What can we learn from traceability in physical measurements?

Abstract

An international system for providing traceability for the results from physical measurements has been under continuous development since the introduction of the Convention of the Metre over 100 years ago. Such a system has only been in existence for chemical measurements for about a decade and there is much that can be learnt from the way in which traceability has developed in physical measurements that will help its development for chemical measurements. First a number of myths that have grown up about the differences between these are examined. This is followed by a description of examples from physical measurements, which have important lessons for the ways in which traceability for the results of chemical measurements can be established.