Press Releases

TTBS celebrates World Metrology Day

The Metrology Act 18 of 2004 has mandated the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards to establish and develop modern Metrology within our twin island Republic.  The Bureau, in our new role of National Metrology Institute joins with other celebrants in this interesting commemoration on the 20th of May, World Metrology Day.

May 20th 1875 marked the enactment of the Convention du Metre or Metre Convention between 17 countries.  This commenced the internationalisation of the metric system of measurement.  The system was introduced to the world by France which was also the sponsor of the Metre Convention.

The original group of countries included familiar names such as the United States, France, Germany, Venezuela and Brazil.  Some of the countries have ceased to exist such as Austria-Hungary and Sweden-Norway but the treaty has persisted to this day.  This year marks its 131st anniversary.  Today the Convention boasts of 51 members and 17 associated states and economies of the General Council of Weights and Measures (CGPM).

The CGPM is one of the three major international entities created by the Convention.  It is an assembly of the representatives of the members of the Convention which meets every five years.  The Bureau International de Poids e Mesures (BIPM) was the laboratory created for the housing of International Measurement Standards.  The Comite International de Poids e Mesures (CIPM) is a committee of 18 representatives of member states that meets annually to discuss international metrology issues.

On the 12th of September 2005 the CARICOM group of countries through the regional standards body, CROSQ, signed on as an Associate Member of the CGPM paving the way for our entry as a group into the world of international measurement.

The cooperation of many international metrology entities created by the establishment of the Metre Convention has many milestones and achievements of which to boast.  The Convention itself has been the initial step in removing measurement as a barrier to cooperation and trade between nations.  The SI system of units was established in 1962 and has been the basis for a whole new generation of breakthroughs in measurement.  The CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) was established in 1999 and has formed a platform for establishing equivalence in international trade in support of the global approach to business governed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The establishment of internationally recognised measurement capability within a country is one of the important steps of development that must be undertaken.  More experienced countries have reported spectacular returns on investments made in measurement.  The United Kingdom for example has indicated a more than £ 5000 million return on a £ 40 million investment in national metrology.

Developing countries like ours can only benefit from prudent investment in this area that can allow for:

• The production of goods and services of higher quality at more competitive prices.
• More efficient use of natural resources. 
• Better and more effective clinical and other health services.
• More accurate assessments of environmental conditions and changes.

Towards this end, TTBS is working assiduously towards the establishment of a National Metrology Institute inclusive of the Legal Metrology and National Calibration Units.  These entities will support the soon to be proclaimed Metrology Act and establish Trinidad and Tobago as a true member of the International Measurement fraternity.

It is with these thoughts in mind that TTBS adds its voice to those already commemorating World Metrology Day.