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Dear Colleagues, As 2018 draws to a close it is time to reflect on another busy and productive year and to acknowledge a little of what we have achieved over the last 11 months which includes:
Another big highlight of the year from my perspective was Trading Standard’s hosting of the 25th Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF) and Working Group meetings in Christchurch. The forum was attended by 52 delegates representing 17 economies from around the region. Wearing two hats as the President and Host for this milestone meeting was a privilege as we recognised our achievements over this period. If you were not able to attend the meeting I encourage you to view the 25 year history video presentation on our website. 25th APLMF Meetings Attendees Thank you to all those economies that were represented at this year’s meetings along with our guests from PTB, BIML, APMP and APLAC, and speakers from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). We recognise New Zealand, while a very attractive destination, is a long haul for most of our members so we were delighted with such a good turnout. Hosting was an opportunity to share a little of our unique New Zealand culture and environment and I hope you found your time in New Zealand enjoyable. Feedback at the meeting indicated a high level of engagement in the current and future activities of APLMF which is very gratifying and bodes well for the organisation as it heads into its next 25 years. It was great to have the event opened with a video welcome by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi and to hear an address by Jim Robinson, Manager Trade and International, MBIE. Another highlight was having John Birch address the meeting as our founding President and constant guiding presence over the last 25 years and into the future. Some of the key outcomes of the 25th APLMF meetings included the identification of actions to support regional utilisation of the new OIML Certificate System through formation of an APLMF Working Group aimed at supporting member economies to better understand and get the most benefits out of this system. Agreement was also reached to initiate development work on how a pilot Conformity to Type programme (based on OIML D xx Conformity to Type (CTT)) – Pre-market conformity assessment of measuring instruments could work within the region. A work programme of training and development activities including creation of a library of online training modules was also confirmed. I look forward to progressing these and the many other exciting initiatives identified in the APLMF work programme in the coming year. All of the reports and presentations of the 25th APLMF meetings are available on the website and documents discussed at the member only session including the resolutions passed at the meeting are available on the member only page. We are working on a highlights video which we will endeavour to have available at the end of January, followed by the draft Report/Minutes at the end of March 2019. 25th APLMF events included a visit to the Antarctic Centre and Canterbury University School of Engineering Summary of Upcoming Deadlines Survey Test Procedures for Goods Packed by Measure – the deadline has been extended to 31st January 2019. Executive Committee Vacancy – a call for nominations will be sent to members in the coming week and nominations will close on 31st January 2019. Quality Measurement of Agricultural Products (QMAP) WG 23-24 October – Nonthaburi, Thailand A special two day planning meeting was held as the second part of a programme to transfer knowledge, from the outgoing Chair Dr Tsuyoshi Matsumoto, National Metrology Institute of Japan, to the members of the new QMAP WG. The main purpose was to ensure the QMAP members were confident they could deliver the Rice Moisture Training course planned for Thailand on the 3-7 December 2018. The following members of the QMAP WG attended this training: Chair Mr Surachai Sungzikaw (CBWM, DIT, Thailand) and Deputy Chair Ms Haslina Bbte Abdul Kadir (NMIM (National Metrology Institute