Australia
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Economy Detail
1. Laws of Metrology
The principal act concerning legal metrology in Australia is the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) (the Act). The Act and its subordinate regulations, the National Measurement Regulations 1999 (Cth) and the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth) together with guidelines issued by the Chief Metrologist (the National Measurement Guidelines 1999 (Cth)) specify Australia's legal units of measurement of physical quantities, and require that measurements made for any legal purpose are traceable to Australia's primary standards. The Act also provides for the pattern approval and verification of trade and legal measurement instruments.
1.1 Legal requirements for traceability
The Act requires that the measurement of a physical quantity for legal purposes be made by means of, reference to, comparison with, or derivation from, specified standards of measurement including certified reference materials.
1.1 Legal requirements for traceability
The Act requires that the measurement of a physical quantity for legal purposes be made by means of, reference to, comparison with, or derivation from, specified standards of measurement including certified reference materials.
2. Legal Units of Measurement
The legal units of measurements within Australia are defined in the National Measurement Regulations and are those of the International System of Units (SI). Conversion to SI began in 1972 and is now complete.
3. Structure of Metrological Control Authorities
3.1 National Organization for legal metrology
On 1st July 2004, the National Measurement Institute, Australia, (NMIA) was established from the amalgamation of the National Standards Commission (NSC, previously Australia’s national authority for legal metrology), the National Measurement Laboratory, CSIRO (NML-CSIRO, previously responsible for Australia’s physical standards of measurement) and the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL, previously responsible for chemical and biological metrology in Australia).
From 1st July 2010 the trade measurement inspection and enforcement functions of the States and Territory Governments were transferred to the Commonwealth Government, to be administered by NMIA.
NMIA is Australia’s peak metrology body[1] and is the national authority for legal metrology. Contact details are:
National Measurement Institute
PO Box 264
Lindfield, NSW 2070
Australia
Telephone: 61-2-8467 3600
Fax: 61-2-8467 3610
www.measurement.gov.au
NMIA has responsibility for advising the Commonwealth Government on the scientific, technical and legislative requirements of the Australian national measurement system and has specific responsibilities for coordinating the national measurement system, legal metrology, trade measurement and metrication.
NMIA provides Australian representation on OIML committees and coordinates Australia's input to the development of OIML international recommendations.
NMIA is responsible for administration of the national trade measurement system; including the pattern approval of measuring instruments used for trade and other legal purposes, the licensing of verifiers, requirements concerning the use of measurement in trade more broadly as well as education, inspection, compliance and enforcement activities across the system as a whole.
NMIA publishes Australian pattern approval standards and guidelines for manufacturers and importers of measuring instruments that are required to be pattern approved. These documents are harmonised with OIML international recommendations.
NMIA also publishes a range of documentation concerning the operation of the national trade measurement system, including verification test procedures that are used by licenced and appointed verifiers and NMI Trade Measurement Inspectors.
[1] While this document refers primarily to NMIA’s responsibilities with regard to legal metrology, more information on NMIA’s other activities is available at: www.measurement.gov.au
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
NMIA is the custodian of Australia's national primary standards of measurement. Information regarding the primary standards maintained by NMIA can be found on our website. NMIA provides Australian representation on The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) and their Consultative Committees. It is Australia’s signatory to the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) in measurement standards.
3.3 National Organization responsible for maintaining primary standards
The Australian primary standards are held and maintained by NMIA (see clause 3.2).
3.4 Regional and local verification organizations
NMIA appoints a number of external Australian laboratories as Legal Metrology Authorities that are responsible for the calibration and verification of legally traceable reference standards of measurement, certified measuring instruments, certified reference materials and artefacts.
NMIA employs inspectors throughout Australia to monitor, educate and consult with businesses regarding their trade measurement obligations. The inspectorate also conducts compliance and enforcement activities by investigating complaints and taking appropriate enforcement actions wherever necessary.
