March 2013

Pause for a moment and think of a typical day, yesterday perhaps. How many times did you do something that required a measurement? You would surely not normally ask yourself that question, but reflect for a moment. Did you look at your watch (you measured time), buy food or produce (you measured mass), fill your car with fuel (you measured volume) or have your blood pressure taken (the pressure was measured)? These along with countless other activities in our daily lives involve some sort of measurement; we are so used to this, that we take many measurements for granted.

There are many aspects to the use of these measurements. We take decisions based on their results, just as simply and automatically as pushing the brake pedal in a car when the speed is over the limit, or cutting down on sweet food if our blood sugar level is too high. The price of much of what we buy is calculated from measurements - electricity, water, food, fuel, to name but a few.

You may well be surprised at just how important accurate measurements are in your daily life. Sometimes we do consciously think about it, but mostly measurements form such an integral part of our lives that we rely on them without even noticing. However, with the role modern technologies now play in our lives, the accuracy and reliability of these measurements require continuous improvement. But possibly only those of us who are involved in measurement are aware of how our modern high-tech world relies on the international system which, in turn, ensures that we are able to reliably make the measurements we need.
As Directors of the two world metrology Organizations (the BIPM and the BIML), our aim is to join together and work with you to raise awareness of the important role that metrology plays in all of our lives. May 20, the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875, is the day on which the world metrology community celebrates World Metrology Day,  For 2013, we have chosen the theme Measurements in daily life, in order to draw attention to the impact of the measurements that we as citizens come across in our daily lives.

Join us in celebrating the 2013 World Metrology Day: we invite those involved in the metrology arena to commemorate this important date with us, and help those around us to recognize the contribution of the intergovernmental and national organizations that work throughout the year on their behalf.

PDF (English)	DOC (English)