Statutory guidance

Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016: Northern Ireland

Updated 7 November 2023

Guidance on the regulations as they apply to measuring instruments being supplied in or into Northern Ireland.

November 2023

1. Introduction

This Guide is for businesses placing measuring instruments on the market in Northern Ireland.

Under the terms of the Windsor Framework see footnote 1, Northern Ireland (“NI”) aligns with relevant EU rules (in Annex 2) relating to the placing on the market of manufactured goods. Measuring instruments placed on the NI market must therefore follow UK law as it applies to NI. The relevant law is the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016, which apply across the UK, but some of the provisions apply differently in Northern Ireland so that they continue to implement in NI Directive 2014/32/EU on measuring instruments.

This Guide is designed to help you comply with The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016, as they apply in NI. References to “The 2016 Regulations” in this document are therefore references to the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016, as they apply in NI.

The 2016 Regulations set out the essential requirements which must be met before measuring instruments can be placed on the NI market. The purpose of the legislation is to protect business and consumers from inaccurate measuring instruments by requiring manufacturers to show how their instruments meet the ‘essential requirements’.

Since 16 July 2021, the EU Regulation on Market Surveillance 2019/1020 (referred to as “MSC” in this document) has replaced the market surveillance provisions in the Regulation on Accreditation and Market Surveillance 765/2008. Under the terms of the Windsor Framework, EU rules on goods listed in Annex 2 apply in Northern Ireland, including MSC, which will be directly applicable in NI and applies in addition to the 2016 Regulations. MSC does not apply in Great Britain.

Article 4 of MSC requires that an economic operator responsible for compliance must be based in the EU (or NI) in order to lawfully place certain products on the market, including measuring instruments. This responsible economic operator must fulfil certain compliance tasks. This Guide summarises key requirements of Article 4, but detailed guidance is available.

Read guidance on placing certain products on the Northern Ireland market

Measuring instruments placed on the Great Britain (“GB”) market (GB comprises England, Scotland and Wales) must follow the separate rules for the GB market. If you are placing measuring instruments on the market in GB, you should read the relevant separate guidance.

Read guidance on the regulations in Northern Ireland

The government is committed to providing unfettered access for qualifying NI goods to the rest of the UK market. Measuring instruments that can be placed on the market in NI in accordance with the 2016 Regulations, as they apply to NI, can be sold in the rest of the UK without any additional approvals. The arrangements here are explained in detail in the separate guidance for placing measuring instruments on the market in GB.

2. Legislative Background

Directive 2014/32/EU on measuring instruments was implemented into UK law with effect from 28 December 2016 by way of the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016. As such the Regulations apply to the whole of the UK, except for Part 6 which does not extend to NI.

The Directive continues to apply in respect of NI, under the terms of the Windsor Framework. However, the 2016 Regulations (as they apply in Northern Ireland) also implement parts of the Windsor Framework which have particular provisions in them, recognising that the UK has left the EU.

There is therefore one set of UK 2016 Regulations, but some of the provisions apply differently in NI and GB. References to the 2016 Regulations in this guidance are references to those Regulations as they apply in NI.

The 2016 Regulations were amended by the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (UK(NI) Indication) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to give effect to the Windsor Framework as it relates to the placing on the NI market of measuring instruments. See footnote 2

3. Scope

The 2016 Regulations regulate the following kinds of measuring instruments:

• water meters used for trade for the supply of potable water in the temperature range from 0.1°C to and including 30°C
• gas meters for use for trade except a gas meter which is used under an agreement providing for the supply of a quantity of gas at a rate of flow which, if measured at a temperature of 15°C and a pressure of 1013.25 millibars, would exceed 1600 cubic metres an hour (or the equivalent quantity in kilograms)

• active electrical energy meters for use for trade other than an instrument which is used under an agreement providing for the supply of active electrical energy where:

  • the maximum quantity supplied exceeds 100 kilowatts per hour
  • the instrument provides measurement on a half-hourly basis

• non-water liquid measuring systems for use for trade of the following descriptions:

  • a measuring system which is used for the continuous and dynamic measurement in a quantity not exceeding 100 litres or 100 kilograms of a liquid fuel, lubricant or a mixture of fuel and lubricant other than:

