International Organization Of Legal Metrology Research Articles

Legislative basis for assurance of measurement uniformity

An overview of the legal framework of metrology at the international level, in particular, the activities of the intergovernmental International Organization of Legal Metrology, is given. The establishment of the International Organization of Legal Metrology has had an impact on the consolidation of the regulatory framework for metrology at the regional level, especially in the European Union. The reliability, comparability and traceability of measurement results are ensured by international regulatory documents developed by countries in the field of activity of seven international organizations. For international recognition of measurement and test results of any country. There is a need for a system of normative instruments that ensure international law. Strategically, it is necessary to create a legal framework so that it is possible to move from regional politics to global politics. The role of legal metrology at the regional level and the formation of the legislative framework of fundamental metrology in the world are described. The article presents a database of basic documents for solving scientific problems of ensuring the uniformity of measurements at the international level and the main milestones in the history of the formation of the legal framework of the measurement system in Russia for two centuries. The creation of the metrological service of the USSR, and then the state system for ensuring the uniformity of measurements determined new approaches to improving legislation in the field of metrology. Harmonization of the language of measurements and approaches to solving the problems of metrology will ensure the uniformity of measurements not only in individual countries and regions, but also on a global scale.

A Comparative Analysis of OIML Documents and Russian Rules on the Use of Reference Materials

The article analyzes the compliance of Russian legal documents with the Recommendations of the International Organization of Legal Metrology regarding the use of reference materials in the fields covered by the state control and supervision. The problem of ensuring the quality of measurement results is relevant for each laboratory, performing measurements in any fields of activity. In addition to a reliable and proven measurement method, a decisive role in obtaining comparable results is played by reference materials. In order to ensure the traceability of measurements, a reference material must be certified. Certified reference materials are obligatory for the state metrological control and supervision of the quality and safety of food and pharmaceutical products, quality of measurements in clinical laboratories, environmental safety, etc. Considering the important role of reference materials in the process of ensuring the uniformity of measurements in analytical laboratories, this study can contribute to the promotion of ideas for improving the Russian legislative framework in the relevant area.

Design and development of mechanical test bench for testing and calibration of multiple blood pressure measuring devices.

Blood pressure (BP) measurement is an important physiological parameter for human health monitoring, which plays a significant role in the diagnosis of many incurable diseases. However, due to inaccuracies in the different types of BP measuring devices, the calibration of these BP measuring instruments is a major concern for a medical practitioner. Currently, these devices' calibration, testing, and validation are performed using rigorous methods with complex clinical trials and following the available documentary standards. This article describes the design and development of an indigenous mechanical test bench (MTB) system for the testing and calibration of multiple BP devices, as per International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) recommended documents e.g., OIML R 16-1 and OIML R 16-2. The developed system can test and calibrate 20 BP devices, simultaneously. The traceability of the developed MTB is established by performing its calibration against the Air Piston Gauge, a national primary vacuum standard. The estimated expanded measurement uncertainty evaluated is found to be ±0.11mmHg, which is almost one order better than the measurement uncertainty required for the test and calibration of BP measuring instruments as per standard. The MTB has successfully been used to test and calibrate several BP measuring instruments. The data of one such device is reported herein as an indicator of the performance process. The calibration of these BP measuring instruments was performed in the static mode, and the estimated expanded measurement uncertainty was found to be ±1.25mmHg. The developed MTB system would prove to be an excellent instrument for calibration laboratories, hospitals, regulatory agencies, and other users to test and calibrate 20 BP measuring devices simultaneously and cost-effectively.

New OIML D1 implementation into Ukrainian metrology system — current stay and new challenges

Ukrainian Parliament had adopted the Law on joining the Convention establishing International Organization of Legal Metrology on the 5-th of November 2020, 998-IX [1]. The Convention came into force in Ukraine on April the 3-rd 2021 and for Ukraine it means the transition from Corresponding State status to joining OIML as the Member State.
 The adoption of the new edition of the OIML D1 National metrology systems — Developing the institutional and legislative framework [2] became the important event of international level. It may be considered as the result of this new document that the Ukrainian Metrological system complies the modern requirements but it is necessary to estimate how reasonable would be some changes to corresponding legislation.

