Chinese Taipei
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Economy Detail
1. Laws of Metrology
The Weights and Measures Act
(Promulgated in 1929, latest revised in 2009)
The Enforcement Rules of Weights and Measures Act
(Promulgated in 1929, latest revised in 2007)
The Business Operation Licensing and Administration Regulations of Measuring Instrument Enterprises
(Promulgated in 1987, latest revised in 2011)
Regulations Governing Verification and Inspection of Measuring Instruments
(Promulgated in 1987, latest revised in 2015)
Regulations Governing Type Approval of Measuring Instruments
(Promulgated in 1983, latest revised in 2015)
Regulations Governing Commissioned Metrological Activities
(Promulgated in 2003, latest revised in 2014)
1.1 Legal Requirements for Traceability
The Weights and Measures Act requires that the standards using for the measurement in the institutes that conduct verification and measuring instruments using for trade, low enforcement, public safety and healthy shall be traceable to the national standards, by means of comparisons with or derivation from national standards.
(Promulgated in 1929, latest revised in 2009)
The Enforcement Rules of Weights and Measures Act
(Promulgated in 1929, latest revised in 2007)
The Business Operation Licensing and Administration Regulations of Measuring Instrument Enterprises
(Promulgated in 1987, latest revised in 2011)
Regulations Governing Verification and Inspection of Measuring Instruments
(Promulgated in 1987, latest revised in 2015)
Regulations Governing Type Approval of Measuring Instruments
(Promulgated in 1983, latest revised in 2015)
Regulations Governing Commissioned Metrological Activities
(Promulgated in 2003, latest revised in 2014)
1.1 Legal Requirements for Traceability
The Weights and Measures Act requires that the standards using for the measurement in the institutes that conduct verification and measuring instruments using for trade, low enforcement, public safety and healthy shall be traceable to the national standards, by means of comparisons with or derivation from national standards.
2. Legal Units of Measurement
Only SI units and a few specified units are permitted for official use and in commercial transactions, according to the Weights and Measures Acts.
3. Structure of Metrological Control Authorities
3.1 National Organization for Legal Metrology
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, is the national authority for legal metrology. The contact information of the BSMI is as follows:
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Republic of China
4 Chinan Road, Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Tel: (886-2) 2343-1700 Fax: (886-2) 2393-2324
Web site: www.bsmi.gov.tw
The BSMI oversees the following matters:
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
The BSMI is the custodian of national standards. Practically, the BSMI contracts the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) for the operation of the National Measurement Laboratory (NML), the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) for the operation of National Ionizing Radiation Laboratory (NIRL), and Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories for the operation of National Time & Frequency Laboratory (NTFL). The contacts of three laboratories are as below:
National Measurement Laboratory
Address: 321 Kuang Fu Road, Section 2, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Telephone: (886-3) 573-2211
Fax: (886-3) 572-4635
Web site: www.nml.org.tw
National Ionizing Radiation Laboratory
Address: PO Box 3-10, Lung-tan, Taiwan
Telephone: (886-3) 471-1214
Fax: (886-3) 471-1171
Web site: www.iner.aec.gov.tw
National time & Frequency Laboratory
Address: #12, Lane 551, Section 3, Min Tsu Road, Yang Mei, 326, Taiwan
Telephone: (886-3) 424-4441
Fax: (886-3) 424-5474
Web site: www.stdtime.gov.tw
3.3 National Organizations Responsible for Maintaining Primary Standards
See section 3.2.
3.4 Regional and Local Verification Organizations
Verification and inspection of measuring instruments are carried out by the BSMI through its six branch offices. In addition, the BSMI contracts the following organizations to carry out verification work:
3.5 Instrument Calibration and Evaluation Systems
Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF) is an independent non-profit national-wide accreditation body. Its operation follows ISO/IEC 17011 to accredit domestic calibration or testing laboratories to ensure their technical capabilities and quality meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025.
TAF is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC) and the Asia-Pacific Laboratories Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). It also promotes the proficiency test among accreditated laboratories and participates in negotiations of mutual/multilateral recognition arrangements with other countries.
Measuring instruments subject to type approval or verification are regulated by the Weights and Measures Act. Performance tests for type approval of instruments are carried out by the National Measurement Laboratory (NML) or organizations designated by the BSMI. All of the testing organizations are accredited by the TAF.
