Accurate measurement often goes unnoticed, but it underpins almost everything we rely on.  

Observed each year on 20 May, World Metrology Day commemorates the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875- the foundation of global collaboration in measurement. This year’s theme, Building trust in policy making, emphasises the essential role that accurate, comparable data plays in shaping decisions that affect society. 

Trusted policy depends on trusted measurement. 

The National Measurement Laboratory (NML) at LGC ensures that the UK is ready to face the chemical and biological measurement challenges of today and tomorrow. From the foods we eat to the healthcare we receive, trusted measurements ensure that decisions are grounded in robust evidence: 

  • Food safety depends on the ability to detect contaminants such as pesticides and allergens in foods, giving both regulators and consumers confidence in the system that protects public health. 
  • Healthcare relies on accurate and comparable data to detect disease, monitor performance of treatments, develop emerging approaches such genomics and personalised medicines and respond to emerging healthcare threats. 
  • Global trade is made possible through internationally agreed measurement standards, ensuring products are consistent wherever they are tested. 

In each of these areas, policy decisions depend on data that is not only accurate but trusted- across sectors and borders.  

Supporting policy through measurement expertise. 

At the NML, we contribute directly to policy development by providing independent and impartial scientific evidence. Through technical briefings, input into national strategies, engagement with government departments and in responding to parliamentary inquiries and government consultations, we support policy makers in making informed, evidence-based decisions.  

On a global scale, we represent the UK on key international metrology committees, helping to develop and maintain the standards that underpin global trade, innovation and scientific collaboration. In doing so, we play an important role in shaping the frameworks that support consistent, trusted measurement worldwide. 

This work also extends to supporting international efforts to strengthen global resilience to emerging threats, including pandemic preparedness initiatives such as the 100 Days Mission, where metrology has been recognised as necessary for the rapid provision of safe, effective, and affordable diagnostics.: 

“The 100 Days Mission aims to better prepare the world for the next pandemic by pre‑emptively and proactively driving the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines so that they can be rapidly made available within the first 100 days of a future pandemic threat being identified”1 

Investing in trust. 

Continued support for measurement science and its role in sound policy making is not just an investment in science- it is an investment in public health, economic growth and national security. 

This year on World Metrology Day, we recognise the essential role of measurement in building confidence, not only in science and technology, but in the policies that shape our world. 

 

1 Advancing the 100 days mission for diagnostics: 2025 Global gap assessment. (n.d.). Available at: https://d7npznmd5zvwd.cloudfront.net/prod/uploads/2025/09/2025-Diagnostics-Gap-Assessment-FINAL.pdf.

‌