Meterverdrag

Meterverdrag is a term used in Dutch-language discourse to denote an international agreement governing metrology and the harmonization of measurement standards across borders. In its envisioned form, the treaty would establish common principles for the definition, dissemination, and maintenance of metrological units, with an emphasis on the International System of Units (SI) and traceability from national laboratories to international standards. The agreement would recognize national metrology institutes as authorized bodies for maintaining realized standards, certify the equivalence of measurement certificates, and provide mechanisms for mutual recognition of calibration and testing results to facilitate cross-border trade, safety, and environmental monitoring.

Provisions would typically cover: adoption of SI units as the preferred basis of measurement, protection of intellectual property around primary standards, procedures for maintaining and disseminating reference materials, requirements for measurement uncertainty reporting, and dispute resolution. The governance of Meterverdrag would likely involve an international framework or conference, with participating states committing to regular exchange of metrology data, participation in proficiency testing, and compliance with establishable verification or accreditation procedures. The treaty would interact with existing bodies such as the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the CGPM, ISO, and regional metrology organizations.

Historically, various international efforts have advanced metrology cooperation, but there is no universally recognized treaty by the exact name Meterverdrag. Modern practice relies on a network of bilateral and multilateral agreements, international conventions, and standards organizations to achieve similar goals.