International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML)

About OIML:

• The OIML stands for International Organisation of Legal Metrology which was established in 1955
• It is an international standard-setting body.
• It develops model regulations, standards and related documents for use by legal metrology authorities and industry.
• It plays a crucial role in harmonising national laws and regulations on performance of measuring instruments like clinical thermometers, alcohol breath analysers, radar speed measuring instruments, ship tanks found at ports, and petrol dispensing units.
• India became a member of the OIML in 1956. In the same year, India signed the metric convention.
• Headquarter: Paris

What is the OIML certificate?

• It is a system for issuing, registering and using OIML certificates, and their associated OIML type evaluation/test reports, for instruments like digital balance, clinical thermometers, etc.
• With the addition of India, the number of countries authorised to issue OIML certificates has increased to 13.
• Other certificate issuing countries: Australia, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden and Slovakia. 
• It is a single certificate accepted worldwide.
• Indian domestic manufacturers can now export their weighing and measuring instruments worldwide without incurring additional testing fees, resulting in significant cost savings.

Q1:What is Legal metrology?

Legal metrology comprises the administration of measuring instruments, application for units of measurement, and testing procedures which are commonly established in either legislation or documented standards. The purpose is to provide accurate and reliable measurements for trade, health, safety, and the environment. 

Source: India can now issue OIML certificates: What this means, significance