III Measurement
Measurements Standards Laboratory of New Zealand
Industrial Research Limited, Gracefield Road,
(PO Box 31 310), Lower Hutt
Telephone: 04-569 0000
Website: www.irl.cri.nz/msl
Mission: "… provide for the use throughout New Zealand of uniform units of measurement of physical quantities, and for the establishment and maintenance of standards of measurement of physical quantities."
The Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand (MSL) ensures that New Zealand has a system that delivers accurate and reliable measurements. Hundreds of daily activities rely on accurate measurement: meeting a friend at an agreed time; buying a bottle of drink or packet of chips; using electricity; competing in sports; checking blood pressure; keeping to the speed limit or heating the oven. The government requires reliable measurements for legislation and regulation. Suppliers and customers use measurement as a basis for fair trade.
MSL's measurement capability underpins our whole technical infrastructure. Its key functions are:
- To support the standards of measurement relevant to New Zealand
- To ensure that users, both national and international, have confidence in New Zealand's standards of measurement
- To ensure that all measurements in New Zealand can be traceable to the International System of Units (le système international d'unités or SI)
Structure
MSL was established in 1992 as part of the crown research institute, Industrial Research Limited (IRL) - previously part of the former Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. IRL is a government-owned company with its own board. MSL operates under the Measurement Standards Act 1992 and the National Standards Regulations 1976 (with Amendment No. 1, 1992).
MSL is contracted by the Minister of Research, Science and Technology to provide measurement services related to New Zealand's national measurement standards. This recognises that MSL is part of the scientific innovation system. MSL advises the government on national and international measurement issues and developments.
Operations - Relevant Measurement Standards
MSL provides appropriate national measurement standards for the SI units of importance to New Zealand. For example, MSL has temperature fixed points to establish the temperature scale; a Josephson volt apparatus to provide accurately known voltages; and standard weights with mass values known in terms of the kilogram (an artefact held in Paris).
Measurement standards are dynamic. User needs change with time. New standards must be introduced and existing standards extended in range and accuracy. In practice, this means that MSL is continually improving the measurement standards it supports. For example, a cryogenic radiometer has recently been commissioned for light measurement. The previous room temperature radiometer could not meet the accuracy now required for measuring ultraviolet light from the sun.
MSL experts in measurement undertake the research and development associated with this continual improvement. MSL scientists also monitor international developments in their specialist areas so that they can report on and respond to changes, such as new definitions for SI units.
Confidence in Measurement
Confidence in measurement is important for enforcement of local and central government regulations and codes, and for well-being in society. Up-to-date measurement capabilities underpin New Zealand's competitive advantage, especially in advanced technology product development. Internationally, confidence in New Zealand's standards of measurement is essential for access to the global market-place and to meet international standards and conformance requirements.
To help establish this confidence, MSL participates in international measurement comparisons, principally those organised by the international Metric Treaty Organisation (which is responsible for supporting the SI unit system), and the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme. These measurement comparisons are used to demonstrate that New Zealand's national measurement standards are consistent with national measurement standards in other countries, and hence that they are acceptable measures of the SI units.
MSL publishes the results of its measurement standards research in international journals to provide additional evidence of New Zealand's measurement capability and to contribute to the body of scientific knowledge on measurement.
Measurement Traceability
The only measurements that can be relied on are those that are traceable. Traceability is an unbroken chain of comparisons back to the SI in the form of a national measurement standard. Each comparison in the chain is of known accuracy and is undertaken by people who are technically competent.
MSL provides a wide range of calibration services to help clients to establish the traceability of their measurements. All MSL calibrations are certified as traceable to New Zealand's national measurement standards.
MSL calibrates the reference measurement standards of IANZ-accredited calibration laboratories. These laboratories, in turn, provide a traceable calibration service to anyone needing to check the accuracy of measuring devices.
All measuring devices that are used for critical measurements require regular calibration to a suitable accuracy. This applies to simple instruments, such as pressure gauges, rules and thermometers, as much as it does to more complex measuring devices, such as weighing instruments and co-ordinate measuring machines.
