Overview
As part of the Australian Government's Business Simplification initiative, the National Measurement Institute (NMI) is seeking input on a review of the acceptance criteria for test results for pattern approval (PA) purposes.
PA confirms that a measuring instrument’s design meets relevant documentary standards and performs as intended over a range of environmental and operating conditions.
Manufacturers, importers and suppliers that wish to supply and sell trade measuring instruments in Australia are required to ensure those instruments have a pattern approval certificate from NMI. NMI examines the designs of instruments, including associated test results, against relevant standards and issues certificates for PA that are internationally recognised.
This consultation seeks to review the current policy for acceptance of test results and propose a revised, risk based approach to accepting test results for PA from facilities external to NMI.
Why we are consulting
NMI is examining whether there is scope for introducing a risk based approach to accepting test results for PA, which could contribute to the Australian Government’s business simplification initiative.
As this consultation impacts a variety of industries, businesses and consumers, NMI is seeking input from such stakeholders to help ensure that the review accounts for the widest possible range of needs and interests. A Consultation Paper which provides an overview of the current policy for acceptance of test results from facilities external to NMI and the proposed revision to the policy has been developed and is included below.
Stakeholder feedback will also be used to inform the Government’s consideration of what scope exists for reducing regulatory burden under the proposed revision and the net savings for industry, Government and consumers this may deliver.
What happens next
The feedback from this consultation will inform the revision of NMI’s policy for acceptance of test results for pattern approval purposes. The key elements of the policy will be communicated via a response paper, to be published by NMI in early 2018.