World-leading metrology experts welcomed to New Zealand

4 November 2014

World-leading metrology experts welcomed to New Zealand

Around 120 of the world’s leading legal metrology experts have been welcomed to New Zealand this morning, here to attend the 49th meeting of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) in Auckland.

Stephen O’Brien, Manager of Trading Standards at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says, “Legal metrology provides regulations for the control of measurements and measuring instruments. A well-functioning legal metrology system ensures consumers are confident in the products they are purchasing, which in turn, creates a healthy and productive economy.”

He says, “Every day, consumers, traders, government regulators and industry make decisions based on measurement results. These measurements affect the economic and personal wellbeing of us all. A well-functioning society relies on confidence in the accuracy and the transparency of all measurements.”

“In its simplest form, every day consumers buy products such as grocery items and petrol and expect that the litre of fuel they purchase is in fact exactly a litre, no more, no less. The same goes for a kilogram of fruit at the supermarket, for example.”

Stephen O’Brien says, “The focus of the OIML is to enable economies to put in place effective legal metrology systems, which are mutually compatible, so that trade can take place between member countries. For New Zealand, this includes both our export products and imports.”

He says this is the first time New Zealand has hosted this important event. The 120 delegates represent 70 of the world’s economies, including all New Zealand’s key trading partners. They alsorepresent 86 per cent of the world's population and 96 per cent of the world’s economy.

Further information can be found at: http://auckland.oiml.org/

ENDS

© Scoop Media