Metrologia

Measurement 33 (2003) 189–195 www.elsevier.com / locate / measurement

EUROMET—The collaboration of European national metrology institutes
Wolfgang Schwitz*
Swiss Federal Office of Metrology and Accreditation ( METAS), Lindenweg 50, CH-3003 Bern-Wabern, Switzerland

Abstract More than ever since the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, societies and their economies rely on a globallyrecognised measurement system. But, beyond this, today’s and tomorrow’s globalised world requires the acceptance of each other’s capabilities, competence, and traceability of measurements to the International System of Units and thus mutual acceptance of the quantitative results themselves. Therefore, in addition to the common measurement system, what is ultimately needed are mutually and publiclyrecognised standards and certificates at the national and international levels. Intensified regional metrology collaboration is the key to attain this ambitious goal.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: EUROMET; Metrology institutes

1. Indispensable measurement systems Measurement systems and infrastructures have always been of high economic and public interest— at local,regional and global levels. Some 126 years ago, on 20 May 1875, in Paris, 17 nations signed the famous Convention of the Metre. Today, the Convention comprises 49 Signatories and six Associates to the General Conference of Weights and Measures (CGPM). The well known International System of Units (SI) [1] was developed within this framework, a system now implemented around the globe and serving asthe reliable reference for any kind of quantitive observation or measurement required in research, industry, trade, health, environment or security.

*Tel.: 1 41-31-323-3111; fax: 1 41-31-323-3210. E-mail address: wolfgang.schwitz@metas.ch (W. Schwitz).

The effort required to maintain, develop and apply this system in the public and private sectors is considerable. This is due to the fact thatcorrect measurements have a widespread impact in our world. National governments all over the globe have taken responsibility for their national measurement system in various ways. Most commonly, national metrology institutes (NMIs) were established during the decades before and after the conclusion of the Convention of the Metre. Their main task was, and still is, the realisation and maintenanceof the national standards, and the dissemination of these quantities within the country according to the needs of society and the economy. These needs have since developed, as have science, technology, production, economy and public issues such as health, safety and the environment in general. ´ In 1995 the 20th CGPM requested the Comite International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM) to undertake astudy on the long-term national and interna-

0263-2241 / 02 / $ – see front matter  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S0263-2241( 02 )00065-9

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tional needs related to metrology, the current level of international collaboration in metrology and the role of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) itself. Thestudy has been completed and the ensuing report ‘‘National and international needs relating to metrology’’ [2] was adopted by the 21st CGPM in October 1999. The report recognises the increasing importance of collaboration between NMIs and the role of Regional Metrology Organisations (RMOs), which complement the existing metrology structure. Recent developments, such as the establishment of new RMOs,emerging inter-RMO collaboration and the implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for national measurement standards and for calibration and measurement certificates issued by national measurement institutes [3], are the responses of the metrology community to the requirements of a changing world. The effort undertaken within Europe since 1973 to meet the newly emerging needs...