    • liquefied petroleum gas, or
    • liquefied natural gas

  • a measuring system (other than one used in connection with the refuelling of aircraft, ships or hovercraft) which is used for the continuous and dynamic measurement in a quantity exceeding 100 litres or 100 kilograms of liquid fuel delivered from a road tanker other than:

    • liquefied gases
    • lubricating oils
    • liquid fuels of a temperature below -153°C, or
    • liquid fuels of a dynamic viscosity exceeding 100 millipascal seconds at 15°C

• automatic weighing instruments of the following kinds which are for use for trade:

  • automatic catchweighers
  • automatic gravimetric filling instruments
  • discontinuous totalisers
  • beltweighers, and
  • automatic rail weighbridges
• taximeters intended for use for the protection of consumers;

• material measures which are for use for trade of the following kinds:

  • material measures of length (excluding dipping and strapping tapes);
  • capacity serving measures for the measurement of draft beer or cider of the following capacities: 1/3 pint, ½ pint, 2/3 pint, 1 pint, 2 pints, 4 pints, 8 pints and 16 pints;
  • capacity serving measures for the measurement of liquids other than draught beer or cider of the following capacities in millilitres (ml) and litres (l): 5 ml, 10 ml, 20 ml, 25 ml, 35 ml, 50 ml, 70 ml, 100 ml, 125 ml, 150 ml, 175 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 l, 2 l, 2.5 l, 5 l, 10 l and 20 l;
• exhaust gas analysers intended for use for the protection of the environment and public health except where the exhaust gas analyser includes or is connected to a device which is not used for the protection of the environment and public health

The 2016 Regulations do not apply to putting into use of the instruments listed in Schedule 2.

Part 3 of the 2016 Regulations make provision in relation to non-prescribed measuring instruments (measuring instruments that are neither regulated measuring instruments nor listed in Schedule 2).

4. Responsible economic operator as defined by MSC

If a measuring instrument is offered for sale or supply to NI (or EU) consumers, it is considered to be placed on the EEA market. Article 4 requires that a responsible economic operator must be based in NI (or the EU) to carry out certain compliance tasks in respect of that instrument. This can be the manufacturer, an importer, a manufacturer’s authorised representative, or a fulfilment service. They must carry out the compliance tasks in Article 4 and their contact details must be indicated on the instrument or on its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document.

Read guidance on placing certain products on the Northern Ireland market

5. Obligations of manufacturers

The 2016 Regulations

A manufacturer is a person who manufactures measuring instruments, or has measuring instruments designed or manufactured, and markets those regulated measuring instruments under their name or trademark.

The obligations of manufacturers in relation to regulated measuring instruments include:

