Metrology: Who Benefits and Why Should They Care?

Abstract:The National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) push the boundaries of metrological capability to ever-greater heights, spurred on by advances in science and technology, the demands of industry and the needs of society. Many new products and processes, new science and technology, indeed new markets and the legislation that governs them, depend on good metrology. It would therefore seem logical that metrology and measurement are intrinsic elements in planning the processes on which they impact, yet often they are not routinely addressed, or at least not in a timely way. The NMI mission includes delivering benefits to the national economy or quality of life for our citizens by working to overcome this inertia. However, in a global economy we increasingly need to rethink our definitions of national impact, as nowadays many drivers and their consequent effects are no longer confined within national boundaries. This paper will reflect on the mechanisms by which metrology impacts our past, present and future,...