The Meters (Approval of Pattern or Construction and Manner of Installation) Regulations 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations set out the procedure for obtaining approval of the pattern or construction and manner of installation of meters, other than meters deemed to be approved under the Measuring Instruments (EC Requirements) (Electrical Energy Meters) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/2607), to be used for ascertaining the quantity of electricity supplied by an electricity supplier to a customer.

The Regulations repeat with amendments the Meters (Approval of Pattern or Construction and Method of Installation) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/791). In addition to minor and drafting amendments, they make the following amendments of substance:—

• the pattern or construction of a meter and the manner of its installation may now be approved separately or at the same time (regulations 3 to 7 and the Schedule);

• a meter examiner shall not carry out, or procure the carrying out of, tests under these Regulations where he is satisfied that the pattern or construction or the manner of installation complies with any relevant European or international standard recognised for use in any EEA State (regulation 5(3));

• regulation 7(7), which specifies the deviation from the vertical permitted for meters required to be installed in the vertical position, has been clarified;

• provisions regarding the revocation of approval given or deemed to be given under these Regulations have been included (regulation 9); and

• the fees charged where the pattern or construction and manner of installation have been approved by a meter examiner under these Regulations have been increased from £25 to £35 for every hour spent by a meter examiner in examining and testing the meter and from £33 to £50 for every hour for the use of premises provided by the Director for the carrying out of tests (regulation 10(1)).

The provisions requiring the recognition of European Standards have been extended to cover standards accepted in EEA States to reflect the effect of article 11 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992 (OJ No. L1, 3.1.94, p. 1), as itself amended by the Protocol adjusting that Agreement signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993 (OJ No. L1, 3.1.94, p. 572) (regulations 2(1) and 5(5)).

These Regulations were notified in draft to the European Commission in accordance with Council Directive 83/189/EEC (OJ No. L109, 26.4.83, p. 8) (amended by Council Directive 88/182/EEC (OJ No. L81, 26.3.88, p. 75) and Council Directive 94/10/EC (OJ No. L100, 19.4.94, p. 100)).

Attention is drawn to the provisions of the Measuring Instruments (EC Requirements) (Electrical Energy Meters) Regulations 1995, the effect of which is to ensure that, for the purpose of Schedule 7 to the Electricity Act 1989, meters bearing the mark of EC initial verification are treated in the same way as meters approved under these Regulations.

Copies of European Standard EN 45001: 1989 (referred to in regulation 5(5)) may be obtained from the British Standards Institution at 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL.

A compliance cost assessment of the effect of this instrument on the cost of business is available from the Office of Electricity Regulation, Hagley House, Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 8QG. Copies have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.