1. Before placing a regulated measuring instrument on the NI market or putting into use, a manufacturer must ensure that it has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the essential requirements. The 2016 Regulations set these out in Schedule 1. They must have carried out the appropriate conformity assessment procedures referred to in Schedule 1 and have drawn up technical documentation.
2. Once this has been done, a manufacturer must draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity, the format of which is found in Annex XIII of Directive 2014/32/EU. The manufacturer must ensure the declaration accompanies the regulated measuring instrument and affix the CE marking and the M marking to the instrument visibly, legibly and indelibly to the measuring instrument or its data plate. Where it is not possible or warranted, on account of the nature of the instrument, to affix the CE marking to the instrument, it must be affixed to the packaging and the accompanying documents.
3. When conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK notified body, the UKNI marking (also known as the UK(NI) indication see footnote 3) must be affixed as well as the CE marking. A product with both the CE and UKNI markings cannot be placed on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA). There is separate guidance on when and how to use the UKNI marking. Read guidance on UKNI marking
4. Manufacturers must keep the EU Declaration of Conformity up to date and keep it and the technical documentation for 10 years beginning with the day after the day on which the measuring instrument has been placed on the NI market.
5. Manufacturers must ensure that procedures are in place for series production to remain in conformity with the essential requirements and the regulated measuring instruments are labelled with the type, serial or batch identification (where that is not possible, the information may be marked on the packaging and the accompanying documents).
6. Manufacturers shall indicate their name, registered trade name or registered trademark and postal address (also indicating a single point at which the manufacturer can be contacted) on every regulated measuring instrument. Where this is not possible it may be provided on the packaging or in an accompanying document. See footnote 4
7. Manufacturers must ensure that the regulated measuring instruments they place on the market are accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity relating to the instrument and by (unless the instrument’s simplicity makes it unnecessary) instructions and information on their operation which is easily understood by end-users and is in clear, legible and easily understandable English (see regulation 12).
8. Manufacturers, when appropriate with regard to the performance of a regulated measuring instrument, should carry out sample testing of instruments and investigate any complaints about regulated instruments manufactured by them made available on the market and keep records of these complaints, any non-conforming instruments and measuring instrument recalls, and keep distributors informed of any such monitoring.
9. Manufacturers must take action where they have reason to believe that the regulated measuring instruments they have placed on the NI market is not in conformity with the legal requirements of the 2016 Regulations by bringing the instruments into conformity, withdrawing the instruments or recalling the instruments. Where the instrument presents a risk, the manufacturer must immediately inform the market surveillance authority (MSA), and the competent authorities of any relevant state in which the manufacturer has made the instruments available on the market, of the risk, giving details of how the instrument is not in conformity and any corrective measures taken. Read more information on how to notify the MSA.
10. Manufacturers must also cooperate with and provide information to competent authorities following any reasoned requests. Where the regulated measuring instrument presents a risk, the manufacturer must immediately inform the competent national authorities in NI or in EEA states in which the instrument has been made available on the market to that effect giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken.

In addition, an importer (see below) or distributor which: (a) places a regulated measuring instrument on the relevant market under the name or trade mark of that importer or distributor; or (b) modifies a regulated measuring instrument already placed on the market in such a way that compliance with the 2016 Regulations may be affected; will be treated as the manufacturer and accordingly subject to the manufacturer’s obligations.

MSC

If a measuring instrument is offered for sale or supply to NI (or EU) consumers, it is considered to be placed on the EEA market. Article 4 requires that a responsible economic operator must be based in NI (or the EU) to carry out certain compliance tasks in respect of that instrument. This can be the manufacturer, the importer, a manufacturer’s authorised representative, or a fulfilment service. The responsible economic operator must:

1. Keep documentation: Verify that the EU declaration of conformity or declaration of performance and technical documentation have been drawn up, keep the declaration of conformity or declaration of performance at the disposal of market surveillance authorities for 10 years and ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to those authorities upon request.
2. Provide documentation: If a reasoned request is made by a market surveillance authority, provide them with all information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the product.
3. Notify risk: If there is reason to believe a product presents a risk, inform the market surveillance authority.
4. Cooperate: Cooperate with market surveillance authorities, including requests to take appropriate corrective action. If that is not possible, mitigate the risks presented by the product when they believe the product presents a risk or are requested to do so by the market surveillance authorities.

The contact details of the responsible economic operator must be indicated on the product or on its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document.

6. Obligations of authorised representatives

Manufacturers are able to appoint authorised representatives to perform certain tasks on their behalf under a written mandate.

An authorised representative appointed by a manufacturer to represent them in either the NI or EEA markets cannot be based in GB. This means that GB based authorised representatives cannot carry out tasks on the manufacturer’s behalf for products being placed on the NI or EEA markets.

An authorised representative based in NI can, under the 2016 Regulations as they apply in NI, carry out tasks on the manufacturer’s behalf for products placed on the Northern Ireland or EEA markets.

An authorised representative must comply with all the duties imposed on the manufacturer under the 2016 Regulations that they are appointed by the manufacturer to perform. There are some duties that a manufacturer cannot mandate an authorised representative to perform (e.g. conformity assessment) and some that must form part of the authorised representatives mandate (e.g. retention of technical documentation).

The written mandate shall at least allow the authorised representative to perform the following tasks:

1. keeping the declaration of conformity and the technical documentation at the disposal of the national market surveillance authorities for 10 years beginning with the day after the day the regulated measuring instrument was placed on the market
2. further to a reasoned request from a competent authority, providing that authority with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the regulated measuring instrument
3. cooperating with the competent authorities, at their request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by the regulated measuring instrument covered by the mandate

A manufacturer remains responsible for the proper performance of any obligations the authorised representative performs on their behalf.