National measurement system and national metrological infrastructure: analysis of documents D1 of the International Organization of Legal Metrology

National measurement system and national metrological infrastructure: analysis of documents D1 of the International Organization of Legal Metrology

Development of stepwise tolerances for efficient verification of automatic checkweigher

The aim of this study is to calculate the risks of automatic checkweigher verification according to the specifications of the international recommendation OIML R51 developed by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and to propose an alternative method for performing the verification efficiently.The risks posed by the OIML R51 method to the consumer and producer are calculated using the Monte Carlo method. The OIML R51 method was used to develop an alternative method with improved efficiency and almost equivalent risks. The alternative method involves calculating the sample mean and standard deviation of the error and makes acceptance/rejection decisions after weighing every 10 times. The tolerances of the alternative method are stepwise with the upper and lower limits. After weighing every 10 times, the sample mean and standard deviation were calculated, and if they were both less than the lower tolerance limit, the test was completed and a pass decision was made. Conversely, when the mean or standard deviation exceeded the upper tolerance limit, the test was completed and a failed decision was made.The Monte Carlo method was used to calculate the risks and a reduction in the required number of weighings by the alternative method.The alternative method was applied to an actual instrument to evaluate the efficiency of the method. For the instrument used in this study, the expected value of the required number of weighings is 20 in the weighing range of 400 g or more and one-third of the number stipulated in the international recommendation. This means that significant labor savings are possible.

Study of German experience in the field of metrology

According to the results of the visit of representatives of the Department of Technical Regulation of the Ministry of Economic Development of Ukraine to the Federal Physical and Technical Institute of Germany (PTB) in Braunschweig and Berlin (the Federal Republic of Germany), the experience of Germany in the field of metrology is studied. Information on the functions and tasks of PTB is presented, the structure, tasks and role of such regional and international metrology organisations as EURAMET, WELMEC and OIML are described, information on general aspects of the quality infrastructure, as well as the role of state bodies, is given. The experience of the Federal Republic of Germany on metering the amount of gas consumed in energy units using calorimeters and its volume using gas meters is analyzed and a comparative analysis of this method of gas metering with the method used in Ukraine is carried out.Following the meetings with Vice-President of the Euro-Asian Cooperation of National Metrology Institutions (COOMET), secretariat of the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET), representative of the European cooperation in Legal Metrology (WELMEC) and President of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), recommendations are given on reforming the metrology system of Ukraine; strengthening international cooperation; optimization of the structure of Scientific Metrology Centers of Ukraine. The necessity of concluding an agreement in the field of technical regulation between the Ministry of Economy and Energy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Economic Development of Ukraine is substantiated.

Calibración de espirómetros por vía húmeda en LATU y su adaptación a la ley de “alcohol cero”

The following paper describes the work carried out by the Chemical Metrology Department to develop the first national breath analyser calibration service according to the recommendation from the International Organization of Legal Metrology, OIML R126:2012(E) (OIML, 2012). A detailed account of the different stages of this process is given, from method validation to the production of Certified Reference Materials of ethanol in water to be used as standards. In addition, a detailed description of the modifications introduced as a consequence of the "zero alcohol" law established in 2016 is presented, in order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposal to the requirements established in the recommendation.

Geostatistical Analysis of the Colorada and Quimichule Canyons Located in Popocatépetl Volcano (Mexico) for the Prevention of Natural Disasters

This paper aims to contribute to the prevention of natural disasters and generate a complement to other similar studies. The Popocatepetl volcano has showed significant and constant activity since 1994. The Colorada and Quimichule canyons are located within its geologic structure; due to their topographic features, ejected volcanic material and torrential rains in the past recent years, they put nearby communities at risk. This work presents a geostatistical analysis to obtain the gravity acceleration, slope by the distance-elevation relation, height-gravity and the fluid force on the canyons. The conversion of UTM to geographical coordinates was made with the use of the program Traninv applying the ITRF2008 epoch 2010.0 Datum and the 14 Zone; the local gravity was calculated with the use of International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) and the statistical analysis was obtained with the use of the Geostatistical Environmental Assessment. The structural modeling was performed using Surfer, and the spending and force were calculated using hydrological models. The correlation analysis concluded that Quimichule has the greatest gravity and that it would transport lahars faster. Mapping, geomorphological and statistical techniques and models were applied in accordance with the study to obtain the results presented here.

