European units of measurement directives

Directive 80/181/EEC, short unit Directive or Directive on units of measurement, long " Council Directive 80/181/EEC of 20 December 1979 on the approximation of the laws of Member States relating to units of measurement and on the repeal of Directive 71 / 354/EWG, " is one of the European Union or the original EC Directive.

The Directive requires the use of the International System of Units (SI) before binding. Exceptions are some units that accept the BIPM for use with the SI as well as the full angle (without unit symbol ) and grads ( unit symbol " gon "). Especially for the area of land and parcels which Ar is further ( unit symbol "a" ), for the power of optical systems, the diopter ( unitless character ) and for the linear density of textile fibers and yarns that Tex ( unit symbol " tex " ) are permissible.

Transposed into national law it is in Germany by the unit regulation in Austria by the measurement and calibration law (MEG ).

Scope

The Directive applies to measuring instruments, measurements and details of sizes without restricting it to a specific application. The main legal basis for the Directive, Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, however, authorized only on the approximation of such laws, regulations and administrative provisions which directly affect the establishment or functioning of the common market.

Be mentioned explicitly in the preamble to Directive economy, public health, public safety and the official traffic. Except for maritime and aviation, where outdated units such as foot and nodes are still quite common, but only if they are prescribed by international treaties. The same applies to rail transport.

For goods and equipment that have already been brought before the market or put into service, and spare parts for obsolete units may still be used. Whether this also applies to measuring instruments, each Member State may decide for themselves.