Newsletter - June 2007
Modern landscape for Metrology in South Africa
A new profile for metrology in South Africa has been established in the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) through the Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Act (Act No 18 of 2006). The Act effectively transferred all responsibilities for the maintenance, traceability and dissemination of national measurement standards from the CSIR National Metrology Laboratory (CSIR NML) to NMISA on 01 May 2007.
The process started a few years ago with the dti positioning paper on "Modernising the South African Technical Infrastructure", recommending that the national metrology institute needs to reflect its importance as the foundation for the entire South African measurement system.
The dti subsequently repositioned the NMISA to fulfill a mandate of a national centre of excellence in accurate measurement, one which offers a wide range of technical expertise on measurement-related matters to Government, industry and the wider economic community. It contributes significantly to skills development in measurement science with increased research and development into accurate measurement in support of a national goal of industrial competitiveness.
The NMISA will continue to focus on activities of national and regional interest in the area of measurement. It continues to be a direct link to the Metre Convention for SADC and plays a leading role in the SADC Cooperation in Measurement Traceability (SADCMET).
The new landscape for metrology is spearheaded by Act No 18 of 2006. It provides for the use of measurement units of the International System of Units (SI) and certain other measurement units; the designation of national measurement units and standards; keeping and maintenance of national measurement standards and units; the establishment and functions of the National Metrology Institute; the repeal of certain laws; and matters connected therewith. Furthermore, Act No. 76 of 1973; Act No. 46 of 1988 (Section 4(3)); and Act No. 24 of 1998 have been repealed and replaced by Act 18 of 2006.
Of importance, the Act recognises:
- the need for an internationally recognised national metrology system as the foundation for the South African Measurement System;
- the need to strengthen the metrology system as a key component of the technical infrastructure that is aligned with international best practice;
- the importance of ensuring that South Africa maintains national measurement standards and demonstrates its comparability to international standards and measurements;
- the need for support of our enterprises competing in a fast-paced global economy and for public policy objectives with regard to compliance issues in terms of health, safety and the environment;
- and that government is committed to providing a supportive legal environment for a national metrology system.
Keeping pace with the need for traceability in Metrology in Chemistry, the Act includes responsibility for certifying reference materials and arranging for comparisons of the related procedures and primary methods with the corresponding other international procedures and primary methods.
On the international arena, the NMISA will continue to ensure compliance with and validation in terms of the stipulations of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement and effect the inclusion of the Republic's calibration and measurement capabilities in this arrangement.
All the CSIR NML staff and assets were transferred to NMISA. The contact telephone and fax numbers remains the same as previously. The email address changed from a username on the csir.co.za domain to the same username on the nmisa.org domain (with only two exceptions). The general contact details are available on our contact page.