Section 95: Electricity meters
530.Schedule 7 to the Electricity Act 1989 (c.29) describes, amongst other things, how electricity meters must be examined and certified. The Schedule further sets out requirements in relation to electricity meter examiners. The Schedule allows the Authority to make regulations which relate to, for example:
the requirements new meter designs must meet to be approved, which include the performance and routes to demonstrating conformity;
the requirements on manufacturers or repairers when submitting meters for certification which include meter performance, testing equipment and reporting; and
audit arrangements for manufacturers and repairers when seeking authorisation to self certify meters.
531.Subsection (1) transfers to the Secretary of State the Authority’s functions under Schedule 7 (other than paragraph 12) to the Electricity Act 1989 (c.29) and certain regulations relating to electricity meters made under that Schedule or under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (“electricity meter regulations”, as defined in subsection (5)). Subsection (2) ensures that references to the Authority in Schedule 7 to the Electricity Act will be read as references to the Secretary of State. The omission of paragraph 12 to Schedule 7 from the transfer means that the Authority will continue to have responsibility for policy decisions about how and when pre-payment meters should be used.
532.Subsections (3) and (4) will ensure that existing regulations made at any time under Schedule 7 to the Electricity Act, and other regulatory actions of the Authority in relation to meters, have effect as if made or done by the Secretary of State.
