Mittausala

Mittausala, or the measurement sector, refers to the field of metrology and measurement activities that enable accurate and reliable quantification across industries and society. It encompasses measurement science, instrumentation, calibration, testing, verification, and related services that create traceability to the International System of Units (SI).

Key activities include calibration of instruments, metrological inspections, development and maintenance of measurement standards, and the operation of calibration laboratories, metrology institutes, and standardization bodies. Organizations in mittausala work to ensure measurement results are comparable and accepted in trade, manufacturing, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and research.

The field is governed by regulatory and standards frameworks that require traceability, quality management and, in many cases, legal metrology. Laboratories typically hold accreditation to standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, and measurements can be governed by national laws and EU directives in areas like conformity assessment and device verification.

Technology trends include digitalization, automation, and remote or onsite calibration, as well as the development of new measurement techniques and standards to support precision manufacturing, analytics, and safety-critical applications. The mittausala collaborates closely with industry, academia, and government to maintain measurement confidence and facilitate innovation.

In Finland, mittausala operates within a framework of national standards and EU metrology networks, overseen by laboratories and authorities to ensure traceability and consumer protection.