Any references in the 2016 Regulations to the manufacturer are to be taken to include a reference to the authorised representative including in relation to penalties for failure to comply with those duties.

7. Obligations of importers

For the purposes of the 2016 Regulations as they apply in NI, an importer is a business or person established in NI or the EEA who places measuring instruments from outside of the EEA or NI on the NI or EEA market. Therefore, a business or person based in NI who is supplied with a product from GB will be an importer under the 2016 Regulations, if they then sell that product on the NI (or EEA) markets.

The obligations of importers in relation to regulated measuring instruments include:

1. Before placing a regulated measuring instrument on the market or putting into use, an importer must ensure that the appropriate conformity assessment procedures referred to in Schedule 1 have been carried out by the manufacturer. This means that the instrument must comply with the essential requirements applicable to that class of instrument set out in Schedule 1.
2. The importer must ensure that the manufacturer has drawn up the technical documentation and the instrument is accompanied by a copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity and the other documents referred to in regulation 12 and has complied with the obligations to mark the manufacturer’s contact details and serial numbers etc.; the instrument bears the CE marking and the M marking and is accompanied by the declaration of conformity and where relevant the required documents and information on its operation in clear, legible and easily understandable English.
3. When conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK notified body, the UKNI marking (also known as the UK(NI) indication) must be affixed as well as the CE marking. A product with both the CE and UKNI markings cannot then be placed on the market in the EEA. There is separate guidance on when and how to use the UKNI marking. Read guidance on UKNI marking
4. When deemed appropriate with regard to the performance of a regulated measuring instrument, the importer must carry out sample testing of instruments made available on the NI market by the importer, keep a register of complaints, non-conforming regulated measuring instruments and recalls of regulated measuring instruments, and keep distributors informed of any such monitoring.
5. Importers must indicate their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and postal address. Where this is not possible it may be provided on the packaging or in an accompanying document. See footnote 5 This must be in clear, legible and easily understandable English.
6. The importer must keep a copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity for a period of 10 years beginning with the day after the day on which regulated measuring instrument has been placed on the NI market or put into use and ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to market surveillance authorities on request.
7. The importer must ensure that regulated measuring instruments under their responsibility are safely stored and transported in such a way that does not jeopardise conformity with the essential requirements.
8. The importer must take action where they consider or have reason to believe that regulated measuring instruments they have placed on the NI market or put into use are not in conformity with the 2016 Regulations. Where the instrument presents a risk, the importer must immediately inform the competent authority to that effect, and the competent authorities of any relevant state in which the importer has made the instruments available on the market, of the risk, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance of the instrument and of the corrective measures taken by that importer. The importer should also inform the manufacturer and market surveillance authority (if the latter is different to the competent authority). Read more information on how to notify the MSA.
9. The importer must also cooperate with and provide information to a competent authority following any reasoned requests.

8. Obligations of distributors

A distributor is any person, other than the manufacturer or importer, who makes apparatus available on the NI and EEA markets.

NI businesses which were distributors of measuring instruments supplied to them from GB should now consider whether they are classified as importers under the 2016 Regulations and therefore what additional requirements they need to comply with – see section 6 above. Under the 2016 Regulations an NI business placing a product from GB on the NI market does so as an importer, not as a distributor under the 2016 Regulations.

The obligations of distributors include:

