In the December edition of the President's Newsletter we cover the following topics:
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• Summary of Deadlines
• 26th APLMF and Working Group Meetings 6-8 Nov 2019
• Hosts for 27th APLMF 2020 and beyond
• 2020 Membership Fees
• Welcome to new members - Brunei Darussalam and Kiribati
• Training Course on Pattern Approval of Water Meters - summary
• OIML Certificate System Update from Mr Paul Dixon, BIML
• MOU between APLMF and PTB
• 25th APLMF Report/Minutes
• Economy Directories

In the September edition of the Presidents Newsletter we cover the following topics:

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​

• Summary of Deadlines
• Training course on Calibration & Testing on Non-Invasive Sphygmomanometers
• 26th APLMF and Working Group Meetings Update
• Host for 2020
• 2018 Financial Report
• Reformation of the Legal Metrology System of Japan and Contribution by NMIJ
• Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative – Regional Workshop
• OIML Certification System Update
• APLMF/PTB MOU
• Economy Directories
• 2019 Membership Fees
• TRAINING: OIML Certification System Seminar - Hangzhou, PR China, 15-17 July 2019
• Working Groups - updates

​Click here to read the newsletter in full:

In the July edition of the Presidents Newsletter we cover the following topics:

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• Deadlines
  
• 26th APLMF and Working Group Meetings
  
• APLMF Executive Committee Appointment
  
• Training - Pattern Approval & Verification of Water Meters
  
• Memorandum of Understanding Between APLMF and PTB
  
• The Great Australian World Metrology Day Bake Off
  
• Canada
  
• Chinese Taipei - BSMI Hosted Forum on International Trend of Metrology
• Vietnam
  
• “Metrology beyond technology: a new approach to increase public awareness”
  
• Retirement of Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed
  
• OIML Certificate Systems (Bill Lozoides - Australia & Chuck Ehrlich - USA)
  
• Pilot Study on Automated Sphygmomanometers Accuracy Test Using Blood Pressure Simulation Technique (Mr Jin-Hai Yang - Chinese Taipei)
  
• 25th APLMF Draft Minutes
  
• 2018 Finance Report
  
• Directories
  
• 2019 Membership Fees

​Click here to read the newsletter in full. ​

In the March edition of the Presidents Newsletter we cover the following topics:

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​

• Deadlines
• New Member
• Executive Committee Appointment
• 2018 Financial Report
• 25th APLMF and Working Group Meetings
• Working Groups
• APEC Meeting - Chile February 2019 - Report by Stephen O'Brien
• World Metrology Day - 20 May 2019
• Upcoming Training Courses
• OIML Single Certificate System
• Report on Training Course on Traceability of Rice Moisture Measurement held in Chonburi, Thailand, 3-7 December 2018
• Test Procedures
• Directories
• Apology

Click here to read the newsletter in full. ​

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:

• Supporting the delivery of a number of very successful training courses and the development of the MEDEA 2 programme which will run over the next 3 years;
• Developing of a number of regional test procedures; Updating and re-energising our Working Groups as well as appointing new Chairs and group members;
• Updating the APLMF fee structure and fees;
• Appointing Dr Rifan Ardianto (Indonesia) to the Executive Committee; and Preparing to welcome Kiribati as a Full Member Economy represented by the Ministry of Commerce Industry Cooperative.

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:

• Enhance the understanding and adoption of OIML international recommendations, international documents, basic publications and other publications for CEEMS, improve its legal metrology system, and effectively improve the metrology management and technical practice ability of participants,
• Provide a good and high-level international exchange platform for legal metrology, promote the advanced experience between regions meanwhile enhance the international cooperation, thus to help AG to keep abreast of the needs of legal metrology in CEEMS, finally provide support for OIML to develop CEEMS related policy documents,
• Improve the level of Quality Infrastructure in CEEMS,
• Enhance international and inter-regional communication on metrology matters to actively remove technical trade barriers,
• Improve the awareness of legal metrology, and
• Promote the implementation of the OIML-CS.

3. Scope

The working scope of OTC includes:

• To conduct training, to promote the understanding and recognition of OIML recommendations, documents and other publications that can be used to address the urgent needs of CEEMS,
• To conduct seminars, to enhance the consistency of laws, regulations and documents on the construction of legal metrology systems among CEEMS members, thus to effectively remove technical barriers and promote interconnection,
• To promote the OIML-CS system and the concept of “one test, one certification, global recognition” in various activities,
• To submit summary report of trainings and other activities, such report and data will be the basis for research and analysis CEEMS issues;
• Update news, plans and training materials of OTC website, create a good and high-level international exchange platform for legal metrology in order to promote the advanced experience among CEEMS, and help OIML to catch needs and activity from CEEMS.
• To create standard training scheme to help participants understand the relevant international legal metrology publications and extension their international vision, as well as improve the knowledge structure system and enhance their practical operation capabilities.

4. Establishment of OTC

Conditions for establish an OTC:

• It should be hosted by an OIML member state or corresponding member,
• It should have access to recognized capabilities of legal metrology practices in the region,
• It should be capable of providing training and seminars directed at solving urgent problems faced by CEEMS, and delivering other activities to improve the legal metrology system of CEEMS.
• It should demonstrate that it can obtain support from the host government or other institutions, including:
  • i. Staff for the events
  • ii. Operational funding
  • iii. Events venue
  • iv. Accommodation for events
  • v. Necessary facilities, etc.

Note: The applicant must provide relevant supporting materials.

