Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Measurement
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/measurement

Legal metrology, the economy and society: A systematic

literature review
Bruno A. Rodrigues Filho a,⇑, Rodrigo F. Gonçalves b
a
National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology, Legal Metrology Directory, Nossa Senhora das Graças Av., 50 Xerém – Duque de Caxias,
RJ 25250-020, Brazil
b
Paulista University, Industrial Engineering Department, Dr. Bacelar St., 1212, 4th floor – Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04026-002, Brazil

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This study carries out a literature review regarding legal metrological control and its
Received 7 October 2014 impact on society and the economy. A systematic, logical and consistent process has been
Received in revised form 8 February 2015 used to organize and extract the contributions of published academic studies in the field. A
Accepted 20 March 2015
systematic literature review process has also been shown to be an appropriate tool to
Available online 28 March 2015
manage and organize the growing number of databases for articles and journals, allowing
the identification of relevant contributions.
Keywords:
A total of 59 studies were selected and categorized based on four different approaches:
Legal metrology
Developing countries
the economy and society, international trade, legal metrological control, and metrology in
Measuring instrument developing countries. The 59 selected articles are discussed in order to explore the state of
Legal metrological control the art concerning legal metrology, with a focus on legal metrological control. On the basis
of these categories, open issues were also identified in order to suggest future studies in the
field.
Ó 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction gross national product of the US in 1996 [2]. Likewise,

Legal metrology has a significant impact on society and
the economy, both in terms of regulating measuring
instruments to ensure consumer protection and because
it lowers measuring uncertainties in measurement instru-
ments, which has consequences for countries’ national
competitiveness. Legal metrology’s economic impact can
be easily understood by analyzing the money involved in
measurements. For example, Brazilian oil and gas imports
and exports alone were worth US$ 50.6 billion [1] in
2012. Similarly, as commodities move from point of
production to final sale they are measured multiple times
for a range of transactions, like sales, freight and taxes.
The aggregate values of these transactions exceed 50% of
⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 21 2679 9175.
E-mail address: bafilho@inmetro.gov.br (B.A. Rodrigues Filho).
£622 billion worth of goods whose value was based on mea-
surement were sold in the United Kingdom in 2002 [52].
The social aspects of legal metrology concern both
security and consumer protection. Consumers are vulnera-
ble when they purchase goods whose worth is based on
measurement if they are unable to evaluate the amount
of product traded. Additionally, the inadequate use of mea-
suring instruments can produce incorrect measurements
[52]. In the security field, it has been shown that
Australia significantly reduced the number of accidental
deaths and injuries due to safety enforcement require-
ments [4] utilizing measuring instruments such as radar
speed devices and breathalyzers.
Legal metrological control comprises activities in legal
metrology, including verifications and surveillance in
measuring instruments before and after they are released
to the market [62]. Checking for errors to enforce trust in

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2015.03.028
0263-2241/Ó 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
156 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163
measurements reduces unfair competition and ensures
consistency in trade.
When legal metrology is related to the economy,
society, health and the environment, an improvement in
legal metrological control represents an improvement in
the entire ecosystem, which improves overall efficiency.
Thus, increasing efficiency in legal metrological control
means increasing confidence in the measurement instru-
ments under legal metrological regulation.
In this sense, this study aims to identify the
contributions to the legal metrological control process,
thus allowing us to verify developments across countries
and to contribute to the field of legal metrology by
summarizing recent advances, identifying gaps in develop-
ment, and providing support to eventual future studies to
be carried out in legal metrology.
2. Methodology
A systematic literature review was carried out to iden-
tify the development and progress of legal metrology with
a focus on legal metrological control and its impact on
society and the economy. Because peer review is a typical
indicator of quality in research that is based on the
reviewer’s direct expertise and knowledge [13], articles
published in journals, conferences, congresses and
symposiums proceedings were considered. A 10-year time
limit for sample studies was set in order to incorporate
only recent studies. The search for articles was divided into
three steps [20] so that only relevant studies in the field of
legal metrological control would be included. The first step
was to identify articles based on a string search in all fields
of relevant electronic databases; Table 1 shows the strings
used.
