National Weights and Measures Laboratory
Encyclopedia
The National Measurement Office (NMO, previously known as NWML) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
(BIS). The Agency was formerly known as the National Weights and Measures Laboratory until April 2008.
The current Chief Executive of the Agency is Mr Peter Mason, appointed in 2007. Its function is to provide a measurement infrastructure which supports innovation, facilitates fair competition, promotes international trade and protects consumers, health and the environment.
when it moved from its previous location in central London
to a new, purpose-built facility in Teddington
which was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Kent
on the 9th of April 1987.
Until June 28, 2007 it was an Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. It then became part of the newly formed DIUS (Dept. of Innovation, Universities and Skills) and now sits within the re-formed Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).
NMO is responsible not only for setting the strategic direction of the measurement infrastructure, but also for aligning our policy and legislation, managing of NMS, and carrying out international activities on measurement. In addition, the NMO acts as a National Enforcement Authority for a range of EU-based environmental legislation and carries out commercial activities which rely on measurement expertise. The Agency has annual costs of circa £80m and 70 staff.
The Agency is also responsible for examining and approving new measuring instruments and equipment which are ultimately intended for use in trade in order to establish their compliance with national legislation such as the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and relevant EU
legislation. The Agency also makes available to manufacturers of such equipment a consultancy service, intended to be used throughout different stages of the equipment's development. They also provide calibration and testing services to both local authorities and private businesses, as well as training in aspects of legal metrology
to national and international clients.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
(BIS). The Agency was formerly known as the National Weights and Measures Laboratory until April 2008.
The current Chief Executive of the Agency is Mr Peter Mason, appointed in 2007. Its function is to provide a measurement infrastructure which supports innovation, facilitates fair competition, promotes international trade and protects consumers, health and the environment.
History
The Agency was created in 1987 from a reorganisation of the Standards DepartmentStandards Department
The Standards Department was a department of the English Board of Trade having the custody of the imperial standards of weights and measures. As far back as can be traced, the standard weights and measures, the primary instruments for determining the justness of all other weights and measures used...
when it moved from its previous location in central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to a new, purpose-built facility in Teddington
Teddington
Teddington is a suburban area in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in south west London, on the north bank of the River Thames, between Hampton Wick and Twickenham. It stretches inland from the River Thames to Bushy Park...
which was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Kent
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
The Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63...
on the 9th of April 1987.
Until June 28, 2007 it was an Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. It then became part of the newly formed DIUS (Dept. of Innovation, Universities and Skills) and now sits within the re-formed Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).
Role
The Agency has responsibility for the National Measurement System (NMS) which is the UK's national infrastructure of laboratories that are involved with the science and technology of measurement. It has responsibility for maintaining the national primary standards (mass, length, time, temperature etc.) and disseminating the associated measurements and technologies to the UK for trade and measurement purposes.NMO is responsible not only for setting the strategic direction of the measurement infrastructure, but also for aligning our policy and legislation, managing of NMS, and carrying out international activities on measurement. In addition, the NMO acts as a National Enforcement Authority for a range of EU-based environmental legislation and carries out commercial activities which rely on measurement expertise. The Agency has annual costs of circa £80m and 70 staff.
The Agency is also responsible for examining and approving new measuring instruments and equipment which are ultimately intended for use in trade in order to establish their compliance with national legislation such as the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and relevant EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
legislation. The Agency also makes available to manufacturers of such equipment a consultancy service, intended to be used throughout different stages of the equipment's development. They also provide calibration and testing services to both local authorities and private businesses, as well as training in aspects of legal metrology
Metrology
Metrology is the science of measurement. Metrology includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement. The word comes from Greek μέτρον , "measure" + "λόγος" , amongst others meaning "speech, oration, discourse, quote, study, calculation, reason"...
to national and international clients.
See also
- National Measurement Office (http://www.nmo.bis.gov.uk)
- National Physical Laboratory (http://www.npl.co.uk)
- National Engineering Laboratory (http://www.tuvnel.com/)
- Laboratory of the Government Chemist (http://www.lgc.co.uk/)