Testing of meters
5. (1) Subject to paragraph (3) or (3A), where a meter has been submitted to the Director under regulation 4, a meter examiner shall carry out or procure the carrying out of such tests as he considers are necessary to determine whether the pattern or construction of the meter or the proposed manner of its installation is such that any meter of that pattern or construction or such a meter installed in that manner will be capable of accurately recording the quantity of electricity for which the meter is intended to operate.
Words in reg. 5(1) inserted (1.2.2003) by The Electricity (Approval of Pattern or Construction and Installation and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/3129), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(2) (with reg. 3)
(2) In carrying out his functions under paragraph (1), a meter examiner shall have regard to any national, European or international technical standards relating to meters of that or a similar pattern or construction.
(3) A meter examiner shall not carry out or procure the carrying out of tests in accordance with paragraph (1) if 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 or—
(a) an equivalent standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of any EEA State;
(b) an equivalent technical specification acknowledged for use as a standard by a public authority of any EEA State; or
(c) customary procedures of manufacture of an EEA State where these are the subject of a written technical description sufficiently detailed to permit assessment of the meter for this purpose,
provided that a meter complying with sub-paragraph (a), (b) or (c) will be of equivalent standard to a meter complying with a relevant European or international standard recognised for use in any EEA State.
(3A) A meter examiner shall not, unless requested to do so by the person who made the submission, carry out or procure the carrying out of tests in accordance with paragraph (1) if, in connection with the submission,—
(a) a certified test report has been submitted in support of the application for approval in accordance with regulation 4(1)(c); and
(b) he is satisfied—
(i) that the report of the nominated laboratory is sufficient and reliable for the purpose of determining whether the pattern or, as the case may be, the construction or the manner of installation of the meter meets the requirement in paragraph (1); and
(ii) on the basis of the report that the pattern or construction of the meter or the proposed manner of its installation is such that any meter of that pattern or construction or such a meter installed in that manner will be capable of meeting the requirement in sub-paragraph (1).
Reg. 5(3A) inserted (1.2.2003) by The Electricity (Approval of Pattern or Construction and Installation and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/3129), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(3) (with reg. 3)
(4) Any meter which a meter examiner is satisfied complies with the standards set out in paragraph (3) shall be deemed to be capable of accurately recording the quantity of electricity for which it is intended to operate.
(5) For the purpose of paragraph (3) a meter examiner shall take into account the results of the tests carried out by the bodies and laboratories of other EEA States where such bodies and laboratories conform with European Standard EN 45001: 1989;
EN 45001: 1989, which has the status of a British Standard, is a European Standard entitled “General criteria for the operation of testing laboratories” and is published by the British Standards Institution.
(6) In relation to any one or more of the tests which the meter examiner considers necessary, he may require the person applying for approval to procure the carrying out of specified tests at any premises approved by the Director for carrying out tests of the type specified.
(7) A test referred to in paragraph (6) shall, if the meter examiner so requires—
(a) not be carried out until the meters have been sealed by him for identification purposes; and
(b) be carried out in his presence,
and the meters shall on completion of the test be delivered to the meter examiner.
(8) A meter which has been submitted to the Director under regulation 4 shall not be repaired or modified by any person, other than by a meter examiner for the purpose of carrying out tests in accordance with this regulation, until a notification has been issued under regulation 6 or 7.

Reg. 5 in force at 1.8.1998, see reg. 1