1. MEASUREMENT UNITS AND MEASUREMENT STANDARDS BILL, 2006
23 August 2006
Representatives from SANAS and NML and our team. For SANAS Mpho Phaloane, Ron Josias and for NML Phil Hendricks and Wynand Louw.

2. Why do we need metrology i.e. the science of measurement?
“When we are shopping
When we heat or cool our homes
When we buy fuel
When size matters or we pay for quality
When we consult a doctor or attend hospital
When our actions are the subject of legislation”
- Euromet
Practical implication on the man on the street. Give examples for legislation. Seeing that we Trade and Industry, we are also interested in trade and industry development which is at the heart of this work

3. Structure of Presentation
Background and context - South African and Global Technical Infrastructure
International practice in metrology
History of the National Measurement system
Review of the National Measurement system
Purpose of bill – Need for change
What does the NMI do? - Mandate
Process thus far & Parties Consulted
Financial, Personnel and Organisational Implications
Summary

4. Technical Infrastructure
Metrology, together with standards, technical regulations, accreditation and conformity assessment, are collectively known as the technical infrastructure.
Globalisation is increasing the demands on countries to demonstrate that they have the technical infrastructure to guarantee that products originating in their territories are safe and ‘fit for purpose’.
Technical infrastructure is crucial to meet the standards and measurement challenges required by health and safety considerations, environmental considerations (including climate change), as well as considerations of interoperability (necessary for globally dispersed manufacturing platforms).
Institutions in this domain need to be maintained and improved in order to remain relevant as the platform for global economic efficiency and market access of products.
To explain the purpose of our work, one needs to look at the system in a holistic manner.

5. Administer regulations technical regulations
SOUTH AFRICA’S TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
REGULATORS
Administer regulations
REGULATED
SECTOR
GOVERNMENT
Set policy, laws &
technical regulations
VOLUNTARY
SECTOR
Customer/Market
Requirements
SABS- STANDARDS
Specific technical requirement
of a product or a system
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
Prove technical requirements are met
Testing, Inspection & Certification
SUPPLIER
CUSTOMER
The 3 pillars that serve both the regulated and the private sector. Metrology shown as a peer institution, but reality the foundation/platform for all measurement anywhere. Internationally the structure is the same as ours
NMI- MEASUREMENT
Underpins testing & calibration
through national measurement standards
SANAS- ACCREDITATION
Assures competence

6. Globalisation and Technical Infrastructure
WTO TBT
Standardisation
(ISO/IEC)
Accreditation
(ILAC/IAF)
Metrology
/BIPM)
INTERNATIONAL
SADCSTAN
CEN/CENELEC
PASC
SADCA EA
APLAC
SADCMET
EUROMET
APMP
REGIONAL
Showing how our bodies link to international organisation starting at regional. As you know the WTO has a TBT agreement that requires these institutions and linkages for members to comply.
SABS
SANAS
NMI
SOUTH AFRICA

7. International practice in metrology
Internationally metrology (the science of measurement) is based on an intergovernmental agreement first signed in 1875 as the Metre Convention. The Convention founded the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) which serves as an international laboratory and secretariat, facilitating metrological collaboration among its member nations.
The BIPM was established to ensure that all national measurement systems use a common system of units (SI units), that measurement standards are equivalent within specified limits, and that laws and regulations relating to metrology are harmonised
The history of metrology

8. International practice in metrology - continue
The recognition of metrology capabilities between national metrology institutes such as the NMI are governed through a mutual recognition arrangement.
These MRAs are based on peer and accreditation assessments by teams of experts. They assess the competence of national metrology institutes and their compliance with international codes of best practice.
furh

9. Key comparisons Organization to form families
This is how equivalence in measurement systems is achieved. South African measurement is compared to those at BIPM or peer laboratories. We are an active participant sitting on 7 of the 9 consultative committees of the BIPM.
Results interpreted to show equivalence
between anyone of the participants in any comparison of the family

10. History of Measurement in SA
Established within the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 1947
South Africa acceded to the Metre Convention in 1964
In October 1999, the NML and similar bodies from 38 other countries signed a global mutual recognition arrangement regarding their national measurement standards and their calibration and measurement certificates.
Measurement Units and National Measurement Standards Act, Act 76 of 1973, requires the NML maintain national measurement standards.
The scope of measurement standards has expanded dramatically over the years.
History. Over the last few years industry needs have changed. However, the metrology act has remained as is for the last 33 years.

11. History of National Measurement system
Regionally the NML is a member of SADCMET (SADC Cooperation in Measurement Traceability), the regional metrology body of SADC. The NML plays an important role in SADCMET.
The potential exists that the South African metrology institute may become the metrology hub of SADC, and may assume a leading position in metrology in Africa in support of NEPAD.