The second step was to check article titles and abstracts
to identify whether articles were in fact related to the
relationship between economic and social development
and legal metrological control.
The third step comprised the analysis of the full text
and the decision to incorporate articles according to the
exclusion/inclusion criteria [20], as shown in Table 2.
Additionally, after identifying contributions to legal
metrology that were published in journals, we conducted
individual searches for relevant articles in conference pro-
ceedings that were not linked to electronic databases.
Table 3 shows the electronic databases, journals and
proceedings across which we performed our search.
Fig. 1 shows the flow of the systematic review process.
Table 4 presents the selected studies.
Table 1
Strings used to search electronic databases.
String
‘‘METROLOGY’’;
‘‘METROLOGY’’ AND ‘‘LEGAL METROLOGY’’;
‘‘METROLOGY’’ AND ‘‘LEGAL METROLOGY’’ AND (‘‘ECONOMY’’ OR
‘‘ECONOMIC’’);
‘‘METROLOGY’’ AND ‘‘LEGAL METROLOGY’’ AND (‘‘ECONOMY’’ OR
‘‘ECONOMIC’’) AND (‘‘SOCIETY’’ OR ‘‘SOCIAL’’);
Table 2
Selection criteria for article inclusion and exclusion.
Criteria
Inclusion The theme of study is the impact of legal metrology on
the economy and society
The study is related to improvements in legal
metrological control
Exclusion The article is related to metrology, but not legal
metrology
The article approaches improvements to an individual
measuring instrument
Table 3
Journals and electronic databases that were searched.
Journals and electronic database
ScienceDirect
Web of knowledge
Scopus
IOPScience
International organization of legal metrology bulletin
Acta IMEKO online journal
International measurement confederation world congress – imeko
proceedings
International conference of metrology – CAFMET proceedings
International symposium of metrology proceedings
International congress of metrology proceedings
3. Results and discussion
The systematic literature review process was conducted
from February to April 2014 over electronic databases,
journals and proceedings, according to Table 3. The results
of each step of the search are listed in Fig. 2, which shows
that a total of 59 studies were incorporated in this review.
To organize the developments in the legal metrological
control literature, the selected studies were divided in four
categories according to their focus: economy and society;
legal metrological control; international trade; and legal
metrology in developing countries.
Each study was placed in only one category, and Table 5
shows the number of studies by category (selected studies
listed by title with their category included are shown in
Table 4).
3.1. Economy and society
Measuring instruments used in trade impact both
society and the economy. Weights and measures were ini-
tially used to control food in trade, and due to a wide-
spread social, transportation and technological evolution,
local markets have become national and global, expanding
the need for a system to ensure the reliability of measure-
ments [5].
These measurements are present in consumers’ every-
day lives, especially today, when they are the basis of
charges for the use of water, electricity, gas, fuel, food
and other vital components of daily life. Society is
impacted by measurements, and once people become
vulnerable to measurements, they are unable to verify
measurements’ reliability [52]. The state plays a significant
 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163
Fig. 1. Systematic search process for articles to be considered in the study, adapted from [20].
part in this game, especially because regulation is neces-
sary in some areas to guarantee accurate measures. The
relationship between the state and legal metrology can
be therefore defined as symbiotic [5]: legal metrology
needs the state to regulate, and the state needs accurate
measurement to organize, plan, defend and tax efficiently.
Compared to scientific metrology, the consumer protection
aspects of legal metrology are realized through
verifications based on consumer protection requirements,
as compared to calibration [51].
An important example of the social impact of legal
metrology is the reduction of deaths and injuries from
accidents due to speed cameras [6]. To give another
example, there are taxes based on measurements. Thus, the
government’s regulation of measurement instruments used
in trade in order to provide confidence in measurements that
affect society and the economy is more cost-effective than
de-regulating the instruments [52]. In essence, a solid
metrology system is vital to the economy [16].