OIML 혼합 샘플링 검사계획에 대한 고찰과 최적 목표값의 설정 : 실량표시상품을 대상으로

Sun-Keun SeoDepartment of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Dong-A UniversityMixed acceptance sampling plans for quantity of products in prepackages are widely used for compliance testing. To pass testing, random samples jointly comply with two legal requirements: (i) the average net content of an inspection lot shall be not less than the labelled quantity and (ii) the numbers of under-filled prepackages in a sample are less than or equal to permitted numbers. This paper discusses some drawbacks of the acceptance sampling plans and requirements recommended in OIML R87 (KS A 50087 translated by Korean) developed by the International Organization of Legal Metrology and evaluates the producer’s and consumer’s risks. In addi-tion, problem of determining a target value in filling processes of prepackages under the OIML R87 require-ments is addressed and illustrated with a numerical example.

Electrical energy metering: Some challenges of the European Directive on Measuring Instruments (MID)

The introduction of static electric energy meter together with voltage and current distortions in the electric networks are revolutionizing the measurement of the electrical energy. Several questions and studies are proposed in the scientific literature concerning with metrological and reliability aspects of the actual electrical energy measurement. The European Directive on Measuring Instruments (MID) represents a different spin on setting the performance and safety requirements for those meters. The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) has published the document D11 discussing recommendations for legislation to meet the MID. An OIML technical committee is drafting the recommendation (IR46) that would give regulatory bodies an easily-adoptable set of requirements and tests to meet the requirements of the MID. With the introduction of the MID directive, the actual discussion involves aspects as the metrological characterization of the meters. The paper proposes an analysis of the test settings imposed by the actual MID-harmonized standards, regarding the electric energy metering. The aim is to check the presence of degree of freedom in the test settings that could compromise both result reliability and the compliance/non-compliance of a given apparatus.

INTERPRETATION OF CONVENTIONAL MASS

The conventional mass is not a precise physical quantity but useful virtual one in mass metrology. Because the precise level of conventional mass is related to the OIML class, it is necessary to check if the assignment of weight class is under control. The documents of OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) D 28 and R 111 describe the limitation of the quantity in real application. In this presentation, we are trying to interpret and review the concept of conventional mass, for example, by estimating buoyancy deviation and maximum permissible error, in weight calibrations in Korea. Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.

Final report on CCQM-K93: Preparative comparison of ethanol in nitrogen

This report presents the results of CCQM-K93, a key comparison between 13 National Measurement Institutes (NMIs), which tested the capability of the NMIs to prepare standard gas mixtures of ethanol at a nominal amount fraction of 120 µmol/mol in nitrogen. This composition is typical of the levels used to calibrate evidential breath analysers in many countries. Such standards fulfill the agreed requirements of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) for the calibration of evidential breath-alcohol analysers.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Evaluation of flowmeters for heat metering

Heat flowmeters are expected to be reasonably priced, be very reliable, and have high measurement accuracy. Various types of heat flowmeters have been developed and they are widely used in large residential and industrial buildings. In this study, three types of heat flowmeters (turbine, electromagnetic and ultrasonic) were tested for accuracy, effect of installation position and vibration, durability and performance in the field for several installation positions and in the presence of vibration. We used a liquid flow standard system and a customized durability test system in accordance with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) R 75-2 heat meter testing method. The field test was conducted in eight different locations from winter to summer. All flowmeters were calibrated before and after the field test, and the measurement deviation and the relative expanded uncertainty were calculated. The mean deviations obtained were–0.21%,–0.07%, and 0.11%, with the relative expanded uncertainties 0.48%, 0.17%, and 0.40% for turbine, electromagnetic, and ultrasonic flowmeters, respectively. The results of position and rotation tests, mean deviations by rotation angles at 90°, 180°and 270°relative to 0°(horizontal position) were–1.24%,–1.07% and–0.80%, respectively. For the vibration tests at 1 m/s 2 and 5 m/s 2 vibration acceleration, the turbine flowmeter, the electromagnetic flowmeter and the ultrasonic flowmeter showed deviations that ranged from −0.2% to −0.5%, −0.6% (2.6 m 3/h), and 0.0% (negligible), respectively. In the durability tests, the accuracy of all three types of heat flowmeters remained at ±1% or less, showing sufficient durability. In the field test, the deviation of the turbine flowmeter and the ultrasonic flowmeter showed ±2.5% or less deviation. However, the electromagnetic flowmeter seems to be inaccurate below 6.9% of the maximum flow rate.