NMIA is responsible for the licensing of servicing licensees and public weighbridge licensees. Servicing licensees test and verify measuring instruments used for trade. Servicing licensees employ verifiers who are nominated to verify trade measuring instruments under the servicing licence. Each servicing licence identifies the class of instrument that the licensee and their verifiers will be verifying. Public weighbridge licensees operate weighbridges so that parties other than the weighbridge operator can weigh goods for the purposes of a transaction.
3.5 Instrument calibration and evaluation systems
NMIA provides calibration services for a range of physical standards of measurement; more information can be found on our website.
NMIA maintains a testing laboratory for pattern approval testing of measuring instruments used for legal purposes including trade.
The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) accredits laboratories in industry, educational institutions, semi-government organisations and other administrative bodies, as well as undertakes calibration and testing procedures for which officially recognised certificates are issued. NATA represents Australia in the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and has mutual recognition agreements with a number of national laboratory accreditation organisations. NATA is a signatory to the MRAs of both the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and ILAC.
On 1st July 2004, the National Measurement Institute, Australia, (NMIA) was established from the amalgamation of the National Standards Commission (NSC, previously Australia’s national authority for legal metrology), the National Measurement Laboratory, CSIRO (NML-CSIRO, previously responsible for Australia’s physical standards of measurement) and the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL, previously responsible for chemical and biological metrology in Australia).
From 1st July 2010 the trade measurement inspection and enforcement functions of the States and Territory Governments were transferred to the Commonwealth Government, to be administered by NMIA.
NMIA is Australia’s peak metrology body[1] and is the national authority for legal metrology. Contact details are:
National Measurement Institute
PO Box 264
Lindfield, NSW 2070
Australia
Telephone: 61-2-8467 3600
Fax: 61-2-8467 3610
www.measurement.gov.au
NMIA has responsibility for advising the Commonwealth Government on the scientific, technical and legislative requirements of the Australian national measurement system and has specific responsibilities for coordinating the national measurement system, legal metrology, trade measurement and metrication.
NMIA provides Australian representation on OIML committees and coordinates Australia's input to the development of OIML international recommendations.
NMIA is responsible for administration of the national trade measurement system; including the pattern approval of measuring instruments used for trade and other legal purposes, the licensing of verifiers, requirements concerning the use of measurement in trade more broadly as well as education, inspection, compliance and enforcement activities across the system as a whole.
NMIA publishes Australian pattern approval standards and guidelines for manufacturers and importers of measuring instruments that are required to be pattern approved. These documents are harmonised with OIML international recommendations.
NMIA also publishes a range of documentation concerning the operation of the national trade measurement system, including verification test procedures that are used by licenced and appointed verifiers and NMI Trade Measurement Inspectors.
[1] While this document refers primarily to NMIA’s responsibilities with regard to legal metrology, more information on NMIA’s other activities is available at: www.measurement.gov.au
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
NMIA is the custodian of Australia's national primary standards of measurement. Information regarding the primary standards maintained by NMIA can be found on our website. NMIA provides Australian representation on The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) and their Consultative Committees. It is Australia’s signatory to the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) in measurement standards.
3.3 National Organization responsible for maintaining primary standards
The Australian primary standards are held and maintained by NMIA (see clause 3.2).
3.4 Regional and local verification organizations
NMIA appoints a number of external Australian laboratories as Legal Metrology Authorities that are responsible for the calibration and verification of legally traceable reference standards of measurement, certified measuring instruments, certified reference materials and artefacts.
NMIA employs inspectors throughout Australia to monitor, educate and consult with businesses regarding their trade measurement obligations. The inspectorate also conducts compliance and enforcement activities by investigating complaints and taking appropriate enforcement actions wherever necessary.
NMIA is responsible for the licensing of servicing licensees and public weighbridge licensees. Servicing licensees test and verify measuring instruments used for trade. Servicing licensees employ verifiers who are nominated to verify trade measuring instruments under the servicing licence. Each servicing licence identifies the class of instrument that the licensee and their verifiers will be verifying. Public weighbridge licensees operate weighbridges so that parties other than the weighbridge operator can weigh goods for the purposes of a transaction.
