Legal Metrology Research Articles

Legal Metrology and its Development in the Field of Calibration and Verification of Fuel Dispensers and their Application in the Mining Industry

The paper deals with metrology and special area of legal metrology, whose task is to ensure consistency and correctness of measurements. The contribution is in addition to definitions and explanations of basic concepts and principles applied in metrology, mainly presented the results of scientific research work in the interdisciplinary field of legal metrology in the Slovak republic. The main content of the paper is a description of calibration equipment for calibration and verification of fuel dispensers, description of the process of research and its application in practice. There are also shown the results of activities in the field of research and development leading to improved measurement accuracy and eliminating subjective influence the measurement. Part of the contribution is to point out the use of calibration equipment in the field of mining in some enterprises in the Slovak Republic. Accurate measurement and determination of fuel consumption in mining operations can help to plan and more accurately determine the cost of operations using with combustion engine machinery. As an example of application of the importance of using metrology equipment we chose the greatest mining and manufacturing magnesite plant in Slovakia, the company SMZ jsc in Jelsava. In this company runs mining with the help of machines driven by combustion engines.

Social Profit of Legal Metrology in the Brazilian Electricity Sector

In Brazil, despite of the undeniable importance of metrology in society, there is still no consensus as to the most effective way to “quantify” this statement. The aims of this study is to present a method to quantify the social impact caused by legal metrological control, focusing on voluntary verification and legal metrology expertise in electrical energy meter . In this sense, this article presents a model, developed exclusively for the public sector, with the objective of quantifying the return or economy in favor of society through National Legal Metrology System direct and indirect actions in the Brazilian electricity sector, considering the 2017 year. This model is an adaptation of Social Profit mode the “Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – Embrapa”. . Only laboratories under the control of the Legal Metrology Board, through their delegated bodies, which perform or supervise voluntary checks and metrological examinations performed by the technicians of the Brazilian Network of Legal Metrology and Quality – RBMLQ, were considered. Next step, performance indicators were proposed and validated to obtain social profit. The data show that Inmetro’s actions enable a return to society of US$ 32 million for each US$ 1 million of investment in this activity, pointing to the effectiveness of the model in quantifying the social profit of the agency. In a more detailed analysis it was possible to evaluate a potential revenue recovery for the states, throughTaxes, of the order of US$ 400 million, if the actions of expertise and verification are intensified, pointing to a promising horizon of revenue increase for the Brazilian government through the fight against fraud. Preliminary analyzes show both the massive presence and extreme remoteness of the state are not the best management models to be adopted for the electricity sector. The study suggests, at first, a direct correlation of Inmetro intervention and participation actions in partnership with the private sector in the electricity sector and revenue recovery with reduction in the increase of electric bills. Thus, we infer that the presence of the state as regulator in this case can be effective if adapted to reality. Further studies, however, need to be done. Social profit proved to be effective for use in actions to improve public governance, another point to be explored further on.

Proposed model for legal control applied to stand-alone meters and measuring systems for crude oil

The joint resolution ANP/Inmetro 001/2013 approves the Technical Regulation for Oil and Natural Gas Measurements, establishing the technical, constructive and metrological conditions and requirements that oil and natural gas meters and measuring systems must comply, to ensure the credibility of the measurement results. This is a singular regulation in the field of legal metrology in Brazil, and this study presents technical details that may justify the possibility of implementing differences between the legal control of meters and measuring systems used on the crude oil production. Emphasis is given to the singleness of the measuring systems employed on oil platforms, designed for unique installation conditions, on specific platforms, which limit the possibility of presenting a “prototype”, a common practice in the control of serial manufactured instruments. The possibility of a project type approval model, presented by the metering station developer is suggested.

When Measurements Meet Blockchain: On Behalf of an Inter-NMI Network.

The growing demand for solutions related to measurement (e.g., digital sensors, smart meters, distributed measuring systems) imposes several concerns about information and process reliability. In this context, blockchain can play a crucial role as a platform to implement applications and activities in the context of legal metrology. In most countries, the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) are responsible for promoting these initiatives. Thus, in this paper, we present a functional architecture to integrate NMIs in a collaborative blockchain network. We discuss the main aspects and features that an inter-NMI blockchain network must deliver. Furthermore, we implement our proposal using the Hyperledger Fabric platform. We connect peers from Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) (German NMI) and the National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (Inmetro) (Brazilian NMI) in a useful application that consists of a blockchain-based public-key infrastructure to identify and authenticate smart meters. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed architecture meets the main requirements imposed by applications involving measurements. Furthermore, it opens the opportunity to integrate NMIs from other countries into the project, constituting an important global initiative in the metrology field.