The International Organization of Legal Metrology
(OIML) was created with the purpose of harmonizing legal
metrological structures and requirements through policy
and recommendations, facilitating the growth of the global
market and mutual acceptance among countries [3], and
promoting social and economic welfare. The OIML uses
Technical Committees (TC) and Subcommittees (SC) to
build consensus in legal metrology issues among its
members [61]. OIML and the International Organization
for Standardization are also considered as standardizing
bodies in the sense of the Technical Barrier to Trade
Agreement of the World Trade Organization [27]. The
harmonization of international standards and procedures
is an effective tool for reducing asymmetries in interna-
tional trade scenarios [58].
Environmental issues form another relevant aspect of
legal metrology. Concerns about the unsustainable current
157
model of globalization are leading OIML to invest resources
in environmental recommendations, essentially using legal
metrology to produce more while using less [9]. The use of
the International System of Units (SI) is also recommended
in environmental guides to harmonize the measurement
units between countries; carbon trading is also part of
the process to protect the environment [59].
Although studies have been conducted in countries
such as the US, Canada and Australia that identify the
importance of measurement in both society and the econ-
omy, a quantitative indicator of benefits generated by legal
metrology is still missing. The economic distortion or
asymmetry that represents the money in the risk
associated with measurement errors [6] is an open issue
in legal metrology. A model using linear regression to
relate a product certification to production and monetary
inflation was created in order to assess the economic
impact of product certification [58]. A similar study could
be conducted in legal metrology using economic distortion.
The regulation of metrology results in benefits to
society and the economy. A country’s decision to regulate
(or not) a specific area depends on that country alone.
Because each country has its own needs, the impact of reg-
ulation on any area must be thoroughly investigated.
Applying similar requirements to developed and develop-
ing economies does not mean the latter will be successful;
national differences and particularities must be consid-
ered. Economic aspects are always examined during the
regulation process; however, social welfare should be
always considered, and carefully considered regulations
will lead to the development of the economy.
3.2. International trade
In the international arena where economies are
connected, especially in countries whose economies are
158 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163

Table 4
Selected studies by topic category.

Selected study Economy International Legal Legal metrology in

and trade metrological developing
society control countries
ARDIANTO, R. A way to stimulate public awareness X
BARKER, J. The OIML and the purpose of international recommendations X
BIRCH, J. The expanding scope of legal metrology and the changing role of the X
state in a globalised world
BIRCH, J. Economic and Social Benefits of Legal Metrology X
BIRCH, J. Legislating for metrology in developing countries X
BIRDSEYE, M. The Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) X
BIRDSEYE, M.; AWASOLA, M. Basic requirements for legal metrology in X
Developing economies
BRANDÃO, P. Contramedidas de hardware y software sobre el fraude de alta X
tecnología al Surtidor de combustible bajo el alcance de Metrología Legal
BREUGEL, P. V. Metrology in a global market X
BREUGEL, P. V. Views from a notified body towards global acceptance X
BUZAC, E.; IONECU, F. Metrology and standardization: Infrastructure X
components of a modern society
CARSTENS, S. AFRIMETS (Intra–Africa Metrology System) X
CARSTENS, S. The benefits of the sound legal metrology system to an economy X
CHAPPELL, S. Opportunities and future trends in legal metrology control of X
measuring instruments
CRENNA, F.; ROSSI, G. B.; BOVIO, L. Probabilistic measurement evaluation for the X
implementation of the Measuring Instrument Directive