3.5 Instrument calibration and evaluation systems
NMIA provides calibration services for a range of physical standards of measurement; more information can be found on our website.
NMIA maintains a testing laboratory for pattern approval testing of measuring instruments used for legal purposes including trade.
The National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) accredits laboratories in industry, educational institutions, semi-government organisations and other administrative bodies, as well as undertakes calibration and testing procedures for which officially recognised certificates are issued. NATA represents Australia in the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and has mutual recognition agreements with a number of national laboratory accreditation organisations. NATA is a signatory to the MRAs of both the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and ILAC.
4. Range of Equipment Subject to Legal Metrology
Measuring instruments intended for trade use and covered by the trade measurement legislation must have a certificate of approval issued by NMIA before they can be installed and verified. In addition other legal measuring instruments may be approved by NMIA on request.
5. Type Approval
5.1 Legal and technical requirements for type approval
Pattern approval is the process whereby an impartial body examines the pattern (design) of an instrument prototype against a published national standard. This determines whether an instrument is capable of retaining its calibration over a range of environmental and operating conditions and ensures that the instrument is not capable of facilitating fraud. It is a means of determining the quality of the instrument.
Pattern approval (in other countries this is sometimes called type approval) is mandatory for measuring instruments used for trade in Australia. When an instrument submitted for approval is successful, that particular pattern or type is approved and a certificate of approval is issued.
For further information email: patternapproval@measurement.gov.au.
5.2 Authority responsible for issuing type approval NSC is responsible for issuing type approval certificates for trade measuring instruments.
NMIA issues type approval certificates for trade and legal measuring instruments if they meet specific Australian standards.
5.3 Recognition/acceptance of OIML certificates
Australia has signed agreements with the National Measurement Office (NMO) in the United Kingdom and the Nederlands Meetinstituut B.V. (NMi), on the mutual acceptance of test reports for load cells, non-automatic weighing instruments and fuel dispensers (excluding liquefied petroleum gas). Australia also has an agreement with the New Zealand Ministry of Consumer Affairs on the mutual acceptance of test reports for non-automatic weighing instruments.
Australia is a signatory to and actively involved in the OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA).
5.4 Authority responsible for testing for type approval
NMIA is the authority responsible for testing for type approvals.
However, NMIA has appointed external NATA accredited laboratories as approving authorities to carry out pattern approval testing of electricity meters, water meters and evidential breath-alcohol analysers.
5.5 List of major test facilities available
The testing facilities operated by NMIA include:
5.6 Fee structure
Please see NMIA website for current fee structure for pattern approval testing by NMIA.
Pattern approval is the process whereby an impartial body examines the pattern (design) of an instrument prototype against a published national standard. This determines whether an instrument is capable of retaining its calibration over a range of environmental and operating conditions and ensures that the instrument is not capable of facilitating fraud. It is a means of determining the quality of the instrument.
Pattern approval (in other countries this is sometimes called type approval) is mandatory for measuring instruments used for trade in Australia. When an instrument submitted for approval is successful, that particular pattern or type is approved and a certificate of approval is issued.
For further information email: patternapproval@measurement.gov.au.
5.2 Authority responsible for issuing type approval NSC is responsible for issuing type approval certificates for trade measuring instruments.
NMIA issues type approval certificates for trade and legal measuring instruments if they meet specific Australian standards.
5.3 Recognition/acceptance of OIML certificates
Australia has signed agreements with the National Measurement Office (NMO) in the United Kingdom and the Nederlands Meetinstituut B.V. (NMi), on the mutual acceptance of test reports for load cells, non-automatic weighing instruments and fuel dispensers (excluding liquefied petroleum gas). Australia also has an agreement with the New Zealand Ministry of Consumer Affairs on the mutual acceptance of test reports for non-automatic weighing instruments.