Conformity assessment of measuring instruments with artificial intelligence

Feedback from industry suggests that AI will soon gain traction in the regulated economic sector known as legal metrology. Driven by innovation, conformity assessment of measuring instruments equipped with machine learning algorithms needs to be standardized to ensure unbiased results. Although there is still no AI legislation, communications from the European Commission already contain fundamental principles and rules for AI development in order to ensure and improve the quality of life for all Europeans. In this context, several classes of use cases for the application of AI in measuring instruments and for conformity assessment are presented and investigated here.

PRAKTIK REKAYASA DISPENSING PUMP SPBU PERSPEKTIF PERUNDANG-UNDANGAN DAN HUKUM ISLAM

Abstract: This research aims to examine and analyze the responsibilities of petrol stations as well as legal protection that can be obtained by consumers designed by petrol stations based on statutory views and Islamic law. This study uses the Normative Juridical method with references to Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection and Law Number 2 of 1981 concerning Legal Metrology regarding measuring instruments. These results conclude that: First, engineering pump removal by business actors carried out by SPBU managers has an impact on the revocation of the PASTI PAS predicate by Pertamina which has harmed consumers, so that it is the responsibility of business actors who provide compensation in accordance with Article 19 of the Consumer Protection Law because it has increased to default. Furthermore, in Islamic law, the stipulation of compensation is carried out because no loss or damage to the victim has occurred. Second, legal protection for consumers, namely in the form of preventive and repressive. Preventive measures are carried out by providing guidance by the government and Pertamina, while repressiveness is carried out by law enforcement and / consumer dispute resolution both through courts and outside the court. Likewise, the Islamic view of pump engineering is not in line with the principles and principles of Islamic law because there is an element of gharar in it.

Prevalence and factors associated with the sale of loose cigarettes at Point of Sale: A cross-sectional analytical study from four Indian states

BackgroundThe Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has established that sale of loose cigarettes increases the affordability and accessibility of tobacco for minors. Acknowledging this threat to public health, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India amended the Legal Metrology Act to prohibit sale of loose cigarettes. Regardless, over 70% of the total cigarette sale in the country is in the form of loose cigarettes majority of which is being sold at unrecognized, unrecorded and unregulated informal sector of economy. However, there is a paucity of studies examining the factors associated with sale of loose cigarettes and further research is warranted in the country to know the dynamics of this issue. ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and the factors associated with the sale of loose cigarettes at Point of Sale (PoS) in the selected four Indian states. MethodsA community based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among a total of 2044 PoS in the project states of Meghalaya, Odisha, Puducherry and Telangana using purposive sampling technique. The characteristics of tobacco vendors and the status of loose cigarettes sale were collected using a structured and pre-tested checklist. Proportion for prevalence estimate, bivariate and multivariable log binomial regression analysis were done. ResultsThe prevalence of loose cigarette sale was 93.05% [95% CI: 91.89–94.1]. Sale of loose cigarette showed a significant association with area (aPR 1.03; 95% CI: 1–1.06; p = 0.025), sale of tobacco products to minors (aPR 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04–1.11; p < 0.001), sale of smoking aids to customers (aPR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01–1.09; p = 0.02), sale of flavored chewable tobacco (aPR 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03–1.12; p = 0.001) and presence of pack warning (aPR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.11–1.25; p < 0.001). ConclusionOur findings infer an open disregard for the laws specific to sale of loose cigarettes at PoS. The factors associated with the sale of loose cigarette needs to be addressed through prompt implementation of the tobacco control laws and suitable policy formulation.

ACTIVE ELECTRICITY METERS ERROR ANALYSIS IN CASE OF HARMONICALLY DISTORTED VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS

High order harmonic components in voltage and current signals are nowadays more prevalent in power grids at any voltage level, therefore demands for accurate measurements of the system’s parameters go beyond the performance of instruments under pure sine wave conditions. This topic is highly challenging, especially in domain of electricity meters intended for legal metrology purposes, i.e. for billing in the regulated trade of electrical energy. Test procedures for examination of electricity meters’ output in case of harmonically distorted signals are proposed in several international standards and recommendations. The drawbacks of the signals presented in these documents are the lack of complexity and random behavior of single harmonic component’s amplitude and phase shift. Because many types of electricity meters are used worldwide, different output is expected for instruments based on different measurement principles. For faithful presentation of meters’ errors in case of harmonics, several devices are about to be tested with random distorted signals, by using different currents and phase shifts.

