How things are measured in Spain: units and controls

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The law establishes the Legal System of Measurement Units, which is the International System (meter, kilogram, second, and so on), and bans other units in areas such as health, trade or tax collection.
2. It creates the State's metrological control: measuring instruments, reference materials and software used for public interest reasons must pass a conformity assessment and, where applicable, periodic verifications or checks after repairs.
3. Public authorities may inspect at any time and withdraw from service instruments that break the rules or exceed the maximum permitted errors. Anyone who repairs or modifies instruments must file a responsible declaration before starting.
4. It organizes metrology: the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism holds the State's powers, with the Superior Council of Metrology as advisory body, the Spanish Metrology Center as national institute, and a single public Metrological Control Register.
5. Offenses are classified as minor, serious and very serious, with fines of up to €5,000, €90,000 and €600,000 respectively. The Government may update these amounts every two years.
6. It repeals the previous 1985 Metrology Law and related rules, and amends the Industry Law to adapt the regime for Control Bodies, offenses and sanctions.

Who it affects

• Manufacturers, importers and sellers of measuring instruments: They must pass metrological control, register in the Metrological Control Register and follow marking and sealing rules.
• Instrument repairers: They must file a responsible declaration before starting and have instruments verified after repairing or modifying them.
• Companies that prepackage products: Prepackaged products must state their quantity in Legal System units and meet content controls.
• Consumers and users: They receive information in legal units, and measurements from verified instruments are presumed accurate.
• Entities that verify or assess instruments: They must be authorized as designated bodies, prove independence and technical competence, and carry liability insurance.

Words worth knowing

Metrología (metrology)

The science of measurement: it deals with units, instruments and making sure measurements are reliable.

Patrón nacional (national standard)

The official model of a unit of measurement (for example, the kilogram) from which all other measurements in Spain derive.

Evaluación de la conformidad (conformity assessment)

A check that an instrument meets legal requirements before its first use.

Declaración responsable (responsible declaration)

A document in which someone declares to the authorities that they meet the required conditions, allowing them to start operating.

Productos preenvasados (prepackaged products)

Products packaged without the buyer present, with the contents stated on the package or label.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries