World Metrology Day is celebrated annually on May 20th.
The day was chosen to commemorate the signing on May 20, 1875 in Paris, at an international diplomatic conference, the famous «Metric Convention» (Metre Convention), which became the first intergovernmental agreement on scientific and technical cooperation to lay the foundation of a single international metrological space. On the basis of this Convention, an intergovernmental International Organization of Weights and Measures was created.
In 1875, the Convention was signed by 17 countries, including Russia. It is noteworthy that one of the initiators of the creation of the International Organization of Weights and Measures was the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The Metric Convention was amended in 1921 and currently has about 50 States Parties.
Based on the Metric Convention, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) — was created, the first international research laboratory — was established and a framework was established for global cooperation and interaction of measurement sciences, and, as a result, the application of the achievements of these sciences in industry, commercial activities and public life.
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures, located in France (Sèvres), stores standards for the International System of Units — meters, kilograms, units of ionizing studies, and electrical resistance. In addition, metrologists conduct various metrological studies and verify the accuracy of measurements. Currently, the original purpose of the Metric Convention — is maintained: the unity of the measurement system in all countries that have signed the Convention.
Metrology is known to have originated in ancient times and translated means «science about measurements». Metrology penetrates all sciences and disciplines dealing with measurements and is a single science for them. The basic concepts used by metrology are — measurement, measuring instrument, metrology, measurement techniques.
Indeed, more broadly metrology, the science of measurement, plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial production and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.
By the way, World Metrology Day began to be celebrated in Russia in 2004. And the modern Metrological Service of the Russian Federation represents an extensive network of research institutes, metrological control, testing and verification organizations providing measurements, development, production, operation of various technical devices, etc.
Metrology penetrates all sciences and disciplines dealing with measurements and is a single science for them (Photo: Moon Light PhotoStudio, licensed by Shutterstock.com)
On the eve of the holiday itself, according to tradition, the directors of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (IBLM) and the International Bureau of Legal Metrology (IBLM) address the world community and the metrological community with messages in which they note the most important and socially significant problems of the year, the solution of which requires metrological support.
Also on this day, it is customary to celebrate the contribution of specialists working in this industry. Therefore, it can be considered an international professional holiday.
It should also be noted that every year World Metrology Day is held under a certain motto. So, over the years, the themes of the holiday were: «The world of metrology in the service of the whole world», «Measurements in the environment around us», «The Olympic Games are impossible without measurements», «Measurements in Science and Technology. Bridge to innovation», «Metrology for security», «Measurements and the global energy problem», «Measurements and light», «Measurements in a dynamic world», «Measurements for transport», «In constant development — International System of Units (SI)», «Measurements for health», «Metrology in the digital era», «Measurements supporting the global food system» and others.
• Infographics — poster «World Metrology Day»