MID Measuring Instruments Directive

The directive sets out uniform, EU-wide rules for the sale and commissioning of measuring devices. Measuring devices are important for trade, consumers, and industry because they ensure the accuracy of measurements and contribute to transparency and fairness in commercial transactions.

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Control cabinet with EMpro direct current measurement, MID energy meter

Measuring Instruments Directive Legal background

The MID Directive 2014/32/EU came into force on 2016-04-20 and is the successor of 2004/22/EC. Therefore, the EU and EFTA countries (+ Turkey) are obliged to implement this directive into national law.

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Regulations What the MID directive regulates

Section parts 1 … 54 set out the obligations for economic operators to ensure the minimum requirements for legal use. In the EU, various types of measuring devices, including electricity meters for active consumption, have been uniformly regulated since the introduction of MID. The key requirements are described appendix I of the MID directive.

The key requirements describe, among other things, requirements for the stability, repeatability, and identification of the devices. In addition, specific requirements apply in further appendices. For electricity meters, these include that the active energy must always be indicated in kWh or MWh in the display.

Scope of validity In which regions is the MID used?

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EU states
Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Cyprus.
EFTA states (European Free Trade Association) ​
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Additional state
Turkey
Building from the outside

Fields of application Residential, commercial, and light industry

The MID is the uniform basis for billing purposes. The uniform standards take into consideration initial calibration in the manufacturing process, bringing to market, and initial commissioning. After that, the national laws on the calibration validity period and recalibration fees apply. MID electricity meters help with the billing of active consumption in private households, commerce, and light industry.

Note: The MID does not apply to billing in heavy industry, or to reactive and apparent energy.

Control cabinet with different measuring devices

Product area Products that are regulated by the MID

The 10 types of meters regulated by the directive include gas meters, heat meters, water meters, and electricity meters for active consumption.

Within the meter device type “electricity meters for active consumption,” different characteristics are covered. The measuring technology can be electronic (incl. display) or electromechanical (as Ferraris meters).

In addition, electricity meters can be operated with or without external measuring transducers. Important: Measuring transducers are not regulated by the MID!

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Conformity assessment procedures Manufacturers have different options

In conformity assessment procedures, a general distinction is made between module combinations B+D, B+F, and H1. The result of the different procedures is of equal relevance and to be obtained by the manufacturer. Module B: EU type test (conformity of the type with the directive), Module D: Quality management system for the production process (series production, end product), Module F: Initial verification of the end product, Module H1: Comprehensive QM system (supplemented by a design review). Audits and tests are carried out by notified bodies.

MID identification How are compliant devices identified?

Interactive image map: MID energy meters
MID identification
From left to right: CE marking, metrology marking, and year of application [Mxx], notified-body identification number [xxxx], and examination certificate number.
MID identification