101st meeting of the CIPM (Session I)

The CIPM agreed to change the date of Session I of the 102nd meeting of the CIPM to the following:

CIPM bureau 17 to 18 June 2013

CIPM meeting 19 to 21 June 2013.

The CIPM supported the initiative to reduce the costs in connection with its meetings.

The CIPM supported the document proposed by Dr T.J. Quinn and for him to make a presentation at the meeting of the JCGM Working Group 2 on the VIM.

With one abstention (Dr W.E. May), the CIPM approved the signature of the CIPM MRA by the ESA under the same criteria and rules applying to the other signatory international organizations.

The CIPM and BIPM will increase their efforts to encourage signature of the CIPM MRA by other relevant international organizations (world-wide and from other regions). [Action CIPM/101-11]

The BIPM will examine the level of participation in the CIPM MRA of each international organization signatory of the CIPM MRA so as to review if they should contribute financially to the operation of the CIPM MRA. [Action CIPM/101-12]

The CIPM authorized the Director of the BIPM to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the BIPM and the IAEA.

The CIPM approved the JCRB proposed resolutions 28/1 and 28/2.

The CIPM approved the proposed changes to document CIPM MRA-D-05 with the exception of the three week period which will be extended to six weeks.

The CIPM approved the proposed changes to document CIPM 2005-05. The document CIPM 2005-05 will be referenced CIPM 2005-05 Rev. June 2012.

The CIPM approved the proposed changes to document CIPM-D-01.

The CIPM agreed that the next meeting of the CGPM will be held in November 2014.

The CIPM strongly supported this proposed Draft Resolution [on the name of the intergovernmental organization created by the Metre Convention] and agreed that this will be presented at the meeting of representatives of States Parties to the Metre Convention and NMI Directors in October 2012, after the question of the acronym of the organization has been addressed.

The BIPM will address the question of the acronym of the organization. [Action CIPM/101-9]

The CIPM President or Secretary will contact the chairs of the break-out groups of the ad hoc Working Group to make a presentation of their respective sessions at the meeting of representatives of States Parties to the Metre Convention and NMI Directors in October 2012. [Action CIPM/101-10]

The CIPM agreed on the composition of the CIPM Standing Sub-Committees and ad hoc Working Groups. It decided that each should draft terms of reference and preliminary thoughts available by mid-September 2012 for circulation and consideration by the CIPM and presentation to the representatives of States Parties to the Metre Convention and NMI Directors in October 2012.

As there will be three vacancies on 30 June 2012, and in view of the election to fill these 3 vacancies, the CIPM has discussed all eligible candidates in light of the existing criteria, and will go to a vote. The election process will be completed by 28 June 2012.

The CIPM President will invite Dr R. Davis to chair the CCM Workshop on the mise en pratique of the new definition of the kilogram. The next President of the CCM will be decided at the CIPM meeting in October 2012. [Action CIPM/101-8]

The CIPM approved the proposal that the point be adjusted temporarily during the period 2013-2015 by a maximum of 1 % on an annual basis.

The CIPM approved the modification to Rule 11.10.3 of the RRI, entitled Health insurance and retired staff members, effective 1 January 2013.

The CIPM approved the modification to Rule 11.10.2 of the RRI, entitled Insurance contract and contributions, effective 1 January 2013.

The CIPM approved the modification to Regulation 10.2 of the RRI, entitled Salaries scale, effective 1 January 2013.

After due consideration of the 2011 audited BIPM Pension and Provident Fund financial statements, the CIPM approved the 2011 BIPM Pension and Provident Fund financial statements and discharged the Director of the BIPM from all liability in respect of his administration for the 2011 financial period. The CIPM decided to transfer to the 'Other reserves' the net result for the 2011 period which amounts to -847 thousand Euros. With regard to the BIPM Pension and Provident Fund financial statements, the CIPM noted the qualified opinion of the auditor and was satisfied by comments from the auditor, both written and oral.

After due consideration of the 2011 BIPM audited financial statements, the CIPM approved the 2011 BIPM financial statements and discharged the Director of the BIPM from all liability in respect of his administration for the 2011 financial period. The CIPM decided to transfer to the 'Other reserves' the net result for the 2011 period which amounts to -1059 thousand Euros. With regard to the BIPM financial statements, the CIPM noted the qualified opinion of the auditor and was satisfied by comments from the auditor, both written and oral.

