1. Scope

Keywords

Rationale

International vocabulary of metrology - Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM) defines metrological traceability as the property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a reference through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement uncertainty. Just the quantity without reference makes the quality virtually meaningless. The same as entering a grocery shop and requesting 7, the result would be a confused grocer ask 7 of what? Measurement units are the way for us to reference quantities and the relationships between quantities. Metrological traceability as a whole, is how we continually assure our understanding of measurement results relative globally accepted references. For some tests and measurements this understanding is important for example, in trade where payment is based on qualities or medical treatments where dosage is a critical factor. It is not the case for every measurement within testing. For example the evaluation of characteristics due to weathering. In these cases the uncertainty contributors related to measurement instruments are insignificant, when compared to the other contributing elements. This guide is necessary to assure that users make informed decisions related to metrological traceability.