Providing confidence for science, innovation and trade
The National Measurement System (NMS) is an essential part of the UK’s research and innovation infrastructure, critical for science and trade. The NMS programmes deliver the UK’s Measurement Strategy, developed in consultation across industry, academia and Government.
The NMS is delivered through the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology. The science programmes are carried out by the UK’s designated measurement institutes:
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
- National Measurement Laboratory (NML) at LGC
- National Engineering Laboratory (TUV-NEL)
- Office for Product and Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
- National Gears Metrology Laboratory (NGML)
- National Institute for Airborne Acoustic Metrology
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC)
NPL, the UK’s National Metrology Institute (NMI) and owned by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, delivers the large majority of the programmes.
The NMS enables the UK to compete in global trade and manufacturing by ensuring consistency and recognition of measurement units and standards throughout the world. Internationally leading knowledge and expertise is passed on to UK stakeholders by a coordinated programme of knowledge transfer.
- Every year, 75,500 UK businesses demonstrate traceability to UK standards through calibrations originating at the NMS laboratories.
In 2023, the NMS laboratories undertook collaborative projects with 1,195 businesses, leveraged income of £62.89m from collaborative R&D and consultancy.
The NMS also supports the UK’s drive to influence international standards, delivering 55 new or amended standards in 2023.
2026 User Perception Survey for NPL Users and Collaborators
NPL has just kicked off the User Perception Survey. Please note that this is not a marketing survey and falls under the public interest mandate.
If you receive an email or a call about the survey in the near future, please be assured that it is legitimate, and we strongly encourage you to respond. Further details can be found here.
The survey is being conducted by external consultants, Pye Tait Consulting and QA Research, on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The aim is to assess the engagement and satisfaction with NPL’s products and services, measure their impact on client outcomes, and evaluate the quality of communication with staff.
If you have any questions, please contact:
NPL economist contact – Dharani Katanguru
External consultant contact – Andrew Dodsworth
A strategy for measurement in the UK
The NMS underpins key policies, regulations and operational requirements across government. For example, by enabling:
- Assured food, air and water quality measurement for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency and Food Standards Agency.
- Safe and quality assured medical diagnosis and treatment in the NHS for the Department of Health and Social Care.
- Assurance of breath alcohol measurement and of critical infrastructure monitoring for the Department for Transport.
- Traceable measurements to support homeland and national security for the Home Office and Ministry of Defence.
- National greenhouse gas inventories, observations of emissions in the UK and accelerating the development and uptake of low-carbon technology for the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology.
- Measurements for the accurate taxation of, for example, oil and gas production for HM Treasury.
The UK Measurement Strategy describes how the UK will capitalise on its world-leading National Measurement System. Extraordinary innovation can be realised when the right measurement practices are applied and high quality measurement can increase investment in R&D by giving confidence to investors and de-risking the innovation journey. Measurement also helps to grow key, high tech sectors by enabling companies to assure quality, comply with regulations and trade internationally.
Find out more about the UK Measurement Strategy
Other NMS organisations
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Contact our Customer Services team on +44 20 8943 7070