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, is the national authority for legal metrology. The contact information of the BSMI is as follows:
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Republic of China
4 Chinan Road, Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Tel: (886-2) 2343-1700 Fax: (886-2) 2393-2324
Web site: www.bsmi.gov.tw
The BSMI oversees the following matters:
- Establishment infrastructure of national measurement system;
- Revision of laws and regulations for legal control on measuring instruments and relative activities;
- Enforcement of the use of legal units of measurement, the use of measuring instruments subject to legal control, and legal measures on measuring instruments subject to legal control;
- Supervision of branch offices;
- Training of inspectors for measuring instruments;
- Establishment and dissemination of national measurement standards; and
- Supervision and promotion of accreditation.
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
The BSMI is the custodian of national standards. Practically, the BSMI contracts the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) for the operation of the National Measurement Laboratory (NML), the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) for the operation of National Ionizing Radiation Laboratory (NIRL), and Chunghwa Telecom Laboratories for the operation of National Time & Frequency Laboratory (NTFL). The contacts of three laboratories are as below:
National Measurement Laboratory
Address: 321 Kuang Fu Road, Section 2, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Telephone: (886-3) 573-2211
Fax: (886-3) 572-4635
Web site: www.nml.org.tw
National Ionizing Radiation Laboratory
Address: PO Box 3-10, Lung-tan, Taiwan
Telephone: (886-3) 471-1214
Fax: (886-3) 471-1171
Web site: www.iner.aec.gov.tw
National time & Frequency Laboratory
Address: #12, Lane 551, Section 3, Min Tsu Road, Yang Mei, 326, Taiwan
Telephone: (886-3) 424-4441
Fax: (886-3) 424-5474
Web site: www.stdtime.gov.tw
3.3 National Organizations Responsible for Maintaining Primary Standards
See section 3.2.
3.4 Regional and Local Verification Organizations
Verification and inspection of measuring instruments are carried out by the BSMI through its six branch offices. In addition, the BSMI contracts the following organizations to carry out verification work:
- The Taiwan Electric Research and Testing Center (electricity meters)
- ELAB Electrical Research and Development Educational Fundatiuoin (electricity meters)
- Industrial Technology Research Institute (breathe alcohol testers and analysers, vehicle exhausts emissions analysers, inductive loop speedometers,laser speedometers and radar speedometers)
- The Electronic Testing Center, Taiwan (breathe alcohol testers and analysers, radar speedometers, inductive loop speedometers, laser speedometers, sound level meters, vehicle exhausts emissions analysers, illuminance meters, corn moisture meters, and rice moisture meters)
3.5 Instrument Calibration and Evaluation Systems
Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF) is an independent non-profit national-wide accreditation body. Its operation follows ISO/IEC 17011 to accredit domestic calibration or testing laboratories to ensure their technical capabilities and quality meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025.
TAF is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC) and the Asia-Pacific Laboratories Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). It also promotes the proficiency test among accreditated laboratories and participates in negotiations of mutual/multilateral recognition arrangements with other countries.
Measuring instruments subject to type approval or verification are regulated by the Weights and Measures Act. Performance tests for type approval of instruments are carried out by the National Measurement Laboratory (NML) or organizations designated by the BSMI. All of the testing organizations are accredited by the TAF.
4. Range of Equipment Subject to Legal Metrology
The BSMI might designate measuring instruments used for trade, public safety, public hygiene and medication purposes as legal measuring instruments. Any person who engages in operating the business of manufacturing, repairing or importing legal measuring instruments shall obtain a license from the BSMI before commencing its business operations. Meanwhile the BSMI specifies some specific legal measuring instruments to pass mandatory verification and be sealed with a verification mark before they can be put on the market and used. Even more, for certain instruments, type approval is required before verification is conducted.
5. Type Approval
5.1 Legal and Technical Requirements for Pattern Approval
The BSMI is responsible for the establishment and implementation of regulations, technical requirements and the administration of type approval for measuring instruments subject to type approval. The BSMI examine the conformity of the appearance, structure and performance test results of the sample instruments against relevant specifications, which are harmonized with international recommendations. Once the type of the concerned instrument has been approved, the BSMI issues a type approval certificate. The measuring instruments produced shall comply with the approved type and be marked with the number of the BSMI type approval certificate.
The categories and scope of the legal measuring instruments subject to type approval are as follows:
(1) Taximeters;
(2) The following electronic non-automatic weighing instruments, excluding those provided with an automatic packaging function:
A. Price-computing weighing instruments; and
B. Non-price-computing weighing instruments: with a maximum capacity of not less than 3 kg and not more than 100 kg, and with the number of verification scale intervals (n) all between 1000~10000, excluding portable suspended weighing instruments.