1. Before making a regulated measuring instrument available on the NI market or putting into use, a distributor must take due care to ensure that it is in conformity with the 2016 Regulations as applicable in NI.
2. Before making a regulated measuring instrument available on the market or putting into use, a distributor must ensure that it bears the CE marking see footnote 6 and the M marking, and where relevant that it is accompanied by a copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity, and instructions and information on the operation of the instrument in a manner easily understood by end users (unless the simplicity of the instrument makes the supply of that information unnecessary), and that the manufacturer and importer have complied with the marking requirements to allow for identification of themselves and the instrument.
3. The distributor must ensure that the regulated measuring instruments under their responsibility are safely stored and transported in such a way that does not jeopardise their conformity with the essential requirements.
4. Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that a regulated measuring instrument is not in conformity with the essential requirements it must not make that instrument available on the market or put it into use until it has been brought into conformity. The distributor should also immediately inform the manufacturer and importer (where the distributor is not also the manufacturer and/or importer) that the instrument presents a risk, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance of the instrument and of any corrective measures taken by the distributor.
5. The distributor must take action where they have reason to believe that the regulated measuring instruments they have placed on the market or put into use are not in conformity with the 2016 Regulations. Where the instrument presents a risk, the distributor must immediately inform the competent authority to that effect, and the competent authorities of any relevant state in which the distributor has made the instruments available on the market, of the risk, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance of the instrument and of the corrective measures taken by that distributor. The distributor should also immediately inform the importer and manufacturer (to the extent the distributor is not also performing those roles) of the same. The instrument must not be made available on the market or put into use until it has been brought into conformity. Read more information on how to notify the MSA.
6. They must also cooperate with and provide information to an enforcement authority following any reasoned requests.

9. Products placed on the market before 1 January 2021

If you placed an individual fully manufactured product on the EEA or the UK market (either in NI or GB) before 1 January 2021, you do not need to take any additional action. These individual goods can continue to circulate on either market until they reach their end user and do not need to comply with the changes that took effect from 1 January 2021.

A fully manufactured good is ‘placed on the market’ when there is a written or verbal agreement (or offer of an agreement) to transfer ownership or possession or other rights in the product. This does not require physical transfer of the good.

You can usually provide proof of placing on the market on the basis of any relevant document ordinarily used in business transactions, including:

• contracts of sale concerning goods which have already been manufactured and meet the legal requirements
• invoices
• documents concerning the shipping of goods for distribution

The relevant economic operator (whether manufacturer, importer or distributor) bears the burden of proof for demonstrating that the good was placed on the market before 1 January 2021.

10. Conformity Marking

Where a measuring instrument is being placed on the NI market, and the manufacturer chooses to have it conformity assessed by an EU recognised body, the marking for the NI and EEA markets continues to be the CE marking.

The CE marking can continue to be used for the GB market see footnote 7, as long as all the other rules have been met.

Since 1 January 2021, where the manufacturer chooses to have the measuring instrument conformity assessed by a UK notified body, the CE marking must be accompanied by the UKNI marking. Products with the UKNI marking cannot be placed on the EEA market.

There is separate guidance on when and how to use the UKNI marking.

Read guidance on UKNI marking

11. Notified Bodies

Notified Bodies are independent organisations notified to the European Commission to carry out the procedures for conformity assessment and certification set out in the 2016 Regulations.

From 1 January 2021, all UK Notified Bodies have remained Notified Bodies for the purpose of CE marking products for the NI market. When these UK bodies are used for mandatory conformity assessment activity, then the manufacturer will need to affix both the CE and the UKNI marking. A product with the CE UKNI marking cannot then be placed on the EEA market.

There is separate guidance on when and how to use the UKNI marking.

Read guidance on UKNI marking

A list of EU Notified Bodies can be found on the NANDO website. If a manufacturer uses a Notified Body from this list, then they apply only the CE marking to their product (not both the CE and the UKNI markings).

A list of UK Notified Bodies is available.

Access the list of UK Notified Bodies.

12. Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods

The government is committed to providing unfettered access for qualifying NI goods to the rest of the UK market. Measuring instruments that can be placed on the market in NI in accordance with the 2016 Regulations, as they apply to NI, can be sold in the rest of the UK without any additional approvals. The guide to placing measuring instruments on the GB market has further details on these arrangements.

Read guidance on qualifying Northern Ireland goods

13. Enforcement

The UK market surveillance authority for regulated measuring instruments is the Secretary of State with enforcement action carried out by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). The 2016 Regulations provide the power to the market surveillance authority to take action against economic operators for products that are not in conformity with the Regulations. There are requirements on economic operators to co-operate with the competent authority as appropriate on request.

