From every litre pumped and every parcel weighed, to every kilowatt billed, accurate and comparable measurements underpin public trust. But trust doesn't happen by accident. It is built through rigorous science, clear regulation and international cooperation.

On 12 October 2025, as the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) marks its 70th anniversary, the global metrology community takes the opportunity to reflect on how legal metrology transforms scientific standards into frameworks that support consumer confidence, fair trade and regulatory integrity worldwide.

Legal metrology ensures that scientific measurement standards—maintained by the BIPM and national metrology institutes—are applied consistently and transparently in regulated areas of daily life. From fuel dispensers and electricity metres to weighing instruments and taximeters, it protects consumers, promotes fair trade and strengthens regulatory trust.

Shared Responsibilities, Complementary Roles

The BIPM and OIML operate as sister organizations within the large framework of the international metrology community. While the BIPM ensures the international coordination of the International System of Units (SI) and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the OIML works to ensure that these standards are legally recognized and implemented at the point of use.

This shared responsibility forms the backbone of a globally coherent measurement system—one that guarantees not only scientific rigour but legal certainty. It is this alignment that allows measurements to be compared across borders, trusted by regulators and relied on by citizens.

As the OIML enters its eighth decade, the BIPM congratulates our colleagues on 70 years of service to global society—and looks forward to continuing our collaboration in support of transparent, trusted measurement systems worldwide.