THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament(1);
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(2);
Whereas in the Member States the construction and methods of control of gas volume meters are subject to mandatory provisions which differ from one Member State to another and consequently hinder trade in such instruments; whereas it is therefore necessary to approximate these provisions;
Whereas the Council Directive of 26 July 1971(3) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to provisions both for measuring instruments and methods of metrological control has laid down the EEC type approval and EEC initial verification procedures; whereas, in accordance with that Directive, the technical requirements for the design and functioning of gas volume meters should be laid down;
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
This Directive applies to the following gas volume meters:
Volumetric meters:
meters with deformable walls;
meters with rotary pistons.
Non-volumetric meters:
turbine meters.
Those meters which may bear EEC marks and symbols are described in the Annex to this Directive. They shall be subject to EEC type approval and shall be submitted to EEC initial verification.
No Member State may refuse, prohibit, or restrict the placing on the market or entry into service of gas volume meters bearing the EEC type approval symbol and the EEC initial verification mark.
Member States shall put into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions needed in order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of its notification, and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive are communicated to the Commission.