DE SILVA, G. M. S. Development of metrology in developing economies X
DINU, D.; POENARU, M.-M.; DINU, C. Considerations on the evolution of X
metrological concepts
DUNMILL, I. New cooperation agreement on metrology to combat technical X
barriers to trade and spur economic growth
FLOCKEN, D.; TONINI, D. The pattern approval process: The past, present and X
future as seen by US instrument manufacturers
GARRIDO GALERA, V. On the new frame of the legal metrology in Spain X
GAUCHER, R. Extension of the ILAC/OIML Memorandum of Understanding X
(MoU) to the IAF (International Accreditation Forum)
IACOBESCU, F. et al. Preoccupation at national level, in Romania, concerning X
standardization in the field of electrical energy
JUST, S. The Memorandum of Understanding between ISO and the OIML X
KLENOVSKY, P. Legal metrological control over measuring instruments in use: X
current situation
KOCHSIEK, M. Thailand: Progress in legal metrology X
KOCHSIEK, M. Technical cooperation between India and Germany in the field of X
legal metrology
KOCHSIEK, M. Improvement of legal metrology in India X
KOCHSIEK, M.; SCHULZ, W. Modernization of legal metrology in Germany X
KONONOGOV, S. A. Strategy used in implementing the new Federal Law on the X
assurance of measurement uniformity
LAGAUTERIE, G. The evolution of the metrological control of measuring X
instruments in France
LAGAUTERIE, G.; PECCHIOLI, G. Accreditation and legal metrology in France X
LALLA-RODRIGUES, D. The Inter-American Metrology System (SIM) 2003/2004 X
MARNEWECK, J. The need for harmonization of technical regulations within X
Africa to facilitate across border trade
MCCONNELL, K. MERCOSUR: Mercado Común del Sur X
MELHEM, O. Jordanian Metrology System: Reality and aspirations X
NITESCU, D. Design a successful architecture for measurement control system in X
legal metrology
OOSTERMAN, C.; DIXON, P. NoBoMet: A European platform for Notified Bodies X
working in Legal Metrology
OPPERMANN, H. NIST’s role in weights and measures X
POHLMANN FILHO, O. et al. Innovaciones de INMETRO en la gestión de la Red X
Brasileira de Metrología Legal y Calidad
PONCE, R.; VASALLO, A.; LEONARD, H. The impacts of metrology X
PONCE, Y. R. Conformity assessment and metrology X
PONCE, Y. R.; LEONARD, A. R. H. Public perception of metrology in the Republic X
of Cuba
PONCE, Y. R.; VERA, R. C. S.; PALOU, H. M. S. Metrology and the various forms of X
non-state employment
ROCHA, G. M.; LANDIM, R. P. Inmetro’s Metrology Executive Master’s Degree X
Course
 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163
Table 4 (continued)
Selected study
RODRIGUES FILHO, B. A. et al. Enhancements of the legal metrological control in
Brazil due to after repair verification
RODRIGUES FILHO, B. A.; SILVA, M. E. The PSIE platform as a tool to improve
metrological control in Brazil
RUNSHENG, D.; JIANPING, H. The relationship between calibration, verification
and metrological confirmation
SANDERS, R. Why do we regulate measuring instruments used for trade
SCHULZ, W. Changes in consumer protection in legal metrology as a result of
new technologies
SEILER, E.; DUNMILL, I. Announcing the OIML Award for Excellent contributions
from Developing Countries to legal metrology
SENNA, M. J. H. Legal metrology in the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM)
SILVA, A. N. R. S. et al. Development of a system to increase the legal
metrological control of measuring instruments in Brazil
THOMPSON, A. Perspectives on assurance of conformity to type
TICONA, J. M.; FROTA, M. N. Assessment of the economic impact of product
certification: A significant area of application of measurement
VELYCHKO, O.; GORDIYENKO, T. The use of metrological terms and SI units in
environmental guides and international standards
VELYCHKO, O.; GORDIYENKO, T. Implementation of the European Directive on
Measuring Instruments in Ukraine
VELYCHKO, O.; GORDIYENKO, T. Metrological activities between the TCs of the
OIML and other International Organizations
VUKOVIC, N. M.; KOVSE, I. Slovenian experiences in establishing a modern
system of legal metrology
WILLIS, I. Afrimets a perspective of the legal metrology leg and progress to date
Fig. 2. Results of each step of the systematic process.
