International and metre convention affairs
NMISA coordinates and manages international interactions at a global, regional and bilateral level, ie with other national metrology institutes (NMIS).
International metrology focuses on:
- interaction of NMISA with the organs of the metre convention,
- participation of NMISA in the global Mutual Recognition Arrangement between NMI's,
- cooperation with and contract work for international organisations such as UNIDO, IAEA, EU and others,
- NMISA activities concerned with the Associate Memberships in Regional Metrology Organisations outside Africa,
- bilateral cooperation agreements and joint projects with national metrology institutes outside Africa,
- implementation of the international strategy of the NMISA.
The convention of the metre
Representatives of seventeen nations signed this diplomatic treaty in 1875 to lay the foundation for worldwide uniformity of measurements. Today there are more than fifty signatories to the treaty and the International System of Units (SI System) is in use practically throughout the world.
Following a cabinet decision dated 8 October 1963, South Africa became the 40th signatory to the Convention in 1964.
Metrology and trade
Amongst current international trends, which have brought about increased global cooperation in metrology, are:
- the globalisation of world trade as facilitated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO);
- the move towards international co-manufacture of goods;
- the greater technical complexity of most products and services;
- the increased concern for health, safety and environmental matters.
Metrology issues are incorporated as an essential part of "conformity assessment" in the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. Likewise, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements often call for the mutual recognition of measurements and tests between participating countries. All of these rest upon the assumption of equivalence of national measurement standards and on the reliability of the link between national measurement standards and the relevant calibration and testing services in each country.
In response to these needs, NMI's, have signed the Global Arrangement on the "Mutual Recognition of National Measurement Standards and of Calibration and Measurement Certificates issued by National Metrology Institutes" in October 1999. This Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) was drawn up by the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM) under the authority given to it in the Metre Convention.
In a further important step towards the universal acceptance of measurement and test results, the members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) signed an International Arrangement to Enhance Trade in November 2000. It came into force on 31 January 2001. The original signatories involved 37 member bodies from 28 economies and included the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).
International metrology organisations
Under the Convention of the Metre signed in 1875, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) is tasked with ensuring worldwide uniformity of measurements and their traceability to the International System of Units (SI). The BIPM also carries out measurement-related research and takes part in, and organises, international comparisons of national measurement standards. It also carries out calibrations for member states.
The International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML), established by an International Convention in 1955, is concerned with the legislative, administrative and technical procedures established by, or by reference to public authorities, and implemented on their behalf in order to specify and to ensure, in a regulatory or contractual manner, the appropriate quality and credibility of measurements related to official controls, trade, health, safety and the environment.
The International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO) is a federation of scientific and technical societies concerned with measurement science and technology. It promotes the international exchange of scientific and technical information relating to developments in measuring techniques, instrument design and manufacture and in the application of instrumentation in scientific research and in industry.
NCSL International (NCSLI) is a non-profit organisation, whose membership is open to any organisation with an interest in the science of measurement and its application in research, development, education, or commerce. It was formed in 1961 (as NCSL) to promote cooperative efforts for solving the common problems faced by measurement laboratories. Today, NCSL International has over 1 500 member organisations from academic, scientific, industrial, commercial and government facilities around the world. This wide representation of experience provides members a rich opportunity to exchange ideas, techniques and innovations with others engaged in measurement science.