mõõtevastavus

Mõõtevastavus, often translated as measurement traceability, is a fundamental concept in metrology. It refers to the property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a stated reference, usually a national or international standard, through an unbroken chain of comparisons, all having stated uncertainties. This unbroken chain is crucial for ensuring the validity and comparability of measurements across different locations and over time.

The principle of traceability requires that each step in the comparison process must be documented and characterized by an associated uncertainty. This allows for the propagation of uncertainties, ultimately leading to an uncertainty associated with the final measurement result. Without traceability, it would be impossible to definitively state how accurate a measurement is or to compare it with other measurements.

Establishing traceability typically involves a hierarchy of standards. A measurement performed by a laboratory might be traceable to a national metrology institute (NMI), which in turn maintains its standards traceable to international standards, such as those maintained by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). This hierarchical structure ensures consistency and confidence in measurements globally. Regulatory bodies, accreditation organizations, and industries rely on measurement traceability to guarantee product quality, safety, and fair trade.