The UK market surveillance authority will take all appropriate measures to withdraw from the market or to prohibit and restrict the supply of regulated measuring instruments which present a metrological risk on grounds of public interest, protection of the environment, protection of consumers, the levying of taxes and duties or fair trading.

In NI the Department for the Economy has a duty to enforce the 2016 Regulations (other than Part 6) in relation to all regulated measuring instruments apart from gas meters, active electrical energy meters, taximeters and exhaust gas analysers.

In NI, the Department for Infrastructure has a duty to enforce the 2016 Regulations in relation to taximeters and exhaust gas analysers. OPSS, on behalf of the Utility Regulator, is responsible for enforcing the 2016 Regulations in relation to gas meters and active electrical energy meters.

The 2016 Regulations also provide powers to the UK market surveillance authority to enforce the Regulations and RAMS (Regulation (EC 765/2008), which sets out requirements for market surveillance of products) in relation to regulated measuring instruments.

Safeguard procedure

Enforcement authorities are required under the 2016 Regulations to take all appropriate measures to withdraw or recall from the NI market, or to prohibit or restrict the supply of products bearing CE Marking which may endanger the health and safety of persons, property or the environment if the relevant economic operator does not take adequate corrective action within a reasonable period. Under the safeguard procedure, the UK must inform the European Commission and EU Member States immediately of any enforcement action taken indicating the reasons justifying the action. This will enable Member States to take action against similar products placed on the market on their territories. Similarly, if an EU Member State initiates the procedure with respect to action taken on their territories, certain actions are required of the UK market surveillance authority. The European Commission will determine whether the action taken is justified; if so, the UK market surveillance authority must take necessary measures to ensure the measuring instrument is withdrawn from the market without delay.

Regulators’ Code

Market surveillance authorities must continue to have regard to the Regulators’ Code when developing the policies and operational procedures that guide their regulatory activities in this area. They should carry out their activities in a way that supports those they regulate to comply and grow, including choosing proportionate approaches that reflect risk.

In responding to non-compliance that they identify, regulators should clearly explain what the non-compliant item or activity is, the advice being given, actions required, or decisions taken, and the reasons for these. Unless immediate action is needed to prevent a serious breach, regulators should provide an opportunity for dialogue in relation to the advice, requirements or decisions, with a view to ensuring that they are acting in a way that is proportionate and consistent. The Secretary of State takes account of the provisions of both the Regulators’ Code and the Growth Duty in exercising their regulatory functions.

Read the Regulators’ Code

Criminal penalties

An economic operator or person committing an offence under the 2016 Regulations may be liable to a fine on summary conviction.

Civil sanctions

OPSS is able to impose a monetary penalty of up to £50,000 in respect of a failure to comply with an obligation under regulation 33; with a requirement imposed by or under regulation 60(6); or with a direction given under regulation 63 or 65.

14. Where to find out more about Directive 2014/32/EU

Access guidance from Welmec

The European Commission’s ‘Blue Guide’ aims to give a better understanding of EU product rules and to their application across different sectors and throughout the EU single market.

Access the Blue Guide from the European Commission

15. Glossary

• Approved Body – A conformity assessment body which has been approved by the Secretary of State or was a UK ‘Notified Body’ prior to 1 January 2021 able to carry out conformity assessment of products with a view to UKCA marking. They are not recognised by the EU (unless they have a presence in the EU) and cannot approve CE marking.
• Authorised Representative – A person appointed in writing by a manufacturer to perform specific tasks for the manufacturer. An authorised representative can be based anywhere in the EEA or NI, but cannot be based in GB, in respect of products being supplied on the NI market. Manufacturers remain ultimately responsible for ensuring these tasks are carried out properly.
• CE marking – The CE marking can be placed on products which are intended for the EU or NI markets and which have either been conformity assessed by an EU Notified Body or, where the Regulations permit, have been demonstrated and declared by the manufacturer as meeting the essential safety requirements.
• Distributor – Any person in the EEA or NI supply chains, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes a product available in the EEA or NI markets.
• Enforcing Authority – The Department for the Economy has a duty to enforce the 2016 Regulations (other than Part 6) for cold water meters, automatic weighing instruments, material measures and non-water liquid measuring systems, OPSS (on behalf of the Utility Regulator) for gas meters and active electrical energy meters, and the Department for Infrastructure for taximeters and exhaust gas analysers.

