More than 200 participants gained new insights into how quality management systems (QMS) are reviewed across the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA) during a BIPM Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer (CBKT) Technical Exchange held on 17 June 2026.

The session introduced QMS as a new topic within the CBKT Technical Exchange programme and provided an opportunity to better understand how confidence is established and maintained across the CIPM MRA framework.

Why this matters

Quality management systems are a core element of the CIPM MRA. They help ensure that Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) are supported by robust technical and quality processes, providing confidence in the international recognition of measurement results.

While review processes are well established, these types of technical exchanges provide further opportunities for quality system specialists, technical committee members, and representatives from National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and Designated Institutes (DIs) to explore and compare the differing approaches applied by Regional Metrology Organizations (RMOs) around the world. As a result, these sessions also help participants better understand how confidence is established and maintained across the international metrology system in general.

Sharing regional approaches

Caption: Speakers contributing to the CBKT Technical Exchange on quality management systems held on 17 June 2026.

A particular highlight of the session was the contribution of the Technical Committees for Quality Systems Chairs from all six RMOs: AFRIMETS, APMP, COOMET, EURAMET, GULFMET and SIM.

Participants heard directly from each region about their approaches to quality system reviews and the processes used to support mutual recognition under the CIPM MRA.

By bringing together these regional perspectives in a single forum, the session highlighted how quality management systems are reviewed and how confidence is maintained across different regions.

In feedback following the event, Prof. Dr Noha Khaled of NIS, representing AFRIMETS, and Dr Enver Sadikoglu of TÜBİTAK UME highlighted the value of comparing how different RMOs approach QMS reviews, while also identifying common principles and useful practices that could help strengthen work in other regions.

The positive response from participants highlighted the value of creating opportunities to share experience and strengthen understanding across the CIPM MRA community. Presentation slides and additional resources from the session are now available to support ongoing learning and engagement.