Marking World Metrology Day 2025: KENAS Champions Trust through Accredited Measurements

The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) joined the global metrology community in commemorating World Metrology Day 2025, held under the theme: “Measurements for all times, for all people.” This year’s celebration is particularly significant as it marks 150 years since the signing of the Metre Convention, the pivotal agreement that laid the foundation for international collaboration in measurement science.

Kenya Celebrates Metrology at Home

In Kenya, World Metrology Day was commemorated at the Edge Hotel and Convention Centre through an event organized by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). The gathering brought together key stakeholders from across the country’s Quality Infrastructure (QI) framework — including regulators, industry leaders, academia, and accredited laboratories — to reflect on the role of metrology in national development.

Representing KENAS was Mr. Stanslaus Masinza, Manager of the Calibration Laboratories Department, who took part in an expert panel discussion exploring the importance of measurements in quality assurance, trade, and safety.

Accreditation: The Bridge Between Measurement and Trust

When asked about the link between metrology and accreditation, Mr. Masinza emphasized that accredited measurements form the foundation of trust in modern systems. He noted that accurate, traceable, and internationally recognized measurements empower businesses to meet market requirements, support regulators in enforcing standards, and assure consumers of safe and reliable products and services.

“Accredited measurements are more than just technical requirements — they are the foundation of trust,” he explained. “Whether in medical diagnostics, industrial manufacturing, or retail transactions, accreditation ensures that measurements are credible, traceable, and internationally recognized.”

Mr. Masinza further noted that KENAS assessments verify traceability to the International System of Units (SI), working closely with KEBS as Kenya’s national metrology institute. This synergy between metrology and accreditation enables Kenyan institutions to produce results that are accepted across borders — a key enabler of global trade, innovation, and policy coherence.

Impact Across Sectors

Accredited calibration and testing have wide-ranging implications across sectors:

• In healthcare, accredited measurements ensure that medical devices deliver precise results — critical for diagnosis, treatment, and patient safety.
• In industry and manufacturing, precision underpins product quality, production efficiency, and international competitiveness.
• In the environmental sector, accredited measurements are essential for accurate pollution monitoring and evidence-based policymaking.
• In agriculture and food safety, accurate contamination detection and nutritional labelling ensure regulatory compliance and consumer protection.
• In scientific research, measurement accuracy and reproducibility form the bedrock of credibility and advancement.

These examples underline a powerful reality: accredited measurements are not just technical niceties — they are strategic assets that drive national development.

A Global Celebration with Local Significance

World Metrology Day is coordinated globally by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). In 2023, UNESCO officially recognized World Metrology Day during its 42nd General Conference, reaffirming the vital role of measurement in advancing science, innovation, and sustainable development.

As KENAS marks this global day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that Kenya’s measurement systems are internationally credible, locally trusted, and always aligned with excellence.