Loggildingarstofa. Metrological Institution of Iceland. Governmental Agency for Accreditation, Legal metrology, Market surveillance, Metrology and Electrical Safety.

Löggildingarstofa
Löggildingarstofa is an independent Governmental Agency which was formed by the merger of The State Electrical Inspection and the Agency for Legal Metrology in 1996. Löggildingarstofa took over all tasks previously handled by these agencies, reorganized their activities and established new departments to address consumer and international trade-related issues.

Objectives and Role
The main objectives of Löggildingarstofa are to; I. Provide companies and institutions with expert accreditation and metrological services and II. Ensure compliance with requirements for the safety and interests of Icelandic consumers.
Löggildingarstofa has two roles. Firstly it provides companies and institutions with accreditation and metrological services in accordance with joint rules applying throughout the European Economic Area. Secondly, Löggildingarstofa is responsible for market surveillance of consumer goods and electrical safety.

International cooperation
Löggildingarstofa represents Iceland in international cooperation in the fields for which it is responsible, and plays a key role in the harmonization of requirements between member states of the European Economic Area.

Departments of activity
Accreditation Division: Performs accreditation of inspection, testing and certification bodies to the EN 45000 series of standards, which entails international recognition of their activities. The Division also handles communications and training concerning accreditation issues and B-accreditation of workshops for re-inspection of motor vehicles, testing and installation of tachopraphs. Accreditation involves the formal recognition of competence to perform specific tasks, e.g. motor vehicle inspections, testing of the bacteriological content of water or certification of quality systems.

Electrical Safety Department: Oversees electrical safety issues in Iceland, market surveillance of electrical equipment and inspection of electrical installations, covering all aspects including generation, distribution and housing installations as well as the internal safety control systems of electrical utilities and electrical contractors. Furthermore, the department issues authorization to electrical contractors, handles recording and investigation of accidents and damage caused by electricity. The role of the Electrical Safety Department is to monitor protection against potential risk and damage from electricity in general, including electrical power stations, electricity utilities, housing installations and electrical equipment, and disruptions caused by them.

Market Surveillance Department: Conducts market surveillance of toys, personal protective equipment for personal use and other product categories not monitored by other government authorities. The department also handles harmonization of the functions of surveillance authorities in this field with the aim of ensuring efficient and effective market control. The role of the Market Surveillance Department is to monitor that goods fulfill harmonized health, environmental and safety requirements, and do not cause risks or damage to health or the environment.

Metrological Department: Stores the Icelandic national measurement standards (including the Icelandic prototype kilogram) and calibrates measuring instruments. The department also authorizes operators of harbour scales and monitors that the measuring equipment used in trade and commerce has been verified.