20 May 2026 – World Metrology Day: Metrology as a Foundation for Trustworthy Decision-Making
World Metrology Day, held on 20 May each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of measurement for modern society, the economy and public institutions. The theme of World Metrology Day 2026, “Metrology: building trust in public policy”, underlines the essential role of accurate and reliable measurement in evidence-based decision-making and the development of policies serving the public interest.
Reliable, accurate and internationally comparable measurements constitute the foundation of trustworthy data upon which effective public policies are built in areas such as public health, environmental protection, energy, industry, digitalisation, innovation and international trade. The quality of public authorities decision-making is directly dependent on the quality, traceability and reliability of the data and measurements on which it is based.
Metrology is an integral part of everyday life. It enables the safe administration of medicines, accurate navigation, quality assurance of products, the safety of technical equipment, emissions monitoring and fair trade and market practices. Harmonised and trustworthy measurement systems also create the conditions necessary for technological advancement, consumer protection and the proper functioning of the global economy.
World Metrology Day commemorates the signing of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 in Paris, through which seventeen states laid the foundations for international cooperation in the field of metrology. More than 150 years later, the objective of ensuring worldwide uniformity of measurement remains one of the fundamental pillars of scientific, technological and economic development.
World Metrology Day celebrations are organised annually by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) in cooperation with national metrology institutes and professional organisations in more than 50 countries worldwide. Since 2024, this important day has also been officially recognised by UNESCO following a decision adopted at its 42nd General Conference in 2023.
On the occasion of World Metrology Day, the Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMÚ) emphasises the importance of trustworthy measurement as an essential prerequisite for high-quality decision-making, safety, competitiveness and the protection of the public interest. The accuracy and reliability of measurement are not merely technical parameters, they also constitute a cornerstone of public trust in institutions, regulation and the functioning of the modern state.