MSL Capabilities
- Calibration capabilities in length (laser wavelength, line scales and end standards); mass; volume; density; pressure; time interval, frequency and time-of-day; electricity (voltage - direct and alternating, resistance, current, power and energy, capacitance, impedance); temperature; humidity; photometry; radiometry and spectrophotometry
- Advice on the acceptability of calibration, test or measurement information
- Measurement-related consultancy services based on specialist technical expertise. Some examples are colour and lighting, electricity metering, electrostatic hazards, laboratory accreditation, laser safety, UV hazards, and temperature control
- Workshops and attachment training to build technical competence in testing and calibration. Workshop subjects include Traceable Electrical Energy Metering; Photometry and Colour Measurement; Measurement, Uncertainty and Calibration; Temperature Measurement and Calibration; Balances and Weighing; Length Measurement; Pressure Calibration; and Infrared Radiation Thermometry
- Provision of measurement experts, e.g. for the technical assessment or peer review of laboratories
Case Study: Electricity Supply
Changes in the electricity supply market meant that suppliers needed to improve their ability to measure electricity. MSL assisted the industry by:
- Organising a watt-meter proficiency testing programme so that the industry could judge how well it was performing
- Advising on industry codes of practice for electricity metering and encouraging the requirement for laboratory accreditation to ensure ongoing performance
- Running training workshops on traceable electrical energy metering
- Developing a more accurate measurement standard for electrical energy
- Extending calibration services to include three-phase energy meters and current transformers
Development of these improved services was underpinned by a research project to improve the accuracy of the ac volt.
The outcome is greatly increased mutual confidence in electricity measurements between suppliers and purchasers in the wholesale electricity market.
International Role
New Zealand has adopted the SI or metric units of measurement, which are supported and developed under the inter-governmental Metric Treaty of 1875. New Zealand became a signatory to the Metric Treaty in 1991.
In October 1999, MSL, together with counterparts from 37 other Metric Treaty member countries, signed an Arrangement for the "Mutual Recognition of National Measurement Standards and of Calibration and Measurement Certificates issued by National Metrology Institutes". The MRA requires that National Measurement Institutes of signatory countries carry out regular international measurement comparisons.
This MRA is a major step forward in international measurement traceability. Regular comparisons help to make sure that measurements from different countries are effectively the same. They help ensure that components from country A will fit machines from country B; that aircraft can safely use navigation systems in different countries; and that a 500mL glass in Dunedin will hold the same amount as a 500mL glass in Shanghai.
Regional Co-Operation
MSL participates in metrology activities in the Asia-Pacific region to help build the metrology capabilities in the region and to increase New Zealand and international confidence in these capabilities. MSL (and its forerunner in the DSIR) has been an active member of the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme since its inception in 1977.
With support from the New Zealand Government, MSL is successfully training metrologists from a number of Southeast Asian countries. MSL also contributes to measurement aspects of regional trade agreements, including CER with Australia and negotiations between CER and ASEAN.
Trading Standards Service
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, 33 Bowen Street
(PO Box 1473), Wellington
Telephone: 04-474 2750
Website: www.consumer-ministry.govt.nz
Mission: "The Trading Standards Service works to ensure that goods are exchanged on the basis of recognised, informed and accurate weight or measure … by promoting effective market practices, and ensuring compliance with those practices."
The Trading Standards Service (TSS) is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 and the regulations issued under the Act. TSS also provides advice to government on the New Zealand legal measurement system and its operation.
The Weights and Measures Act 1987 provides for the system of weights and measures to be used in trade. It sets out:
- the standards of weights and measures used to ensure traceability to the New Zealand primary standards held by MSL
- the obligations to trade in metric units
- the method by which goods should be sold by weight, measure or number
- the requirements for the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment used for trade
It also provides a system for enforcement of the provisions of the Act and for offences and penalties for breaches of the Act.
The Act sets down a number of fundamental rights for consumers and those involved in trading goods by weight, measure or number. It underpins the trading environment within New Zealand and gives international credibility to our exporters.
