L.S. 419.04 Ordni dwar it-Twaqqif tad-Direttorat tal-Metroloġija fl-Awtorità Maltija dwar l-Istandards

(1)The title of this Order is the Establishment of Metrology Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority Order. Citation.

(2)This Order lays down the establishment, organisation and operation of the Metrology Directorate within the Malta Standards Authority. 2. In this Order, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context otherwise requires: "Act" means the Malta Standards Authority Act; "Authority" means the Malta Standards Authority; "calibration" encompasses all the operations for the purpose of determining the values of errors of a measuring instrument; "Head of Directorate" means the person appointed to that post according to the provisions of article 3

(17)of the Act; "legal metrology" is that part of metrology which deals with units of measurement, methods of measurement and of measuring instruments, in relation to the mandatory technical and legal requirements which have the object of ensuring the appropriate accuracy of measurements; "measurement standard" is a measuring instrument intended to define, to represent physically, to conserve or to reproduce the unit of measurement of a quantity, or a multiple or sub-multiple of that unit, in order to transmit it to other measuring instruments by comparison; "measuring instrument" is a device intended to be used to make measurements, alone or in conjunction with a supplementary device or devices; "metrology" is the field of knowledge concerned with measurement; "National Measurement Standard" is a measurement standard which is the basis for fixing the value in a country of all other standards of the given quantity; "traceability" means the property of the result of a measurement which is related, through an unbroken chain of comparisons, to international measurement standards; Definitions. Cap. 419. 1 2 ESTABLISHMENT OF METROLOGY DIRECTORATE OF THE MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY [ S.L.419.04 Cap. 454. "verification" means all the operations carried out by the Metrology Directorate having the object of ascertaining and confirming that the measuring instrument entirely satisfies the requirements of the Metrology Act for verification; "Working Measurement Standard" is a measurement standard which, calibrated against a national measurement standard, is intended to verify ordinary measuring instruments of lower accuracy. Establishment of the Metrology Directorate. 3.

(1)There shall be established, within the Authority and as provided for in article 3

(14)of the Act, a Metrology Directorate.

(2)The Metrology Directorate shall be the national body responsible for matters related to metrology and legal metrology in Malta. The main functions of the Metrology Directorate shall, in particular, consist of the following: (

1. a)to be responsible for the execution, upkeep and conservation of National Measurement Standards and to maintain their accuracy by comparison with international measurement standards; (
2. b)to provide Working Measurement Standards of suitable accuracy for use in Malta, by comparison with the National Measurement Standards; (
3. c)to be responsible for the National Measurement Standards and their traceability; (
4. d)to organise the national calibration and traceability activity; (
5. e)to prepare and implement the national metrology strategy; (
6. f)to carry out scientific and technical work in all fields of metrology and measuring methods; (
7. g)to take part in the work of other national organisations interested in metrology; (
8. h)to disseminate information relevant to metrology; (
9. i)to be responsible for the enforcement of all metrology regulations drawn up by virtue of the Metrology Act; (
10. j)to be responsible for the execution and calibration of Measurement Standards and verification equipment; Cap. 454. (
11. k)to oversee, rnonitor and supervise the manufacture and repair of measuring instruments; (
12. l)Cap. 454. to bring to the attention of the authorities any fraud in relation to measurements in the provision of goods and services; (
13. m)to provide for the holding of examinations for the purpose of ascertaining whether persons possess sufficient skill, knowledge and professional integrity for the proper performance of their functions to be performed by virtue of the Metrology Act; (
14. n)to collaborate with the relevant inspection bodies in the fields of measuring instruments and pre-packaged ESTABLISHMENT OF METROLOGY DIRECTORATE OF THE MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY [ S.L.419.04 products; (
15. o)to liaise with other foreign national institutions having similar aims and to represent Malta in international metrological institutions.

(3)The technical and related enforcement functions as well as organisational assignments in the field of metrology, which are laid down in this Order and in any other law, shall be performed by the Metrology Directorate.

(4)The functions of the Metrology Directorate under this regulation shall apply in the fields of transactions in goods and services, proceedings before the administrative and judicial authorities and the protection of public health, safety and the environment. 4.

(1)A Head of the Metrology Directorate shall be appointed according to the provisions of article 3

(17)of the Act.

(2)In exercising its functions under this Order, the Metrology Directorate shall be functionally independent from the Authority as regards operational matters and, more specifically, as regards technical matters within its area of competence. In particular, the Metrology Directorate shall be independent of any other structure or official within the Authority as regards the implementation of the functions listed in article 3

(2)and

(3).

(3)Without prejudice to subarticle

(2), the Metrology Directorate shall operate subject to the administrative and financial control of the Authority as provided for in the Act as well as subject to the general policy of the Authority. The Head of the Metrology Directorate. 3