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 In the Russian Federation, every measuring instrument with legal measurement function, before being put into service, must be admitted to metric verification by the National Metric Service (Rosstandard) through an approval decree. The said approval is known to European metric manufacturers as "Pattern Approval Certificate" or "PAC Certificate".
The approval process consists of the study of the documents and examination of the metrological characteristics of the model, carried out by national laboratories at the place of manufacture, installation or at the laboratory itself. The test also covers the behaviour of the instrument under normal conditions of use. Under such conditions the instrument must be able to maintain the required metrological qualities.
The measuring laboratory may require that the samples and the appropriate means in terms of material and auxiliary personnel necessary for carrying out the tests relating to approval be made available to it.
The certificate contains the data of the approved model, the name of the manufacturer, the frequency of the periodic verification, the details of the verification plan and the approval decree. It is accompanied by a technical annex containing description, photographs, plans and diagrams necessary to identify the model and to explain its operation.
From 2021 the paper certificate is no longer issued. The certificate downloaded from the National Database of Measuring Instruments for Legal Use is valid.
Verification of measuring instruments
Each measuring instrument for legal use, before being put into service or following repair, must be subjected to an initial check and after being put into service to a periodic check in the manner described in the Ministerial Decree of Industry and Commerce RUS FED. No. 2510 of 07/31/2020.
The frequency of periodic verification is established by the National Metric Service at the time of approval of the model, based on its metrological characteristics, with reference to the Guidelines for determining periodic verification intervals.
Depending on the type of instrument, periodic verification is carried out by public or private national LAT laboratories.
The said verification is also known as "Primary calibration/verification certificate" or "Poverka (Powerka) Certificate".
Regulatory references
The approval of measuring instruments in Russia is regulated by Federal Law No. 102 of 06.26.2008 "On Metrological Traceability in the Russian Federation".
 OIML D 3:1979 Legal qualification of measuring instruments (ENG 76 KB)
Regulation for the approval of measuring instruments (RUS 480 KB)
Approval methods for measuring instruments (RUS 488 KB)
Guidelines for preparing the approval application (RUS 243 KB)
Verification methods for measuring instruments for legal use (RUS 226 KB)
Guidelines for determining periodic inspection intervals (RUS 253 KB)
National Database of Measuring Instruments for Legal Use
For exporters or suppliers of systems equipped with measuring instruments with legal measurement function, before requesting model approval, it is advisable to check whether this model has already been approved. To this end, it is sufficient to consult the National Database of Measuring Instruments (Repertory of measuring instruments) for Legal use by entering one of the following keywords: instrument identification code and/or manufacturer's name. To access the Database click here.
Fields covered by legal metrology in the Russian Federation:
• public health;
• veterinary medicine;
• environmental protection;
• civil protection;
• safety at work;
• establishments at risk of major accidents;
• commercial transactions;
• pre-packaging in volume or mass of pre-packaging;
• public accounting;
• postal service;
• accounting for supplies to domestic users;
• security, defense and public order;
• geodetic and cartographic works;
• hydrometeorology services;
• banking, tax and customs activities;
• official tests and trials;
• sports competitions and training activities for high-level athletes;
• enforcement of judicial and administrative provisions;
• market surveillance.
Certificate types and validity
Model approval can be for serial production, for a batch or for a single unit.
The validity period of the model approval is 5 years. It can be subsequently extended for periods of 5 years; the number of instruments that can be manufactured in accordance with the approved model is unlimited. All instruments manufactured during the validity of the serial approval are considered to be of approved type and can be admitted to metric verification.
The validity period of the approval of a batch or single unit is equal to the useful life of the approved model.
The approval certificate can be issued to the metric manufacturer (for serial manufacturing) or to the importer and/or end user (in the case of a batch or single unit).
Required documentation:
The applicant submits the application for approval in which he indicates:
a) name and address of the manufacturer or company;
b) instrument category;
c) intended use;
d) metrological characteristics;
e) possible commercial name or type of the instrument.
The application must be accompanied by the documents necessary for its examination, and in particular:
- a description concerning in particular:
a) the construction and operation of the instrument;
b) the safety devices required to ensure their proper functioning;
c) recording and adjustment devices;
d) the places intended to be placed:
-- verification marks;
-- the seals (if applicable);
- the assembly drawings of the whole and, if applicable, the construction drawings of the details of greatest interest;
- a basic diagram and possibly a photograph.
The application must be accompanied by documents certifying any national approvals already obtained.
Metrological marking
Measuring instruments for legal use must be provided with the approval mark referred to in Annex No. 5 to the Ministerial Decree of Industry and Trade of the RUS FED. No. 2905 of 08/28/2020.
 This marking is affixed to the measuring instrument or to its nameplate in a visible, legible and indelible manner. Where this is not possible or the nature of the measuring instrument does not allow it, it is affixed to the accompanying documents and, where applicable, to the packaging.
Stamps and verification marks
Initial verification (audit) is the checking and confirmation of the conformity of a new or refurbished instrument with the approved model.
The periodic check on all types of measuring instruments used for a legal measurement function has the purpose of determining whether they bear the verification stamps before and whether they have retained the maximum permissible errors for this type of control.
Example of verification stamps:
| Public calibration LABs |
Private calibration LABs |
| Primary and periodic verification |
Primary verification |
Periodic verification |
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1 - National Metric Service Mark
2 - laboratory code
3 - last two digits of the year of affixing
4 - verifier serial number
5 - month of affixation
6 - quarter of affixation
The positive outcome of the periodic check can be certified by affixing an adhesive label which is destroyed when removed.
Example:
Release times and costs:
Model approval
Timelines: 6-9 months
Costs: starting from 5.000 EURO
Where and when
Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandard)
Headquarter: 123022 Moscow, Presnenskaya naberezhnaya, 10 building 2 (QI district)
Tel.: +7 495 5475151, e-mail:
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