5. Managing documents

The managing documents of the OTC are:

• Framework
  • i. Framework for the OTC. Operational and procedural
  • ii. OTC standards and management document,
  • iii. OTC annual work plan,
  • iv. OTC expert database management document,
  • v. OTC budget document,
  • vi. OTC application form (including criteria, contact, etc.). c) Forms and templates
  • vii. Events management document (including details of preparation),
  • viii. Events application form,
  • ix. Registration form,
  • x. Experts information sheet,
  • xi. Events summary report.

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.

• AG was founded by CIML,
  
• AG membership (described in B19 item 2),
  
• The AG will authorize establish of new OTC, which was proposed from member states or corresponding members,
  
• OPTC and each OTC will report to AG.

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.

• Australia – 1994, 2008
  
• Brunei Darussalam - nil
  
• Cambodia - 2017
  
• Canada – 1996, 2010
  
• People's Republic of China – 1995, 2007
  
• Hong Kong, China - nil
  
• Indonesia – 1999, 2013
  
• Japan – 1997, 2003, 2016
  
• Republic of Korea – 1998, 2011
  
• Malaysia - 2005
  
• Mongolia - nil
  
• New Zealand – 2001, 2014, 2018
  
• Papua New Guinea - nil
  
• Philippines - 2012
  
• Singapore - 2006
  
• Chinese Taipei - 2000
  
• Thailand - 2009
  
• United States of America – 2004, 2015
  
• Vietnam – 2002

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:

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​

• Summary of Upcoming Deadlines
• 25th APLMF and Working Group Meetings 7-9 November, Christchurch, New Zealand
• 2017 Financial Report
• Test Procedures for Domestic Water Meters and Bulk Flowmeters
• Training Activities: QMAP WG – 3-6 July 2018 – Nonthaburi, Thailand
• MEDEA 2 – Planning Workshop held in Hong Kong on 4-5 July 2018
• Verification of Rice Moisture – 3-7 December 2018 – Pattaya, Thailand
• 24th APLMF Minutes
• News from Cambodia
• Introduction of OIML Pilot Training Center (OPTC)

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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​

• Timeline for deadlines for consultation, completion of surveys or voting:
• MEDEA 2: Planning Workshop 4-5 July Hong Kong
• Appointment of APLMF representative on MEDEA Coordination Committee
• Small Training Course for APLMF Working Group on Quality Measurement of Agricultural Products (QMAP)
• Verification of Rice Moisture Training Course – 26-30 November, Pattaya, Thailand
• Report on Pre-packaged Goods Course – 10-13 April 2018, Nanning, PR China
• Report on Verification of NAWI (including Weighbridges) - 8-11 May 2018, Sepang, Malaysia
• World Metrology Day 2018
• Working Groups Transition progress
• Inaugural OIML Certification System (OIML-CS) Management Committee, Maintenance Group and Review Committee Meetings
• Introduction of OIML Pilot Training Center
• Voting Processes

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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:

• An amendment of the criteria for the approval of experts and specifying that the assessment team should have the relevant expertise
• extension of the transition periods
• criteria for the use of old test data for issuing OIML-CS certificates
• reviewing the requirements regarding the application of ISO/IEC 17065
• handling modular approvals

 
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:
               

1. On the recommendation of the Review Committee, the initial approval of 9 OIML Issuing Authorities, 20 Test labs 60 Legal Metrology Experts and 6 Management System Experts that will underpin the integrity of the system. More applications in these categories have been received and are being duly processed.
   
   
2. The current PD-07 does not allow Basic test data to be used to issue a Scheme A certificate, but there is a “backdoor” where old test data could be used to issue a Scheme B certificate and then a Scheme B certificate could be used to issue a Scheme A certificate. The Chair of the MC stressed that we want manufacturers to invest in the new system, but that trust in the data that is used to issue certificates was also critical to the success of the OIML-CS. A suitable balance and solution was therefore required.  
   
   After a significant discussion, the MC agreed on the principle of using test data issued before 1/1/2018 as the basis for issuing Scheme A certificates under certain conditions. The MC members were asked to send Paul Dixon (OIML-CS Executive Secretary) suggestions for these conditions and the MG will amend PD-07 to specify the criteria and conditions for using ‘old’ test data for issuing Scheme A certificates.
   
   
3. It was agreed to extend the 2 year transition period to 3 years, for OIML Issuing Authorities to demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 through accreditation or peer assessment, to allow a working party to explore the applicability of ISO/IEC 17065 and to explore other possible options for member economies.
   
   
4. Recommendations that fulfil the criteria specified in OIML B 18 in the OIML-CS but which were not originally included in the system was discussed. According to the rules they should be included and it was agreed that a recommendation to include them (from 1/1/2019) would be made to the CIML accordingly.
   
   
5. Proposed extension of the transition periods from Scheme B to Scheme A.  The reason for the proposed extension was the time needed to arrange accreditation or peer assessments (as experts had only just been approved at this meeting) and time to conduct the review and approval processes. Experience from the recent approval of the OIML Issuing Authorities and Test Laboratories suggested that the original transition periods were too short. After discussion the MC agreed to the proposed changes and a recommendation will be made to the CIML. It was also agreed that Paul Dixon would put out a further call for experts.  
   
   

A great couple of days thanks to Paul Dixon (BIML) Secretariat skills and the Chairmanship of Cock Oosterman (Netherlands).
 
Further information regarding the meeting and its outcomes is available here.