Australia is a signatory to and actively involved in the OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA).
5.4 Authority responsible for testing for type approval
NMIA is the authority responsible for testing for type approvals.
However, NMIA has appointed external NATA accredited laboratories as approving authorities to carry out pattern approval testing of electricity meters, water meters and evidential breath-alcohol analysers.
5.5 List of major test facilities available
The testing facilities operated by NMIA include:
- Load cell testing facilities up to 50 tonnes;
- Flow metering facilities for petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas;
- An electromagnetic susceptibility chamber to test the susceptibility of instruments to radiated interference in the frequency range 26 to 1000 megahertz;
- Electrostatic discharge and line-borne electrical interference testing systems; and
- Environmental chambers for testing under a range of temperature and humidity levels.
5.6 Fee structure
Please see NMIA website for current fee structure for pattern approval testing by NMIA.
6. Verification (Conformity Assessment), Inspection and Reverification
6.1 Legal and technical requirements for verification and reverification
A measuring instrument can only be used for trade after it has been verified. The requirements for verification are as follows:
6.2 Range of equipment verified and reverified and any statistical information available
Range of trade and regulatory measurements currently covered by the legal metrology system:
6.3 Fee structure
The fees for verification and re-verification are determined by the servicing licensee providing the service.
A measuring instrument can only be used for trade after it has been verified. The requirements for verification are as follows:
- The instrument must be of an approved pattern; and
- The instrument must operate within the appropriate limits of error that may be tolerated under the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) at verification;
6.2 Range of equipment verified and reverified and any statistical information available
Range of trade and regulatory measurements currently covered by the legal metrology system:
- All types of weighing instruments;
- Length measuring instruments;
- Area measuring instruments;
- Multi-dimensional measuring instruments;
- Petroleum and liquid petroleum gas dispensers and pipeline meters;
- Vehicle tanks;
- Liquid level measuring instruments;
- Milk tanks and milk meters;
- Spirit dispensers;
- Domestic water meters;
- Electricity meters;
- Compressed natural gas dispensers;
- Evidential breath analysers;
- Grain protein measuring instruments; and
- Cane sugar measuring instruments.
6.3 Fee structure
The fees for verification and re-verification are determined by the servicing licensee providing the service.
7. Accrediation and Certification Systems
7.1 Accreditation systems for legal metrology, calibration and testing laboratories. Traceability to national, regional, international or foreign measurement standards
Disseminating standards of measurement, which are traceable to the Australian primary standards is through the appointment of verifying and certifying authorities, by NMIA under the National Measurement Regulations 1999 (Cth). Verifying authorities are appointed for trade measurement, surveying and utility measurements. Certifying authorities are appointed for regulatory measuring instruments such as police breath analysers and reference materials. One of the criteria for appointment is generally accreditation by NATA to ISO 17025. Since the legal requirements vary depending on the accuracy required there has been a hierarchy of standards developed which enables a range of accuracies to be disseminated throughout the community.
Australian primary standards of measurement for each of the legally defined units are maintained by NMIA, or its agents (see clause 3.2).
It would be impractical for NMI to handle all of the measuring standards and instruments that require calibration in order to demonstrate traceability of measurement. Therefore NMI calibrates higher accuracy standards held by government calibration laboratories, verifying authorities and private sector calibration laboratories accredited by NATA. These second-level laboratories calibrate a wide range of lower accuracy standards and measuring instruments used in industry and commerce
NMIA may approve the pattern of measuring instruments used for legal purposes, including trade use.
Australia's hierarchy of physical units and standards is shown in figure 1:
Disseminating standards of measurement, which are traceable to the Australian primary standards is through the appointment of verifying and certifying authorities, by NMIA under the National Measurement Regulations 1999 (Cth). Verifying authorities are appointed for trade measurement, surveying and utility measurements. Certifying authorities are appointed for regulatory measuring instruments such as police breath analysers and reference materials. One of the criteria for appointment is generally accreditation by NATA to ISO 17025. Since the legal requirements vary depending on the accuracy required there has been a hierarchy of standards developed which enables a range of accuracies to be disseminated throughout the community.
