Authorization principles

Authorized metrological centres

Authorised metrology centres are, pursuant to Section 16 of Act No. 505/1990 Coll., as amended, entities authorised by the Office to verify specified measuring instruments or certify reference materials on the basis of their application after verification of the level of their metrological and technical equipment by the Czech Metrology Institute and after verification of the qualification of the responsible staff, which is documented by a certificate of competence issued by an accredited person or a certificate of professional competence issued by the Office. The findings demonstrated during accreditation may be used for authorisation purposes. The details of the application for authorisation and the conditions for authorisation shall be laid down by the Ministry by Decree. There is no legal entitlement to authorisation. If the authorised body fails to fulfil the obligations laid down by law or the conditions set out in the authorisation decision, or if it requests it, the Authority shall suspend, amend or revoke the authorisation decision.

The Office shall assign or withdraw the official mark for the verification of the measuring instrument to the authorised metrology centre. In decisions and certificates, the authorised metrology centre shall indicate its name and affix its stamp to its signature an authorised metrology centre.

Entities other than those authorised to do so are not entitled to use the designation of authorised Metrology Centre, not even as part of its name.

Requirements for the application for authorisation of metrology centres and conditions for authorisation
(§ 9 of Decree No. 262/200 Coll., as amended)

(1) An application for authorisation to verify specified measuring instruments or to certify reference materials shall be submitted to the Office. The application shall include:

(a) identification data on the applicant (name and surname, place of residence, place of business and identification number of the natural person or business name, registered office and identification number of the legal entity),

(b) the metrological activity to be authorised and the technical specification of the specified measuring instruments or certified reference materials in question, including a list of the performance methodologies for which authorisation is sought,

(c) a list of standards and standardisation equipment and other technical equipment, indicating the relevant parameters,

(d) a specification of the operating and space conditions, including the location of the relevant site,

(e) evidence of the professional competence of the staff providing metrological activities in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Office.

(2) The Office may issue a decision on the authorisation of a metrology centre if the applicant meets the following conditions:

(a) is a legal person or a natural person who is an entrepreneur,

(b) it shall be equipped with standards and other equipment necessary for carrying out the relevant technical and administrative tasks,

(d) has no financial or other interests that could affect the results of the metrological activity which is the subject of the authorisation; in the case of authorisation for post-verification of specified measuring instruments verified at the point of use and also intended for the determination of quantities for direct sale to the public, the authorised body must not be a user, manufacturer, repairer, importer or distributor of measuring instruments; and

(e) has demonstrated metrological, technical and personnel competence to verify specified measuring instruments by submitting the statutory certificates or accreditation certificates.

(3) Upon granting the authorisation, the Office shall issue a decision on the authorisation and assign the official mark of verification of the specified measuring instrument to the authorised metrology centre. In addition to the basic requirements and obligations, the conditions of authorisation shall in particular stipulate:

(a) the scope of the metrological activity under the authorisation,

(b) specification of standards and other instrumentation, ensuring their metrological continuity,

(c) methodologies for the verification of specified gauges or certification of certified reference materials in relation to the subject matter and scope of the authorisation,

(d) a list of the staff providing metrological activities within the scope of the authorisation.

For more information, please refer to the Methodological Guideline for Metrology MPM 10-23

AMS - step-by-step authorization

Entities authorised to carry out official measurements

Pursuant to Section 21 of Act No. 505/1990 Coll., as amended, the Authority may, in cases of special consideration, authorise a subject at its request to perform official measurements in a specified field of measurement after verification of the level of technical and metrological equipment. The conditions for performance are the use of measuring instruments for which metrological continuity is ensured, a certificate of competence as an official measurer issued by an accredited person^2b)or a certificate of professional competence issued by the Office and supervision by the Czech Metrology Institute. Official measurement means a metrological performance, the result of which is issued by an authorised body as a public document. Its particulars shall be laid down by the Ministry by Decree. If the authorised body fails to fulfil the obligations laid down by law or the conditions laid down in the authorisation decision, the Office shall suspend, amend or revoke the authorisation decision. The requirements for the application for authorisation and the conditions for authorisation shall be laid down by the Ministry by Decree.

Requirements for an application for authorisation for official measurements and conditions for authorisation
(§ 13 of Decree No. 262/200 Coll., as amended)

(1) An application for authorisation to perform official measurements shall be submitted to the Authority and shall include:

(a) identification data on the applicant (name and surname, place of residence, place of business and identification number of the natural person or business name, registered office and identification number of the legal entity),

(b) the field or fields of measurement, including the measuring ranges and the measurement uncertainties to be achieved, to be authorised to perform official measurements,

(d) a list of the normative technical documentation relating to the relevant measurement,

(e) a certificate of proficiency as an official meter issued by an accredited certification body or a certificate of proficiency as an official meter issued by the Authority,,

(f) a certificate of technical and metrological competence prescribed by law,

(g) the reasons for which the authorisation is required,

(h) evidence of competence, if required by other legislation for the field of measurement.

(2) The Authority shall issue a decision on authorisation specifying the subject matter of the authorisation. The Authority shall be entitled to limit the authorisation by specifying the period of validity or otherwise.

(3) Authorisation to perform official measurements may be granted if the applicant meets the following conditions:

(a) is a legal person or a natural person who is an entrepreneur,

(b) owns the measuring instruments necessary for official measurement or has contracted for their availability and demonstrates their metrological continuity,

(d) provide a certificate of technical and metrological competence to perform official measurements,

(e) demonstrate professional competence by a certificate of competence as an official meter reader under the conditions set by the Authority.

(4) The elements of the document of official measurement and the graphic form of the stamp of the body authorised to carry out official measurements are set out in Annex 9 to Decree No 262/2000 Coll.

Official measurements - step-by-step authorization