The framework for issuing, registering, and using OIML type examination certificates and associated type evaluation reports for measuring instruments, replacing the 1991 Basic Certificate System and the 2005 MAA.
The OIML Certification System (OIML-CS) was established to promote global harmonisation of legal metrological requirements, avoid unnecessary re-testing, and foster mutual confidence among participating Member States.
It replaces the previous OIML Basic Certificate System (1991) and the OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA, 2005). Participation is voluntary, OIML Member States and Corresponding Members join by signing a Declaration that commits them to abide by the rules of the OIML-CS and specifies their scope of acceptance.
Every OIML-CS interaction involves one or more of these actors. Hover a card for the scheme details.
A certification body approved by the Management Committee to issue OIML certificates and type evaluation reports.
Scheme A (accreditation / peer assessment) or Scheme B (self-declaration).
A laboratory performing tests and examinations on measuring instrument samples during OIML type evaluation.
Designated by an IA; approved by the Management Committee.
A national issuing authority from an OIML Member State that has signed the Declaration of acceptance.
Specifies terms of acceptance; may add national requirements.
A national body from an OIML Corresponding Member that has signed the Declaration.
Voice but no vote in the Management Committee.
The manufacturer or authorised representative who applies for OIML type evaluation.
Becomes the certificate owner upon issuance.
The pipeline below is the end-to-end OIML-CS flow. Each stage links to the governing PD-05 / PD-06 clause.
The manufacturer submits an application to an OIML Issuing Authority, including instrument description, technical documentation, and samples representative of production.
A TL listed in the IA's Declaration performs tests according to the relevant OIML Recommendation. Each TL issues an OIML Test Report with results.
The IA prepares the OIML Type Evaluation Report, assessing conformity of the instrument type to the OIML Recommendation. Bears the OIML-CS logo.
If the type conforms, the IA issues an OIML Certificate bearing the OIML-CS logo and a unique certificate number (e.g. R60-A-DE1-2024-01). A copy goes to BIML for registration.
OIML certificates and type evaluation reports are used in support of national or regional type approval, accepted according to each Utilizer's Declaration scope.
SMART Recommendations turn the OIML-CS from a document-exchange system into a structured computation pipeline.
Test report forms contain embedded computation declarations, expressions, table lookups, and pass/fail logic, that auto-calculate field values from the instrument classification. Test Laboratories fill in measurements; the platform computes results.
Requirements and acceptance criteria are parameterized by instrument classification (accuracy class, load range, etc.). The evaluation workflow automatically selects applicable criteria from the subject's classification context.
Type evaluation reports are generated from structured data, each form receives a pass/fail/conditional determination, with conditions tracked separately. The overall evaluation decision is derived from individual form results.
OIML certificates include structured classification data, revision tracking, and comply with PD-05 format requirements. The OIML-CS logo is affixed per B 20. Certificate numbers follow PD-05 Annex B.
The OIML-CS is governed by an integrated suite of documents published by OIML. Available from theOIML publications site.
