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Guidance

MCERTS: performance standards and test procedures for water flowmeters

Performance standards and test procedures for open channel instruments and closed conduit instruments.

Updates to this page

From:
Environment Agency
Published:
7 April 2014
Last updated:
24 August 2026
Show all updates

  1. The MCERTS flowmeter scheme has been substantially revised. It now adopts BS EN 17694:2023 – Minimum performance requirements and test procedures for water flow monitoring equipment, with devices for the determination of flow as its technical foundation. The scheme was split into 2 parts: Part 1 for open channel instrumentation and Part 2 for closed conduit instrumentation. This reflects the structure of the new European standard and replaces the previous single flowmeter standard. The revised scheme references the performance and test requirements contained within BS EN 17694, with additional MCERTS-specific requirements retained including multiple MCERTS performance classes. Changes include the introduction of a certification classes for open-channel velocity sensors and the removal of MCERTS Class 4.

  2. Updated to improve clarity. Section on the combined performance characteristic and loop powered instruments added.

  3. Updated to improve clarity, facilitate new technologies and instantaneous flow measurement.

  4. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

MCERTS for water flowmeters Part 1: performance standards and test procedures for open channel instruments

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MCERTS for water flowmeters Part 2: performance standards and test procedures for closed conduit instruments

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Details

The Environment Agency set up the Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERTS) to provide guidance on the standards you must meet to monitor emissions that affect the environment. 

This guidance is for:

  • manufacturers of water flowmeters for use on closed conduits, partially filled pipes, open channels and closed conduits operating under open-channel flow conditions who need to know what standards to meet to be able to use their equipment for regulatory purposes in England and Wales
  • test organisations who carry out testing of the equipment on behalf of manufacturers to see if it meets the required standard

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