Vol. 33 No. 5
September-October 2011

Metrological Traceability of Measurement Results in Chemistry: Concepts and Implementation (IUPAC Technical Report)
Paul De Bièvre et al.
Pure and Applied Chemistry, ASAP article
published online 15 June 2011

This IUPAC study aims at formulating recommendations concerning the metrological traceability of a measurement result in chemistry. It is intended to provide the chemical measurement community with a consistent view of the creation, meaning, and role of metrological traceability and its underpinning concepts. No distinction is made between measurement results obtained in “high metrology” and in the “field.” A description is given of the calibration hierarchies needed in different circumstances to arrive at metrological traceability along a metrological traceability chain. Flow charts of generic calibration hierarchies are presented as well as a variety of examples. The establishment, assessment, and reporting of metrological traceability are discussed, including the provision of metrological references by a metrological institutional framework and the role of interlaboratory comparisons.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REP-07-09-39