HISTORYOFMETROLOGYIN SLOVAKIA | Home |
The early days of Slovak metrology can be traced in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, when Slovakia formed the integral part of that empire.
A significant step toward uniform measures and measurement was made by the Metric Convention that was signed by Austro-Hungary on May 20, 1875 as one of the signatory states.
The development of metrology in Hungary was accelerated by the issue of the 5th article of the Law in 1907.
After the declaration of independence in 1918 the Czechoslovak Central Inspectorate for Gauging Service was established in Prague.
The Czechoslovak Republic signed the Metric Convention in 1922. In 1929 Czechoslovakia bought prototypes of metre and kilogram from the French government.
In 1930 according to the relevant issued law the Gauging Service was incorporated into the Ministry of Works.
In 1955 the Czechoslovak National Assembly passed the Act No. 2/1955. According to this Act the State Office of Measures, Weights and Precious Metals was established on January 1, 1955.
In 1959 the Office of Measures and Weights was incorporated into the office for standardisation, named as - the Office for Standards and Measurements in 1962.
The growing significance and task of metrology found their expression in 1960 in the Czechoslovak governmental decree No. 833/1960, on the basis of which the Act No. 35/62 On Gauging Service was passed in 1962.
In 1962 the Institute of Metrology - the scientific base for metrology in Czechoslovakia was established. By the Act No. 57/75 - which is the supplement to the Act No. 35/62 - The new international system of units (SI) was enacted as the only system of units of measurement that was valid in Czechoslovakia.
In 1990 the former Office was renamed into the Federal Office for Standardisation and Measurement and in 1991 the Act No. 505 On Metrology was issued. The Institute of Metrology was founded in 1965 and provisionally located in Prague. In 1968 the Institute of Metrology was renamed into the Czechoslovak Institute of Metrology (CSMU) with its headquarters in Bratislava.
Here there were started the scientific and research activities directed to the establishment of national standards in a field of the most important quantities for national economy. In the first year of existence the Institute had 67 employees. In 1992, before the splitting of Czechoslovakia, the CSMU had approximately 350 employees, involved in 5 research and development departments (one of them located in Prague), Production Department, Economy Department and Management Department. In 1993 after the split of Czechoslovakia, the Institute was re-established as the Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMU).
The Slovak Institute of Metrology is a contributory organisation established by the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing by the Foundation Charter from 1991. The Institute is situated in Bratislava, the capital of Slovak Republic.
Metrology in the Slovak Republic is organised by the Act on Metrology No. 142 Coll. of 17 March 2000. In 2004 this Act was revised by the Act 432/2004 Coll. The Slovak Inspectorate of Metrology supervises over the implementation of the Metrology Law in the Slovak Republic and controls the compliance with its provisions.
Today SMU has almost 40 year tradition in realization and maintenance of international recognition national standards. SMU owns the top technical equipment and experts in the particular fields, which equipment meet the international criteria and requirements. Metrological services are provided at the highest required metrological level in Slovakia.
SMU was one of a few metrological institutions in Europe has its Quality Management system certified EN ISO 9001: 2000 and its metrology laboratories are accredited by STN EN ISO/IEC 17025. In 2004 SMU has been awarded the National Quality Awards.
International Bureau for Weights mad Measures (BIPM)
International Committee for weights and Measures (CIPM)
International system of units SI
International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML)
Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS SR)
Act on Metrology No. 142/2000 Coll.
SMU Foundation Charter
SMU © 2005