of Malaysia), Mr Thares Yodalai and Mrs Benjamas Winya (both of CBWM, DIT Thailand). Mr Norihiro Yoshida of Kett Electric Laboratory Co. Ltd, Japan was also involved. Thank you to PTB, MEDEA 2 project for support and funding, along with the host Central Bureau of Weights and Measures (CBWM) DIT, Thailand. The development of trainers from developing economies is a milestone in the work of APLMF and PTB through the MEDEA programme with significant input from the outgoing Chair Dr Matsumoto and APLMF Training Coordinator, Mrs Marian Haire. Introduction of OIML Training Center (OTC) Forward The first draft of “Framework of OTC” was developed by China. The document has been discussed during Countries and Economies with Emerging Metrology Systems (CEEMS) annual AG meeting in the margins of the 53rd CIML meeting at 8th October 2018 in Hamburg, Germany. Although the general text was agreed, however, members of AG would like to have more definition and more describe of the distinguished category of OTC. So, AG has established an ad-hoc working group with co-convenorship by Dr. Peter Ulbig, PTB Germany and SAMR, China. This document shall be finalized and get prepared for approval in next AG meeting, and it will be in October 2019. In this article, it only shows a general idea of the document, the formal one will be available once it was approved. 1. Introduction The first OIML training center, the OIML Pilot Training Center (OPTC), was established on July 18, 2016 at the Changping Campus of the National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China in Beijing, China. So far, it has carried out many training and seminars with the urgently needed topics of CEEMS. It has actively promoted OIML related concepts and documents, it has provided a platform for exchanges of different ideas and became the “home” for the legal metrology personnel to learn and improve. As a “Pilot” for the OIML Training Center, it has accumulated valuable experience for further development and promotion of its work. In light of previous experience from OPTC events and consider the continually increased needs from different region of the world, to promoting such activities, OIML CEEMS AG would like to develop a framework of OIML Training Center (OTC) in order to establish more OTC in each region. 2. Objective The objectives of the OTC are:
3. Scope The working scope of OTC includes:
4. Establishment of OTC Conditions for establish an OTC:
Note: The applicant must provide relevant supporting materials. 5. Managing documents The managing documents of the OTC are:
6. Structure OIML OTC structure includes: Member states and corresponding members, AG, OIML experts, RLMOs, OPTC and OTCs.  The Figure 1 above shows the structure and relationship of each party of OTC in the OIML.
Hosting future APLMF Meetings We are very pleased to confirm Vietnam will host the 26th APLMF and Working Group Meetings in 2019 and we expect to be able to confirm dates (planned for early November) and the venue in the New Year. Hosting a meeting provides a wonderful opportunity for your organisation to either showcase significant activities in Legal Metrology or to expose a greater number of staff to what other economies are working on or have achieved. It is very important for APLMF to be able to have confirmed hosts for at least a year or two in advance to allow economies plenty of time to plan and budget to attend. We would ask you to consider hosting a future meeting, particularly if you haven’t hosted a meeting, or have haven’t hosted more than 2 meetings. Below is the list of meetings hosted over the last 25 years.
In closing for 2018 On behalf of the APLMF Secretariat team I wish you, your colleagues and families all the very best for the holiday season and good health and fortune in 2019. In New Zealand, we typically take our summer holidays during January/February to take advantage of our long sunny days, beautiful beaches and lakes. Many of us enjoy camping and getting out into the great outdoors. In the September edition of the Presidents Newsletter we cover the following topics:
Click here to read the newsletter in full.