Table 5
Number of selected studies by category.
Category Number of studies
Economy and society 11
International trade 09
Legal metrological control 18
Metrology in developing countries 21
commodity-based, accuracy in measurement is a way to
protect the economy. Economic losses grow as conse-
quence of high uncertainty [2]. Technical barriers are also
recognized as the major obstacle between developing
countries and countries with economies in transition [22].
As countries are becoming more connected, harmoniza-
tion, mutual confidence, and recognition are becoming
more necessary to facilitate trade [45]. In another conse-
quence of globalization, manufacturers are producing mea-
suring instruments that are distributed to a wide range of
countries, yet another reason that the harmonization of
requirements worldwide is desirable [11]. Consequently,
and because an understanding of in-service operations
has a larger impact on consumer protection, conformity
assessment activities (CAAs) have been introduced as a
substitute for initial verifications, especially in free trade
159
Economy International Legal Legal metrology in
and trade metrological developing
society control countries
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
areas [28]. These CAAs allow a manufactory to carry out
the activities of legal metrological control themselves
under certain conditions, and mutual acceptance agree-
ments are possible mainly due to the harmonization of
requirements [17]. However, CAAs must be followed by a
surveillance process covering the testing or inspection of
samples on the market, as well as inspections of the
manufacturer, system quality audits and the assessment
of production processes [57].
The 1980s and 1990s were characterized by the
development and establishment of competency require-
ments for calibration and testing laboratories, as well as
the creation of certifying bodies. The OIML Certificated
System for Measuring Instruments was also imple-
mented in 1991 [17], allowing the recognition of type
approval between countries. The next decade saw the
implementation of another tool to connect countries, the
OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement (MAA), which
allows countries to use the results of tests of measuring
instruments performed in accredited laboratories in differ-
ent countries. The MAA does need improvement, however:
there are still technical barriers for manufacturers in
many countries [12]. Through prepackages, OIML has
started work to develop a mark that will facilitate the
commercialization of prepackaged goods [25].
International trade plays a major role in legal
metrology, and international commerce is highly relevant
to national economies due to globalization. Technical
barriers to trade are still an obstacle to be overcome. The
formation of economic blocks is an additional remaining
challenge to harmonizing regulations in metrology; in
Europe, for example, manufacturers located in developing
countries are subject to the same requirements as manu-
facturers in developed countries.
160 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163
3.3. Legal metrological control
To establish a legal metrology system, legal require-
ments should be applied where they are essential to local
development. The understanding of concepts of measure-
ment is also important. The international vocabulary of
metrology (and legal metrology) and a guide to the
expressions of uncertainty in measurement were the tools
introduced to harmonize the concepts [21]. Regulation is
usually also applied to measurement instruments
regarding health, safety, and some industrial activities. In
addition to the legal framework, national standards,
traceability and an organizational structure staffed by
competent people are necessary. A national metrology
institute (NMI) is required to keep and maintain standards,
but private laboratories are also needed in order to spread
the traceability of national standards [19].
Legal metrological control comprises the activities in
legal metrology that are responsible for metrological
assurances in measuring instruments. This set of activities
includes the following:
 Legal control of measuring instruments.
 Metrological supervision.
 Metrological expertise.
The legal control of measuring instruments corresponds
to type approval and initial and subsequent verifications
(mandatory periodic verification and after repair
verification).
While type approval and verifications are called first
level activities [34], a second level of activities, metrologi-
cal supervision, is necessary for more complex measure-
ment instruments. Metrological supervision comprises:
 Quality system surveillance (in authorized bodies for
self-verification).
 Market surveillance (in the measuring instrument
before it is sent to market).
 Field surveillance (in the measuring instrument in use).
