Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) is an international organisation established by the Metre Convention with a role as the central coordinator for worldwide metrology.
The Comité international des poids et mesures (CIPM) is elected by the Member States of the Metre Convention to oversee the BIPM. The BIPM and CIPM guided the development of the international metrology system in operation today, the introduction of the SI system in 1960 and the establishment of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement in 1999.
Regional Metrology Organisations (RMOs) are made up of NMIs from the same part of the world. RMOs coordinate activities between its members and also between other RMOs. The RMO for European NMIs is EURAMET and NPL is an active member of this organisation. NPL is also an Associate Member of the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme, which is a reflection of its growing interests in that region.
EURAMET coordinates the cooperation of National Metrology Institutes (NMI) in Europe in fields such as research in metrology, traceability of measurements to the SI units, international recognition of national measurement standards and related Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMC).
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) is the international organisation for accreditation bodies operating in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011 and involved in the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies including calibration laboratories (using ISO/IEC 17025), testing laboratories (using ISO/IEC 17025), medical testing laboratories (using ISO 15189) and inspection bodies (using ISO/IEC 17020).
Accreditation is the independent evaluation of conformity assessment bodies against recognised standards to carry out specific activities to ensure their impartiality and competence. Through the application of national and international standards, government, procurers and consumers can have confidence in the calibration and test results, inspection reports and certifications provided. NPL is an accredited organisation to the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) which is a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Agreement.
UKAS is the UK’s National Accreditation Body, responsible for determining, in the public interest, the technical competence and integrity of organisations such as those offering testing, calibration and certification services.
The British Standards Institute (BSI) is the UK's National Standards Body (NSB).
The International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international body with a membership of 162 national standards bodies. BSI, as the UK's national standards body, is a member.
The International Organization of Legal Metrology (IOML) aims to put in place effective legal metrology infrastructures that are mutually compatible and internationally recognised and to facilitate trade, establish mutual confidence and harmonise the level of consumer protection worldwide.Legal metrology is the application of legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments.
WELMEC is a body set up to promote European cooperation in the field of legal metrology and develop and maintain mutual acceptance among its members. It maintains effective cooperation to achieve a harmonised and consistent approach to the societies needs for legal metrology and for the benefit of all stakeholders including consumers and businesses.