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World Metrology Day

“In a world without measurement, we would be lost in a sea of uncertainty.”

Metrology is the science of measurement. It covers everything from the physics of measurement to the development and maintenance of measurement standards. In other words, metrology ensures that the measurements are both accurate and consistent.

In a world that is becoming increasingly globalized, accurate measurement is more critical than ever before. Measurements are used in trade, manufacturing, engineering, medicine, cooking and construction etc.

The World Metrology Day is an event occurring on the 20th of May celebrating the International System of Units. This day commemorates the signing of the historic Metre convention on May 20th 1875. On that day representatives from seventeen nations including Argentina, Austria- Hungary, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden/ Norway, Switzerland, Ottoman Empire, the United States, and Venezuela came together to lay the groundwork for what is today known as the metric system.

Since 2004, World Metrology Day organized jointly by the Bureau International des Poids et Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) has been assigned a theme each year. In 1960, the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), an organization created by the Metre Convention, established World Metrology Day as an annual event. The objective was to promote awareness and understanding of metrology and its importance in various aspects of society, including trade, science, industry, and consumer protection.

It serves as an opportunity for metrology organizations, national metrology institutes, and other stakeholders worldwide to engage in activities that highlight the significance of accurate and reliable measurement. Each year, a specific theme is chosen to focus on a particular aspect of metrology and its impact on society.

The theme for Word Metrology Day 2023 is “Measurements supporting the global food system”. This theme was chosen because of the increasing challenges of climate change, and the global distribution of food in a world whose population reached 8 billion at the end of 2022.

Collaborating with local educational institutions, community centres, or scientific organizations to host workshops that educate participants about the significance of accurate measurement, utilizing social media platforms to spread awareness about World Metrology Day, planning a visit to local science museums or exhibitions that feature metrology-related displays, exploring interactive exhibits that showcase the evolution of measurement tools, historical milestones, and their impact on various fields are some ways to celebrate Word Metrology Day successfully.

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