While quality system surveillance and market surveil-
lance are focused on the manufactory, field surveillance
is concerned with the instrument in use.
Technical developments in measurement instruments
have also influenced legal metrological control; because
most instruments today are controlled by software, confi-
dence in measurement is connected to software reliability.
These factors must also be part of the development of
surveillance [53].
In France after 2001, the modernization of the legal
metrology system was based on implementing the second
level activities executed by the government, defined as the
surveillance of operators; surveillance of instruments in
service; and market surveillance. The first level that can
be executed by the private sector comprises type approval;
initial verification; verification of installation; and periodic
verification [34].
To implement metrological control to assure confidence
in measurements, two basic systems are currently in use:
the first is financially supported by the user/manufactory
of the instrument by charging an administrative fee (the
Dutch model), and second is supported by the government
(the American model). The Dutch model is applied within
the European Union and to activities carried out by a single
government body, mostly the NMI. The system itself is
responsible for confidence once there are operations in
fixed intervals. In the American model, the user of the
instrument is responsible for keeping that instrument
correctly calibrated, and the operations carried out by the
government, whether state or municipality, merge inspec-
tion and verification. The disadvantage of this model is its
inherent dependence on government funding [28].
Especially in the US, to monitor the national system, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is
responsible for developing regulations for measuring
instruments, maintaining national standards, and ensuring
American compliance with legal metrology standards
throughout the world [42]. In 2004 it was revealed that
legal metrology would also incorporate a quality manage-
ment system for the production of measurement instru-
ments and the manufacturer’s declaration of individual
instruments’ conformity with the requirements of the ini-
tial verification; subsequent verification to provide market
surveillance; and the exchange of information among
countries with established mutual acceptance arrange-
ments with regard to type approval [23].
In Europe, the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID)
was created in order to eliminate legislative barriers to
trade measurement instruments. It was elaborated to
cover 95% of all measurement instruments sold in Europe
and specifies the metrological performance of those
instruments. Although the MID is a directive that is applied
to measurement instruments controlled in the EU, there is
a great interest from the international community for
several reasons. First, it is a document about conformity
assessment; it also employs the latest techniques in
European legislation and is one of the New Approach
directives. Furthermore, it brings together the principles
of efficient regulation and minimal restriction of
commerce and technology, and it must be followed by
anyone who wishes to export measurement instruments
to the EU [8]. The implementation of the MID mobilized
the EU countries and generated expectations concerning
metrological control in its member states [24]. Its imple-
mentation may promote innovation, thereby leading to
social benefits and customer satisfaction [18].
Germany, which has a well-established legal metrology
structure, executes about two million verifications per
year, covering measurement instruments and the
surveillance of repairers and prepackaged, as well as the
verification of 18 million electric, gas and heat meters
annually. The modernization of German legal metrology
is focused on new technologies, particularly because mea-
surement instruments are becoming more complex and
thus demand more extensive tests. One example is the cre-
ation of software requirements for metrological instru-
ments. Another aspect is surveillance, especially because
global competition has led to tighter profit margins, in
the energy market, for example, and the risk is high [32].
French regulators have also discussed accreditation in
legal metrology as a way to harmonize the proceedings
 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163
performed by notified bodies. One of the points discussed
is that previous authorization is necessary prior to accred-
itation because a body’s competence can only be evaluated
when it is already carrying out the tasks of legal metrology
control. It is also noted that accreditation does not render
state surveillance unnecessary [35].
Information systems and therefore the amount of data
available in legal metrology have also been increasing in
recent years. The NOBOMET platform was implemented
to maintain a high quality level for services regarding
notified bodies’ performance of MID-based conformity
assessments in the EU [41]. A suite of software was also
proposed to assist in the implementation of MID, modeling
the behavior of the measurement instruments under field
conditions [18]. To manage data flows, enterprises
resource planning (ERP) systems are also in use [56].
