No L 336/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 4.12.76 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE - of 4 November 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electrical energy meters (76/891/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas, in the Member States, both the construction of and the methods of testing electrical energy meters are the subject of strict regulations which differ from one Member State to another and consequently hinder trade in these meters; whereas it is, therefore, necessary to approximate these regulations; Whereas Council Directive 71/316/EEC of 26 July 1971 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to common provisions for both measuring instruments and methods of metrological control (3), as last amended by Directive 72/427/EEC (%), laid down the procedures for EEC type approval and EEC initial verification; whereas, in accordance with that Directive, it is necessary to specify the technical requirements for the design and functioning of electrical energy meters, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 This Directive shall apply to new direct connected induction meters, with single or multiple tariffs, designed to measure active energy single-phase or polyphase current at 50 Hz frequency. Article 2 The electrical energy meters which may be given EEC marks and signs are described in the Annex to this Directive. (*) OJ No C 23, 8. 3. 1974, p. 51. (%) O] No C 101, 23. 11. 1973, p. 6. (% OJ No L 202,6.9.1971, p. 1. (% OJ No L 291, 28. 12. 1972, p. 156. They shall be the subject of EEC type approval and shall be submitted for EEC initial verification, Article 3 Member States may not prevent, prohibit or restrict the placing on the market or entry into service of electrical energy meters if such meters bear the EEC type-approval sign and the EEC initial verification mark. Member States which use maximum permissible errors smaller than those set out in the Directive for initial verification may continue to wuse such maximum permissible errors during a period of five and a half years from the notification of this Directive. ) In the light of experience gained in this period of derogation and of the results obtained in international bodies, the appropriate measures shall be taken before the end of this five and a half year period, according to the procedure set out in Article 19 of Directive 71/316/EEC. Article 4 1. Member States shall put into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions needed in order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of its notification and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall ensure that the text of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive is communicated to the Commission, Article 5 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 4 November 1976. For the Council The President Th. E. WESTERTERP