World Metrology Day

2023 World Metrology Day

Theme: Measurements supporting the global food system

2023 WMD

 

History of World Metrology Day

World Metrology Day celebrates the signature by representatives of seventeen nations of the Metre Convention on 20th May 1875.  The Convention is the second oldest intergovernmental treaty arrangement and set the scene for what is now 130 years of achievement and success in the establishment of a global infrastructure for precise, accurate and traceable measurement. The original aim of the Metre Convention - the worldwide uniformity of measurement - remains as important today, as it was in 1875.  More, the work of the Convention now extends to a much greater number of international measurement standards and is making its presence felt in fields as diverse as biological standards and nanotechnologies.  In honor of the contribution of the Metre Convention the 21st CGPM, in October 1999, appointed 20th May as "World Metrology Day", a day which has been celebrated since then annually.

World Metrology Day recognizes and celebrates the contribution of all the people that work in intergovernmental and national organizations throughout the year.  We celebrate the 20th May as a day on which metrologists can be proud of their quiet, largely unseen, but influential achievements.  They can look back on a successful past, and look forward to another 130 or more years of service to the scientific, technical, commercial, and social applications of precise, traceable measurements within the International System of units (SI).  Across the world, national metrology institutes continually advance measurement science by developing and validating new measurement techniques at whatever level of sophistication is needed.

Themes and Posters

  • Theme for 2022 WMD: Metrology in the Digital Era
  • Theme for 2021 WMD: Measurement for Health
  • Theme for 2020 WMD: Measurements for global trade
  • Theme for 2019 WMD: The International System of Units Fundamentally better
  • Theme for 2018 WMD: Constant evolution of the International System of Units
  • Theme for 2017 WMD: Measurements for transport
  • Theme for 2016 WMD: Measurements in a dynamic world
  • Theme for 2015 WMD: Measurements and Light
  • Theme for 2014 WMD: Measurements and the Global Energy Challenge
  • Theme for 2013 WMD: Measurements in Daily Life
  • Theme for 2012 WMD: We Measure for Your Safety
  • Theme for 2011 WMD: Measurements in Chemistry~Chemical Measuremetns for Our Life, Our Future
  • Theme for 2010 WMD: Metrology -- Measurements in Science and Technology
  • Theme for 2009 WMD: Metrology -- Measurements in Commerce
  • Theme for 2008 WMD: Metrology -- Measurement in Sport
  • Theme for 2007 WMD: Measurements in Our Environment
  • Theme for 2006 WMD: A World of Metrology at the Service of the World
  • Theme for 2005 WMD: Global Confidence Through SI Traceability
  • Theme for 2004 WMD: What is Metrology