• EU Declaration of conformity – A document prepared by the manufacturer which must detail, amongst other things, the following:

  • the specific product to which the declaration is referring; and
  • the name and address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, their authorised representative.

This must be kept by the manufacturer for a period of ten years from the day after the day on which the product was placed on the NI market. This declaration must be made available to the enforcing authority upon request.

• Fulfilment service – A natural or legal person offering, in the course of commercial activity, at least two of the following services: warehousing, packaging, addressing and dispatching, without having ownership of the products involved. This does not include postal, parcel or freight services. See footnote 8
• Importer – A person established in the EEA or NI who places a product from a country outside of the EEA or NI on either of those markets. A person based in NI who before 1 January 2021 distributed a product from GB on the NI (or EEA) market, is now an importer if they are bringing products into NI from GB.
• Manufacturer – A person who manufactures measuring instruments or has them designed or manufactured and markets that product under their name or trademark.
• Notified Body – A conformity assessment body which has been notified to the Commission and to EEA states in accordance with Directive 2014/31/EU and in respect of which no objections (other than objections on the grounds that the conformity assessment body is established in the United Kingdom or the accreditation certificate was issued by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) have been raised by the Commission or EEA states within specified time periods. If a notified body based in the UK is used, the CE marking must be accompanied by the UKNI marking and cannot be placed on the EEA market (just the NI market, or, where it is also a qualifying NI good, the GB market)
• UKCA Marking – The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is the new UK conformity marking used for certain goods being placed on the GB market, in place of the CE marking, which is the conformity marking used in the European Union. Products being placed on the NI market cannot be UKCA marked and must continue to be CE marked. There are special arrangements in place to ensure NI’s unfettered access to the rest of the UK.
• UKNI marking – (also known as the UK(NI) indication) – The UKNI marking must be used along with the CE marking if manufacturers wish to use a UK Notified Body for conformity assessment. The UKNI marking allows the product to be placed on the NI market (and, under the Government’s unfettered access commitments, where the product is also a qualifying NI good, on the GB market), but not the EEA market.

16. Footnotes

1: The “Windsor Framework” has the same meaning as set out in Joint Declaration No 01/2023 by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the European Union in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on the Windsor Framework on 24 March 2023.

2: In 2019, the 2016 Regulations were amended by the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 to fix any deficiencies that would arise from the UK leaving the EU (such as references to EU institutions) and to make specific provision for the UK market. The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 were then amended by the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment to Extent and Meaning of Market) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to apply to Great Britain only, and not to Northern Ireland (with the exception of those that amend the Hallmarking Act 1973 and those that amend or revoke retained direct EU legislation), in support of implementing the Windsor Framework.

3: The form of the UK(NI) indication is set out in Schedule 1 to the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (UK(NI) Indication) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

4: WELMEC Guide 8.9 allows for glass, ceramic and plastic moulded capacity serving measures, due to the physical characteristics of such products, to provide this information in a document accompanying the batch or consignment and on the packaging.

5: WELMEC Guide 8.9 allows for glass, ceramic and plastic moulded capacity serving measures, due to the physical characteristics of such products, to provide this information in a document accompanying the batch or consignment and on the packaging.

6: When conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK notified body, the UKNI marking (also known as the UK(NI) indication) must also be affixed.

7: On 24 August 2021 the Government announced the transition period for UKCA marking would be extended until 31 December 2022. The Product Safety and Metrology etc (Amendment) Regulations 2021 gave effect to this. On 14 November 2022 the Government announced it would be extending this until 31 December 2024. The Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2022 (SI 2022/1393) give effect to this. On 1 August 2023, the UK Government announced its intention to introduce legislation to extend recognition of goods that meet EU requirements (including the CE marking), indefinitely, beyond 2024 for many products. This will mean that certain goods that meet EU requirements can be placed on the GB market. These updates apply to the 18 regulations that fall under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

8: Fulfilment service is defined in Article 3 of MSC and for the purposes of MSC only is considered an economic operator. There are no specific obligations on fulfilment services under the 2016 Regulations.