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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

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Government

National Measurement System

Providing confidence for science, innovation and trade

The National Measurement System (NMS) is an essential part of the UK’s research and innovation infrastructure, critical for science and trade. The NMS programmes deliver the UK’s Measurement Strategy, developed in consultation across industry, academia and Government.

The NMS is delivered through the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology. The science programmes are carried out by the UK’s designated measurement institutes:

NPL, the UK’s National Metrology Institute (NMI) and owned by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, delivers the large majority of the programmes.

The NMS enables the UK to compete in global trade and manufacturing by ensuring consistency and recognition of measurement units and standards throughout the world. Internationally leading knowledge and expertise is passed on to UK stakeholders by a coordinated programme of knowledge transfer.

  • Every year, 75,500 UK businesses demonstrate traceability to UK standards through calibrations originating at the NMS laboratories.

  • In 2023, the NMS laboratories undertook collaborative projects with 1,195 businesses, leveraged income of £62.89m from collaborative R&D and consultancy.

  • The NMS also supports the UK’s drive to influence international standards, delivering 55 new or amended standards in 2023.

2025 NMS survey for the life sciences & health sector

NPL begun collating responses to the National Measurement System (NMS) survey for the life sciences & health sector in early 2025. This survey falls under the public interest mandate and is not a marketing survey. The survey is being conducted by external consultants, IFF Research, on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with an aim to understand the impact of the products and services delivered by the NMS, and identify areas for improvement. If you receive an email or a call regarding this survey in early 2025, please be assured that this correspondence is legitimate, and we encourage you to respond. Read more about the 2025 NMS survey.

If you have any queries please contact:

NPL economist – Dharani Katanguru

External consultant – Emma Vernon

 

Download our infographic showing the impact of NPL and the National Measurement System

Discover more about the reach and impact of the NMS within the UK private sector

Download our infographic showcasing the main findings of the NMS private sector report

A strategy for measurement in the UK

The NMS underpins key policies, regulations and operational requirements across government. For example, by enabling:

  • Assured food, air and water quality measurement for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency and Food Standards Agency.
  • Safe and quality assured medical diagnosis and treatment in the NHS for the Department of Health and Social Care.
  • Assurance of breath alcohol measurement and of critical infrastructure monitoring for the Department for Transport.
  • Traceable measurements to support homeland and national security for the Home Office and Ministry of Defence.
  • National greenhouse gas inventories, observations of emissions in the UK and accelerating the development and uptake of low-carbon technology for the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology.
  • Measurements for the accurate taxation of, for example, oil and gas production for HM Treasury.

The UK Measurement Strategy describes how the UK will capitalise on its world-leading National Measurement System. Extraordinary innovation can be realised when the right measurement practices are applied and high quality measurement can increase investment in R&D by giving confidence to investors and de-risking the innovation journey. Measurement also helps to grow key, high tech sectors by enabling companies to assure quality, comply with regulations and trade internationally.

Find out more about the UK Measurement Strategy 

 

Other NMS organisations

Contact us

Our research and measurement solutions support innovation and product development. We work with companies to deliver business advantage and commercial success.
Contact our Customer Services team on +44 20 8943 7070

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