MID

Introduction to MID certification

        Measuring instruments are used in public interest, health, safety, order, environmental protection, consumer protection, travel, taxation, tariffs, etc., all of which are required in principle to meet the requirements of MID. The European Union promulgated a new directive 2014/32/EU for measuring MID in 2014 and began to implement it in 2016, which will replace the original directive 2004/22/EC. In actual operation, MID mainly regulates the following measuring instruments:

       Note: The MID instruction does not mention non-automatic weighing equipment. These non-automatic weighing equipment still comply with the NAWI directive, which has not changed. If there is no specific coordination standard, CE certification shall be carried out in accordance with the directive standard.

　　NAWI certification is a certification required for non-automatic weighing instruments to enter the European Union. The European Union issued a new NAWI directive 2014/31/EU in 2014 and began to implement it in 2016. It will replace the original directive 2009/23/EC. This directive requires related Weighing instruments must obtain the NAWI certificate before entering the EU market. The definition of a non-automatic weighing instrument refers to a weighing instrument that needs to be operated by someone during the weighing process.

       The MID directive is only for products sold and put into use on the market, which means that there will be a comprehensive coordination for these two situations in Europe. In general, all EU member states should implement the MID directive on all measuring instruments mentioned above, but it is not mandatory. Member states can choose to comply with the MID Directive's measurement control regulations or not.

      The MID Directive gives the basic requirements for all measuring instruments, and gives special requirements for instruments in special categories (Appendix MI-001 to MI-010).

      In addition, measuring instruments have OMIL certification . OMIL is an international measurement organization with 60 formal members and 49 communication members. Basically developed countries have joined the organization. When OMIL is certified, measurement instruments that comply with OMIL’s international recommendations are certified. According to the certification, it can provide its own product image.

MID authentication mode:

        Generally speaking, all new method directives are based on a general system of conformity assessment procedures. This system is described in detail in the European Commission Directive 93/465/EEC of 22 July 1993, and this directive also describes the CE certification model and the CE-Mark pasting and use rules. Each new method instruction is based on this general system, but in order to facilitate the legal measurement management, the MID instruction has made some necessary changes.

      The CE certification model provides producers with different ways to comply with the MID directive. All models stipulate the design and/or production status of measuring instruments.

       For different types of measuring instruments, MID provides conformity assessment procedures in the relevant appendices. For example, the gas meter is stipulated in MI-002, and it is mentioned in MI-002 that the producer can choose the consistency assessment procedure of B + F, B + D or H1.

　　Mode A DoC based on internal production management (A1=+product testing by designated institutions)

　　Mode B Type inspection by designated agencies

　　Mode C Type of DoC based on internal production management (C1 = + product testing by designated institutions)

　　Mode D Type of DoC based on QA production process (D1=DoC based on production process)

　　Mode E QA-based final product inspection and testing type of DoC (E1=QA-based final product inspection and testing DoC)

　　Mode F DoC based on the type of product certification of the designated agency (F1=DoC based on the type of product certification of the designated agency)

　　Mode G is based on the DoC of a single product certified by a designated agency

　　Mode H DoC based on the comprehensive quality assurance system (A1 = + product testing by designated institutions)

Definition of Terms:

　　DoC: Declaration of Conformity QA: Quality Assurance

       All modes have been described in detail in the MID command. The letter A, B...H is the type identification of the certification mode, and the number 1 (like A1, C1...H1) is an additional character for a little change. They are all the same in principle, with only a few minor differences.

How to comply with MID?

        Manufacturers have a special position in meeting the requirements of MID and its designated testing institutions.

        The producer is obliged to ensure that the measuring instruments sold on the market in his name comply with MID, which means that the producer must be responsible for the production and design of the measuring instruments. Therefore, the producer has the responsibility to understand the design core and structure of measuring instruments to meet this obligation.

       According to the requirements of the MID Directive, as long as it is a legal manufacturer and has the ability to fulfill the responsibilities that comply with the MID, then the subcontracting of the production and design of measuring instruments is allowed.

        The manufacturer must prepare a declaration of conformity. This is an official document that declares that the prototype of the measuring instrument complies with the MID directive. Every product sold on the market must be accompanied by a copy of this declaration of conformity. The original is sealed and kept for 10 years by a designated agency. This requirement is consistent with manufacturers inside and outside the EU.

      The manufacturer can choose a designated certification body and, under the guidance of the designated certification body, voluntarily choose the certification mode. The designated agency is obliged to do a good job in the inspection of type approval, design approval, testing procedures and quality management system certification.

      Since MID does not have a specified test procedure, there may be many ways to pass the formal approval test (mode B). In this way, as a manufacturer, you can set your products to comply with MID in the following three ways:

      1. The European Commission will publish a harmonized standard in an official journal. If these standards are used, and the manufacturer believes that their products meet these standards.

       2. The Committee of Measuring Instruments in accordance with a standard identification document of OIML, all or part of OIML recommendations will be a very important reference for product evaluation.

       3. If there is no standardized document or harmonized standard, the notified body must decide whether the product meets the requirements of MID. This is more convenient for technologically innovative products. When the existing documents are not fully functional, this can create a selective testing program.

      Once all relevant directives are complied with, manufacturers can affix CE-Mark and additional measurement marks on their products.

       Note: The MID instruction does not mention non-automatic weighing equipment. These non-automatic weighing equipment still comply with the NAWI directive, which has not changed.

       The MID directive is only for products sold and put into use on the market, which means that there will be a comprehensive coordination for these two situations in Europe. In general, all EU member states should implement the MID directive on all measuring instruments mentioned above, but it is not mandatory. Member states can choose to comply with the MID Directive's measurement control regulations or not.

        The MID Directive gives the basic requirements for all measuring instruments, and gives special requirements for instruments in special categories (Appendix MI-001 to MI-010).