Honoring Calibration: The International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary

Certain subjects seem calculated to bore wide cross-sections of the public, and the subject of weights and measures is inarguably one of them. Milestone celebrations, another. Yet when it comes to the International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary, there are actually some very cool reasons to pay attention.

The Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM for short, and for English) was first established in France in 1875 at what’s known as the “Metre Convention.” It followed on the heels of a movement started by the French Revolution—namely, to standardize units of measurement by using the natural sciences as a foundation. On that storied day a century and a half ago, the BIPM became one of the oldest international organizations in the world.

Today, we have the honor of celebrating the 150th anniversary of metrology, the science of measurements, and we couldn’t be more stoked. In today’s post, we’re going to take a stroll through metrology, what’s so revolutionary about it, and what it means for you.

Ready for International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary 101? Grab your calibration equipment and dive right in.

What’s In a Name? Metrology FTW

If you’re knee-deep in calibration machinery and equipment, worried about the ins and outs of pressure calibration or temperature calibration or whatever it is you do, then chances are you don’t have a lot of time for definitions.
Yet, metrology is an interesting one. Meaning “the science of measurement,” the word stems from the Greek root “metron,” to measure, and the English “logy,” the study of. If you’re an experienced quality manager, then you know exactly how important it is to study and measure carefully; otherwise, you end up with piles of scrapped parts and return requests.

Not good.

It turns out that you’re not the only one, which is why a bunch of French folks got together and decided it was better to have standards. Here at Accredited Labs, we agree pretty wholeheartedly. If you feel like celebrating that decision, you can do so at the International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary.

Here are the main deets:

When: 20-22 May 2025

Where: Paris | Versailles

How: Register to attend in-person events or view online via the YouTube channel.

Make a note of the dates so you can take a minute to celebrate a totally violence-free revolution in human thinking.

Huzzah!

A Revolution in *Thought* and Measures

Without accuracy in measurements, we face the loss of so many things we value today. The stock market. Functional MRI machines. Satellites.

Standardization is critical for keeping these systems—and so many more—running in the modern world. So, obviously, basing anything on the size of the king’s foot was getting a bit silly. Measurements based on the size of the Earth make much more sense.

The new units, established at the original Metre Convention, included such intelligent decisions as:

    • A meter would be 1/10,000,000 of the arc between the North Pole and the Equator
    • A liter would be the cube of 1/10 of a meter
    • A gram would be the weight of pure ice water in a cube that is 1/100 meters to a side

Truly, these are decisions worth honoring with the International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary.

Still, even today, we see silly ideas in the world of metrology. For instance, the idea of Big Box providers giving you the same service as local, onsite calibration services? Like we said: Silly.

In honor of the International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary, we suggest that calibration services should boast clear pricing structures, quick turnaround times, excellent customer service, and a priority of legacy over profits.

Oh, you agree? Well, we might just have an idea in which you’d be interested.

An Easy, Trusted Process for Surviving Audits

Arguably, the best way to celebrate the International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary is not to get audited. (Or is that just the best way to celebrate every day?)

Reliable production is all about reliable calibration, which is why Accredited Labs has created a streamlined, trusted process upon which manufacturing businesses across the nation rely. Our alternative model steers clear of Big Box providers, instead creating a network of local and regional metrology providers.

These businesses know how to get the job done because they’ve been in your community doing it for decades (and, in many cases, for generations).

Our new model offers you an easy process for surviving audits with technicians who:

    • Have an interest in relationships above profits 
    • Possess a deep understanding of your field and location
    • Follow standardized processes for calibrating the instruments on which you rely
    • Adhere to rigorous industry certifications and operational standards
    • Share resources with calibration services across the nation to bring you the best results
    • Provide a personal touch with every visit

If you need onsite calibration services, don’t wait any longer. We understand how frustrating it is to deal with unreliable service, slow turnaround times, and unclear calibration processes — which is why we have 90% customer retention, are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, and have decades of experience helping quality managers like you stay compliant with ease.

Time to schedule your service.

Find a Calibration Engineer Today

Ready to be done googling “calibration near me” and have a trusted calibration engineer on whom you can rely forever? It’s easier than you think. Here's how to do it:

    1. Submit a list of your equipment.
    2. Receive a quote and schedule service.
    3. Stay compliant and audit-ready.

Yes, really. That’s it, so get in touch with the team at Accredited Labs today. And if you’re curious, learn more about the International Metrology Day 150th Anniversary… there’s a lot to celebrate!