ARCHIVED - NRC - Measuring Up!

Equivalency, traceability, accreditation, calibration; these are some of the pillars of the international trade system. In today's global economy, fair and open trade depends on accurate, consistent and easily comparable measurement standards.

National metrology institutes have been founded in countries around the world to ensure the quality and uniformity of measurement, a role played in Canada by the NRC Institute for National Measurement Standards. Such organizations also work with each other to break down the barriers to trade that result from different standards or practices in different countries.

International trade agreements now require all signatories to accept the results of measurement and tests provided by any of the others. NRC-INMS helps facilitate trade in a number of ways. It develops new instruments and measurement methods; maintains physical entities such as transfer standards and certified reference materials; provides specialized measurement services including calibration laboratory assessment; and prepares written procedures, protocols and reports. NRC also provides leadership in promoting international comparisons of physical and chemical standards to establish equivalency between nations. On a yearly basis, NRC-INMS represents Canada on numerous international committees and participates in an equally great number of international comparisons (35 in 2001-02).

As the result of this work, Canada's standards are now recognized by all of our major trading partners, helping remove technical barriers to international trade and increase exports.

Metrology is often considered the silent partner of Canadian innovation. Learn more about the services offered by NRC-INMS by visiting the Web site.