Importers in other countries can be assured that New Zealand weights and measures meet international standards and that goods supplied from New Zealand can be accepted as being sold by fair weight, measure or number.
Structure
The Trading Standards Service is a section within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MCA). MCA is an operating division of the Ministry of Economic Development but reports directly on policy and operational issues to the Minister of Consumer Affairs.
Operations
The principal activities of the TSS, in relation to trade measurement, are:
- To provide policy advice to Government on trade measurement related issues
- To ensure compliance with the provisions of the Weights and Measures Act 1987 through education and enforcement
- To protect the integrity of the New Zealand trade measurement system by using traceable standards of weight and measure
- To promote assurance on the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment used in trade by operating a scheme for the accreditation of private sector verifiers
- To maintain a "type approval" laboratory where new types of weighing and measuring instruments can be checked against international measurement standards. This helps to prevent fraud
- To maintain New Zealand measurement credibility in the international arena through ongoing dialogue with inter-governmental legal metrology organisations
Legal Metrology
Legal metrology refers to the legislated requirements for measurements. The Weights and Measures Act 1987 deals only with measurements in trade. The TSS, through its membership of inter-governmental organisations, is able to give advice on wider legal metrology issues.
TSS Capabilities
- Testing and approving new weighing or measuring instruments, including those imported for use in New Zealand. Approved instruments range from drink dispensers to weighbridges
- Carrying out spot checks of weighing and measuring equipment used in trade
- Checking the accuracy of the quantity of packaged goods
- Investigating complaints from the public
- Auditing private sector verifiers of trade measuring equipment
- Maintaining an accredited measurement standards laboratory
Recent TSS Activities
- Commissioning a report for government on the economic value of trade measurement to New Zealand
- Successfully prosecuting a major fast-food chain for selling underweight goods
- Requiring firewood merchants to sell a fair measure, either by description (e.g. a trailer load, a sackful) or by volume (e.g. 3 cubic metres)
- Promoting the adoption of international standards for quantity statements on packaged goods
- Working with major retailers to establish company policies aimed at compliance with weights and measures legislation
- Requiring weighbridge manufacturers and operators to meet specific design features
Case Study: CNG Sold through Dispensers
Compac Industries, based in Penrose, Auckland has a substantial export business in CNG dispensers. This was threatened by a proposed new international standard for measuring CNG sold through dispensers.
The first draft of the new standard was written round a particular way of measuring CNG. This would have prohibited other technologies and precluded innovation. In particular, it would have discriminated against Compac and other New Zealand companies selling CNG dispensers that used a different system of measurement.
The International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV) has had its secretariat in Auckland since 1986 and has been heavily involved in the preparation of international CNG standards. IANGV made submissions on behalf of the industry and attended working group meetings in Europe of the international body, Organisation Internationale de Métrologie Légale (OIML). They succeeded in getting a new trade measurement standard that did not favour any particular measurement technology. This ensured that New Zealand suppliers were still able to compete on the international market for CNG dispensers.
International Role
International Organisation of Legal Metrology
The Organisation International de Métrologie Légale (OIML) was established in 1955. Its main objective is international harmonisation of legal metrology. OIML currently has 57 countries as full members and a further 48 countries as corresponding members. New Zealand is a corresponding member.
Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum
New Zealand is a member of the Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF), a specialist regional body established under APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation). APLMF aims to promote integrity and harmony in legal metrology activities and services within the Asia-Pacific region and to build mutual confidence in trade measurement. New Zealand chairs the APLMF working group on goods packed by measure.
Trade Measurement Advisory Committee
The Trade Measurement Advisory Committee (TMAC) consists of the trade measurement authorities from New Zealand and from the Commonwealth, States and Territories of Australia. The Committee focuses on trade measurement issues within Australia and between Australia and New Zealand and provides policy advice on trade measurement issues to the Australian State and Federal Governments and the New Zealand Government.
ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and Australia/New Zealand Closer Economic Relations (CER)
New Zealand and Australia also work alongside partners in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) on trade measurement issues.
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