On the specific experience of national metrology institutes (NMIs) with national accreditation bodies (NABs)

Abstract

The following paper addresses the experience of certain national metrology institutes (NMIs) with national accreditation bodies (NABs), in particular in small countries with emerging economies in new EU or candidate member states. Specific cases have been analysed primarily in some Central and South-East European countries. NABs under consideration are, in principle, members of European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA). EA cross-frontier policy in these cases will be discussed and resulting dilemmas outlined. Focus will be given to the problems of NMIs also performing calibrations, commercial calibration laboratories, and their relations with NABs. Due to numerous problems of smaller NABs, cross-frontier policy should stimulate cooperation between foreign and local accreditation bodies not only at the request of the calibration laboratory or some other conformity assessment body, but at the request of the local accreditation body in order to provide the best service for their local economy. As a solution to the accreditation problems, this paper proposes a process of gradual formation of a common European pool of experts, real-life common practices and, finally, maybe even some form of joint European accreditation service.