30 years to COOMET: results and prospects for cooperation

The history of Euro-Asian Cooperation of National Metrological Institutions (COOMET) has already spanned three decades (12 June 1991 is considered the date of its establishment – the day when the COOMET Memorandum of Understanding was signed). COOMET is an officially recognized regional metrology organization, as well as a regional legal metrology organization. Cooperation in COOMET and its outcomes allow member countries to successfully tackle metrological issues, faced by the national economy under market globalization, as well as to ingrate in the international metrological system. A brief overview of the history of creation and results of activity of COOMET is provided. The effectiveness of cooperation is evaluated, the promising areas of COOMET's activities are outlined.

Field surveillance of fuel dispensers using IoT-based metering and blockchains

The field surveillance of fuel dispensers is an activity of Legal Metrology that checks these measuring instruments' correct behavior. However, it constitutes a complex challenge because malicious entities can tamper with fuel dispensers to get undue economic advantages. This paper proposes a distributed and decentralized solution. We use IoT-based vehicle simple meters to estimate the fuel amount in refilling events. Although these estimates can be inaccurate, we explore properties of the Law of the Large Numbers to evaluate the fuel dispenser's accuracy. We also use blockchains to avoid collusion attacks and provide a truly distributed and decentralized surveillance solution that implements statistical surveillance analysis as smart contracts. We develop a case study based on the vehicular fleet and fuel dispensers in São Paulo, Brazil. We perform our experiment using the Hyperledger Fabric platform with Byzantine fault-tolerant consensus. In a hypothetical scenario where vehicular meters present error rates below 5%, and each vehicle refuels more than ten times on average, we can identify tampered fuel dispensers with sensitivity and specificity over 95%. We also demonstrate that our blockchain deployment can support a workload of 600 concurrent clients with a throughput higher than 350 tps and latency lower than 1 s. These results attest to our framework suitability in terms of accuracy and performance. They provide promising perspectives on using our idea in the metrological surveillance of other measuring instruments.

Analysis of Fuel’s Amount Measurement Process and Its Reliability in Commercial Transaction

The article considers the issues with amount of fuel and oil measurement process for transaction purposes and makes recommendations how to manage possible losses due to incorrect measurement results of large fuel amounts. All decisions are based on the general errors theory and legal metrology requirements. The focus of the article is on company and client control measurements, static and dynamic weighing of wagons and trains, alternative measurement methods that can be used to determine the product amount when it is questionable, errors monitoring during measuring instrument exploitation. The main criteria for determining measurement errors in direct and indirect measurements are identified. The interpretation of verification concepts of measuring instruments are analyzed, considering the accuracy class and errors obtained during verification of rail weighbridges. The interpretation of the results obtained with two different measuring instruments, taking into account the errors, accuracy class, and other characteristics of the instruments (e.g., by determining the amount with one instrument and making reference (control) measurements with the other) is provided. The recommendation consist of proposals for the stability and systematic errors analysis, reducing of systematic errors, application of corrections when weighing instruments are used in trade deals and belong to legal metrology field, according to the company and its client’s interests.

Materials of the XII International Scientific and Technical Conference "METROLOGY AND MEASURING TECHNIQUES" ("METROLOGY-2020")

This special issue of the Ukrainian Metrology Journal is dedicated to the the XII International Scientific and Technical Conference METROLOGY AND MEASURING TECHNIQUES (METROLOGY-2020). It presents theses of reports on the Reproduction and distribution of SI units, Fundamental metrology and traceability, Results of international comparisons, Standards and measuring systems, Sensors, Sensors and Intelligent Systems Technologies, Industry 4.0 and additive technology, Computer modeling for metrology needs, Metrology to improve the efficiency and reliability of energy systems and networks, New documents and standards in metrology, legal metrology. International Scientific and Technical Seminar Uncertainty of Measurements: Scientific, Applied, Regulatory and Methodological Aspects (UM-2020) was held within the framework of the conference.

