What is Metrology

Metrology is the science of measurement. It includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement.

What is Legal Metrology?

Legal metrology comprises the administration of measuring instruments, application for units of measurement, and testing procedures which are commonly established in either legislation or documented standards. The purpose is to provide accurate and reliable measurements for trade, health, safety, and the environment.

Administration of legal metrology activities are performed by or with oversight from governments to provide the appropriate level of reliability and credibility. Legal Metrology is supported by the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML), whose mission statement is to:

enable economies to put in place effective legal metrology infrastructures that are mutually compatible and internationally recognized, for all areas for which governments take responsibility, such as those which facilitate trade, establish mutual confidence and harmonize the level of consumer protection worldwide.

What is Scientific Metrology?

Scientific metrology deals with the study, organisation, maintenance and development of the standards of the International System of Units (SI) system. This is undertaken by National Measurement Institutes through the realisation of scientific theories and the confirmation of these internationally. The Scientific metrology is supported by the Bureau International des Poids et Measures (BIPM) who are the intergovernmental organization through which Member States act together on matters related to measurement science and measurement standards.

Legal metrology compliments scientific measurement and facilitates the practical application of measurements within the economy.