Metrology

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The Metrology Department of Namibia plays a pivotal role in the establishment and maintenance of a credible, internationally aligned, and nationally coherent measurement system. This function is critical to the effective operation of the country’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), which facilitates trade, economic development, consumer protection, industrial growth, and public welfare.

The Department serves dual mandates as both the National Metrology Institute (NMI) and the National Legal Metrology Authority (LMA). In this capacity, it provides for the administrative and enforcement of the Metrology Act, 2022 (Act No. 5 of 2022). Its core mandate is to establish, maintain, and promote a robust national measurement infrastructure that supports fair trade, regulatory compliance, fostering economic competitiveness, enhancing consumer and environmental protection, supporting industrial innovation, and promoting public health and safety through accurate and reliable measurements. Through this combined mandate, the Metrology Department upholds the integrity of measurements across the country to facilitates Namibia’s integration into regional and global markets and strengthen national governance in quality-related matters.

Calibration Services

  • The organization and development of national measurement standards.
  • The maintenance of Namibia’s National Measurement Standards through calibration and comparison with international benchmarks, ensuring their accuracy, traceability, and global recognition.
  • The demonstration of the nation's measurement capabilities and the equivalence of its measurement standards.
  • The provision of measurement traceability to industries, research, and academic sectors. institutions, regulatory authorities, and the health and environmental sectors in Namibia
  • The NSI Metrology Laboratory consistently maintains the traceability of its standards to SI units. The national standards for mass, volume, dimension, and temperature are traceable to international units.

The Scientific and Industrial Metrology division is a part of the Metrology Department within the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI). This division oversees several key functions, including:

The Scientific and Industrial Metrology currently offers calibration services in the following areas:

Mass: (Accredited Service)
  • Weighing instruments, analytical balances, digital scales
  • Mass piece/Weights
Volume: (Accredited Service)
  • Pipettes, Micro-pipettes, Measuring Cylinders, Volumetric flasks, syringes, Dispensers, Burettes, Laboratory Graduated Glassware, and Volume Measures
Temperature: (Accredited Service)
  • Digital thermometers, Data loggers, Liquid-in-Glass thermometers, Dial thermometers, Thermocouples, Resistance Temperature Devices, Temperature Indicators, Heat Sources, Ovens, Freezers, Fridges, Refrigerators, chillers, incubators, Autoclaves, Water baths, Hot plates, Temperature furnace, Cold rooms, Temperature controllers, Dry well calibrators,
  • Mass piece/Weights
Temperature: (Unaccredited Service)
  • Infrared Thermometers
Dimension: (Accredited Service)
  • Dial/Digimatic Indicators, Vernier Callipers, Micrometres (accredited service)
Dimension: (Unaccredited Service)
  • Gauge Blocks
New Calibration Services (Time & Frequency Calibration scopes (Unaccredited service))
  • Centrifuge, rotators, Shakers, Vortex, and Mixer,
  • Timers and Stopwatches/ timing devices
Verification Services

Verification confirms that measuring instruments comply with legal requirements before use and during operation, in accordance with the Metrology Act (Act 5 of 2022). Verification consists of a conformity assessment process that includes evaluation for compliance with the certificate of type approval, testing procedures, the issuance of a verification certificate, verification marking, or a combination of these, as prescribed.

Verification services include:
  • Initial Verification of new instruments
  • Reverification of repaired instruments
  • Periodic verification
  • Verification after adjustment or relocation
Verification is conducted onsite and offsite.
  • Onsite verification: Conducted at customer premises.
  • Offsite verification: Instruments may be brought to NSI facilities.
Examples of instruments verified:
  • Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments (NAWIs) – Onsite verification
  • Fuel dispensers (LFDs) – Onsite Verification
  • Mass pieces and weights – Offsite Verification , (Onsite if absolutely necessary)
  • Volume measures – Onsite verification
  • Volume measures – Onsite verification
  • Dynamic measuring systems for liquids other than water (e.g Fuel Meters) – Onsite Verification
Type Approval

Type approval of a measuring instrument consists of a conformity assessment process that includes evaluation, testing, examination, a pattern description and the issuing of a certificate of type approval as prescribed.