Australian primary standards of measurement for each of the legally defined units are maintained by NMIA, or its agents (see clause 3.2).
It would be impractical for NMI to handle all of the measuring standards and instruments that require calibration in order to demonstrate traceability of measurement. Therefore NMI calibrates higher accuracy standards held by government calibration laboratories, verifying authorities and private sector calibration laboratories accredited by NATA. These second-level laboratories calibrate a wide range of lower accuracy standards and measuring instruments used in industry and commerce
NMIA may approve the pattern of measuring instruments used for legal purposes, including trade use.
Australia's hierarchy of physical units and standards is shown in figure 1:
Figure 1. Australia’s hierarchy of physical units and standards
7.2 Legal and applied metrological activities in products certification
Products certification is provided by organisations registered by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). Only when a product or quality system has been certified to internationally recognised standards and passes the regular audits is an organisation licensed to use the Standards Mark on its products.
7.3 Legal and applied metrological activities in ISO quality management system
Australia has adopted the ISO 9000 series of standards in their entirety as the national quality standards. It was published in Australia in 1987 as the AS 3900/lSO 9000, and given dual numbering to emphasise the ISO connection.
Quality certification to ISO 9000 is provided by private organisations that are accredited by JAS-ANZ.
7.2 Legal and applied metrological activities in products certification
Products certification is provided by organisations registered by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). Only when a product or quality system has been certified to internationally recognised standards and passes the regular audits is an organisation licensed to use the Standards Mark on its products.
7.3 Legal and applied metrological activities in ISO quality management system
Australia has adopted the ISO 9000 series of standards in their entirety as the national quality standards. It was published in Australia in 1987 as the AS 3900/lSO 9000, and given dual numbering to emphasise the ISO connection.
Quality certification to ISO 9000 is provided by private organisations that are accredited by JAS-ANZ.
8. Legal Metrology Practitioners
8.1 Numbers
NMIA appoints other competent bodies to support NMIA in administering its responsibilities as Australia’s legal metrology authority. These bodies include:
8.2 Qualification/training
Technical officers are qualified in the fields of engineering and physical sciences.
NMI makes a considerable investment in newly recruited Trade Measurement Officers (TMOs). They are enrolled in the following qualifications:
A further qualification is offered to experienced TMOs who are invited to enroll in the PSP50516 Diploma of Trade Measurement which can take up to 18 months to complete. TMOs with a diploma qualification are eligible to become Senior Trade Measurement Officers.
TMOs who conduct licensee audits are expected to completed the unit of competency: PSPREG024 — Conduct Measurement Licensee Audit. This is a unit with the diploma qualification.
TMOs who work principally in a standards laboratory are expected to complete the following units of competency:
8.3 Training organizations and courses organised
NMI provides training in biological, chemical, physical and legal metrology. For a full list of our training courses please see, www.measurement.gov.au/training.
As a registered training organisation we offer assessment for people who want to have their skills recognised. Participants who meet the requirements of an assessment are awarded a nationally recognised statement of attainment.
On request we organise in-house customised training.
NMIA appoints other competent bodies to support NMIA in administering its responsibilities as Australia’s legal metrology authority. These bodies include:
- approving authorities to conduct pattern approval testing of electricity meters, water meters and evidential breath-alcohol analysers
- certifying authorities to certify measuring instruments (evidential breath-alcohol analysers and grain protein measuring instruments) and Australian certified reference materials (aqueous ethanol solutions and whole grain barley and wheat)
- verifying authorities to verify reference standards of measurement and physical quantities of an artefact, and
- utility meter verifiers to verify electricity meters and water meters.
8.2 Qualification/training
Technical officers are qualified in the fields of engineering and physical sciences.
