Today, on May 20, Estonia joins the rest of the world in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention. This historic treaty, signed in Paris by representatives of 17 countries, laid the foundation for global cooperation in the field of measurements and marks a significant milestone in the history of metrology.
“Measurement is not merely about adding up numbers – it is the cornerstone of trust and accuracy, the foundation upon which we build both science and daily life,” says Aigar Vaigu, Member of the Management Board of Metrosert, Estonia’s national metrology institute and applied research centre.
“The Metre Convention is a global agreement that, figuratively speaking, ensures we all operate by the same yardstick. It guarantees a unified system of measurement units worldwide, so a metre is the same length no matter where it is measured – from Tallinn to Tokyo. Thanks to this system, measurements performed in Estonia are directly comparable to those conducted anywhere else in the world. Accurate measurements form the backbone of a functioning society.”
Estonia is marking this anniversary year with several notable initiatives. This spring, Metrosert, in collaboration with ERR Novaator, launched a short video series entitled “Measured World”, which introduces the history and various aspects of metrology in a popular science format. The videos are available on Novaator’s portal and on Metrosert’s website, with new episodes released throughout the year. In autumn, Metrosert will also distribute Estonian-language posters explaining the SI system to schools to raise awareness among students about the significance of measurement units.
The global highlight of the anniversary year will take place from 20–22 May 2025 in Paris and Versailles, where official celebrations will reflect on the past 150 years of progress and discuss the future of metrology. This year’s World Metrology Day theme – “Measurements for all times, for all people” – underscores the enduring and universal importance of accurate measurements.
Metrology can rightfully be considered one of the first scientific disciplines to be recognized on a truly international basis. The Metre Convention is signed on behalf of a country and only by a single institution – its national metrology institute (NMI). In Estonia, that role is fulfilled by AS Metrosert, which maintains and develops the national measurement standards and has operated under various names since 1919.
Estonia became a full member of the Metre Convention on 14 January 2021, when President Kersti Kaljulaid signed the accession decision in Kadriorg. This has enabled Estonia to participate fully in international cooperation in the field of metrology and to develop its national measurement standards in collaboration with other NMIs around the world. Currently, Estonia maintains national standards in four areas: mass, length, temperature, and electrical quantities. Metrosert continues to expand into new fields based on the needs of Estonian industries. A particularly notable initiative is the development of a new national time and frequency standard, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 – aligning with the Metre Convention’s anniversary year.
According to Aigar Vaigu, the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention offers a valuable opportunity to highlight the critical role of metrology in advancing science, innovation, industry, and international trade, as well as in improving quality of life and protecting the environment. This historic milestone is a reminder of how vital international cooperation is in ensuring accurate and reliable measurements across all sectors of society.
Metrosert is a fast-growing science and development centre that has provided reliable and precise measurement solutions and innovation-driven services for over 100 years. By ensuring that products and services meet international standards, Metrosert helps build trust and quality at every step.
Founded in 2023, Metrosert’s Applied Research Centre supports companies in bringing innovative ideas to market and achieving international success with breakthrough products, services, and solutions. The centre assists businesses in the development of knowledge-intensive technologies across five focus areas: health data, biorefining, drone technologies, hydrogen technologies, and autonomous vehicles. By combining the precision of metrology with emerging technologies, the centre helps bring innovation from the lab to the market and supports measurement development in high-impact sectors.