Further, to bolster the impartiality of repairs executed by
notified bodies, a supervision system is being implemented
[50], allowing fraud to be more easily identified [10]. In
after repair verification specifically, the number of verified
measuring instruments are increasing significantly [49], as
are the number of information systems implemented [43].
An information system to evaluate prepackaged measure-
ment instruments is also under development [40].
Legal metrological control aims to prevent error in mea-
surement instruments in excess of a maximum level estab-
lished by regulations and guarantee consumer protection
and fair competition. The amount of data required to
implement this type of control includes errors for each
measuring instrument on the market during verifications,
specifications of repairs executed by notified bodies and
errors in after-repair verifications. This data flow may pro-
vide relevant information that can be applied to improve
control, such as the variation of measurement errors along
the life of the measurement instrument, the quality of
repairs, and other factors. Information systems tools allow
vast amounts of data to be analyzed and must be consid-
ered for use in legal metrology.
3.4. Legal metrology in developing countries
Recently, the research interest in developing countries
has increased, mainly because of the growth in their
economies [7] and the widespread perception of the
importance of legal metrology to a solid economy [15].
It is also noteworthy that the development of legal
metrology in developing countries is especially focused
on consumer protection. Some developing countries tend
to follow the legal metrology system already in use in
developed countries mainly due to the advantages of tech-
nology transfer, but this course may be inappropriate
when there are significant differences between the needs
of their economies and societies and that of the model
country [7]. To incentivize and highlight the importance
of legal metrology in developing countries, OIML has estab-
lished the Award for Excellent Contributions to Legal
Metrology from Developing Countries [54].
This section of the review aims to illustrate the
advances in legal metrology in developing countries over
the last ten years by briefly describing the relevant pub-
lished studies in the sample.
161
In Cuba, legal metrology has been characterized by indi-
cators measuring its scientific, technological, economic,
social and environmental impact [44]. The impact of legal
metrology was further shown by case studies [46], and
the industrial perspective on legal metrology was shown
by studies of small and medium size enterprises (SME).
These studies concluded that the lack of knowledge about
the importance of measurements is a cause for concern
[47].
In the Americas, the Inter-American Metrology System
(SIM) was established with the purpose of building and
supporting a metrological structure, facilitating interna-
tional trade and ensuring uniformity of measurements
[36]. The SIM has allowed the exchange of expertise and
materials between countries with developed legal metrol-
ogy systems and countries lacking such services. SIM’s
main activity has been training activities, demand for
which is expected to be high once legal metrology
structures have been implanted and begin to expand
among members [55]. In South America, the Metrology
Committee of Mercosul works on harmonizing legislation
to be incorporated into member states’ legislation [38].
Additionally, as a response to provide qualified human
resources, Brazil has created an executive master’s degree
that covers legal metrology [48].
In Europe, although Romania is a developing country,
its standardization efforts in the field of electrical energy
measurements have been studied as a result of new
legislation aiming at providing consumer protections that
are compliant with the requirements of the European
Union [26]. Romanian manufacturers are committed to
complying with European directives, aligning their
products to the EU market and increasing Romania’s com-
petitiveness in Europe [14].
Slovenia, another member of the EU, follows the EU’s
legal metrology system, and has assigned the outsourcing
of verifications to designated bodies that performed more
than 90% of verification in 2008. The national requirements
for these bodies are providing adequate support to the
national economy; the ability to evaluate both the private
and public sectors; and possessing the infrastructure for
verification and adequate metrological supervision [63].
Like Romania, Ukraine is working to harmonize its legal
metrology system within the European Directive on
Measuring Instruments in order to ensure a free trade
relationship in the European Union [60].
Jordan is an example of a developing country implant-
ing legal metrological controls while facing limited
resources, a small number of industries, and limited
metrology knowledge and equipment [39]. The role of
the Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology (JISM)
is to ensure that only safe, good quality products enter
the market. Despite its limitations, Jordan has 14 types of
measurement instruments under legal control as well as
prepackaged products.
