The Intra Africa System for Metrology: A Technical Work Programme for 2008/2009

摘要

During 2007, the Intra Africa System for Metrology (AFRIMETS) was formed with as principal members the sub regional metrology organizations (SRMOs) in Africa of which the Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Measurement Traceability (SADCMET) is the largest and most active. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between four SRMOs representing 36 countries and two countries not part of a SRMO. The MOU was further refined and finally adopted at the first AFRIMETS General Assembly meeting held in South Africa in July 2007. The meeting also adopted a draft technical work program. The work program is based on the need to prove measurement capabilities and underpin calibration and measurement capability (CMC) claims by countries in Africa that are ready to submit. A list of comparisons has been compiled to assist mostly Kenya and Egypt with CMC submissions. The European Association of Metrology Institutes (EURAMET) is assisting Egypt by organizing the comparisons needed by them in the immediate future and the rest, starting with the comparisons needed by Kenya, are being planned by AFRIMETS. In addition, pilot studies are being conducted to assist national metrology institutes (NMIs) and accredited calibration laboratories to test their skills and improve measurement capabilities and performance. The history of the region and the current and planned activities are highlighted in the presentation. Metrologists and managers interested in metrology in Africa and developing countries, and the establishment of regional metrology structures will benefit from attending.