Metrology
Metrology is concerned with the accurate measurement of energy. In the context of managing gas and electricity meters it refers to the systems that ensure the meters conform to legal requirements.
Industry codes of practice govern the safety and technical issues associated with the installation and management of metering assets. The codes are the rules with which gas and electricity companies must comply. We participate in and lead a range of industry groups that oversee these arrangements.
The Energy Bill (2008) transferred certain legal gas and electricity metering responsibilities from us to the National Measurement Office (NMO).
As of 30 October 2006, all new designs of gas and active electrical energy meters must conform to the requirements of the Measuring Instrument Directive (MID) in order to be used across the EU (including the UK) for trade purposes (such as billing). The MID replaces the former requirements under the Electricity Act 1989 and the Gas Act 1986.
Asset management
Meters are owned, installed, operated and managed by a range of different organisations (including gas and electricity suppliers and meter asset managers and installers).
Gas meter installers must be registered with the Ofgem approved meters installers code of practice in order to carry out meter installations.
(Electricity meter installers sign up to a voluntary agreement that covers safety, technical and interface issues).