DPR Korea
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Economy Detail
1. Laws of Metrology
The principal law concerning legal metrology is the Law on Metrology of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (3 February 1993), which stipulates the legal units of measurement and the principles and requirements for metrological activities.
1.1 Legal requirements for traceability
The law on metrology requires that the measurement of a physical quantity for legal purpose be made by means of, reference to comparison with, or derivation from, specified standards of measurement including certified reference materials.
1.1 Legal requirements for traceability
The law on metrology requires that the measurement of a physical quantity for legal purpose be made by means of, reference to comparison with, or derivation from, specified standards of measurement including certified reference materials.
2. Legal Units of Measurement
The legal units of measurement within the DPR of Korea are stipulated in the law on metrology and are those of the International System of Units (SI): other units are specified in national standards.
The SI units have been applied as legal units of measurements in all fields from 14 April 1975 in accordance with National Standard 4077-75, which was replaced in 1991 by National Standards 4077-91 “Units of Measurement.”
The SI units have been applied as legal units of measurements in all fields from 14 April 1975 in accordance with National Standard 4077-75, which was replaced in 1991 by National Standards 4077-91 “Units of Measurement.”
3. Structure of Metrological Control Authorities
3.1 National organization for legal metrology
Department of Metrology
State Administration for Quality Management (SAQM)
P.O. Box 140
Moranbong Gu Yok Pyongyang, DPR of Korea
Fax: +850-2-381-4480
The State Administration for Quality Management (SAQM) is responsible for advising the Republic Government on the scientific, technical and legislative requirements of the national measurement system of the country and is in charge of measurement system, legal metrology and metrological control in the DPR of Korea.
SAQM guides to the formulation for type approval and verification and the national standards related to the measurement in the way of confirming them to the OIML international recommendation.
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
The custodian of national standards of measurement is the Central Institute of Metrology (CIM) under SAQM.
Central Institute of Metrology
P.O. Box 140
Songsin-1 Dong, Sadong District, Pyongyang, DPR of Korea
Fax: +850-2-381-4400
The responsibilities of CIM are as follows:
- Custody of national standards to reproduce and maintain the legal units of measurement and research related to their development,
- Calibration of high precision reference standards maintained by local verification offices (provincial verification offices) and other bodies of the national economy,
- Studies related to regulation of metrology, verification methods and other technical requirements,
- Tests and approval of patterns of measuring instruments and,
- Supervision on the implementation of the law and regulation.
3.3 National organizations responsible for maintaining primary standards
The national primary standards are maintained by CIM.
3.4 Regional and local verification organizations
- Regional verification services
Every province has own verification services, responsible for the verification of measuring standards used by city and country verification offices and by large factories in the province and for technical administration in the field of legal metrology.
- Country verification offices
These are responsible for verification of measuring instruments belonging to legal metrology services in rural areas, in trade and in comparatively small factories.
3.5 Instrument calibration and evaluation systems
Measuring instruments subject to legal control must be submitted for calibration (or verification).
The CIM and the local verification offices are responsible for the calibration and evaluation of instruments.
The verification certificates issued on the basis of evaluation by CIM and by the local verification services constitute legally valid official documents.
Department of Metrology
State Administration for Quality Management (SAQM)
P.O. Box 140
Moranbong Gu Yok Pyongyang, DPR of Korea
Fax: +850-2-381-4480
The State Administration for Quality Management (SAQM) is responsible for advising the Republic Government on the scientific, technical and legislative requirements of the national measurement system of the country and is in charge of measurement system, legal metrology and metrological control in the DPR of Korea.
SAQM guides to the formulation for type approval and verification and the national standards related to the measurement in the way of confirming them to the OIML international recommendation.
3.2 Custodian of National Standards
The custodian of national standards of measurement is the Central Institute of Metrology (CIM) under SAQM.
Central Institute of Metrology
P.O. Box 140
Songsin-1 Dong, Sadong District, Pyongyang, DPR of Korea
Fax: +850-2-381-4400
The responsibilities of CIM are as follows:
- Custody of national standards to reproduce and maintain the legal units of measurement and research related to their development,
- Calibration of high precision reference standards maintained by local verification offices (provincial verification offices) and other bodies of the national economy,
- Studies related to regulation of metrology, verification methods and other technical requirements,
- Tests and approval of patterns of measuring instruments and,
- Supervision on the implementation of the law and regulation.
3.3 National organizations responsible for maintaining primary standards
The national primary standards are maintained by CIM.
3.4 Regional and local verification organizations
- Regional verification services
Every province has own verification services, responsible for the verification of measuring standards used by city and country verification offices and by large factories in the province and for technical administration in the field of legal metrology.
- Country verification offices
These are responsible for verification of measuring instruments belonging to legal metrology services in rural areas, in trade and in comparatively small factories.
3.5 Instrument calibration and evaluation systems
Measuring instruments subject to legal control must be submitted for calibration (or verification).
The CIM and the local verification offices are responsible for the calibration and evaluation of instruments.
The verification certificates issued on the basis of evaluation by CIM and by the local verification services constitute legally valid official documents.
4. Range of Equipment Subject to Legal Metrology
- Standards and reference instruments reproducing the legal units of measurements,
- Measuring instruments used for trade.
- Measuring instruments used for scientific research, tests and analysis,
- Measuring instruments used in production processes and for control of product quality and
- Measuring instruments used in health care, human safety and environmental protection.
- Measuring instruments used for trade.
- Measuring instruments used for scientific research, tests and analysis,
- Measuring instruments used in production processes and for control of product quality and
- Measuring instruments used in health care, human safety and environmental protection.
5. Type Approval
5.1 Legal and technical requirements for type approval
The pattern approval for the measuring instruments is conducted to the greatest possible extent, with the OIML international recommendation.
