National measurement system programmes
Each of the National Measurement System (NMS) Programmes is the output of a formulation exercise involving wide-ranging consultation of stakeholders, including the National Measurement Institutes, research organisations, industrial and non-industrial end-users and public organisations. Prioritisation is based on independent advice from programme working groups comprised of industrialists, academics and government representatives.
The NMS programme types
Download a copy of the NMS Programme portfolio 2011 (PPTX, 122 Kb)
The NMS portfolio comprises five main programme types:
1. The Knowledge Base
This consists of five programmes covering the following measurement disciplines:
- Chemical & Biological Metrology
- Engineering & Flow Metrology
- Acoustical & Ionising Radiation Metrology
- Materials Metrology
- Physical Metrology
Knowledge base programmes contain projects that use and develop the extensive existing capability and facilities of the UK National Measurement Institutes (NPL, LGC and NEL). The projects typically address a current well-defined public, legislative or industrial need. For example, knowledge base projects could perform R&D to uphold and improve national standards and provide traceability for UKAS accredited measurement services or reference materials. Knowledge base projects promote industrial innovation in established technologies, maybe through R&D to improve measurement techniques and methods.
2. NMS innovation R&D
This programme contains projects that are aimed at developing new measurement capabilities in support of strategic national priorities, such as those defined by the Government's technology strategy under the headings of advanced manufacturing, ICT, healthcare, security, transport, energy and environment. The projects aim to address the measurement needs of emerging technologies and to support future legislation.
3. Underpinning metrology
This consists of two programmes which serve the needs of the knowledge base programmes:
- Pathfinder Metrology, and
- Software Support for Metrology (SSfM)
Pathfinder Metrology comprises projects that address the next generation of measurement needs, such as new primary standards, the long term development of the SI Units and the revision of values of fundamental constants. SSfM projects address the current and emerging needs of other NMS programmes for generic techniques for modelling, simulation, algorithm design, signal analysis and measuring uncertainty.
4. Cross Cutting metrology
This consists of two strategic programmes that operate for the benefit of the whole NMS portfolio:
- International Metrology
- Measurement for Innovators (currently suspended)
The International Metrology Programme represents the NMS in Europe and globally. Its projects contribute to international initiatives that bring benefits to the UK through collaboration and coordination, as well as the gathering and analysis of information to assist policy formation and give advice to NMS programmes. The Measurement for Innovators programme improved and promoted the accessibility of advice from the NMIs in the form of Joint Industry Projects, subsidised consultancy for SMEs and secondments between the NMIs, industry, metrology organisations and academia.
5. Regulatory metrology
This consists of two programmes that fulfil statutory and regulatory roles:
- Legal Metrology
- Government Chemist Programme
The Legal Metrology programme underpins the regulation of measurement particularly in the area of trade (weights and measures) by ensuring that measurements are legal, accurate and fair to the buyer and seller. The Government Chemist programme delivers the Government Chemist'ss statutory functions as referee analyst, as named in more than 20 Acts of Parliament.