(3) Water meters: vortex and impeller water meters with a nominal diameter of not less than 50 mm and not more than 100 mm and volumetric and velocity meters with a nominal diameter of not less than 13 mm and not more than 300 mm;
(4) Diaphragm gas meters: with a maximum flow not more than 16 m3/h.
5.2 Authority Responsible for Issuing Pattern Approval
The BSMI is the authority responsible for issuing type approval certificates.
5.3 Recognition/Acceptance of OIML Certificates.
We are currently a corresponding member of the OIML. Yet, at present, we do not accept OIML certificates and MAA but on a bilateral basis.
5.4 Authority Responsible for Testing for Pattern Approval.
The BSMI is the authority responsible for type approval testing. On the other hand, the BSMI also designates laboratories to carry out performance tests. Laboratories that are assessed by the BSMI to be in compliance with related requirements concerning personnel, equipment, quality management systems and operational procedures may become one of the laboratories designated by the BSMI. At present, only two laboratories are designated by the BSMI: the Electronic Testing Center, Taiwan (ETC) for taximeters and electronic non-automatic weighing instruments as well as the National Chang Kung University for diaphragm gas meters.
5.5 List of Major Test Facilities Available
The main testing facilities operated by the NML and organizations commissioned by the BSMI are:
5.6 Fee Structure
There are two categories of fees:
(a) Administrative fee (including certificate fee): NT$ 16,000
(b) Testing fees:
Taximeters: NT$ 125,000
Water meters:
Material test NT$ 10,820
Performance test (by diameter) NT$ 15,800~NT$ 236,600
Magnetic protection NT$ 6,200
Electronic non-automatic weighing instruments: NT$ 230,000
Diaphragm gas meters:
Material test NT$ 32,000
Performance test NT$ 169,000~NT$ 185,000
Testing of electrical properties NT$ 120,000
(only for diaphragm gas meters with micro computers)
EMC test NT$ 75,000
(only for diaphragm gas meters with micro computers)
The BSMI is responsible for the establishment and implementation of regulations, technical requirements and the administration of type approval for measuring instruments subject to type approval. The BSMI examine the conformity of the appearance, structure and performance test results of the sample instruments against relevant specifications, which are harmonized with international recommendations. Once the type of the concerned instrument has been approved, the BSMI issues a type approval certificate. The measuring instruments produced shall comply with the approved type and be marked with the number of the BSMI type approval certificate.
The categories and scope of the legal measuring instruments subject to type approval are as follows:
(1) Taximeters;
(2) The following electronic non-automatic weighing instruments, excluding those provided with an automatic packaging function:
A. Price-computing weighing instruments; and
B. Non-price-computing weighing instruments: with a maximum capacity of not less than 3 kg and not more than 100 kg, and with the number of verification scale intervals (n) all between 1000~10000, excluding portable suspended weighing instruments.
(3) Water meters: vortex and impeller water meters with a nominal diameter of not less than 50 mm and not more than 100 mm and volumetric and velocity meters with a nominal diameter of not less than 13 mm and not more than 300 mm;
(4) Diaphragm gas meters: with a maximum flow not more than 16 m3/h.
5.2 Authority Responsible for Issuing Pattern Approval
The BSMI is the authority responsible for issuing type approval certificates.
5.3 Recognition/Acceptance of OIML Certificates.
We are currently a corresponding member of the OIML. Yet, at present, we do not accept OIML certificates and MAA but on a bilateral basis.
5.4 Authority Responsible for Testing for Pattern Approval.
The BSMI is the authority responsible for type approval testing. On the other hand, the BSMI also designates laboratories to carry out performance tests. Laboratories that are assessed by the BSMI to be in compliance with related requirements concerning personnel, equipment, quality management systems and operational procedures may become one of the laboratories designated by the BSMI. At present, only two laboratories are designated by the BSMI: the Electronic Testing Center, Taiwan (ETC) for taximeters and electronic non-automatic weighing instruments as well as the National Chang Kung University for diaphragm gas meters.
5.5 List of Major Test Facilities Available
The main testing facilities operated by the NML and organizations commissioned by the BSMI are:
- Cold water meter testing in the range of 3 L/min to 13,000 L/min.
- Electromagnetic compatibility testing in the range of 30 MHz to 1 GHz.
- Environmental testing facilities: the temperature-controlled chambers operate at a temperature range from 10 ºC to 70 ºC, and the humidity test chamber operates from relative humidity: 20 % to 95 % over a temperature range of 20 ºC to 65 ºC.
- Radio frequency equipment range: 30 MHz to 18 GHz and 150 kHz to 30 MHz.
