CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, organized and celebrated the World Metrology Day (WMD) 2023 on 19^th May, 2023 in association with Metrology Society of India (MSI). World Metrology Day is an annual celebration commemorating the signature of the Metre Convention which was held on 20^th May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations. This year the theme of WMD is “Measurements supporting the global food system” declared jointly by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML).

The Chief Guest for the event was Shri Pawan Aggarwal, Former Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Former CEO, FSSAI while Prof. Prabhat K Nema, Director, NIFTEM joined the event as the Guest of Honour along with two eminent speakers from National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and National Physical Laboratory, U.K. who joined online.  

Prof. Venugopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL in his welcome and inaugural address highlighted the efforts of CSIR-NPL as National Metrology Institute of India. He also emphasized about the importance of Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) through which NPL measurements are acceptable across the world. Dr. Sanjay Yadav, Vice President, MSI apprised about the various activities of Metrology Society of India (MSI), and the efforts of MSI in creating awareness about Metrology in the society. He informed the audience about MSI fostered collaborations and knowledge exchange programs etc.

Prof. Prabhat K Nema in his speech expressed that, “Metrology is the key for any scientific activity and food is biological commodity which requires different measurements at different levels”. He highlighted that standardization of food processing methods is also important in food sector and there is a lot of scope and challenges for metrological sciences in the food sector. Shri Pawan Aggarwal said, “Standards make the world move”. He highlighted that the development of CRMs is important for India to become self- reliant. Measurement of traces of various parameters viz. pesticides, residuals etc. are significant and NPL can play a pivotal role in this filed. 

Prof. Takatsuji Toshiyuki of National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), AIST, Japan & Member, International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) delivered the keynote address on “The future of reliability of quality infrastructure (QI) through digital transformation (DX)”. He emphasized the digital transformation of the Metrology and improving reliability of food through digital means like blockchain.

Dr Graham Machin of National Physical Laboratory, U.K. told the progress made in realizing some of the primary thermometry approaches promoted in the MeP-K-19 that could be used for providing direct traceability to the kelvin.

On this occasion, the World Metrology Day poster was released by the dignitaries. In addition, four Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs®) namely, BND^® 9002 for Atenolol, BND^® 9003 for Atorvastatin Calcium, BND^® 9004 for Paracetamol, and BND^®  9005 for Trimethoprim were also released. These BNDs are the Indian Certified Reference Materials jointly developed by CSIR-NPL, New Delhi & Pharmaffiliates Analytics & Synthetics (P) Ltd. Panhckula, Haryana. These BNDs are intended to be used as Reference Standards for validation of methods for the characterization of measurands for Analysis.

The event concluded with vote of thanks by the convener Dr. Naveen Garg.

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