Metrological approval is a process of state monitoring of measuring instruments and analysing instruments. The metrological approval certificate can also be called as metrology pattern approval, measuring instruments certificate or Pattern approval certificate- (PAC). PAC confirms that the certified measuring instruments meet the minimum requirements of the technical regulation in Russia. This means that the measurement deviations of certified devices are secured by the Russian state, and the devices themselves have been subjected to the necessary measuring and custody checks. After successfully passing the measurement tests, it is registered in the state register as a measuring instrument approved within the Russian territory and may be used in Russia from this date.
The pattern approval certificate is a certificate which states the conformity of the legal instrument of measurement with the technical regulation in the Russian Federation.
The Federal Office for Technical Regulation and Metrology – Rosstandart - is responsible for monitoring of measuring instruments and metrological certification in Russia.
Mandatory metrological certification
According to the Federal Law of the Russian Federation № 102 "On Assurance of Measurement Uniformity" of 26.06.2008, only certified and approved measuring instruments may be used in many areas which are subject to state surveillance. These areas include:
- healthcare
- veterinary medicine
- work safety
- environmental protection
- arms industry
- operational safety
- trade
- cartography and geodesy
Measuring instruments used in these areas are subject to compulsory regular monitoring by the Russian Federal Office for Technical Regulation and Metrology - Rosstandart.
In accordance with the Federal Law № 102 "On Assurance of Measurement Uniformity", every duly certified measuring instrument shall be entered in the appropriate state register. The obligation to keep the register of approved measuring instruments is the duty of the Russian Research Institute for Standardization and Measurement - VNIIMS.
Voluntary metrological certification
A so-called voluntary metrological certificate serves as a quality proof for measuring instruments that are not subject to mandatory metrological monitoring and certification.
However, the voluntary measuring instrument certificate can not replace the obligatory registration, if required by the law for a particular type of measuring instrument.
The method of voluntary metrological certification is defined by the Federal Law of the Russian Federation "On Assurance of Measurement Uniformitys".
The voluntary certification of measuring instruments may only be carried out by the notified bodies which are accredited by the Rosstandart.
Voluntary metrological certification shall be carried out at the initiative of the manufacturer or the distributor, in order to confirm the conformity of the instrument with the requirements of the technical regulations and to secure consumer confidence.
Please note that in case of delivery of machinery and equipment, especially for governmental and municipal requirements, for example, when public procurement contracts in Russia are generally required by the authorities, the corresponding EAC certificates and metrological certificates are required.
The period of validity of the metrological approval certification
The maximum validity of a metrological approval certificate for serial delivery is 5 years.
Renewal of the Pattern approval Certificate
The certificate can be renewed for other 5 years, if an respective application is made at least three months before the expiry date. If the measuring instrument did not undergo any structural modifications and there have been no complaints of citizens regarding the device, the certificate can be renewed. The decision of renewing the certificate is made by Rosstandard.
Certification procedures for measuring instruments
The application for a certificate can take place according to different procedures: for single-supply, for serial delivery and for serial production. For metrological approval for serial production, the manufasturing audit is compulsory.
According to the Regulation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation of 30.10.2009 № 1081, the certification procedure of the metrological certification in Russia has the following process:
- application for certification
- laboratory tests of measuring instruments
- analysis and evaluation of test protocols
- decision of the Rosstandart concerning the approval or rejection of the measuring instrument
- issue of a certificate and its registration
Required documents:
- sample devices for tests
- detailed description
- test reports of the internal tests
- advertising materials
- operating instructions
- existing certificates
- approval of the Russian Ministry of Health for medical instruments
Depending on the application area, the list can be extended.
Obligation for indication of products
After the measuring instrument has passed all the required measuring tests and has been entered into the state register of the approved measuring instrument on the basis of the Rosstandart decision, the measuring instrument must be marked with the "СТ" calibration mark -- Approved measuring instrument.
The marking of measuring instruments with the "СТ" mark is only permitted during the validity period of the metrological certificate. After expiry of the certificate, the mark is no longer permitted.
The "СТ" should be placed on each measuring device and must be legible.
The technical accompanying documents shall contain the information about certification and registration.
The misuse of metrological marks can lead to legal consequences.
Initial calibration of measuring equipment
Measuring instruments, which are subject to registration and shall be used in areas of state supervision in Russia, have to be calibrated initially before commissioning. Initial calibration can also be called a Primary Verification. During operations the measuring equipment shall be calibrated regularly. The calibration, which ensures the accuracy of measured variable of the instruments is defined in the Federal Law of the Russian Federation no. 102 “On ensuring the uniformity of measurements".
The calibration is carried out by an accredited certification body in Russia. Each device must be calibrated separately. After the successful completion of the initial calibration a Primary Verification Certificates is issued and a calibration mark can be attached on the measurement equipment. The results of the initial calibration are registered as well in the instruction manual or in the technical passport .
Terms and costs for metrological certification
The terms and the costs associated with an EAC certificate application, depend on several different factors, such as the classification of product, any required laboratory checks and complexity of all examinations. As such the exact conditions of the certification are always determined individually based on the required documentation.
Please note that an application for a metrological certificate can take few months to process.
EAC certification of measuring instruments
Measuring instruments may underlie also the EAC declaration. The respective safety requirements are regulated in the following technical regulations of the EAEU:
- TR CU 004/2011 On safety of low voltage equipment
- TR CU 020/2011 On electromagnetic compatibility
- TR СU 012/2011 On safety of the equipment for operation in explosive atmospheres
Delivery of the documentation
If you order a metrological certificate, you will receive a copy of it via email immediately upon our successful certification process. Alongside you will receive the original document and two certified copies of it by post.
