How do you measure life itself? From the cholesterol in our blood to the pollutants in our air and water, chemical and biological metrology reaches far beyond the laboratory—touching health, food, the environment, and commerce on a global scale.

At the BIPM–UNESCO World Metrology Day Symposium, held during the 150th Anniversary of the Metre Convention, Professor Willie E. May, former Director of the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), returned to the international stage to reflect on the transformative growth of chemical and biological metrology and its role in addressing the challenges of our time.
 

Watch our interview

Prof. May explains why chemical and biological measurements differ from traditional physical metrology, why their impact on society is so profound, and how carefully designed international comparisons can “shine a light” across vast fields of science, regulation and daily life.

[2 minutes]

Watch the Panel Discussion

At #BIPM150, Prof. May tells the story of how the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) transformed from a small group of specialists into a truly global community—one that now anchors progress in environmental science, food safety and healthcare.

His talk takes us through how international comparisons and reference standards have turned chemical and biological metrology into a discipline that not only ensures accuracy but also shapes decisions that affect daily life worldwide.

[17 minutes]