COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 26 July 1971  on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to meters for liquids other than water  (71/319/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;
Whereas in the Member States the construction and methods of control of liquid meters are subject to mandatory provisions which differ from one Member State to another and consequently hinder trade in such instruments ; whereas it is therefore necessary to approximate these provisions;
Whereas the Council Directive of 26 July 1971 3 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to provisions for both measuring instruments and methods of metrological control has laid down the EEC pattern approval and EEC initial verification procedures ; whereas, in accordance with that Directive, the technical requirements for the design and functioning of volumetric meters for liquids other than water should be laid down;
Whereas, to ensure that these instruments can be used directly in measuring systems for liquids, approximation of national provisions concerning the maximum permissible errors for such assemblies should be undertaken immediately;
This Directive applies to volumetric meters for liquids other than water in which the liquid causes the movement of mobile walls of measuring chambers and which permit the measurement of any volumes.
1. "Volumetric meter for liquids" means an instrument composed solely of a measuring device and an indicating device. It generally forms part of a measuring system.
2. "Measuring system for liquids" means a measuring instrument comprising, as well as the meter itself and the ancillary equipment which may be associated with it, all the devices necessary for ensuring correct measurement and any devices which have been added in order, in particular, to facilitate the operations. Measuring systems will be the subject of a separate directive.
Those volumetric meters which may bear EEC marks and symbols are described in Chapter I of the Annex. They shall be subject to EEC pattern approval and shall be submitted to EEC initial verification under the conditions laid down in items 1 and 2 of Annex II to the Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to provisions for both measuring instruments and methods of metrological control, and under the conditions which will be laid down by the separate directive on measuring assemblies.  1OJ No C 25, 28.2.1970, p. 76. 2OJ No C 26, 4.3.1970, p. 2. 3OJ No L 202, 6.9.1971, p. 1.
No Member State may refuse, prohibit or restrict the placing on the market or entry into service of volumetric meters for liquids other than water bearing the EEC pattern approval symbol and the EEC initial verification mark.
When measuring assemblies for liquids which incorporate volumetric meters for liquids bearing EEC marks and symbols are subject to initial verification, the maximum permissible errors shall be those laid down in Chapter II of the Annex.
1. Member States shall put into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions needed in order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of its notification, and shall 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 covered by this Directive are communicated to the Commission.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.