In 2025, Estonia will join the world in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention. The Metre Convention, signed on 20 May 1875 in Paris by the representatives of 17 countries, laid the foundations for global cooperation in the field of metrology and marks an important milestone in the history of metrology.
The anniversary year will be marked by celebrations in Paris and Versailles from 20 to 22 May 2025 to look back on half a century of achievements and discuss the future of metrology. Metrology Day on 20 May will be celebrated under the theme “Measurements for all times, for all people”, highlighting the enduring and universal importance of accurate measurements.
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) is organising a “Vision 2050+” initiative for young metrologists, the results of which will be presented at the anniversary event. In addition, the 22nd International Congress of Metrology will take place in Lyon from 11 to 14 March 2025, focusing on metrology in the context of sustainability and digitalisation.
As a discipline, metrology can rightly be considered as one of the first to be recognised on a common basis worldwide. The Metre Convention is signed in the name of a country and can only be done by one body, the National Metrology Institute. This role is performed in Estonia by AS Metrosert, which maintains and develops the Estonian national metrology standards and has been operating under one name or another since 1919.
Full member from 2021
Estonia acceded to the Metric Convention on 14 January 2021, when President Kersti Kaljulaid signed a decision in Kadriorg, making Estonia a full member of the Metre Convention. Joining the Metre Convention has given Estonia the opportunity to take part in international metrology cooperation and to develop Estonian national metrology laboratories together with central metrology institutions from all over the world. Estonia currently has national standards in four areas: mass, length, temperature and electrical quantities. In addition, Metrosert is developing state standards in new areas according to the needs of Estonian companies. Particularly noteworthy is Metrosert’s Time and Frequency State Metrology project, which will run until the end of 2025, coinciding with the anniversary year of the Metre Convention.
In Estonia, too, International Metrology Day is celebrated every year on 20 May. The 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention is an opportunity to highlight the importance of metrology in promoting science, innovation, industry and international trade, as well as improving the quality of life and protecting the environment. This historic day is a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in ensuring accurate and reliable measurements in all areas of life.
On the 150th anniversary of metrology:
- Recognising the importance of measurement. Metrology underpins a wide range of scientific and technological achievements, including in precision science, engineering and industry. Accurate measurements are essential for the development and implementation of new technologies;
- We promote international cooperation. The anniversary will help strengthen cooperation between countries to jointly develop accurate measurements. This is essential to ensure the reliability and comparability of measurements between countries.
- We support innovation. Advances in metrology offer new methods and technologies that can help solve complex problems in areas as diverse as health, the environment and manufacturing.
- Awareness matters. Through the Jubilee, we can raise awareness of the importance of metrology to inspire our successors, scientists and engineers.
