dealt with in a later directive.
▼B
3.4. The indicationson the different dialsof the indicator or indicatorsmus t
not differ by more than the maximum permissible error on the minimum
delivery marked on the dial or dials.
CHAPTER IV
PRICECOMPUTINGMECHANISMS
4.1. Straight-line volume indicators having a zeroising mechanism may be
supplemented by a straight-line computed-price indicator having a
zeroising mechanism, whose unit price is the price for the unit of
volume used to indicate the volume measured.
4.2. The unit price must be adjustable. The unit price selected must be
displayed.
4.3. The mechanisms for selecting and displaying the unit price must be
connected to the price indicator in such a way that the price corre-
sponding to a measurement must always be equal to the product of the
selected and displayed unit price and the indicated volume.
4.4. The requirementsrelating to volume indicatorsgiven in the Directive on
metersfor liquidsother than water, aswell asthe provis ionsof Chapters
I, II and III of thisAnnex, mus t be applied, by analogy to computed-
price indicators, with the exception of item 1.5 relating to the zeroising
mechanism.
4.5. The monetary unit employed, or its symbol, must appear on the dial of
the computed-price indicator.
4.6. The dimensions of the figures on the computed-price indicator must not
exceed those of the figures on the volume indicator.
4.7. The zeroising mechanisms for the price indicator and for the volume
indicator must be so designed that the operation of the mechanism on
either of the two indicatorsautomatically returnsthe other indicator to
zero.
4.8.1. The computed price of a quantity equal to the maximum permissible
error on the minimum delivery marked on the dial of the indicating
mechanism must be not less than one-fifth of the value of the scale
interval, but not less than the price corresponding to an interval of two
millimetres on the scale of the first element on the price indicator,
where the movement of thiselement iscontinuous . However, this
interval of one-fifth of the value or of two millimetresneed not corre-
spond to a value of less than one of the following monetary values,
depending on the particular country where the device isbeing us ed:
10 Belgian or Luxembourg centimes
1 French centime
1 Dutch cent
1 lira1 pfennig
10λεπτά
0.1 Irish penny
0.1 penny sterling
1 Danish øre
1 Norwegian øre
1 peseta
10 centavos
4.8.2. The price of a quantity equal to the maximum permissible error on the
minimum delivery marked on the dial of the indicating mechanism must
be equal to at least two intervals on the scale where movement of the
first element on the price indicator is discontinuous.
However, the scale interval need not be less than one of the monetary
valuess pecified in item 4.8.1.1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 5
▼A2
▼A1
▼A3
▼B
▼B
4.9. The difference, under normal working conditions, between the price
indicated and the price computed on the basis of the unit price and of
the indicated quantity, must not exceed the price of the quantity equal
to the maximum permissible error on the minimum delivery marked on
the dial of the indicating mechanism.
However, thisdifference need not be les sthan twice one of the mone-
tary valuess pecified in item 4.8.1.
4.10. On indicatorshaving a continuousmovement, after each return to zero,
the permissible difference with respect to zero must be not greater than
one half the price of the quantity equal to the maximum permissible
error on the minimum delivery marked on the dial of the indicating
mechanism, but must not exceed one-fifth of the value of the scale
interval.
However, thisdifference need not be les sthan one of the monetary
valuess pecified in item 4.8.1.
On indicators having a discontinuous movement, the indication must be
zero exactly.
CHAPTER V
PRINTINGMECHANISMS
5.1. A numerical quantity-printing mechanism may be connected to the indi-
cator of a meter.
5.2. The value of the printed scale interval must be in the form 1 × 10n,
2×1 0nor 5 × 10nauthorised volumetric units,nbeing a whole positive
or negative number, or zero.
5.3. The value of the printed scale interval must not be greater than the
maximum permissible error on the minimum delivery marked on the
dial of the indicating mechanism.
5.4. The value of the printed scale interval must be marked on the printing
mechanism.
5.5. The printed quantity must be expressed in one of the authorised volu-
metric units.
The figures, the unit used or its symbol and any decimal point, where
necessary, must be printed by the mechanism on the ticket.
5.6. The printing mechanism may print information regarding the delivery
such as: serial number, date, place of measurement, nature of the liquid.