Click here to read the newsletter in full. During the recent MEDEA 2 Planning Workshop held on 4th to 5th July 2018 in Hong Kong, participants from APLMF (Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum) and APMP (Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme) decided on the following topics for the Working Groups of the first CABUREK (Capacity Building in Technical and Scientific Organizations Using Regional Experiences and Knowledge) program cycle in Asia (2018-2020):
1) Awareness Raising for Metrology 2) Needs Analysis for Calibration and Verification Services 3) Market Surveillance Read more Information about the CARBUREK programme and download the Commitment Letter/Nomination form In the July edition of the Presidents Newsletter we cover the following topics:
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Click here to read the newsletter in full. By Mr GUO Su (OIML) The OIML Pilot Training Center (OPTC) founded by China, officially opened in June 2016, after OIML issued certificate and is a pillar organization under OIML Advisory Group.[1] Part of OIML Resolution no. 2015/10 (Agenda item 6.3) Instructs the Bureau to further develop the OIML website such that it may be used as a source of up-to-date information on capacity-building initiatives, including training materials and, if feasible, a database of experts available to contribute to such work, Endorses the proposal of the advisory group, set up by Resolution no. 2013/9, to establish a “pilot training center” and encourages the authorities in P.R. China to give their full support to this initiative, Urges other Member States to study the results of this first pilot and to consider, in the light of an evaluation of the pilot, whether they are able to initiate something similar, Urges Member States to be ready to propose conveners for projects to produce other documents proposed during the two seminars organized in 2015, Importance of establishing OPTC Currently, there are 62 member states and 64 corresponding members in international legal measurement organizations. “Countries and Economies with Emerging Metrology System” (CEEMS) members account for about 75% of the 126 members. The fact that the OIML chose to set up its first OPTC in China, the world’s largest developing country, is not only an acknowledgement of China’s considerable work in the field of metrology, but also the opportunity for China to engage in a historic mission. The OIML is very grateful for the opportunity to draw on China’s management and technical experience, which can be actively applied to studying, developing and trialling innovative support policies, most particularly a new OIML training system and associated mechanisms. This will improve and enrich the development of training courses and their contents. The experience of China will also be of great assistance in establishing the OIML expert database, building a comprehensive management service system and enhancing the overall performance of the OIML’s activities in support of the CEEMS community. It will have an excellent chance here to build an internationally recognized role model. OPTC will be a solid foundation for strengthening the capacity building of CEEMS in the future and increasing the participation of CEEMS in OIML work. Role of OPTC Mechanism: OPTC will open a platform for exchange of management and technical experience, and will coordinate with OIML to develop a series of innovative support policies, most particularly for a new OIML training system and associated mechanisms. Service: OPTC will improve and enrich the development of training courses and their contents, and assistant OIML in establishing the OIML expert database, building a comprehensive management service system and enhancing the overall performance of the OIML’s activities in support of the Countries and Economies with Emerging Metrology System (CEEMS) community. Pilot: With support of OIML, OPTC will look for ways in which a full range of consulting and training services can be sourced to promote the construction and development of metrology systems in all OIML Member States and Corresponding Members. Activities of OIML Pilot Training Center Training Course: Usually it will be short Period which less than 7 days, the topic will focus on common Interest (e.g. Weighing Instruments / Pre-packaged goods / Fuel Dispensers, etc.), such needs will be raised by member states and/or corresponding member of OIML. Consulting on Capacity Building: OPTC will invite experts from OIML Experts Database to give consulting to member states and/or corresponding member of OIML on Metrology Management System, Management of Measuring Instruments, Market Surveillance, Law /Regulation, MAA, Lab Requirements, Personnel development. Test Procedure / Video Clip: OPTC will collected training materials based on previous training course, and interpret of OIML Recommendation and documents. Coordinate with expert and/or RLMO to publish hard copy and/or Video Clip of Test Procedure. Attachment Training: Usually it will be long term (3 month). OPTC will select limited person per year, with support of NIM China, provincial metrology institute and national enterprise, OPTC will support living expenses in China. Advisory Group (AG) Part of OIML Resolution no. 2013/9 [Agenda item 7] Welcomes the proposal from its Member from China to reinstate a leadership mechanism to provide guidance to the OIML on its activities in this area; Decides to set up an advisory group for the time being, to carry out wide consultation, to seek additional suggestions and to build up links with other bodies which have a contribution to make; Invites Members who wish to participate in the proposed advisory group to contact the BIML in order to express their interest in being involved; Requests that the Regional Legal Metrology Organizations (RLMOs) at their Round Table Meeting on 11 October 2013 consider how existing initiatives can be coordinated with the work of such an advisory group; Requests its Member from China to report to the 49th CIML Meeting on the activities of the advisory group and, if appropriate, to propose a permanent mechanism for coordinating activities in this area, taking account of previous experiences of attempting such coordination. Term of Reference of AG Please visit this webpage. AG structure  By Mr Bill Lozoides (Australia) and Dr Charles Ehrlich (USA)
Australia welcomed delegates to the inaugural committee meetings, with hot weather and a packed schedule. Prior to the official meeting of the Management Committee (MC), the Maintenance Group (MG) (which is responsible for making recommendations on documents and procedures in the OIML-CS to the MC) and the Review Committee (RC) (which is responsible for assessing OIML Issuing Authority, Test Laboratory and Expert applications) met to consider proposals and make recommendations to the MC regarding the following issues:
The MC itself was attended by 21 member countries, 17 were represented in person at the meeting and four countries had given proxies. This meant that the meeting was quorate for the purposes of voting in accordance with the voting rules specified in OIML B 18:2017. Key outcomes of the meeting included:
Further information regarding the meeting and its outcomes is available here. In the April edition of the Presidents Newsletter we cover the following topics:
Click here to read the newsletter in full.
