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 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, 74,000 UK businesses demonstrate traceability to UK standards through calibrations originating at the NMS laboratories.
- In 2019, the NMS laboratories undertook collaborative projects with 954 businesses, leveraged income of £40.84m from collaborative R&D and consultancy.
- The NMS also supports the UK’s drive to influence international standards, delivering 83 new or amended standards in 2019.
2023 NMS Qualitative Research Study
NPL has just kicked off the National Measurement System (NMS) qualitative research study. Private business customers who have provided their consent to take part in this study will be contacted. If you receive a call regarding the study in the near future, please rest assured that such a call is legitimate, and we really encourage you to respond. Further details can be found here.
The study is being conducted by an external consultant, Briscoe Advisory Ltd, on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with an aim to better understand the value of the NMS, and how it differs across national challenge areas. Please click here for information on the NMS Evaluation Framework.
If you have any questions please contact :
NPL economist contact - Dharani Katanguru
External consultant contact – Philip Briscoe
The National Measurement System (NMS) Survey for private businesses is now closed.
Thank you to all our customers who have provided answers to our survey. We really appreciate your contributions.
Download our infographic showing the impact of NPL and the National Measurement System