Legal Metrology

The Weights and Measures Act is the regulatory basis for the BSMI in conducting its activities in the field of legal metrology. The latest revision of the Act was in January 2009 to amend some provisions about business license in order to make the metrology system work more effectively.

The BSMI's activities in the field of metrology mainly cover the following areas, including administration of weights and measures industry, and regulatory control of weights and measuring instruments. Specific details of each area are described respectively in the paragraphs below.

1. Administration of Weights and Measures Industry

Having recognized the impact on fair trade resulted from the use of weights and measuring instruments and the specific characteristics of the industry, the BSMI requires that a license obtained first in order for any person to be engaged in operating the business of manufacturing, repairing or importing measuring instruments so as to ensure adequate management.

2. Regulatory Control of Weights and Measuring Instruments

Measuring instruments used for business transactions, public safety and health care purposes that are subject to verification shall be verified before sale or usage and will be inspected by the BSMI when they are in service. Measuring instruments that pass verification will be inscribed, sprayed, branded, or lead-sealed with the logo "Picture as attachment file" and attached with a conformity sticker or issued a conformity certificate.

Among these measuring instruments subject to verification, some of them are also subject to type approval. These measuring instruments are taximeters, water meters, diaphragm gas meters and electronic non-automatic weighing instruments and are required to be type-approved before verification. Upon a type of a measuring instrument has been approved, the BSMI will issue a type approval certificate.

In response to the rapid changes in global trade environment and advancement of innovative technologies, one of the main tasks for the BSMI is to move ahead and  lead related industries by focusing on research and development of new metrological techniques. Since 2019, the BSMI has been introducing several cutting edge measuring instruments into legal metrology, including Average Speed Control devices (a project launched in 2019), Air to Liquid Volumetric Ratio Measuring Instruments (a project launched in 2020) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (a project launched in 2020-2021).

In the future the BSMI will keep on keeping up establishing innovative metrological technologies, such as a new technical specification for DC electricity meters. With all of these efforts, the BSMI hopes that a level playing field of metrology related industries will be established and consumers’ right in Taiwan will be safeguarded.