The expanding scope of legal metrology and the changing role of the state in a globalised world

摘要

Legal metrology developed over 5 000 years ago with the development of civilizations which required consistency of a wide range of measurements used in every-day life. The relationship between the State and metrology was symbiotic. The State needed the information provided by measurements to be able to organise, plan, defend and tax with efficiency. Such accounting depended on uniform measurements that could be aggregated across wide geographical areas and across a broad spectrum of farming and manufacturing practices and work organisation. Metrology on the other hand required the mandate of the State to ensure consistency of measurements. As well as being a user of metrology the State was also required to provide the necessary trust and confidence in measurement by mandatory standards and requirements. This ensured the integrity of commerce and was realised by the State enforcing measurement standards and requirements and controlling fraud to underpin market transactions.