- Electrostatic discharge tests: 0 V to 25 kV.
- Radiated susceptibility tests: 26 MHz to 1 GHz.
- Electrical/ fast transient / burst tests: 0 kV to 4 kV.
- Conducted susceptibility tests: 150 kHz to 230 MHz.
- Environmental tests: temperature range -30 ºC to 80 ºC and relative humidity: 20 % to 98 %.
5.6 Fee Structure
There are two categories of fees:
(a) Administrative fee (including certificate fee): NT$ 16,000
(b) Testing fees:
Taximeters: NT$ 125,000
Water meters:
Material test NT$ 10,820
Performance test (by diameter) NT$ 15,800~NT$ 236,600
Magnetic protection NT$ 6,200
Electronic non-automatic weighing instruments: NT$ 230,000
Diaphragm gas meters:
Material test NT$ 32,000
Performance test NT$ 169,000~NT$ 185,000
Testing of electrical properties NT$ 120,000
(only for diaphragm gas meters with micro computers)
EMC test NT$ 75,000
(only for diaphragm gas meters with micro computers)
6. Verification (Conformity Assessment), Inspection and Reverification
6.1 Legal and Technical Requirements for Verification and Reverification
Measuring instruments subject to verification can only be put into market after passing verification and being sealed with the verification mark. The requirements for verification are as follows:
(a) The instruments must operate within the maximum permissible tolerance stipulated in the Weights and Measures Act;
(b) The instruments must be type approved, if required; and
(c) The instruments must have graduations in legal units stipulated in the Weights and Measures Act.
6.2 Range of Equipment Verified and Reverified and any Statistical Information Available
Measuring instruments subject to verification include:
Taximeters Oil meters Breathe alcohol testers and analyzers
Water meters LPG flow meters Rice moisture meters
Diaphragm gas meters Sphygmomanometers
Sound lever meters Electricity meters Illuminance meters
Radar speedometers Vehicle exhausts emissions analyzers
Corn moisture meters Inductive loop speedometers
Laser speedometers Clinical electrical thermometers
Liquid volumetric meters
Weighing instruments (non-automatic weighing instruments, automatic gravimetric filling weighing instruments and discontinuous totalizing automatic weighing instruments)
6.3 Fee Structure
Fees for verification and reverification vary for different measuring instruments and are stipulated by the Regulations Governing Fees for Measuring Instruments.
Measuring instruments subject to verification can only be put into market after passing verification and being sealed with the verification mark. The requirements for verification are as follows:
(a) The instruments must operate within the maximum permissible tolerance stipulated in the Weights and Measures Act;
(b) The instruments must be type approved, if required; and
(c) The instruments must have graduations in legal units stipulated in the Weights and Measures Act.
6.2 Range of Equipment Verified and Reverified and any Statistical Information Available
Measuring instruments subject to verification include:
Taximeters Oil meters Breathe alcohol testers and analyzers
Water meters LPG flow meters Rice moisture meters
Diaphragm gas meters Sphygmomanometers
Sound lever meters Electricity meters Illuminance meters
Radar speedometers Vehicle exhausts emissions analyzers
Corn moisture meters Inductive loop speedometers
Laser speedometers Clinical electrical thermometers
Liquid volumetric meters
Weighing instruments (non-automatic weighing instruments, automatic gravimetric filling weighing instruments and discontinuous totalizing automatic weighing instruments)
6.3 Fee Structure
Fees for verification and reverification vary for different measuring instruments and are stipulated by the Regulations Governing Fees for Measuring Instruments.
7. Accreditation and Certification Systems
7.1 Accreditation Systems for Legal Metrology, Calibration and Testing Laboratories. Traceability to National, Regional, International or Foreign Measurement Standards
Calibration and testing laboratories for legal metrology are accredited by the Chinese National Laboratory Accreditation to provide traceability to national measurement standards. The CNLA has already signed the Memorandum and Mutual Recognition Arrangement of the International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC).
The hierarchy of physical units and standards is shown in the Figure 1:
Calibration and testing laboratories for legal metrology are accredited by the Chinese National Laboratory Accreditation to provide traceability to national measurement standards. The CNLA has already signed the Memorandum and Mutual Recognition Arrangement of the International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC).
The hierarchy of physical units and standards is shown in the Figure 1:
7.2 Legal and Applied Metrological Activities in Product Certification
The BSMI is responsible for the establishment and promotion of our National Standards (CNS). Manufacturers are licensed to use the CNS Mark on a product as long as the product is in conformity with related requirements and its quality system passes the audits.