Some remarks on definitions and, in particular, on the definition of the term calibration

Confucius (Analects xiii:3) ‘It is not possible to have any valid argument until rigorously defined terms are agreed’. In radiation protection dosimetry, we perhaps need to take as the fundamental sources of our definitions for personal dosimetry and area monitoring, mainly those three committees—the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), which gives definitions for metrology generally; the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU), which gives basic physical quantities and units for ionising radiation; and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for quantities considering the health effect of ionising radiation, for example effective dose, equivalent dose and the quality factor/linear energy transfer function. The JCGM, chaired by the Director of the BIPM, is formed by the seven international organisations that had prepared the original versions of the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and the International Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in Metrology (VIM), namely the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). In 2005, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) joined the seven founder international organisations. The Joint Committee took on the work of the ISO Technical Advisory Group 4 (TAG 4), which had developed the GUM and the VIM. Two of the organisations involved in the JCGM, ISO and IEC are also jointly revising the ISO 31 series of standards as the new 80 000 series on quantities and units.

Accuracy of single measurements

Single measurements are widely used in industry, trade and science, yet the problem of the estimation of the accuracy of this type of measurements is neither addressed nor even recognized in traditional Metrology. In particular, the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement is devoted to multiple measurements only and does not mention single measurements. This paper studies the problem of estimating the inaccuracy of single measurements and describes solutions to this problem. The proposed methods are based on metrological characteristics of measuring instruments rated in accordance with Recommendation R34 of International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). These characteristics are usually given in manufacturer certificates or provided by calibration laboratories. This paper treats single measurements as the basic type of measurement and multiple measurements as sets of successive single measurements.

Requirements and process control for quantity of product in prepackages

Verification of the actual quantity of product in prepackages is an important part of compliance testing to facilitate fair trade, maintain a competitive marketplace and protect consumers against under-filled prepackages. Two of the most widely used legal metrological requirements are (i) the average net quantity of product in prepackages of an inspection lot shall be at least equal to the labelled quantity and (ii) the number of prepackages, in a randomly selected sample, that are under-filled by more than a permitted quantity is less than or equal to a permitted number. Industrial and government metrology officials are required to check whether prepackages in an inspection lot comply with these requirements by sampling prepackages at the point-of-pack, wholesale outlets and retail stores. This paper discusses some drawbacks of the acceptance sampling plans and metrological requirements recommended in the international recommendation OIML R87 developed by the International Organization of Legal Metrology. To counter these drawbacks, alternative sampling plans and average prepackage requirements are proposed. Statistical control of filling processes under the OIML R87 requirements is also discussed.

Final report of key comparison EUROMET.QM-K4 (ethanol in air): EUROMET Project 580

This key comparison involved primary standards of ethanol in air maintained at eight laboratories.The nominal amount fraction of the standards used for the comparison was 120 µmol/mol, which is typical of the levels used to calibrate evidential breath analysers in many countries. Such standards fulfil the agreed requirements of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) for the calibration of evidential breath-alcohol analysers and can provide a more accurate calibration at field level than ethanol/water solution-based simulators, which have a high sensitivity to variations in the temperature of the solution. EUROMET.QM-K4 results are linked to CCQM-K4 results.

Global players in acoustic standardization

The World Trade Organization has identified international standardization as a key to realization of worldwide free trade. This identification underlined the importance of the work by nongovernmental international standardization bodies such as IEC and ISO as well as by governmental bodies such as the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). In acoustics, each of these organizations deals with technical harmonization in a certain field: The work of both IEC/TC 29 ‘‘Electroacoustics’’ and OIML/TC 13 ‘‘Measuring instruments for acoustics and vibration’’ focuses on specification of performance characteristics and testing procedures for electroacoustical devices. Standardization of measuring methods for industrial products either emitting or reducing noise is the primary activity of ISO/TC 43 ‘‘Acoustics.’’ This lecture presents an introduction to how international standards in acoustics are developed along with a survey of the scopes and work programs of these three closely cooperating committees. Guidance on the estimation of the uncertainty inherent in standardized acoustical tests and measurements is a major technical issue. The role of national and regional standardization in acoustics will be noted. The European standards bodies, CEN and CENELEC, have clearly defined tasks within the European Economic Area related to acoustics.

International collaboration in producing and using standard specimens

Data are given on the first steps in organizing collaboration over standard specimens in various international organizations including the ISO and International Organization of Legal Metrology. The state of the collaboration is briefly examined, in particular, the recent collaboration in COOMET and within the framework of the Intergovernmental Council on Standardization. Metrology, and Certification of the CIS countries. Some results and tendencies in international collaboration are reported.