The BIPM and other Organizations

Due to the importance of metrology and the central position of the BIPM in metrological science, the BIPM has worked closely with a number of intergovernmental and international bodies.

Recognizing the need to extend established metrological principles to other areas of science and technology, particularly in chemical and biological measurements, for standardized, accurate and reliable data for example in areas of food safety and analysis, the BIPM is now an Observer at meetings of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and promotes measurement capabilities and certified reference materials, underpinned by the CIPM MRA, to the international food analysis community.

Also in the area of chemical metrology, the CIPM, the International Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) have agreed to cooperate to establish a Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM). (For further details of the work of the JCTLM, please see www.bipm.org/jctlm).

The BIPM provides the secretariat to the JCTLM, and manages the JCTLM database which provides lists of higher order reference materials and reference methods as well as reference measurement services that can by used by the international in vitro diagnostics community as the basis of the traceability of the values of their calibrators on control materials.

The International Organization for Standardization participates in the Consultative Committee for Units, the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM), and the Joint Committee on Coordination of Assistance to Developing Countries in Metrology, Accreditation and Standardization (JCDCMAS).

The CIPM and the World Health Organization have long recognized the need to strengthen the links between their organizations in order to ensure worldwide comparability and traceability of measurements in laboratory medicine. Similarly, links with the World Meteorological Organization are essential in the study of climate change and, as is the case with the World Health Organization, staff from both organizations provide formal cross representation in key committees.

A strong relationship between NMIs and accredited laboratories is an important element of national systems for traceability. The CIPM and BIPM have therefore worked closely with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) at the international level to stimulate and reinforce the collaboration between NMIs and National Accreditation Bodies. The CIPM MRA and the ILAC Arrangement on mutual acceptance of results from accredited laboratories therefore complement each other and strengthen the formal arrangements for SI traceability of measurements at all levels of required uncertainty.

Legal metrology is closely related with the work of the Metre Convention and the BIPM collaborates closely with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (www.oiml.org). Both bodies share the same commitment to traceability and uncertainty of measurement and, together with ILAC (www.ilac.org), the three bodies have a common statement on the importance of Mutual Recognition Arrangements, especially in support of international trade.

(For further details about the work of the BIPM with international organizations, please see www.bipm.org/en/convention/)