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ONANOR — National Office for Standardization and Metrology
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What is metrology?

Metrology is the science of measurement. It defines the principles and methods that ensure and maintain confidence in the results of measurement processes. It is a cross-disciplinary science applied in all fields where quantitative measurements are made.

It is divided into three categories:

Fundamental or scientific metrology, which aims to create, develop and maintain recognized reference measurement standards;
Industrial metrology, the most common branch, ensures measurements, for example during a manufacturing process in a company or industry, often as part of quality control linked to a quality-management system;
Legal metrology is the branch of metrology (the science of measurement) concerned with measurements subject to regulation to ensure reliability, safety and consumer protection, particularly in trade, health, public safety and the environment.

🎯 Objectives of legal metrology:

1. Ensure the accuracy of measuring instruments used in commercial transactions
(E.g. commercial scales, fuel pumps, electricity or water meters)
2. Protect consumers and citizens against fraud or errors caused by non-compliant measuring instruments.
3. Ensure fairness in trade: all parties must use instruments that have been verified and certified according to common standards.
4. Regulate measurements used in sensitive fields such as health: medical measuring devices (thermometers, medical scales); safety: speed radars and breathalysers; and the environment: pollution sensors and emission meters.

The role of legal-metrology authorities:
Draft and enforce regulations on measuring instruments.
Carry out initial verification (before commissioning) and periodic verification of instruments.
Issue certificates of conformity.
Carry out market checks and inspections.

Scientific and industrial metrology are provided by the National Metrology Laboratory (LNM), established in 2012 to calibrate and verify measuring instruments. It develops and maintains internationally recognized national reference standards that enable industry to link its measuring instruments to the International System of Units (SI).

The LNM carries out its duties in mass, weighing, volume and temperature.

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