12. Review of SA Measurement System
The NML is currently a CSIR Centre.
CSIR is about technology and innovation while the NML’s focuses on the establishment and maintenance of national measurement standards and the demonstration of their comparability to international standards and measurements.
New profile for metrology is necessary to reflect its importance as a foundation institution to standardisation and accreditation.
As a national centre of measurement excellence, the current profile is not optimal.

13. Need for an independent entity
An independent NMI will enable the entity to focus on its core mandate related to measurement, will allow for the NMI to be positioned as a centre of measurement excellence and will ensure direct linkages to the BIPM and international peers.
This work can only be done a single body.

14. Need for changing the status of the NMI
Raising the profile of metrology in South Africa in order to reflect its importance as the foundation for the entire South African measurement system
Maintaining of the national metrology institute as an internationally recognised metrology body
Enabling the dti’s to ensure strategic direction and alignment of the NMI and the rest of the technical infrastructure i.e. Standards and accreditation with national priorities such as ASGISA and the Industrial Policy
Continuation of independent entity

15. The purpose of the Measurement bill
To establish the National Metrology Institute as a public entity.
To provide a legal framework for the measurement units and measurement standards in SA

16. Mandate
The National Metrology Institute is the body in South Africa responsible to provide for the use of measurement units of the International System of Units and certain other measurement units;
designate national measurement standards and for keeping and maintaining national measurement standards and units; and
disseminate traceability to the South African industry

17. Process thus far
FRIDGE Study on Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM) completed April benchmarked against Brazil, Australia, UK and Malaysia.
Cabinet approved project for restructuring of Technical Infrastructure on 22 May 2002.
the dti Policy on Modernising the South African Technical Infrastructure approved June 2004.
Workshops held with government departments and industry on policy position July 2004.
This was supplemented by letters to DGs of various departments – August 2004.
Written comments solicited from all stakeholders until September 2004.
Nedlac Task Team concluded report on policy proposals October 2004.
Lawyers appointed to draft bills – March 2005

18. Process thus far - continue
Consultation with Nedlac, Institutions and dti Legal Directorate on draft bill completed and inputs incorporated – April 2006.
Cabinet Committee on Governance and Administration on 1 August 2006 recommended the approval of the following recommendations by Cabinet:
- The introduction of the Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Bill (subject to the inclusion of a clause clarifying the remuneration and conditions of service for the Board and staff) ;
- The transitional arrangements relating to the transfer of the assets and liabilities; the migration of staff to the new entity;
- The appointment of the current Centre Manager as an acting Chief Executive Officer until the Board appoints a Chief Executive Officer for a specific period;
- process of appointing of a Board and CEO for the new entity upon approval of the legislation.

19. Parties consulted Other stakeholders consulted:
National Treasury has been formally consulted in line with the PFMA on the establishment of the NMI as a public entity.
Other stakeholders consulted:
Departments of Labour, Transport, Agriculture, Housing, Health, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Minerals and Energy, Science and Technology, Local and Provincial Government and the Presidency; SABS; CSIR; SANAS; Industry and other interested parties; and Nedlac.
Further consultations will be done by a Joint Committee with the dti, DPSA, National Treasury and CSIR as members.

20. Personnel and organisational implications
The Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Bill provides for transitional arrangements, including the transfer of all staff, as well as the transfer of assets and liabilities from the CSIR. The Bill also provides for the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer and a Board.  
In the interim, the current Centre Manager, will act as Chief Executive Officer.
The recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive Officer will commence once Cabinet has approved the legislation process for the establishment of the NMI and a Board has been established.
Cabinet Committee on Governance and Administration on 1 August 2006 recommended the approval of the abovementioned recommendations by Cabinet.

21. Financial implications
The dti makes annual budget allocations for the NMI in terms of the MTEF
The current baseline of R37 million will need to be increased to R43 million as from the 2007/2008 budget cycle in order to provide for additional financial implications associated with the establishment and restructuring of the NMI as a public entity.

22. Summary
In keeping with international trends of metrology the current NMI at the CSIR is to be elevated to a position that reflect its importance as the foundation for the entire South African measurement system.
The National Metrology Laboratory (NML) will be re-constituted as a National Metrology Institute (NMI), a public entity that is independent from the CSIR.
The NMI will be responsible for the establishment of the national measurement standards and demonstration of their comparability to international standards and measurements.
An independent NMI will enhance the Technical Infrastructure (standardardisation, accreditation, quality assurance and metrology activities)