A framework for remote in-service metrological surveillance of energy meters

A framework for energy meters’ error remote monitoring to assist metrological supervision in legal and industrial metrology fields is suggested. As a use case, a method for the remote monitoring of customer’s meter error using a certified reference sum meter is discussed. The method is aimed at remotely determining an adjustment gain (multiplicative error correction factor) of a meter. An analysis of uncertainty of the meter adjustment gain estimation is introduced. It is shown that the uncertainty is influenced by the precision of reference meter and meter under test, but to the largest extent is defined by fluctuations of power consumption in the electrical grid. Typical uncertainties of meter adjustment gain estimation achievable in low voltage grid using Class 0.2 or Class 0.5 remote reference meter and Class 1 or Class 2 m under test are reported. The preliminary validation of uncertainty estimation is performed using experimental data.

Evaluating the Performance of Laboratories Testing Sphygmomanometers in Legal Metrology due to Proficiency Testing

Proficiency testing is a vital component to ensure quality of tests and calibrations. In particular in legal metrology, the scope of activities claiming for accreditation demands for specific proficiency testing. This study presents the results of the proficiency testing conducted in 2019, in Brazil, for sphygmomanometers, an instrument usually under legal metrology regulation, whose measurements have a direct impact on clinical diagnosis and treatments, according to the International Organization of Legal Metrology Recommendation. The tests comprised initial verification, encompassing general inspection, rapid exhaust valve and maximum permissible error for the cuff indication tests, using the Z-Score as the criteria for the performance of the participants. Five ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, in Brazil, participated in the proficiency testing. The results show that all five laboratories obtained satisfactory results for the rapid exhaust valve test. One laboratory obtained a questionable result in one measurement for the maximum permissible error test. All laboratories obtained unsatisfactory results for the general inspection. Since the legal metrology requirement comprises all three tests, all laboratories obtained unsatisfactory performance. The results unveiled the necessity for corrective actions to improve the legal control of sphygmomanometers in Brazil. This proficiency testing was also included on the European PT Information System (Eptis) platform.

Tingkat Kesadaran Pedagang Terhadap Peraturan Ketentuan Tertib Niaga

Trade is an important thing in social life. Therefore, regulations are made to support the safety and comfort aspects of both the seller and the buyer. These regulations include the UUML (Legal Metrology Law), the UUPK (Consumer Protection Act), and PP LIP (Government Regulations for Food Advertising Labels). To find out how successful these regulations can be assessed from the public's knowledge of the regulations that have been enacted. How much knowledge of the rules can be obtained from interviews conducted in the community. With interviews, it can be seen how successful the regulations were made both in quantity and quality. From the interviews, it was obtained that 50% of the public already knew and implemented the regulation.&#x0D;

Protection of public interests in the administration of legal metrology in Medan

As a metropolitan city, Medan has several advantages that support the trading activities. However, these advantages must be underpinned by legal certainty in conducting trade transactions. Measuring instruments serves as the prominent equipment in building mutual trust in business relationships. The instruments are regulated in Law Number 2 of 1981 concerning Legal Metrology (LLM). This study is legal research using a normative legal method. The data were collected from literature and were analyzed qualitatively. The results reveal several problems in the administration of legal metrology. Limited budget, lack of calibration officers, lack of support from local policies in the implementation of services, and insufficient facilities and infrastructure are the current circumstances in almost all regions including Medan. Such condition occurs because of the incomplete issues of competency in the field of legal metrology between the central and local governments after regional autonomy implementation. In conclusion, the overlapping authority between the central and local government resulted in a non-optimal administration of legal metrology in the regions. A synergy between the centralized LLM and decentralized Law Number 32 of 2014 concerning Local Government is needed. Thus protection will be achieved in the application of legal metrology services.

Legal metrology: Airport: When measurements harass passengers

The number of measurements performed in an airport is probably countless and of paramount importance for airport and flight security and safety. Measurements are performed following strict rules and best practice in metrology, otherwise our skies would not be as highly safe as they are. However, there is a small number of measurements, related to passengers' luggage that have a non-negligible and sometimes annoying impact on travelers and that are quite likely not performed in a totally fair and metrologically sound way.

