BIPM UPDATE TO the TBT committee

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY the International Bureau of Weights and Measures
(BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES POIDS ET MESURES (BIPM))

This document contains information provided by BIPM at the TBT Committee meeting of 5‑8 November 2024 under Agenda Item 6 (Update by Observers).

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1  Introduction

1.1.  The International Bureau of Weights and Measures/Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) is the intergovernmental organization established by the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875.

1.2.  It is the home of:

·_        the International System of Units (SI), the metric system and

·_        the international reference time scale (UTC).

1.3.  The BIPM is one of the oldest international organizations in the world and, as of October 2024, has 64 Member States and 37 Associates. This results in a mandate that covers more than 100 UN Member States.

1.4.  Moving forward, a key objective of the BIPM and its stakeholders is to extend global participation and access to BIPM activities. In answer to this, in 2022 a resolution was adopted by the BIPM's General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), entitled "Universal adherence to the Metre Convention". The aim of this resolution is to expand the categorisations for participation in BIPM activities. Necessary steps are underway to implement this initiative.

2  International liaison and communication

2.1  World Metrology Day

2.1.  While the BIPM and the International Organization of Legal Metrology/Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale (OIML) have been celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention as a World Metrology Day since 2000, in November 2023 the General Conference of the United Nations Organization for Education, Culture and Science (UNESCO) made it an official UNESCO International Day.

2.2.  On 14 May 2024, World Metrology Day was celebrated at UNESCO for the first time. This marks a significant step forward in raising global awareness for metrology's role in everyday life and the importance of BIPM's capacity-building activities around the world.

2.3.  'Sustainability' took centre stage as the official theme of our 2024 World Metrology Day and more than 30 celebratory events were organized around the world. The official poster - developed in partnership with the National Metrology Institute of Türkiye and distributed to over 40 institutes and organizations - can be found on the dedicated resource website.

3  Capacity-building activities

3.1.  _The BIPM Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer Programme (CBKT) aims to increase the effectiveness with which Member States and Associates engage in the world-wide coordinated metrological system.

3.2.  CBKT initiatives are delivered through activities such as:

·_        workshops,

·_        laboratory placements, and

·_        remote-learning activities.

3.3.  Recent activities: BIPM and OIML joint knowledge transfer initiative

3.4.  Based on the demand from CEEMS countries, the BIPM and the OIML have agreed to organize a joint knowledge transfer initiative through their capacity building and knowledge programmes. The first outcome of this knowledge transfer initiative is a Brochure with six accompanying inserts, the contents of which draw upon the BIPM and OIML joint publication "National metrology systems ‑ Developing the institutional and legislative framework" (OIML D 1:2020).

3.5.  The second outcome of the initiative is the e-learning course "National Metrology Systems" published on the remote resources of the BIPM and the OIML. It allows those interested in the material to access the course from anywhere and at any time. This flexibility accommodates diverse learning paces, making knowledge transfer more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience.

3.6.  This self-study course contains five e-learning modules, which have the final goal of providing guidance to set up a national metrology system in a country or economy where it does not yet exist, or which has only partial elements of it.

4  Young metrologists' 2050+ vision to shape the future of metrology

4.1.  The BIPM, in collaboration with RMOs, has concluded a foresight exercise aimed at generating and facilitating visionary ideas for future opportunities and challenges. The exercise was conducted with groups of young metrologists through workshops, debates and interviews. The results will directly contribute to the Strategy 2030+ of the BIPM's International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM).

4.2.  The first stage of the exercise—comprising of a series of online discussion workshops with over 380 participants from all six RMOs—was concluded in April 2024. These workshops acted as a catalyst for many RMOs, prompting the launch of internal communication channels for young metrologists.

4.3.  The second stage focused on consolidating, reviewing, providing feedback, and presenting ideas collected. This was done through:

·_        an online questionnaire that ran from June 2023 to June 2024,

·_        a meeting of RMO coordinators to discuss responses in July 2024,

·_        online interviews with five of the young metrologists who had submitted the most insightful responses,

·_        a summary outlining the ideas that were sent for a "second round" of reviews and feedback, and finally, a presentation to the CIPM - in October 2024 - of the consolidated list of key challenges, opportunities and priority areas for action in the form of The Young Metrologists' 2050+ Vision report.

5  Digital transformation

5.1.  The BIPM plays a leading role in the digital transformation of metrology and, alongside nine international organizations, has signed a _Joint Statement of Intent on the digital transformation in international scientific and quality infrastructure. This statement provides a platform for signatories to indicate their commitment to developing and establishing a world-wide uniform and secure data exchange format based on the SI.

5.2.  In support of this goal, the first plenary meeting of the Forum on Metrology and Digitalization was held in March 2024. The forum is tasked with advising the CIPM on the SI Digital Framework and the broader implications of global digital transformation for metrology and international Quality Infrastructure (QI). Its mission includes:

·_        harmonizing digitalization activities between NMIs, Consultative Committees, Regional Metrology Organizations and BIPM headquarters; and

·_        acting as a platform for exchanging information, fostering collaboration and creating synergies. This includes liaising with international QI organizations and relevant industry associations.

5.3.  The first services made available by the BIPM through the SI Digital Framework include:

_          i._        the SI Reference Point - a digital reference for the SI;

_         ii._        digital references for the Service Categories defined by the CIPM's Consultative Committees in physics and ionizing radiation; and

_        iii._        a reference point for nuclides.

5.4.  All the services are currently in beta-testing and user feedback is warmly encouraged.

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