2. A Brief History of Metrology

Metrology as an area of ​​practice originated in ancient times. All the way human development measurements are the basis for relations between people, with the surrounding objects and nature. This generates a single view of the size, shape, properties of objects and phenomena, as well as the rules and methods of comparison.

The names of units and their size appeared in ancient times more often in accordance with the possibility of units and their size without special devices, designed with a focus on those units that were under the hands and feet.

In order to maintain the unity of the identified measures already in ancient times created the reference (model) measures. This included carefully, they were kept in a safe place for storage of valuable items.

With the development of industrial production increased requirements for use and storage measures intensified the desire to standardize the size of the physical units.

At the beginning of 1840 in France was introduced metric system. The significance of the metric system is deeply appreciated D.I. Mendeleev, who led the national metrology in the period from 1892 to 1907. On his initiative, the Petersburg Academy of Sciences proposed the establishment of an international organization which would ensure uniformity of measurement on an international scale. This proposal was approved, and in 1875 at the Diplomatic metrology conference held in Paris, which was attended by 17 States adopted Metre Convention (the official language - French).

With the unification of units in many states introduced legislation that protect consumers from unscrupulous manufacturers and distribution of goods and services.

For a long time metrology was largely a descriptive science of various measures and the relations between them. But in the process of social development has increased the role of the measurement, and in the last century due to the progress of physics metrology has risen to a new level.

The development of science has led to the emergence of new means of measurement (SI) - The International System of Units. And they, in turn, stimulated the development of the sciences, becoming more and more powerful research tool.

3. International organizations on metrology

The International Organization of weights and measures. Testing and quality control, certification, accreditation, metrology laboratories are associated with action based on national dimensions. In assessing product compliance standards measurements are different parameters, the presence of the characteristics of the product itself to the parameters of impacts during storage, transport and use, with certification testing, establishing the relevant product with mandatory requirements, methodology and measurement practices directly affect the comparability of results, which is directly connected with the recognition of the certificate. Therefore, metrology will protect the interests of international trade, if respected traceability as a necessary condition of comparability of test results and certification. This task is the most important in the international metrology organizations, whose efforts have made most of the world adopted the International System of physical units (SI), operates comparable terminology, the adoption of recommendations on how to normalization of the metrological characteristics of measuring instruments, measuring instruments for testing before the release burst products. International metrological organizations work with the ISO and IEC, which corresponds to a broad international distribution of measurement

The largest international metrological organizations – International Organization of Weights and Measures (IOWM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (IOLM).

On the basis of the Metre Convention signed in 1875, seventeen countries, an intergovernmental international organization of weights and measures. Official languages ​​- French. Among the founders of the organization was the Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Metre Convention operates to this day. Its members are about 50 countries in the world. The Convention was created by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) - the first international research laboratory that stores and maintains international standards: prototypes of the meter and kilogram, electrical resistance, etc.

Supervises the activities of the BIPM International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM). The main practical problem BIPM - comparison of different units. Actually BIPM coordinates metrological organizations of more than 100 countries.

Scientific direction of the organization - improving the metric system of measurement. BIPM ongoing development of international standards, and develops and applies new methods and tools for measuring, creating new and replaces the outdated concept of the basic units of measurement, coordinate metrology research in member countries.

Program of scientific and practical activities of BIPM by the General Conference on Weights and Measures - the highest international body for establishing units, their definitions and methods of play. In her work all the countries that have joined the Convention. The General Conference meets at least once every four years. In between the conferences work IOWM directs elected at the conference the International Committee for Weights and Measures. The committee includes the largest physics and metrology world, with 18 members. As part of the International Committee for Weights and Measures are 8 Advisory Committee which prepared the materials and solutions for the General Conference.

Important consequences of participation in the IOWM a simultaneous transition of the new units or new standards are the basic units. Russia's participation in IOWM positive effect on maintaining position and the international prestige of the Russian metrology and contributes to the process of Russia's accession to the WTO and the European Union.

The International Organization of Legal Metrology. The International Organization of Legal Metrology (IOLM) was established on the basis of intergovernmental Convention, which Russia participates as a successor to the USSR. Organization of more than 80 countries. IOLM goal - the development of general issues of legal metrology, including the establishment of classes of accuracy of measuring devices, ensuring uniformity of definitions of types, models and systems of measuring devices, recommendations for testing for the unification of the metrological characteristics, the order of testing and calibration of measuring instruments, harmonization test equipment, methods Comparisons, verification and certification of reference, reference and working measuring devices, development of optimal forms of organization of metrological services and ensure the unity of state regulations for their management, establishing common principles of training in the field of metrology.

At the 4th International Conference in 1972, IOLM its objectives were complemented by a more generalized language reflecting the essence of the main objectives of international cooperation. Subsequent conferences tasks and supplemented according to the development of certification and standardization of quality management systems based on international standards ISO 900.

The supreme governing body of the IOLM - International Conference of Legal Metrology, which is held every four years. IOLM solutions are rekomendatsionny nature and only morally obliged countries to implement them.

Of particular note are the activities of IOLM certification of measuring instruments. IOLM certificate - a document confirming that the means of measuring certain international recommendations (MR) IOLM. MR contains technical specifications, descriptions, test procedures and test report form. IOLM certificate guarantees the production of means of measurement that product complies with international standards, which are recognized by most of the world.