Any Gas or Electricity meter used for the purpose of billing, whether by a licensed energy supplier or a landlord, must be of an approved design.

Gas & Electricity Meters - Introduction

Any Gas or Electricity meter used for the purpose of billing, whether by a licensed energy supplier or a landlord, must be of an approved design. Most domestic and smaller industrial/commercial metering applications are covered by this requirement; and only meter types that operate to defined accuracy and performance requirements will be approved.

The approval of meter types was previously carried out by NMO/Ofgem, or an equivalent EC Member State body under UK national legislation. From 30 October 2006 meters may also be approved under the European Measuring Instruments Directive (MID). The MID enables a \'European Type Approval Certificate\' to be issued, and the instrument can then be used in any EU Member State.

Electricity Meters

The use and performance of Electricity Meters is governed by Schedule 7 of the Electricity Act, 1989 and supporting legislation in the form of Statutory Instruments. The key documents are:

• The Meters (Approval of Pattern or Construction and Manner of Installation) Regulations 1998, SI 1565
• The Meters (Certification) Regulations 1998, SI 1566
• The Electricity (Approval of Pattern or Construction and Installation and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, SI 3129
• The Measuring Instruments (EC Requirements) (Electrical Energy Meters) Regulations 1995, SI 2607
• The Measuring Instruments (EC Requirements) (Electrical Energy Meters) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, SI 3082
• The Measuring Instruments (Active Electrical Energy Meters) Regulations 2006, SI 1679 

Gas Meters

The use and performance of Gas Meters is governed by Section 17 of the Gas Act, 1986 and supporting legislation in the form of Statutory Instruments. The key documents are:

• The Gas (Meters) Regulations 1983, SI 684 (as amended)
• The Measuring Instruments (Gas Meters) Regulations 2006, SI 2647

The pattern/construction of Gas Meters must be approved by ensuring that the meter type conforms to requirements covered in the regulations. These detail the minimum standards to which Gas Meters of approved pattern and construction must perform. In addition, meters must not leak gas and they must meet various tests to demonstrate their accuracy.