7.3 Legal and Applied Metrological Activities in ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems
We have adopted the ISO 9000 series of standards in their entirety as the national standards. Promotion of the implementation of quality management systems by measuring instrument enterprises is underway.
The BSMI is responsible for the establishment and promotion of our National Standards (CNS). Manufacturers are licensed to use the CNS Mark on a product as long as the product is in conformity with related requirements and its quality system passes the audits.
7.3 Legal and Applied Metrological Activities in ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems
We have adopted the ISO 9000 series of standards in their entirety as the national standards. Promotion of the implementation of quality management systems by measuring instrument enterprises is underway.
8. Legal Metrology Practitioners
8.1 Numbers
There are 183 officers in the BSMI and its branch offices, 95 inspectors in other organizations commissioned by the BSMI, and 1948 technicians passed the examination of metrological technical personnel in private sector.
8.2 Qualification/Training
Persons willing to engage in specific field of metrology must pass metrological technical personnel examination. We provide training courses in metrology for BSMI staff and metrological technical personnel to improve their technical skills and knowledge. We are also reviewing regulations regarding the qualification and training for metrological technical personnel.
8.3 Training Organizations and Courses Organised
On-the-job training is conducted by the BSMI and NML annually. The BSMI provides basic, middle-level and advanced training courses for staff on an annual basis.
There are 183 officers in the BSMI and its branch offices, 95 inspectors in other organizations commissioned by the BSMI, and 1948 technicians passed the examination of metrological technical personnel in private sector.
8.2 Qualification/Training
Persons willing to engage in specific field of metrology must pass metrological technical personnel examination. We provide training courses in metrology for BSMI staff and metrological technical personnel to improve their technical skills and knowledge. We are also reviewing regulations regarding the qualification and training for metrological technical personnel.
8.3 Training Organizations and Courses Organised
On-the-job training is conducted by the BSMI and NML annually. The BSMI provides basic, middle-level and advanced training courses for staff on an annual basis.
9. Packaging
The BSMI might take legal control against to pre-packaged products with a net content of 5 g to 10 kg expressed in units of mass or 5 mL to 10 L expressed in units of volume, according to Weights and Measures Act. Currently, the BSMI takes legal control against to Laundry powder（solid or powder）and soap（powder or tuft） products prepackaged weighing 5 g to 10 kg and samples those products annually to ensure the net content meet the requirement.
10. Sanctions
10. SanctionsUnder the Weights and Measures Act, violations occur when:
(a) Those who use measuring instruments without indicating legal units. The penalties range from NT$50,000 to NT$250,000.
(b) Those who manufacture, repair, or import measuring instruments without obtaining permission and license from the BSMI. The penalties range from NT$50,000 to NT$250,000.
(c) Those who sell or provide the use of measuring instruments not obtaining verification. The penalties range from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.
(d) Those who use unverified measuring instruments for commercial transactions. The penalties range from NT$15,000 to NT$75,000.
(e) Those who refuse the periodic inspection of measuring instruments used for commercial transactions. The penalties range from NT$10,000 to NT$50,000.
Administrative Management for Measuring Instruments Enterprises
The BSMI issues permits and licences to those who manufacture, repair, or import measuring instruments and maintains records on instruments manufactured and marketed. In this way, the BSMI monitors the manufacturing and marketing of measuring instruments and ensures uniform measurement standards.
The manufacturer or repairer of measuring instruments must be equipped with adequate calibration instruments, which are traceable to national measurement standards.
(a) Those who use measuring instruments without indicating legal units. The penalties range from NT$50,000 to NT$250,000.
(b) Those who manufacture, repair, or import measuring instruments without obtaining permission and license from the BSMI. The penalties range from NT$50,000 to NT$250,000.
(c) Those who sell or provide the use of measuring instruments not obtaining verification. The penalties range from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.
(d) Those who use unverified measuring instruments for commercial transactions. The penalties range from NT$15,000 to NT$75,000.
(e) Those who refuse the periodic inspection of measuring instruments used for commercial transactions. The penalties range from NT$10,000 to NT$50,000.
Administrative Management for Measuring Instruments Enterprises
The BSMI issues permits and licences to those who manufacture, repair, or import measuring instruments and maintains records on instruments manufactured and marketed. In this way, the BSMI monitors the manufacturing and marketing of measuring instruments and ensures uniform measurement standards.
The manufacturer or repairer of measuring instruments must be equipped with adequate calibration instruments, which are traceable to national measurement standards.