CSIR-NPL Celebrates World Metrology Day 2023 with a Focus on Measurements Supporting Global Food System

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) organized a successful celebration of World Metrology Day (WMD) 2023 on May 19th, 2023. The event, held in collaboration with the Metrology Society of India (MSI), commemorated the signing of the Metre Convention on May 20th, 1875, which involved representatives from seventeen nations.

This year, the theme of WMD was "Measurements supporting the global food system," a declaration jointly made by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

The prestigious event welcomed esteemed guests, including Shri Pawan Aggarwal, Former Secretary of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Former CEO of FSSAI, who served as the Chief Guest. Prof. Prabhat K Nema, Director of NIFTEM, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Additionally, two distinguished speakers from the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and the National Physical Laboratory, U.K., joined the event online.

During his welcome and inaugural address, Prof. Venugopal Achanta, Director of CSIR-NPL, underscored the institute's role as the National Metrology Institute of India. He also highlighted the significance of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), which ensures that NPL measurements are accepted worldwide. Dr. Sanjay Yadav, Vice President of MSI, informed the audience about the various initiatives and collaborative programs of the Metrology Society of India, aimed at creating awareness about Metrology in society.

In his speech, Prof. Prabhat K Nema emphasized the crucial role of Metrology in scientific activities, particularly in the food sector. He stressed the importance of standardization in food processing methods and highlighted the challenges and opportunities for metrological sciences in this field. Pawan Aggarwal stated, "Standards make the world move," underscoring the need for India to become self-reliant through the development of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). He also recognized the pivotal role of NPL in measuring trace amounts of various parameters like pesticides and residuals.

The keynote address, delivered by Prof. Takatsuji Toshiyuki of NMIJ, focused on "The future of reliability of quality infrastructure (QI) through digital transformation (DX)." Prof. Toshiyuki highlighted the significance of digital transformation in Metrology and improving the reliability of food through technologies like blockchain. Dr. Graham Machin of the National Physical Laboratory, U.K., shared the progress made in implementing primary thermometry approaches for direct traceability to the kelvin.

As part of the event, dignitaries released the World Metrology Day poster. Additionally, four Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) were unveiled: BND® 9002 for Atenolol, BND® 9003 for Atorvastatin Calcium, BND® 9004 for Paracetamol, and BND® 9005 for Trimethoprim. These BNDs, jointly developed by CSIR-NPL, New Delhi, and Pharmaffiliates Analytics & Synthetics (P) Ltd., Panchkula, Haryana, serve as Indian Certified Reference Materials and can be used as reference standards for validating measurement methods in the analysis of measurands. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Naveen Garg, the convener of the event.