Iceland covers an area of 103,600 sq. km and has a population
of some 260,000. Reykjavik is the capital and political and commercial centre
with a population of almost 100,000.
Organizational Structure and Background
Löggildingarstofa (LS) was established on 1 January 1997
by merging the former Icelandic Metrology and Accreditation Service (founded
1918) and the State Electrical Inspection (founded 1932). It forms the national
institute for metrology under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. LS is
responsible for verification and inspection of weighing and measuring
instruments. It also keeps the national standards for length, mass, volume and
temperature. LS also provides a national calibration service. Additionally LS acts as the national accreditation body, accrediting laboratories ,
certification and inspection bodies in accordance with EN45000 criteria. The
Icelandic government is pursuing a policy of contracting out public service
functions. to the private sector. This may result in some of the initial
verification, inspection and reverification tasks currently performed by LS being performed by accredited laboratories and inspection bodies.
Equipment Subject to National Controls
- Simple length measures
- Medium accuracy weights
- Liquid volume metering instruments
- Petroleum
- Bulk milk
- Electricity meters
- Non-automatic weighing instruments
- Self-indicating
- Non self-indicating
- Automatic weighing instruments
- Hot water meters
- Taxi meters
Type Approvals
LS has in the past issued a limited number of national type
approvals, restricted to non-automatic weighing instruments. LS no longer
issues type approvals. There is no intention to expand the LS facilities
because of minimal demand. Fees for type approvals are determined for each
submission. Certificates are published in English on request. Initial
Verification
Initial verification can be performed by LS for length measures, weights,
petrol and bulk milk volume meters as well as non-automatic weighing
instruments. As a part of the privatization process electricity meters and hot
water meters will be initially verified by accredited laboratories.
Accreditation is based on EN 45001 and national regulations. Verification fees
are set by regulation.
Inspection and Reverification
Mandatory reverification periods are set by Regulations, as an
example:
| Weighing instruments |
every 1 - 2 years |
| Petrol pumps, bulk milk meters, etc. |
every 1 year |
In 1996 some 1908 weighing instruments were inspected with about 10% needing
adjustments. In the same period 1360 petrol pumps etc. were inspected and some
20% needed to be adjusted. Permissible error allowances are based on mpe x 1.
Legal Metrology Practitioners and Scope
LS employs 1 engineer for legal metrology work as well as
implementation of regulations and directives and 4 inspectors for
reverification and inspection purposes. Training is vocational. Inspectors will
deal with complaints about inaccurate instruments or short measure and will
advise businesses on legal requirements. They perform no broader consumer
protection function.
Sanctions
Any breach of legal requirements may be prosecuted in the
courts and may result in a fine or imprisonment of up to four years. However
prosecutions are an extremely rare event.
Directive 90/384/EEC
The Directive has been implemented through a corresponding
regulation. Before the implementation some Article 1(2)(a) instrument
categories were not subject to national control, particularly 3 and 4.
Iceland is one gravity zone. Reykjavik: g=9,823 ±0,001 m/s2.
Regulations make it an offence to use an instrument outside of its marked
weighing range. No designated accuracy classes for specific applications are
currently required.
LS acts as the national accreditation body. Any certification of a
manufacturer seeking self-declaration status under the Directive will be
performed by private sector bodies accredited to EN45012.
Updated March 2003
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