News

Celebrate World Metrology Day 2018

Only three weeks to go until World Metrology Day on 20 May 2018. This year's theme is 'constant evolution of the International System of Units'.

The 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 (SI) since its inception.

Constant evolution
These proposed changes to the SI are based on results of research into new measurement methods that use natural phenomena as the basis for the fundamental standards. The SI will be underpinned by 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.

A number of projects within EURAMET's European Metrology Research Programmes have contributed to this important development.

Celebrating World Metrology Day
World Metrology Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, the beginning of formal international collaboration in metrology. The treaty supports a coherent measurement system worldwide that fosters scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, as well as the improvement of the quality of life and the protection of the global environment.

World Metrology Day is jointly organised by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) with the participation of the national organisations responsible for metrology.

Every year a World Metrology Day poster is designed by a member institute of a Regional Metrology Organisation. The poster for 2018 has been designed by EURAMET's member METAS, the National Measurement Institute of Switzerland. The slogan 'Constant evolution' was proposed by INRIM, the Italian National Metrology Institute, also a EURAMET member.

Across the world, National Measurement Institutes advance measurement science by developing and validating new measurement techniques to ensure that accurate measurements can be made everywhere.

"For EURAMET and our community, World Metrology Day is a great opportunity to talk about the importance of measurement in its manifold facets. Especially in 2018 on the constant evolution of the SI," comments Anne Trumpfheller, EURAMET Communications Officer.