South Africa, through the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), represented by its Legal Metrology Business Unit, joins other member countries and territories of metrology organisations all over the world to commemorate World Metrology Day, which is an annual celebration of the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875.
The theme for World Metrology Day 2025 is “Measurements for all times, for all people.’’
The theme aims to put emphasis on the essential role metrology plays in driving progress and innovation, ensuring fair trade, advancing scientific discovery and addressing global challenges.
The legal metrology system in South Africa, through its model law based on international best practice methods, namely the Legal Metrology Act, Act 9 of 2014, provides the regulatory requirements for providing the necessary assurance and confidence that measurements are accurate and reliable.
The metrology day is annually commemorated on 20 May worldwide to mark the framework which was developed on the day for global collaboration in the science of measurements in industrial, commercial and societal applications.
The framework provides the basis for a worldwide coherent measurement system that underpins scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, as well as the improvement of the quality of life and the protection of the global environment.
Furthermore, the NRCS and other metrology member countries are also commemorating hundred and fifty (150) years of the Metre Convention. The first legal metrology legislation, the Weights and Measures Act of 1922, came into force on 27 April 1923.
Over the history of legal metrology in South Africa, the legislation has been modernised and adapted to support the needs of industry, and to provide the necessary assurance and confidence that measurements are accurate, providing a sound basis for global trade and helping us to prepare for the sustainability challenges of tomorrow.
For this purpose, the current legislation now includes regulatory requirements for measuring instruments and measurements in the fields of health, safety and the environment. Legal metrology requirements applicable to measurable products and services, measurements in trade, health, safety and the environment and regulated measuring instruments.
The OIML also operates the OIML Certification System (OIML-CS) which facilitates international acceptance and global trade of regulated measuring instruments.
As part of celebrating World Metrology Day, the Legal Metrology Business Unit of the NRCS will intensify the development of requirements for active electrical energy meters, to ensure that meters used for selling electricity to the public, are type approved, verified and remains accurate during their period of use.
These requirements will be based on the internationally harmonised recommendations and will support access to affordable and clean energy.