The Classification of Measuring Instruments to Legally Regulated and Government Regulation, Which Applied to Them According to the Law of Ukraine «On Metrology and Metrological Activity»

Taking into account large number of questions coming from the metrological services of enterprises and organizations is considered the classification of measuring instruments to legally regu­lated measuring instruments, government regulation, which applied to them in order to assurance the uniformity of measurement and traceability, according to the Law of Ukraine «On met­rology and metrological activity», and requirements relating to conformity assessment, verification and calibration of measuring instruments.&#x0D; Having analyzed the measurement requirements and measurement results established by the provisions of the law, it is proposed to divide measuring instruments used in the field of legal metrology into the groups.&#x0D; For the above mentioned groups of measuring instruments, which are used in the field of legal metrology, a scheme has develo­ped, that illustrates the processes of government regulation, namely: government regulation of measuring instruments during placing on the market and putting into use and government regulation of measuring instruments during using. &#x0D; The scheme shows that the placing on the market and putting into use of legally regulated measuring instruments is possible if their conformity assessment is carried out. During using legally regulated mea­suring instruments are subject to periodic and post-repair verification.&#x0D; Calibration under the law is a voluntary procedure. However, measurement results cannot be applied in the field of legal metrology if errors of the measurement results or the uncertainty of the mea­surement results are unknown. Uncertainty of the measurement results is established only during the measuring instruments calibration.

Prywatyzacja zadań publicznych w metrologii – na przykładzie zadań administracji miar

Przedmiot badań: Artykuł dotyczy prywatyzacji zadań publicznych, która nastąpiła w sferze metrologii prawnej, poprzez wprowadzenie systemu oceny zgodności przyrządów pomiarowych.&#x0D; Cel badań: Celem artykułu jest analiza procesu prywatyzacji zadań publicznych w sferze me­trologii z perspektywy kompetencji administracji miar. Autorka dokonuje oceny sposobu, w jaki wprowadzenie oceny zgodności przyrządów pomiarowych wpłynęło na status prawny administracji jako podmiotu zarządzającego oraz na zakres jej zadań.&#x0D; Metoda badawcza: W artykule została wykorzystana metoda prawno-dogmatyczna, oparta na całościowej i wszechstronnej ocenie materiału normatywnego i jego wykładni oraz metoda teo­retyczno-prawna.&#x0D; Wyniki: Autorka pozytywnie ocenia koncepcję prywatyzacji zadań publicznych w sferze prawnej kontroli metrologicznej, która nastąpiła w wyniku wprowadzenia oceny zgodności. Prywatyzacja zadań publicznych w sferze metrologii stanowi przejaw dostosowywania form realizacji zadań publicznych do potrzeb obrotu gospodarczego poprzez wprowadzanie elementów prywatnopraw­nych (umów cywilnoprawnych), które zapewniają szybszą i sprawniejszą realizację tych zadań. Wprowadzenie tego instrumentu spowodowało wykształcenie nowego typu podmiotu administru­jącego – jednostek notyfikowanych, którymi są zarówno podmioty publiczne (jednostki admini­stracji miar), jak i podmioty prywatne. Zwiększyła się elastyczność działań administracji miar, która w realizacji usług z zakresu oceny zgodności posługuje się formami działania właściwymi prawu prywatnemu. Wprowadzenie oceny zgodności wywiera pozytywny wpływ na gospodarkę poprzez poszerzenie liczby podmiotów (jednostek notyfikowanych) wykonujących ocenę zgodności przyrządów pomiarowych, a tym samym zwiększenie dostępności dla przedsiębiorców.

Money metrology

The influence of the provisions of legal metrology on the formation and functioning of the monetary environment in market conditions is studied. It is shown that the use of material (reference) measures for determining the value of goods in monetary units makes it possible to form a stable monetary system, equal for all market participants. This system can reasonably be attributed to information measuring systems. Systems based on the use of constant material measures that determine the value of goods and money in international trade have been formed and functioned for a long time. In the XIX-XX centuries, the monetary system, in which a fixed weight of gold served as the material measure of money, was called the “gold standard”. In the 1970s, this system was abandoned without objective reasons. Nowadays, many people believe that the main reason is the uncontrolled issuance of paper money (US dollars). As a result, the material measure of money was replaced by a monetary measure. The money of a number of selected countries turned out to be a measure of the national currencies of other countries. Then money was made a commodity – an object of market trading, the price of which is determined by supply and demand. Thus, the most important principle of metrology was violated – the invariability (constancy) of the measure of system objects. The resulting monetary system became unstable. This situation has led to an increase in the number of proposals for a return to the gold standard. The analysis carried out in the paper confirmed the relevance of these proposals. At the present stage of development of metrology, it is advisable to explore the possibility of a broader (not only at the expense of precious metals) resource provision of material monetary measures, in particular, to consider the possibility of using materials and (or) goods that are in high demand in the international market as monetary measures.