The CIPM took note of Recommendation 20 and has initiated the appropriate actions.

A series of three Standing Sub-Committees addressing science strategy, finance, pensions and health insurance and two ad hoc Working Groups addressing CIPM membership and conditions of employment of BIPM staff members will be set up by the CIPM to advise it on these matters. The BIPM has already started considering which of the Recommendations of the ad hoc Working Group can be implemented without conflicting with the Metre Convention. [Action CIPM/101-7]

The CIPM agreed with Recommendation 19 of the ad hoc Working Group which will be considered by the Standing Sub-Committee on pensions and health insurance.

The CIPM agreed that the duration of CGPM meetings should be reduced and decided that the CC Presidents will give only short reports during the CGPM and will be available for questions.

The CIPM bureau and the BIPM will examine ways and means of further reducing the duration of the CGPM meetings. [Action CIPM/101-6]

The CIPM agreed that the BIPM budget should be decided by the CGPM for a four year period but questioned the need to have a CGPM meeting every two years and suggested that the objectives could be achieved through regular meetings with representatives of States Parties to the Metre Convention.

The CIPM did not agree with Recommendation 16 of the ad hoc Working Group. The CIPM is mindful that on occasions it may be necessary to seek a CC President from outside the CIPM if the appropriate skills are not available in the CIPM.

The CIPM agreed in principle with Recommendation 15 of the ad hoc Working Group.

The CIPM will establish an ad hoc Working Group on CIPM membership to look at the requirements of Recommendations 13, 14 and 15. [Action CIPM/101-5]

The CIPM agreed in principle with Recommendation 14 of the ad hoc Working Group.

The CIPM is in favour of retaining provisional elections, possibly based on a list of candidates put forward to the CGPM and based on the criteria developed in accordance with Recommendation 14. The CIPM agreed in principle with the first part of Recommendation 13 but disagreed with the re-election of half of the CIPM every two years.

The CIPM agreed with Recommendation 12 of the ad hoc Working Group.

The CIPM agreed with Recommendation 11 of the ad hoc Working Group.

The CIPM decided that minutes be kept as short as possible while maintaining the rationale behind the discussions and decisions. Executive summaries and lists of decisions and actions should be made available to those entitled to them as soon as possible after meetings.

The BIPM Director will examine the reports and information prepared by the BIPM, indicating those specifically required under the Metre Convention, analyze where rationalizations can be made and present the information to the CIPM. [Action CIPM/101-4]

The CIPM agreed with Recommendations 6 to 10, and will seek clarification of the level of detail recommended by the ad hoc Working Group for the documents produced by the BIPM.

The CIPM Secretary will liaise with members of the ad hoc Working Group to seek clarification regarding Recommendations 6 to 10. [Action CIPM/101-3]

The CIPM agreed with Recommendation 5 of the ad hoc Working Group.

The BIPM Director will invite RMO chairs to the NMI Directors' Meeting. The Consultative Committee Presidents will also invite the RMO Technical Committee chairs to the Consultative Committee Strategy and Key Comparisons Working Group meetings. [Action CIPM/101-2]

The CIPM decided that two standing sub-committees will be established for (a)finance and (b) pensions and health insurance.

The CIPM agreed with Recommendation 3 of the ad hoc Working Group.

The CIPM agreed that there is a need to change the engagement process between the CIPM, NMI Directors and representatives of States Parties to the Metre Convention related to the activities of the Consultative Committees and development of the BIPM programme of work. The suggestions in Recommendation 2 were supported in spirit but there were some concerns about the mechanisms to implement it.

The BIPM Director and the Director of the International Liaison and Communication Department will examine and formulate a plan for what is needed to implement Recommendation 2. [Action CIPM/101-1]

Recommendation 1 of the ad hoc Working Group was discussed by the CIPM and a Working Group was convened to refine the proposed text.

The CIPM agreed to cease the subsidy of the pensioners' contributions out of the health insurance reserve fund starting 1 January 2013.

The CIPM approved the programme of work and budget of the BIPM for the years 2013 to 2015. Noting that the budget is conservative it was agreed that additional funds that become available would preferentially be used to support BIPM activities related to the redefinition of the kilogram, as a high priority.

The CIPM approved the extension of the cooperative agreement with the NIST in chemistry.

The CIPM agreed that the minutes of the 100th meeting (2011) were confirmed by correspondence and that the printed version tabled is a true copy of what was circulated.