14
2 Metrological Infrastructure
Fig. 2.1 Scheme of the
international metrology
structure
Metric
1875
Convention
mineral water containing sodium and potassium ions in expected concentrations. We
check the alcohol content in beer and in the wine. Such examples can be multiplied
almost indefinitely. And it is important for such actions to be independent of the
place and time.
2.3 Metre Convention
The need for a unified system of comparing measurements to a common reference
was the driving force behind the creation of a uniform system of measurement, which
was the aim of the signatories of the Metre Convention (Convention du Mètre), also
known as the Treaty of the Metre. The international Treaty of the Metre created
the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), an intergovernmental
organization under the authority of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) and the supervision of the International Committee for Weights and
Measures (CIPM), which coordinates international metrology infrastructure and the
development of the metric system (Fig. 2.1).
The Metre Convention, established in the nineteenth century, was the foundation of
the metric system. The ultimate objective of the Metre Convention was to accomplish
a state where “regardless of place and time of the measurement, it will yield the same
result, within the limits of set errors.” Today, this sentence can be finished with the
words “within the limits of measurement uncertainty.”
In its early stage of development, the metric system of measurement was based
on two basic units: meter as the unit of length and kilogram as the unit of mass. This
system was adopted by the French National Assembly and, because of its advantages,
it quickly gained recognition in the international forum. The consequence of this
was the most important event in the history of metrology, namely the signing of the
Metre Convention. This event took place on May 20th, 1875, when at a meeting
of the Diplomatic Conference in Paris (France), 17 countries signed an agreement
2 Metrological Infrastructure
Fig. 2.1 Scheme of the
international metrology
structure
Metric
1875
Convention
mineral water containing sodium and potassium ions in expected concentrations. We
check the alcohol content in beer and in the wine. Such examples can be multiplied
almost indefinitely. And it is important for such actions to be independent of the
place and time.
2.3 Metre Convention
The need for a unified system of comparing measurements to a common reference
was the driving force behind the creation of a uniform system of measurement, which
was the aim of the signatories of the Metre Convention (Convention du Mètre), also
known as the Treaty of the Metre. The international Treaty of the Metre created
the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), an intergovernmental
organization under the authority of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) and the supervision of the International Committee for Weights and
Measures (CIPM), which coordinates international metrology infrastructure and the
development of the metric system (Fig. 2.1).
The Metre Convention, established in the nineteenth century, was the foundation of
the metric system. The ultimate objective of the Metre Convention was to accomplish
a state where “regardless of place and time of the measurement, it will yield the same
result, within the limits of set errors.” Today, this sentence can be finished with the
words “within the limits of measurement uncertainty.”
In its early stage of development, the metric system of measurement was based
on two basic units: meter as the unit of length and kilogram as the unit of mass. This
system was adopted by the French National Assembly and, because of its advantages,
it quickly gained recognition in the international forum. The consequence of this
was the most important event in the history of metrology, namely the signing of the
Metre Convention. This event took place on May 20th, 1875, when at a meeting
of the Diplomatic Conference in Paris (France), 17 countries signed an agreement