Type Approval ensures that:
  • Instrument design complies with legal metrology requirements
  • Measurement performance meets prescribed accuracy requirements
  • Instruments are suitable for intended use
The process includes:
  • Technical documentation review
  • Pattern evaluation
  • Performance assessment
  • Issuing of Type Approval Certificate
Labelling Evaluation

Labelling evaluation ensures that mandatory markings and inscriptions on measuring instruments and pre-packaged goods comply with regulatory requirements.

Evaluation includes verification of:
  • Manufacturer identification
  • Measurement units
  • Capacity markings
  • Accuracy class
  • Mandatory legal inscriptions
  • Pre-packaged goods labelling compliance to the sale of goods requirements, applicable regulations and applicable national standards.
Inspection Services

Inspection activities ensure ongoing compliance of measuring instruments and trade practices.

Inspection Includes:
  • Market surveillance inspections
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Investigation of measurement complaints
  • Accuracy class
  • Mandatory legal inscriptions
  • Inspection of pre-packaged goods
For Legal Metrology Service Contact:
  • Section Head: Legal Metrology
  • Ms. Marina Ipangelwa
  • 061 386487/470
  • IpangelwaM@nsi.com.na

Turnaround Time

Seven (7) working days to issue calibration certificates.

Transportation of Items

All instruments /equipment sent by the client for calibration to the NSI shall be delivered and collected at the customer’s own cost and risk.

Customer Toolbox
Certificate of Accreditation and Schedule of Accreditation Documents

Certificate of Accreditation (Volume Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) Certificate of Accreditation (Temperature Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) Certificate of Accreditation (Mass Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) Certificate of Accreditation (Dimensional Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) CAL-14 006 Temperature Metrology.pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) CAL-9 003 (Volume Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) CAL-8 002 ( Mass Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation) CAL-2 006 (Dimension Metrology).pdf (Certificate of Accreditation)

List of approved trade technicians and type-approved instruments

Approved Registered Mechanics.pdf (Approved trade technicians) Approve Measuring Instruments by NSI.pdf (Approved trade technicians)

Service Request form
MTFL 083 Lebelling Requirements Evaluation.pdf (Service Request form) MTFL 001 Application form – Registration of Mechanics.pdf (Service Request form) MQFL 060-02 Type Application Checklist.pdf (Service Request form) MQFL 060 Type Approval Form.xlsx.pdf (Service Request form) MQFL 004A -INSPECTIONVERIFICATION REVIEW FORM.pdf (Service Request form) MQF 005 Calibration Contract Review Form.pdf (Service Request form)
Training and capacity-building programs
Trade Mechanic Training Calendar 2026-2027.pdf (Training and capacity)
Price list

Gazzetted Metrology Prices List.pdf (Price list)

Frequently Asked Questions

To initiate calibration, kindly submit a request specifying: the instruments to be calibrated, the instruments operational ranges and the required calibration points? A quotation will then be issued. Upon acceptance of the quotation, the calibration will be scheduled accordingly.

Clients may collect their calibration certificates from the NSI premises. Alternatively, clients can indicate a courier service, and the certificates will be dispatched at the client’s cost.

The duration of calibration depends on the number of instruments and the required calibration points. On average, calibration is completed within 1–2 working days.

Submit a request via email indicating:
  • Type of measuring instrument
  • Location of verification
  • Quantity of instruments
  • Minimum and Maximum Capacity (if applicable)
  • Flow rate (if applicable)
A quotation will be issued, and verification will be scheduled upon acceptance. Additionally, for Type Approval, registered mechanics and labelling evaluation applications, a quotation will be issued and scheduled upon receipt of a completed application form.

The customer is responsible for delivery and collection of instruments for offsite verification.

The owner must arrange the collection of the verification certificate after being informed that verification activities are completed.

Type Approval confirms that a measuring instrument model complies with legal requirements before it can be used in trade.

Labelling evaluation ensures markings and information displayed on instruments or pre-packaged goods comply with legal metrology regulations.

Contact Us
For Calibration Services:
  • Section Head: Scientific and Industrial Metrology
  • Ms. Irja Shaanika
  • 061 386471/470
  • Cell:0814943378
  • shaanikai@nsi.com.na
For Legal Metrology Service:
  • Section Head: Legal Metrology
  • Ms. Marina Ipangelwa
  • 061 386487/470
  • IpangelwaM@nsi.com.na

Physical Address

Metrology Main Laboratory,  205, Gold Street, Prosperita, Windhoek

Metrology Satellite Laboratory NSI Testing & Inspection Centre , Erf 4466, Langer Heinrich Crescent, Walvis Bay