Scientific and Industrial Metrology is the science of accurate and reliable measurement and forms the foundation of trade, industry, science, technology, healthcare, education, environmental monitoring, and regulatory activities. As part of the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI), the Scientific and Industrial Metrology Division is responsible for developing, maintaining, and disseminating Namibia’s National Measurement Standards, ensuring that measurements performed throughout the country are accurate, consistent, and internationally recognised.
The division maintains national standards for mass, volume, temperature, and dimension, providing the highest level of measurement accuracy available in Namibia. These standards are traceable to the International System of Units (SI), ensuring that calibration results are comparable and accepted internationally.
Accurate measurements are essential for product quality, process control, conformity assessment, innovation, consumer protection, and regulatory compliance. By providing measurement traceability and internationally recognised calibration services, the Scientific and Industrial Metrology Division supports economic growth, industrial development, and international trade.
Accreditation
The Scientific and Industrial Metrology Division is accredited by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) to ISO/IEC 17025, the internationally recognised standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This accreditation demonstrates NSI’s commitment to delivering accurate, reliable, and internationally traceable calibration services through competent personnel, validated methods, and a robust quality management system.
The accreditation provides customers with confidence that calibration results are technically valid, consistent, and recognised both nationally and internationally.
Accredited Calibration Services
The Division operates fully accredited laboratories in the following metrology disciplines:
- Mass Metrology – Calibration of mass standards, weights, and weighing instruments.
- Volume Metrology – Calibration of micropipettes, syringes, laboratory glassware, and metal measures.
- Temperature Metrology – Calibration of digital thermometers, liquid-in-glass thermometers, isothermal media, and infrared thermometers.
- Dimension Metrology – Calibration of dial indicators, digital indicators, micrometres, and Vernier callipers.
International Recognition
NSI ensures that Namibia’s measurement system remains aligned with international best practices and that its calibration services are recognised and trusted nationally, regionally and globally.
- The National Metrology Institute is internationally recognised through its participation in the global and regional metrology framework. NSI is a signatory to the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA), an international agreement established by the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM).
- The NMI maintains and publishes its Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) through the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). This recognition demonstrates Namibia’s technical competence and measurement capabilities at an international level.
- The NMI is a member of the African Metrology System (AFRIMETS), which promotes regional cooperation, harmonisation of measurement standards, technical collaboration, and capacity development among National Metrology Institutes across Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Metrology?
Metrology is the science of accurate and reliable measurement. It provides the foundation for quality assurance, manufacturing, trade, research, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance by ensuring that measurements are accurate, consistent, and traceable to internationally recognised standards.
What is the role of the Scientific and Industrial Metrology Division?
The Division develops, maintains, and disseminates National Measurement Standards. It provides calibration services, ensures traceability of measurements to the International System of Units (SI), and supports industry, laboratories, government institutions, research organisations, and academia.
What is measurement traceability?
Measurement traceability is the property of a measurement result whereby it can be related to a recognised reference, usually SI units, through an unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement uncertainty.
Why is calibration important?
Calibration ensures that measuring instruments provide accurate and reliable results. It helps organisations maintain product quality, comply with regulatory requirements, reduce measurement errors, and improve confidence in test and measurement results.
Who can use NSI calibration services?
NSI calibration services are available to manufacturers, testing and calibration laboratories, educational institutions, research organisations, healthcare facilities, regulatory authorities, government agencies, and private businesses requiring measurement traceability.
What does ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation mean?
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation demonstrates that a laboratory is technically competent to perform calibration and testing activities and operates a quality management system capable of producing valid and reliable results.
What are National Measurement Standards?
National Measurement Standards are the highest-level measurement references maintained within a country. They provide the basis for all measurement traceability and ensure consistency and accuracy in measurements across different sectors.
What is the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA)?
The CIPM MRA is an international agreement that enables the mutual recognition of national measurement standards and calibration certificates issued by National Metrology Institutes. It helps ensure global acceptance of measurement results and facilitates international trade.
How can I get my instruments calibrated?
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.
How can I receive my calibration certificate after completion?
Clients 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.
Standard Publication and Information
Contact Us
- Ms. Lahya Hambinga
- Acting General Manager: Standards
- +26461386449
- +264855602333
- hambingal@nsi.com.na
- Ms. Rosina Shiimbashike
- Manager: Standards Development and Training
- +26461386432
- +264816037517
- ShiimbashikeR@nsi.com.na