Metrology

Metrology is the science of measurement and it is a vital part of everyday life. For example, food is bought by weight, water and electricity are metered, and instruments analyzing blood samples must be precise. It is easy to understand that faulty measurements by medical devices, or in the maintenance of critical components such as for vehicle brakes or aircraft engines, can be highly dangerous. Accurate measurements and measuring equipment are needed for the protection of health, safety, the environment and consumers. They are vital too in contracts between individual business partners and in world trade in general.

Balances and other instruments in laboratories need to be calibrated so that they can provide reliable measurements. Firms cannot satisfactorily implement process controls to manufacture a product to standardized characteristics if control instruments such those measuring pressure and temperature are not properly calibrated.

Confidence in national measurement is assured by a national metrology institute (NMI) when it becomes signatory to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement of the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM MRA). The CIPM MRA provides the institutional and technical framework for NMIs to recognize each other’s measurement standards and calibration certificates, thus supporting world trade.