Pattern approval requirements

During the pattern approval process, we examine the design of an instrument.

To comply, the instrument pattern must meet its related mandatory requirements.

These requirements are either:

• prefixed with ‘NMI R’ and based on an International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) recommendation of the same name and number
• prefixed with ‘NMI M’ and have been prepared by the National Measurement Institute (NMI)

For accessible versions of these documents, email patternapproval@measurement.gov.au.

Length, area and dimensional requirement documents

• NMI M 1 Pattern Approval Specifications for Length Measuring Instruments [249KB DOC] [148KB PDF]
• NMI M 3 Pattern Approval Specifications for Area Measuring Instruments [185KB DOC] [61KB PDF]
• NMI R 129 Multi-dimensional Measuring Instruments [669KB PDF]

Volume and flow requirement documents

Dynamic

• NMI M 2 Pattern Approval Specifications for Beverage Dispensers [243KB DOC] [82KB PDF]
• NMI R 81 Dynamic Measuring Devices and Systems for Cryogenic Liquids [1.8MB PDF]
• NMI R 105 Direct Mass Flow Measuring Systems for Quantities of Liquids [447KB PDF]
• NMI R 117 Measuring Systems for Liquids Other than Water (comments summarised on page) [656KB PDF]
• NMI R 117 Measuring Systems for Liquids Other than Water (view comments by hovering over marked text) [584KB PDF]
• NMI R 118 Testing Procedures and Test Report Format for Pattern Evaluation of Fuel Dispensers for Motor Vehicles [506KB PDF]
• NMI R 139 Compressed Gaseous Fuel Measuring Systems for Vehicles [358KB PDF]

Static

• NMI M 4 Pattern Approval Specifications for Milk Tanks [734KB DOC] [195KB PDF]
• NMI R 71 Pattern Approval Specifications for Fixed Storage Tanks for Trade Use [388KB PDF]
• NMI R 80-1 Road and Rail Tankers with Level Gauging, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements [718KB DOCX] [1.2MB PDF]
• NMI R 80-2 Road and rail tankers with level gauging, Part 2: Metrological controls and tests [223KB DOCX] [876KB PDF]
• NMI R 80-3 Road and rail tankers with level gauging, Part 3: Report Format for type evaluation [1.8MB DOCX] [1.2MB PDF]
• NMI R 85-1 & 2 Automatic Level Gauges for Measuring the Level of Liquid in Stationary Storage Tanks, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements and Part 2: Metrological Control and Tests [397KB PDF]
• NMI R 85-3 Automatic Level Gauges for Measuring the Level of Liquid in Stationary Storage Tanks, Part 3: Report Format for Type Evaluation [262KB PDF]
• NMI R 125 Measuring Systems for the Mass of Liquids in Tanks [226KB PDF]

Mass and weighing requirement documents

• NMI R 33 Conventional Value of the Result of Weighing in Air [119KB PDF]
• NMI R 50-1 Continuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Instruments (Belt Weighers), Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements [956.5KB PDF]
• NMI R 50-2 Continuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Instruments (Belt Weighers), Part 2: Test Procedures [868.3KB PDF]
• NMI R 50-3 Continuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Instruments (Belt Weighers), Part 3: Test Report Format [2.05MB PDF]
• NMI R 51 Automatic Catchweighing Instruments [595KB PDF]
• NMI R 60 Metrological Regulation for Load Cells (comments summarised on page) [782KB PDF]
• NMI R 60 Metrological Regulation for Load Cells (view comments by hovering over marked text) [1.1MB PDF]
• NMI R 76-1 (2015) Non-automatic Weighing Instruments, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements — Tests [1.7MB PDF] 
• NMI R 76-1 (2004) Non-automatic Weighing Instruments, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements — Tests (comments summarised on page) [528KB PDF]
• NMI R 76-1 (2004) Non-automatic Weighing Instruments, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements — Tests (view comments by hovering over marked text) [540KB PDF]
• NMI R 76-2 [2015] Non-automatic Weighing Instruments, Part 2: Test report format [648KB PDF]
• NMI R 76-2 [2004] Non-automatic Weighing Instruments, Part 2: Pattern Evaluation Report [306KB PDF]
• NMI R 106 Automatic Rail Weighbridges [659KB PDF]
• NMI R 107 Discontinuous Totalising Automatic Weighing Instruments (Totalising Hopper Weighers) [558KB PDF]

Utility meters (electricity, water and gas) requirement documents

• NMI M 6-1 Electricity Meters, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements [177.6KB DOCX] [603.6KB PDF]
• NMI M 6-2 Electricity Meters, Part 2: Test Report Format [2MB DOC] [222KB PDF]
• NMI M 10-1 Meters Intended for the Metering of Water in Full Flowing Pipes, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements [956KB DOC] [324KB PDF]
• NMI M 10-2 Meters Intended for the Metering of Water in Full Flowing Pipes, Part 2: Test Methods [2MB DOC] [688KB PDF]
• NMI M 10-3 Meters Intended for the Metering of Water in Full Flowing Pipes, Part 3: Test Report Format [2MB DOC] [340KB PDF]
• NMI M 11-1 Meters Intended for the Metering of Water in Open Channels and Partially Filled Pipes, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements [1MB DOC] [556KB PDF]
• NMI M 11-2 Meters Intended for the Metering of Water in Open Channels and Partially Filled Pipes, Part 2: Test Methods [2MB DOC] [657KB PDF]
• NMI M 11-3 Meters Intended for the Metering of Water in Open Channels and Partially Filled Pipes, Part 3: Test Report Format [2MB DOC] [602KB PDF]
• NMI R 49-1 Water Meters for Cold Potable Water and Hot Water, Part 1: Metrological and technical requirements [509KB PDF] [3MB DOC]
• NMI R 49-2 Water Meters for Cold Potable Water and Hot Water, Part 2: Test Methods [1.7MB PDF] [3.3MB DOC]
• NMI R 49-3 Water Meters for Cold Potable Water and Hot Water, Part 3: Test Report Format [1.1MB PDF] [2.6MB DOC]
• NMI R 137-1 & 2 Gas Meters, Part 1: Metrological and Technical Requirements and Part 2: Metrological Controls and Performance Tests [400KB DOC] [715KB PDF]

Quality (grain, cane sugar, wine grapes) requirement documents

• NMI M 8 Pattern Approval Specifications for Protein Measuring Instruments for Grain [111KB DOCX] [92KB PDF]
• NMI R 14 Self-indicating Polarimetric Saccharimeters Graduated in Accordance with the ICUMSA International Sugar Scale [2MB DOC] [325KB PDF]

Point of sale (POS) systems requirement documents

• NMI M 7 Pattern Approval Specifications for Point of Sale Systems [423KB DOC] [362KB PDF]
• Guidance Document for the Pattern Approval of Point of Sale Systems [135KB DOC] [282KB PDF]

Legal measuring instruments

• NMI M 5 Pattern Approval Specifications for Brake Force Measuring Instruments [214KB DOC] [148KB PDF]
• NMI R 126 Evidential Breath Analysers [896KB PDF] [1.4MB DOC]

Read more

• General Certificates detail requirements for instruments that are manufactured to a common standard
• The Pattern approval guidelines and procedures can help you with your pattern approval application

Contact us

• Email patternapproval@measurement.gov.au 
• Phone 1300 686 664