Articles • 3 mins read
On 20 May 2025, the global community marks a remarkable milestone: 150 years since the signing of the Metre Convention — a pivotal agreement that laid the foundation for the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the global coordination of measurement science. It marked the beginning of a shared international approach to metrology, culminating in the development of the International System of Units (SI) — the universal language of reliable measurement.
This year’s World Metrology Day pays tribute to that legacy, celebrating a century and a half of scientific collaboration and measurement harmonisation. For UKAS, this moment is doubly meaningful, as 2025 also marks our 30th anniversary as the UK’s National Accreditation Body.
Together, these anniversaries remind us of the enduring partnership between metrology and accreditation — and how they continue to work side-by-side to underpin confidence in an increasingly complex world.
Measurement you can trust, accreditation you can rely on
Metrology is present in every aspect of our lives — in the fuels we consume, the medical treatments we receive, the food we eat, and the buildings we live and work in. But it is the assurance of competence and impartiality, provided through accreditation, that gives weight to these measurements in practice.
UKAS accredits a wide range of testing and calibration laboratories to internationally recognised standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, helping ensure the reliability, and global comparability of measurement results. This in turn supports fair trade, regulatory compliance, innovation, and public safety.
“Metrology provides the science and standards that enable reliable measurements. Accreditation ensures that those making the measurements are competent and impartial. Together, they create a system the world can trust. As we celebrate 150 years of the Metre Convention and 30 years of UKAS, we’re reminded of the value of this partnership in supporting safety, innovation and confidence — not just for today’s challenges, but for those still to come.”
— Richard McFarlane, Head of Technical Coordination, UKAS
Looking ahead: a future grounded in trust
While the Metre Convention was signed in a very different world, its principles — international cooperation, harmonisation of systems, and trust in data — are more relevant than ever. Today, metrology is evolving rapidly to keep pace with new demands in climate science, digital transformation, AI, nanotechnology and quantum standards. Measurement at these frontiers will require continued collaboration between scientific institutions, national laboratories, and accreditation bodies to maintain integrity and relevance.
Likewise, as UKAS looks ahead to the next 30 years, our role in supporting a safe, sustainable and innovation-ready economy is growing. Whether it’s assuring the validity of hydrogen fuel measurements, underpinning AI management system certification, or verifying sustainability claims through robust conformity assessment, UKAS will continue to adapt — while upholding the core principle that confidence must be earned through competence.
A shared legacy, a shared responsibility
From its beginnings in 1875 to its far-reaching role today, the Metre Convention represents more than a system of units — it represents a shared global commitment to trust in measurement. As part of the UK’s Quality Infrastructure, UKAS is proud to carry that commitment forward.
As we celebrate 150 years of metrology and 30 years of accreditation excellence, we reaffirm our partnership with the metrology community — and our mission to support society’s need for trusted, assured, and forward-looking conformity assessment.