NMO: Considerations for a Law on metrology (Revision of OIML D 1:2004: Elements for a Law on metrology)
We offer full support to the document and welcome the profile and associated recognition for metrology (and its benefits) within the proposed articles for law. We recognise many of the examples used in the document and believe they fully illustrate the issues. This proposal fits very well with both the Government Chemist and NMI roles undertaken by LGC, and underpins international traceability and mutual acceptance of data, by providing a strong legal basis for traceable measurements to be made in support of metrology. By encompassing metrology more clearly within the legal framework, the basis for dealing with disputes relating to measurements is greatly strengthened, and should enable greater clarity regarding the requirements of such measurements.
In particular, we support the wide ranging view and examples for ‘measurement standard’, the option for National Metrology Institutes to consist of one or more laboratories to make use of existing competencies and capabilities, the idea of having some diversity of institutes’ financial models for supply of metrological activities and the recognition for units other than those currently designated as legal (e.g. SI) units in a climate that itself is moving from physical to chemical and biological metrology, where non-legal units are used by international convention.