World Metrology Day 2009

Mesurements in Commerce

When we trade, we measure, and the international trading system relies on these measurements being “right” wherever they are made. But how do we know that these measurements are “right”? That is the job of metrologists – scientists who specialize in measurement techniques and who provide the international framework for accurate measurement that industry, legislators, regulators and the general public can rely upon.

Reliability and traceability

Reliable measurements should give substantially the same answer wherever they are made. This is achieved by ensuring traceability to the International System of Units referred to as the SI, covering the base units (metre, kilogram, second, kelvin, candela, ampere, mole) and the derived units. National realizations of these Units are maintained and calibration services are provided by National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and their regional metrology organisations, such as EURAMET.  These work together with other organisations such as standardisation, accreditation and legal metrological bodies in providing the technological infrastructure in support of trade and other areas of conformity assessment.

Uncertainty

No measurement is absolutely perfect, and a second important job of the metrologist is in the estimation of measurement uncertainty. This quality factor is an essential measure of the reliability of a measurement result which in turn determines the reliability of any decision based on measurement, for instance, to ensure fair trade.

Global system

World Metrology Day 2009 celebrates the success of the first decade of a global scheme - the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) - which demonstrates the equivalence of the SI realizations in all participating countries.

The MRA is an unsung huge success. Operating quietly behind the scenes with few that are aware of its importance and the confidence it provides.

• Major regulators like the US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and companies like Boeing now rely on aviation industry measurements traceable to the SI through NMIs which are signatories to the CIPM MRA, wherever they are made.
• Internationally operating companies can save millions of dollars by using the calibration services of the nearest CIPM MRA national metrology signatories.

World Metrology Day 2009 acknowledges the contributions of thousands of metrologists throughout the world to the CIPM MRA and encourages its use through awareness and a series of promotional events world-wide.