Once the pattern of an instrument has been approved, SAQM issues a certificate of approval. The approved instrument marked with the certificate number, which show the indication of the pattern approved instrument, to metrological inspector.
5.2 Authority responsible for issuing type approval
SAQM
5.3 Recognition/acceptance of OIML certificates
That matter is currently under consideration.
5.4 Authority responsible for testing for type approval
CIM is the authority responsible for testing for type approval.
5.5 List of major test facilities available
Most testing facilities are operated by CIM.
5.6 Fee structure
The fees vary according to the time spent on the evaluation and the costs associated with the particular testing laboratory.
The pattern approval for the measuring instruments is conducted to the greatest possible extent, with the OIML international recommendation.
Once the pattern of an instrument has been approved, SAQM issues a certificate of approval. The approved instrument marked with the certificate number, which show the indication of the pattern approved instrument, to metrological inspector.
5.2 Authority responsible for issuing type approval
SAQM
5.3 Recognition/acceptance of OIML certificates
That matter is currently under consideration.
5.4 Authority responsible for testing for type approval
CIM is the authority responsible for testing for type approval.
5.5 List of major test facilities available
Most testing facilities are operated by CIM.
5.6 Fee structure
The fees vary according to the time spent on the evaluation and the costs associated with the particular testing laboratory.
6. Verification (Conformity Assessment), Inspection and Reverification
6.1 Legal and technical requirements for verification and reverification
A measuring instrument can only be used for trade after it has been verified by a trade measurement inspector or a licensed certifier and marked with an inspector’s mark or certifier’s mark. The requirements for verification are as follows:
(a) The instrument must operate within the appropriate limits of error provided in the corresponding guide for verification,
(b) The instrument must be of an approved pattern and
(c) The instrument must have the graduation in SI unit in accordance with the Law on Metrology.
6.2 Range of equipment verified and reverified and any statistical information available
The range of equipment tested include the following:
- Weighing instruments – all kinds of scale and balances
- Length and angle measuring instruments
- Electrical measuring instruments
- Volume meters
- Flowmeters – water, petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc.,
- Manometers
- Thermometers
6.3 Fee structure
Fees for verification and reverification vary with measuring instruments and are stipulated by the regulations.
A measuring instrument can only be used for trade after it has been verified by a trade measurement inspector or a licensed certifier and marked with an inspector’s mark or certifier’s mark. The requirements for verification are as follows:
(a) The instrument must operate within the appropriate limits of error provided in the corresponding guide for verification,
(b) The instrument must be of an approved pattern and
(c) The instrument must have the graduation in SI unit in accordance with the Law on Metrology.
6.2 Range of equipment verified and reverified and any statistical information available
The range of equipment tested include the following:
- Weighing instruments – all kinds of scale and balances
- Length and angle measuring instruments
- Electrical measuring instruments
- Volume meters
- Flowmeters – water, petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc.,
- Manometers
- Thermometers
6.3 Fee structure
Fees for verification and reverification vary with measuring instruments and are stipulated by the regulations.
7. Accrediation and Certification Systems
7.1 Accreditation systems for legal metrology, calibration and testing laboratories. Traceability to national, regional, international or foreign measurement standards
SAQM accredits for institutions provided with the calibration laboratories, reference instruments, calibration facilities and competent offices. The hierarchy of measurement units and standards in the DPR of Korea is shown in figure 1.
7.2 Legal and applied metrological activities in products certification
SAQM operates the system of issuing the certificates for products.
7.3 Legal and applied metrological activities in ISO 9000 quality management systems
The DPR of Korea has adopted in total the ISO 9000 series as its national standards for quality. The quality certification to ISO 9000 is provided by CIM and the corresponding certification bodies under the direction of SAQM.
SAQM accredits for institutions provided with the calibration laboratories, reference instruments, calibration facilities and competent offices. The hierarchy of measurement units and standards in the DPR of Korea is shown in figure 1.
7.2 Legal and applied metrological activities in products certification
SAQM operates the system of issuing the certificates for products.
7.3 Legal and applied metrological activities in ISO 9000 quality management systems
The DPR of Korea has adopted in total the ISO 9000 series as its national standards for quality. The quality certification to ISO 9000 is provided by CIM and the corresponding certification bodies under the direction of SAQM.
8. Legal Metrology Practitioners
8.1 Numbers
There are currently 300 metrological officers accredited to carry out verification or certification of measuring instruments or documentation on the legal metrology in CIM and approximately 450 licensed inspectors throughout the country.
8.2 Qualification/training
The verification officers are qualified after finishing the corresponding education courses.
8.3 Training organizations and courses organised
Most of the training courses are organized by CIM under the direction of SAQM. No officer can conduct official verification or inspection without completion of the appropriate technical training course.
8.4 Range of functions
The central institutions of metrology are responsible for the scientific research, verification and examination, the province services mainly for the verification.
There are currently 300 metrological officers accredited to carry out verification or certification of measuring instruments or documentation on the legal metrology in CIM and approximately 450 licensed inspectors throughout the country.
8.2 Qualification/training
The verification officers are qualified after finishing the corresponding education courses.
8.3 Training organizations and courses organised
Most of the training courses are organized by CIM under the direction of SAQM. No officer can conduct official verification or inspection without completion of the appropriate technical training course.
8.4 Range of functions
The central institutions of metrology are responsible for the scientific research, verification and examination, the province services mainly for the verification.
9. Packaging
9.1 Legislative control for packaging
There are provisions relating to legislative control for packaging.
9.2 Organization responsible
The state and local departments responsible for metrology.
There are provisions relating to legislative control for packaging.
9.2 Organization responsible
The state and local departments responsible for metrology.
10. Sanctions
Non-fulfillment of regulations as established in the Law on Metrology will be administratively sanctioned.
