Facilitization metrology

The Promochem Group was the first international specialist supplier of certified reference materials (CRMs) and pharmaceutical reference substances used in environmental, medical and trace element analysis. Their experience provides a viewpoint that echoes, reinforces and expands on many of the trends discussed above (Jenks 1997). From the middle of the 1980 s, sales of CRM by Promochem increased between 10 % and 20 % annually, depending on the market sector and application. Since then National and International Metrology Institutes, such as the now privatized U.K. Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC), the European and U.S. Pharmacopoeias, the E.U. IRMM and others have recognized that efficient distribution of RMs, backed by available technical support, is as important as production and certification. Thus, they have moved to spread their influence outside their national origins. The Web and e-commerce will continue to grow as major facilitators of better information dissemination and supply of CRMs. 

Although in its infancy, metrology in chemistry is already accepted by a number of governments as the means of ensuring that measurements made in different laboratories are comparable and traceable to common standards [1], The ultimate aim is to develop a structured chemical measurement system which will lead to mutual recognition and trust in measurements made in laboratories all over the world. This in turn will facilitate international trade, wealth creation through innovation, and enforceable and trusted regulations. 

This collaborative effort on measurements was substantially increased within the second Framework Programme (Applied Metrology and Chemical Analysis, 1987-1992). It was likely to expand since the Community had embarked on an ambitious programme to unify its internal market. Major efforts were indeed required to harmonize a wider range of technical standards and measurements throughout the Community so that companies could be sure they were competing on equal terms in each Member State. In this context, it became essential that the accuracy of results be proven wherever the measurements or analyses were performed. The establishment of laboratory networks was a successful tool for the improvement of the quality of a wide variety of measurements performed in Europe. In turn, these collaborative efforts facilitated European cohesion. 

Standardization encompasses a broad range of considerations—from the actual development of a standard to its promulgation, acceptance, and implementation. Also included are the methods of evaluating conformance to a standard—issues such as laboratory accreditation certification of products, processes, systems, services, and personnel metrology and measurement testing and sampling and more. Standardization has become the key to market access and is inherently essential to a sound national economy and to the facilitation of global commerce. 

From the nature of these questions, it seems clear that the formal VIM definition of metrological traceability has to be accompanied by an unambiguous interpretation order to facilitate practical use of the concept in the marketplace of buyers and sellers. 

At the national level, National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) maintain measurement standards and capabilities and provide services in order to develop their national metrology infrastructures so as to underpin and facilitate the comparability of measurement results. 

---