National, Regional and International Framework

The National Metrology Institute (NMI) has to ensure that its calibration and measurement capabilities (CMC’s) are taken up in the Key Comparison Database (KCDB) managed by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM).

The National Standards Body (NSB) needs to be actively involved in international and regional technical committees relevant to the country.

The National Accreditation Body (NAB) has to gain international recognition through the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) multilateral recognition arrangements (MRA).

The role of the regional structures within metrology and accreditation is especially pronounced. The NMIs and NABs – the technical backbone of competence evaluation and traceability of laboratories and certification bodies – depend to a very large extent on formalized cooperation and recognition arrangements at the regional level. The regional organizations on the other hand, are linked to the international organizations via a system of membership culminating in recognition if certain conditions are fulfilled.