Click here to read the newsletter in full. At the recent 24th APLMF Meeting I advised I would provide an overview and regular updates on the work of the SRBs. The Specialist Regional Bodies Forum (SRB)[1] was established in 2007, to bring together the SRB’s to work with the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) and other related fora. The goal of the SRB Forum is to facilitate the implementation and development of standards and conformance infrastructure in each APEC member economy and across the region. SRB SCSC meetings at APEC SOM 1 in Papua New Guinea in 25-27 February 2018. The focus of the meeting was to have the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) SCSC members and the five Specialist Regional Bodies (SRBs) as the expert regional bodies responsible for the development of the standards and conformance infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region to have a joint meeting. Stephen O’Brien as Convenor of the SRB Forum, on behalf of the Forum, invited all interested SCSC and economy representatives to attend an open session of the SRB Forum, as part of the SCSC 1 meeting, on Sunday 25 February 2018. The purpose of this interactive session was to learn more about the recent work of SRB Forum members and the future work programme of the Forum. The session focused on how the Forum’s work programme is aligned to APEC objectives and clarify how the SRB’s can support APEC to achieve its goals and priorities. The session included an opportunity for those attending to discuss current and future APEC projects or initiatives with the SRB representatives to identify potential areas where they can be enhanced through SRB member involvement. The response from the members was very positive with the APEC Secretariat encouraging member economies to consult SRBs to utilize their expertise in their respective works plan/programs for APEC funded projects. The interactive, open session was found to be informative and useful by those SCSC and SRBs representatives who attended. As a result, the SRBs plan to hold similar open sessions at future SOM 1 Meetings. The SRBs identified projects that their expertise would be of value and this was shared with the SCSC members. [1] APMP – Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme, APLMF – Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum, APLAC – Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, PAC – Pacific Accreditation Cooperation, and PASC – Pacific Area Standards Congress
The theme for World Metrology Day 2018 is Constant evolution of the International System of Units. This theme was chosen because in November 2018, the General Conference on Weights and Measures is expected to agree one of the largest changes to the International System of Units (the SI) since its inception. The proposed changes are based on the results of research into new measurement methods that have used quantum phenomena as the basis for standards that are fundamental. The SI will be based on a set of definitions each linked to the laws of physics and have the advantage of being able to embrace further improvements in measurement science and technology to meet the needs of future users for many years to come.
Indeed more widely metrology, the science of measurement, plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment. World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations. The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications. The original aim of the Metre Convention - the world-wide uniformity of measurement - remains as important today as it was in 1875. The World Metrology Day project is realized jointly by the BIPM and the OIML. For more information about World Metrology Day 2018 please visit the official website. The Verification of Weighbridges training course was held in Beijing, China and ran from 26 - 29 September 2017. China and New Zealand provided trainers for the course.
You can download and read the trainers report from the course here. |
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The Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum APLMF is a grouping of legal metrology authorities, whose objective is the development of legal metrology and the promotion of free and open trade in the region through the harmonisation and removal of technical or administrative barriers to trade in the field of legal metrology.
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