In 2008, Russia adopted a new metrology law establish-
ing the basis for a metrology system that protects citizens
and assists national economic development [33].
In Asia, Thailand has German support to develop a
national legal metrology system. Its actual infrastructure
comprises five verification offices where 160 officers and
162 B.A. Rodrigues Filho, R.F. Gonçalves / Measurement 69 (2015) 155–163
160 assistants inspect scales, fuel dispensers, liquefied pet-
roleum gas (LPG), medical measurement units, humidity
meters and prepackaged products [29].
India selected Germany as a model to implement the
privatization of some legal metrology activities in both ini-
tial and subsequent verification and type approval due to
public sector difficulties in following the growing
responsibilities of legal metrology. India has established
several criteria for the delegated private bodies, including
organizational independence, financial independence, pro-
fessional integrity, technical competency, staff qualifica-
tion, impartiality, insurance coverage, and professional
secrecy. However, the overall responsibility for ensuring
reliable legal metrology services remains with the govern-
ment [30]. Ultimately, the authorities plan to incorporate
the European Measuring Instrument Directive in the
Indian implementation of legal metrology [31].
In Africa, measurement systems do not fulfill the
requirements of an effective measuring system, especially
those based on colonial measurements that operate in an
isolated manner. However, the increasing concern for the
importance of legal metrology to society and the economy
has led Africa, with German support, to create the SIM-
based Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) [64] in
order to harmonize measurements in Africa [15], based
on the harmonization of regulations among countries [37].
It is evident that over the last decade, developing coun-
tries have begun implementing legal metrology systems
and recognizing the importance of metrology to their
economies and consumer protection. Agreements among
countries, both developed and developing, facilitate the
exchange of experiences. The SIM in the Americas, the
WELMEC in Europe and the AFRIMETS in Africa are exam-
ples of success. Other agreements that are active but were
not discussed in sample articles include the Asia Pacific
Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF), Southern African devel-
opment Community Cooperation in Legal Metrology
(SADCMEL), Euro-Asia Cooperation of Metrological
National Institutions (COOMET), Euro-Mediterranean
Legal Metrology Forum (EMLMF), that are regional con-
gregations of countries that aim to implement and improve
legal metrology activities, leading to cooperation among
countries that facilitates trade and the dissemination of
metrology knowledge in training sessions.
4. Conclusions
The systematic literature review process allows us to
identify relevant studies in a field of knowledge through
the use of a consolidated search methodology. Legal
metrological control comprises the activities in legal
metrology that are responsible for providing confidence
in measurements that impact both society and the econ-
omy; this study has presented the relevant contributions
to this field over the last 10 years.
A systematic search methodology allowed us to identify
59 studies that were published in journals or proceedings
that discuss advances in legal metrology. These selected
studies were categorized in four groups: economy and
society, international trade, legal metrological control and
legal metrology in developing countries. A table was also
assembled to facilitate the identification of the studies in
each category.
Finding a way to measure the economic and social
impact of legal metrology remains a goal for the field.
Economic distortion may be an indicator that can verify
the quantitative impact of legal metrology.
In legal metrological control, the spread of information
systems that manage and treat data and the use of
information technology in legal metrology are growing
trends, allowing rapidity and reliability in inspection and
decision-making processes.
The international harmonization of regulations may be
the great issue to facilitate the growth of the global market,
and initiatives like the Mutual Acceptance Arrangement
are tracing a way to move past technical barriers. Once
international trade is related to government politics and
not metrological issues, however, the developments in
international trade metrology may include partnerships
between OIML and the World Trade Organization.
The development of legal metrology in developing
countries is a broad field to be explored, and many
countries are still lacking a system. Although partnerships
between countries with established legal metrology
systems and developing countries have shown real improve-
ments, regional cooperation should not be discounted.
Acknowledgment
The authors acknowledge the support of the National
Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology – Inmetro,
which enabled us to carry out this research.
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