Applying for recognition of test centres for flow measuring equipment and throttle devices

Flow measuring equipment at sewage treatment plants and wastewater transfer stations as well as throttle devices at stormwater overflows and rainwater overflow basins require regular maintenance and control.

In Hesse, regular inspections by state or recognized testing bodies are mandatory.

These inspection bodies have the task of carrying out those checks and tests which require special qualifications, knowledge and experience in the field of hydraulics and hydrometry. In addition, these test centres must be able to use hydrometric equipment that goes far beyond the usual equipment of an engineering firm or an operator.

The recognition of a testing body must be applied for.

Equivalent recognitions of other federal states and other member states of the European Union or a contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area are recognized in Hesse. The determination of equivalence is carried out by the recognition authority in coordination with one of the state inspection bodies on request.

The competent authority for recognition is the Hessian State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG)

• Application form with the following documents:
  • technical opinion of the State Testing Agency
  • Undertakings
  • Proof of the existence of the necessary liability insurance

In order to check the equivalence of recognitions of other federal states or member states of the EU, the following must be attached to the application:

• Approvals and qualified submissions from the specialist authorities of other countries or other institutions that allow an examination of equivalence with regard to compliance with the relevant test criteria.

An application form is contained in the HLNUG "Information sheet on the recognition procedure - Test centres for flow measuring equipment and throttle devices" (D 2.10) of the HLNUG

Inspection bodies shall be recognised if:

• a technically suitable and experienced person is entrusted with the management of the inspection body and is responsible for carrying out the tests,
• they have sufficiently qualified and reliable staff,
• they are equipped in such a way as to permit a comprehensive inspection of the flow measuring equipment and throttle devices,
• they provide proof of the existence of liability insurance for the activity as a testing centre for flow measuring equipment and throttle devices with a minimum coverage of EUR 1,000,000.00 issued by a bank or insurance company from a Member State of the European Union, a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

State testing bodies and recognised testing bodies must train the employees of the testing centre commissioned to carry out the tests for the respective activities on the basis of an internal concept and maintain a quality manual. They must attend the training courses organised for the testing centres.

Inspection bodies may not inspect the installations they design, set up or operate themselves.

Hint:

Recognition should be limited in time and may be limited to certain examinations and tests. It may contain ancillary provisions. Recognition may be withdrawn or revoked under certain conditions.

In order to assess your application, a technical opinion by a state inspection body is required in advance . The expert opinion should not be older than 2 years at the time of application. The technical opinion shall be attached to the application for recognition. Comprehensive information on this can be found in the "Leaflet on the recognition procedure - Test laboratories for flow measuring equipment and throttle organs" (D 1.10) of the HLUG.

HLUG will inform you about the completeness of the submitted documents within one month.

If all conditions are met, recognition will be granted. It is usually limited to 5 years and can be extended by 5 years on request.

The Hessian State Office for Environment and Geology (HLUG) publishes a list of recognised testing centres in Hesse on its website.

• The applicant shall receive notification from the certification authority within one month of the completeness of the documents submitted.
• If the recognition authority does not decide on a submitted complete application within a period of 6 months, recognition shall be deemed to have been granted.
• If all requirements are met, recognition is usually limited to 5 years. It can be extended by 5 years upon request.

• Recognition of a testing laboratory for flow measurements:
  680,00 Euro per application
• Redrafting, supplementing, extending and withdrawing the recognition or rejection of the application with examination costs: 480.00 Euro per application

• Changes to recognition requirements during the recognition period
  Changes to the essential conditions for recognition must be notified to the recognition authority immediately in writing. These include in particular:
  • the transfer of the inspection body to another owner
  • personnel changes with regard to the head of the inspection centre or its representation
  • Elimination or modification of essential equipment
  • Name changes.

The recognition authority shall check whether the conditions for recognition are still met. The result of this test shall then be communicated to the verifier.

• Withdrawal or revocation of recognition
  If serious quality deficiencies of the verifier are proven, recognition may be revoked or subsequently limited to certain tests if:
  • requirements are not met,
  • the inspection body does not comply with the conditions imposed in the notification of recognition,
  • the verifier deceives the authority;
  • the inspection body does not carry out the technical assessment of the installations properly