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NATIONAL METROLOGY DIVISION (NMD)

The National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines (NML) is tasked by law to establish, maintain aand disseminate the national measurement standards in physical quantities such as mass, temperature, pressure, voltage, frequency, length and luminous intensity among others. It operates under the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), one of the agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The NML provides the link to the world metrology system through the participation of the Philippines in the Metre Convention as an Associate State of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM). The NML is accredited by the German Accreditation Body, DAkkS under the terms of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 to carry out calibrations in the fields of mass, pressure, temperature, electricity and volume of liquids.

Vision

NML of internationally recognized competence and nationally sought for traceability of calibrations.

Mission

We shall establish, maintain, and disseminate the national standards of units of measurements done in the country.

We shall do this by competently conducting calibrations and measurements at accuracy levels appropriate to the needs of the customers.

 

EIGHT (8) SECTIONS UNDER NMD

1. MASS STANDARDS SECTION

  • The Mass Standards Section (MSS) is the country’s provider of traceability to the SI unit of mass. It is also the premiere authority in the verification, calibration and performance testing of weights, mass standards and weighing instruments. 

2. ELECTRICAL STANDARDS SECTION

  • The Electrical Standards Section (ESS) maintains reference standards for the electrical quantities of voltage, current and resistance. For frequency and time interval, it uses the Cesium Beam Primary Frequency Standard with international traceability to the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) through Multi-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Time and Frequency Transfer.

  • The ESS also operates a photometry laboratory that maintains reference standards for luminous intensity.

 

3. THERMOMETRY AND HYGROMETRY STANDARDS SECTION

  •  The Thermometry and Hygrometry Standards Section (THSS) maintains Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers and Type R Thermocouples for temperature measurements and Two-Pressure Humidity Generator for humidity measurements as reference standards.

 

4. VOLUME AND FLOW STANDARDS SECTION

  • The Volume and Flow Standards Section (VFSS) provides traceability to the SI unit of liquid flowrate and volume. It is also the premier authority in the performance testing of road tankers and calibration of test measures. The VFSS operates a flowmeter calibration system for water which is traceable to the national standards;
  • The VFSS also operates a density laboratory that maintains reference standards for liquid and solid densities.

 

5. PRESSURE AND FORCE STANDARDS SECTION

  • The Pressure and Force Standards Section (PFSS) maintains national and reference standards for pressure, force, torque and hardness.
  • The PFSS is competent under the terms of ISO/IEC 17O25 to carry out calibration of pressure standards and plans to extend the accreditation to all the other quantities in the lab. Continuous development on capabilities is also envisioned as to provide for the country’s metrological needs.

 

6. LENGTH STANDARDS SECTION

  • The Length Standards Section is currently equipped with Grade K and 0 gauge blocks and mechanical gauge block comparators to provide metrological traceability to the metre to gauge blocks used as reference and working standards by industries and other users in the country.

 

7. METROLOGY IN CHEMISTRY SECTION

  • The Metrology in Chemistry (MiC) Section develops and validates reference methods used for reference value assignment for the amount of substance in a particular matrix or product, develops matrix reference materials for additives, contaminants, veterinary drugs residues, pesticides, toxic trace elements in food and water, conducts purity assessment of organic standards and develops inorganic calibration solutions to help achieve metrological traceability of chemical measurements to International System of unit.  The MiC Section also provides accuracy-based proficiency testing schemes for chemical testing laboratories using materials with assigned reference value and its associated measurement uncertainty.

 

8. METROLOGY IN BIOLOGY SECTION

  • The Metrology in Biology (MiB) Section is focusing on developing proficiency test (PT) materials for microbial measurements in food matrices, and the production and maintenance microbiological reference materials. This will support local testing laboratories in providing accurate measurements for the country to ensure public safety and the competency of local products. The MiB Section will provide local testing laboratories access to PT schemes which could be used as external quality control. Microbiological reference materials could be used in method validation / verification and in the laboratory’s internal quality control activities during testing, media preparation and inter-analyst comparisons.

 

The ITDI is among the instrumentalities that laid the groundwork, in the early years, for S&T in the country. Today, it is one of the DOST's RDIs (research and development institutes) and undertakes multidisciplinary industrial R&D, technical services, and knowledge translation or technology transfer and commercialization. ITDI harnesses know-how in new technology and product innovation, and through the years, has emerged as a credible and reliable industry and government partner in accelerating growth and development in the country.

    

Address: DOST-ITDI Bldg., DOST Cmpd., General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines

Contact No. : (632) 86837750 local 2182, (632) 88372071 local 2182