5.7. The mechanism may be designed in such a way that the printing may be
repeated. In this case, the printed records must fully agree and carry the
same serial number.
5.8. If the quantity isdetermined by the difference between two printed
values, one of which may be expressed as zero, it must not be possible
for the ticket to be withdrawn from the mechanism while the meter is
measuring a quantity.
5.9. With the exception of the case referred to in item 5.8, the printing
mechanism must have a zeroising mechanism combined with that of
the indicator.
5.10. The difference between the quantity indicated and the quantity printed
must not exceed the value of one printed scale interval.
5.11. The printing mechanism may print, in addition to the measured quantity,
either the price for that quantity or thisprice and the unit price. It may
also print the price to be paid only, where the printing mechanism is
connected to an indicating mechanism for quantities and computed
prices, in the case of direct sale to the public.
The figures, the monetary unit employed or its symbol and any decimal
point, where necessary must be printed by the mechanism on the ticket.
The printed figures for prices must not have dimensions greater than
those of the printed figures for the measured quantity.
5.12. The value of the printed-price scale interval must be in the form 1 × 10n,
2×1 0nor 5 × 10nmonetary units,nbeing a whole positive or negative
number, or zero.
Thisvalue mus t not exceed the price of the quantity equal to the
maximum permissible error on the minimum delivery marked on the
dial of the indicating mechanism.1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 6
▼B
However, the value of this scale interval need not be less than one of the
monetary valuess pecified in item 4.8.1.
5.13.1. If the meter isfitted with a price indicator the difference between the
price indicated and the printed price must not exceed the value of the
printed scale interval.
5.13.2. If the meter isnot fitted with a price indicator, the difference between
the printed price and the price calculated from the indicated quantity and
the unit price must satisfy the conditions laid down in item 4.9.
CHAPTER VI
PRE-SETTINGMECHANISMS (1)
6.1. Meters may be fitted with pre-setting mechanisms.
Pre-setting mechanisms are devices which permit the selection of the
quantity to be measured and which automatically stop the flow of liquid
when the selected quantity has been measured.
6.2. The selected quantity is displayed by means of a device with a scale and
datum line or on a numerical device.
6.3. Where pre-setting can be carried out by means of several independent
controls, the value of the scale interval for one control must equal the
pre-setting range of the control for the next smallest decade.
6.4. Pre-setting mechanisms may be so arranged that repetition of the
selected quantity does not require a new setting of the controls.
6.5. Where the displayed figures of the pre-setting mechanisms are separate
from the indicator figures, and if it is possible to see them simulta-
neously, the former must have dimensions not greater than three-
quarters of the corresponding dimensions of the latter.
6.6. The indication of the selected quantity may, during measurement, either
remain unaltered or return progressively to zero.
6.7. The difference found under normal working conditionsbetween the
selected quantity and the quantity indicated at the end of the measuring
operation must not exceed one half of the maximum permissible error
on the minimum delivery.
6.8. The s elected quantitiesand the quantitiesindicated by the indicator mus t
be expressed in the same unit. The latter (or its symbol) must be marked
on the pre-setting mechanism.
6.9. The value of the smallest scale interval of the pre-setting mechanism
must not be less than the value of the scale interval on the first element
of the indicator.
6.10. Pre-setting mechanisms may incorporate a device for the rapid stopping
of the flow of liquid where necessary.
6.11. Where a pre-setting mechanism incorporates a device for regulating the
reduction of the rate of flow at the end of the measurement, a sealing
device must be provided, if the latter is necessary to prevent any altera-
tion of the setting adopted.
6.12. The requirementsin items6.7 and 6.11 do not apply if a printing
mechanism (Chapter V) is associated with the meter to permit the
issuing of a printed ticket or if, in the case of direct sales to the public,
the pre-setting mechanism is concealed.
6.13. Meters with price indicators may also be fitted with a price pre-setting
mechanism. In this case, the flow of liquid is stopped at the moment
where the amount delivered corresponds to the selected price. The
requirementsin items6.1 to 6.12 apply.
CHAPTER VII
SEALING
7.1. Sealing devicesmus t be provided to prevent the removal of ancillary
equipment and access to components which permit adjustment of the
calibration.1971L0348 — EN — 01.01.1986 — 003.001 — 7
(1) Self-service prepayment equipment will be covered by a later directive.