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Session:

10D - Experience of the CIPM MRA 

Date & Time:

Thursday August 10, 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Paper Title:

An NMI "User's" View of Practical Experience of the CIPM MRA

 

 

Speaker:

Ms Fiona Redgrave  

CoAuthors:

Speaker Info

Company:

National Physical Laboratory

Department:

International Office

Address:

Hampton Road
Teddington, TW11 0LW, United Kingdom

Phone:

+44 20 8943 6397

Fax:

+44 20 8943 6079

Email:

fiona.redgrave@npl.co.uk 

 

 

Abstract:

The mutual recognition of national measurement standards and of calibration and measurement certificates issued by national metrology institutes (NMIs) was signed in October 1999. Since then the NMIs have striven to develop and effectively implement the CIPM MRA. The CIPM MRA was subject to a transition period that finished at the end of 2004. It is therefore appropriate to view the transition period (1999-2004) as the time during which the main elements of the CIPM were established and put into effect. Much progress has been made since the CIPM MRA was signed in 1999 and a number of lessons learnt. One of the major issues facing the NMIs is that of resourcing. Developing and reviewing the CMCs and coordinating and participating in comparisons has understandably proved very labour intensive, but that level of activity is not sustainable in the long term for the NMIs, particularly as the number of participants in the CIPM MRA continues to grow. Processes and approaches must therefore be developed to ensure that the CIPM MRA can be maintained, developed and benefited from in the future. Perhaps the greatest challenge for the metrology community is that of ensuring that the benefits of the CIPM MRA are taken out into the wider international community and it does not just remain a "metrology community initiative". The CIPM MRA was signed by the Directors of the NMIs and hence is not legally binding on governments and regulators. The metrology community therefore needs to work to ensure that the Arrangement is adopted by the regulatory and trade communities. Whilst many NMIs have promoted the CIPM MRA to their stakeholders, detailed activities and assistance have been limited during much of the transition period as the information within the KCDB was somewhat limited This paper describes those activities from an NMI's viewpoint, the lessons learnt and the challenges faced in the future, including ensuring that the benefits of the CIPM MRA are taken out into the wider international community and that the CIPM MRA can be developed and sustained in the long term.  

 

 

 

 

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