COMMISSION DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/1258 of 23 July 2019 amending, for the purpose of its adaptation to technical progress, the Annex to Council Directive 80/181/EEC as regards the definitions of SI base units (Text with EEA relevance)

(1)

Council Directive 80/181/EEC (2) defines the units of measurement to be used in the Union thus enabling to express measurements and indications of quantity in line with the International System of Units (SI), adopted by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) set up by the Metre Convention signed in Paris on 20 May 1875.

(2)

Directive 2009/34/EC sets out the general framework for the adoption of separate Directives concerning, amongst others, measuring instruments and their technical requirements, units of measurement and the harmonisation of methods of measurement and metrological control. Article 16 of that Directive envisages that the Commission may amend the annexes to the separate Directives referred to in its Article 1 for the purpose of adaptation to technical progress, including Chapter I of the Annex to Directive 80/181/EEC.

(3)

The CGPM decided, at its 24th meeting in 2011, on a new way of defining the SI based on a set of seven defining constants drawn from the fundamental constants of physics and other constants of nature. This decision was confirmed at the 25th meeting of the CGPM in 2014.

(4)

On the 26th meeting of the CGPM in 2018, new definitions of the SI base units were adopted. The new definitions are based on the new principle of fixed numerical values of the defining constants and will be effective as from 20 May 2019. The new definitions are expected to improve the long-term stability and reliability of the SI base units as well as the accuracy and clarity of measurements.

(5)

The new definitions adopted by the CGPM reflect the latest developments in measurement science and standards. In order to adapt the definitions of the SI base units set out in Directive 80/181/EEC to technical progress and thus contribute to the uniform implementation of the SI, it is necessary to align them with the new definitions.

(6)

Directive 80/181/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(7)

It is necessary to ensure that the new legislation applies as from the same date for all Member States, independently of the date of transposition, so that uniform implementation of Directive 80/181/EEC is in place.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Adjustment to Technical Progress of the Directives referred to in Article 16 of Directive 2009/34/EC,