Metrology is the science of measurement, and embraces both experimental and theoretical measurements and determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology. The intricate and mostly invisible networks of services, suppliers and communications upon which we are all dependent rely on metrology for their efficient and reliable operation.

The economic success of nations depends upon our ability to manufacture and trade precisely measured and tested products and services. Metrology is central to the manufacturers, suppliers and customers of goods and services. All groups must have confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the measurements made at every level of precision.

A current example of this international standardization of metrology is the construction of the European Airbus A380, parts of which are made in the UK, in Spain, in Germany, in France, and are transported to France for assembly. To achieve this goal, precision position measurements over a 50 metre stretch were needed to the amazing and challenging target of about 50 micrometre. This was laboratory technology until the very recent past, and even now challenges the very best laser trackers. Such international commercial collaboration and product quality would be impossible without accurate validated dimensional measurements between the various national metrology institutes and laboratories of the countries involved.

Apart from areas of engineering, measurement science has profound implications in a number of other areas of science and technology. In the domain of measurements of time, satellite navigation systems and international time coordination make accurate location possible – allowing the worldwide networking of computer systems, and permitting aircraft to land in poor visibility. The new Galileo consortium is working to ensure that "Galileo time" is consistent with the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) produced by the BIPM from over 300 atomic clocks in 41 countries.