1 The purpose of the National Measurement System (NMS) is to provide the UK with the infrastructure of laboratories, services and expertise that upholds the UK's measurement standards and develops the measurement technology essential to advancing the UK economy and the quality of life of UK citizens. Its mission is to meet the needs of users in industry and the community by driving up measurement standards whilst continuing to work at, and exploit, the leading edge of measurement research.
It makes a significant contribution to ensuring the health and safety of UK citizens and to promoting a business environment in the UK in which innovative companies have the confidence to apply new technologies and develop world-class products.
2 The NMS has a wide scope of diverse activities. In conjunction with fundamental research in measurement science, it supports innovation in industry by:
■ stimulating the continuing development of better measurement techniques and equipment;
■ providing high-accuracy calibration and testing services;
■ upholding and improving primary national standards;
■ providing traceability in measurements;
■ disseminating good measurement practice;
■ underpinning measurement regulation; and,
■ ensuring international harmonisation of measurement standards.
3 Measurement science also underpins a wider range of public goods, such as consumer protection, forensic science, environmental controls, safe medical treatments and food safety regulation, as well as the technical standards that foster barrier-free trade. In this way, the NMS serves as a cross-governmental resource that helps to fulfil the policy agendas of not only the Department but other Government departments, principally the Department of Health, Ministry of Defence, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Health & Safety Executive.