NMI makes a considerable investment in newly recruited Trade Measurement Officers (TMOs). They are enrolled in the following qualifications:
- PSP40516 — Certificate IV in Trade Measurement
- PSP40416 — Certificate IV in Investigation
A further qualification is offered to experienced TMOs who are invited to enroll in the PSP50516 Diploma of Trade Measurement which can take up to 18 months to complete. TMOs with a diploma qualification are eligible to become Senior Trade Measurement Officers.
TMOs who conduct licensee audits are expected to completed the unit of competency: PSPREG024 — Conduct Measurement Licensee Audit. This is a unit with the diploma qualification.
TMOs who work principally in a standards laboratory are expected to complete the following units of competency:
- MSL925002 — Analyse Measurements and Estimate Uncertainties
- MSL924001 — Process and Interpret Data
- MSL934002 — Apply Quality Systems and Continuous Improvement Processes
8.3 Training organizations and courses organised
NMI provides training in biological, chemical, physical and legal metrology. For a full list of our training courses please see, www.measurement.gov.au/training.
As a registered training organisation we offer assessment for people who want to have their skills recognised. Participants who meet the requirements of an assessment are awarded a nationally recognised statement of attainment.
On request we organise in-house customised training.
9. Packaging
9.1 Legislative control for packaging
The trade measurement legislation controls the measurement of pre-packed articles by quantity.
The main laws include the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) along with the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth). The trade measurement legislation controls the measurement of pre-packed articles by quantity.
The main laws include the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) along with the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth).
Under national trade measurement legislation, manufacturers, packers, importers and sellers of pre-packed articles must:
·ensure packages are correctly labelled; the laws include requirements for measurement marking and packer’s identification;
·ensure packages they import, pack or sell include a measurement marking;
·ensure the measurement marking is accurate and does not include the weight of any packaging material;
·have appropriate measuring instruments: any measuring instruments used to perform compliance sampling must be suitable for the task, and properly maintained to ensure they remain accurate at all times; and·assist trade measurement inspectors with any enquiries and provide information if required.
9.2 Organization responsible
NMIA is responsible for administering packaging legislation.
The trade measurement legislation controls the measurement of pre-packed articles by quantity.
The main laws include the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) along with the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth). The trade measurement legislation controls the measurement of pre-packed articles by quantity.
The main laws include the National Measurement Act 1960 (Cth) along with the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 (Cth).
Under national trade measurement legislation, manufacturers, packers, importers and sellers of pre-packed articles must:
·ensure packages are correctly labelled; the laws include requirements for measurement marking and packer’s identification;
·ensure packages they import, pack or sell include a measurement marking;
·ensure the measurement marking is accurate and does not include the weight of any packaging material;
·have appropriate measuring instruments: any measuring instruments used to perform compliance sampling must be suitable for the task, and properly maintained to ensure they remain accurate at all times; and·assist trade measurement inspectors with any enquiries and provide information if required.
9.2 Organization responsible
NMIA is responsible for administering packaging legislation.
10. Sanctions
The trade measurement legislation stipulates offences and penalties regarding the use of measuring instruments for trade and pre-packaged articles.
The following are some of the major offences and penalties, and the corresponding sections of the Act that stipulate them.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Please see NMIA website for more information on Measurement legislation.
The following are some of the major offences and penalties, and the corresponding sections of the Act that stipulate them.
- Section 18GA - Creates an offence if an unverified measuring instrument is used for trade and the associated penalties;
- Section 18GB - Creates an offence if a measuring instruments of unapproved pattern is installed and the associated penalties;
- Section 18GD - Offence and penalties associated with inaccurate use of measuring instruments;
- Section 18HC - Stipulates the requirement for certain articles to be sold by measurement and the penalties applicable if the requirement is not met;
- Section 18KD - Stipulates the shortfall offence and the associated penalties
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Please see NMIA website for more information on Measurement legislation.
