ISO VIM (DGUIDE 99999)

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ISO/TC 213 N 658

International vocabulary of basic and general terms in
metrology (VIM)
Vocabulaire international des termes fondamentaux et gnraux de mtrologie (VIM)
[Revision of the 1993 edition, International vocabulary of basic and general terms in metrology (VIM)]

ICS 01.040.17; 17.020

Please see the administrative notes on page iii

In accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, 2001, Clause A.5, this draft is submitted to the ISO national
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International Organization for Standardization, 2004

ISO VIM (DGUIDE 99999)

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ISO 2004 All rights reserved

ISO VIM (DGUIDE 99999)

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iii

Draft April 2004

International Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in

Metrology (VIM)
3rd Edition

CONTENTS
Foreword.2
1 Quantities and unit..4
2 Measurement.. 13
3 Devices for measurements..26
4 Characteristics of measuring systems...30
5 Measurement standards, etalons36
Annex A: Concepts used in the classical approach (CA)43
to measurement
Informative Annex: Diagram concepts.47
Bibliography.... 48
List of acronyms..49
Alphabetic index..50

Draft April 2004

FOREWORD
The evolution of the treatment of metrological uncertainty from a Classical Approach
(CA) to an Uncertainty Approach (UA) necessitated reconsideration of the related
definitions in the 2nd edition (1993) of the VIM . The CA took it for granted that a
measurand can ultimately be described by a single true value, but that instruments
and measurements do not yield this value due to additive errors, systematic and
random. These errors had to be treated differently in error propagation and it was
assumed that they may always be distinguished. The notions of random
uncertainty and systematic uncertainty were introduced without well-founded
methods of combination and interpretation. Then, instead of random and systematic
uncertainties, the unifying concept of uncertainty in measurement was introduced,
an approach acknowledged by BIPM Recommendation INC-1 (1980), on the basis of
which a detailed Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM)
(1993, corrected 1995) was developed.
In this operational approach to the evaluation of measurement uncertainties there is
a shift of perception such that the notion of error no longer plays a role. As a
consequence, there is finally only one uncertainty of measurement, ensuing from
various components. It characterizes the extent to which the unknown value of the
measurand is known after measurement, taking account of the given information
from the measurement. The concepts and terms presented in Chapters 1-5 of this
3rd edition of the VIM reflect this UA. Note that it is beyond the scope of this
Vocabulary to provide details for several of the concepts applying to the UA; for such
details the interested reader is requested to consult the GUM.
There are certain concepts in the 2nd edition of the VIM that apply mostly to the CA,
but also reflect some aspects of the UA. These concepts are avoided in the GUM,
but are nonetheless considered to be of sufficient importance and common usage to
be included in this Vocabulary. They are presented in Annex A, but in such a way as
to be consistent with the CA. Some additional terms pertaining to the CA are also
included in Annex A.
A number of concepts which figured in the 2nd edition of the VIM no longer appear in
this 3rd edition. These are concepts which can probably no longer be considered as
basic or general. Some new concepts reflecting the evolution of metrology have
been introduced, in particular concepts related to measurement uncertainty or
measurement traceability. Also, the various aspects of measurements in chemistry
as well as in physics were considered when establishing this 3rd edition. As a result, a
number of examples covering the fields of measurements in chemistry and in
laboratory medicine have been added.
A few definitions in this draft are marked preliminary definition for they are still under
study by JCGM-WG2. Concepts figuring in both the 2nd and 3rd editions have a
double reference number; the 3rd edition reference number in bold font and, in
parenthesis and in light font, the earlier reference from the 2nd edition.
The definitions proposed in this 3rd edition comply as far as possible with the rules to
be applied in terminology work, as outlined in standards ISO 704, ISO 1087-1, and
ISO 10241. In particular, the substitution principle should apply; it is possible in every
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Draft April 2004

definition to replace any term defined elsewhere in the VIM by its definition without
introducing contradiction or circularity. Such terms are indicated in bold font in the
definitions and notes.
To facilitate the understanding of the different relations between the various concepts
given here, concept diagrams have been introduced in this 3rd edition. They are
given in an Informative Annex.

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Chapter 1:

QUANTITIES AND UNITS

1.1
(1.1)
quantity
property of a phenomenon, body, or substance, to which a magnitude can be assigned
NOTES
1 The concept quantity can be subdivided in two levels, general concept and individual
concept.
EXAMPLES

General concept (name and symbol)

quantity, Q

Individual concept (name and symbol)

length, l

radius, r
wavelength, O
energy,
kinetic energy, T
E
heat, Q
electric charge, Q
electric resistance, R
amount-of-substance concentration
of entity B, cB
number concentration of entity B,
CB
Rockwell C hardness, HRC

radius of circle A, rA or r(A)

wavelength of the sodium D radiation, OD or O(D; Na)
kinetic energy of particle i in a given system, Ti
heat of vaporisation of sample i of water, Qi
electric charge of the proton, e
electric resistance of resistor i in a given circuit, Ri
amount-of-substance concentration
of ethanol in wine sample i, ci(C2H5OH)
number concentration of erythrocytes in blood sample
i, C(Erys; Bi)
Rockwell C hardness of steel sample i, HRC(i)

Symbols for quantities are given in the International Standard ISO 31:1992, Quantities and
units.

In laboratory medicine, where lists of individual quantities are presented, each designation is
conventionally given in the exhaustive and unambiguous IUPAC/IFCC format System 
Component; kind-of-quantity, where 'System' is the object under consideration, mostly having
a component of special interest, and 'kind-of-quantity' (or 'kind-of-property' if nominal
properties are included) is a label for general concepts such as length, diameter, and
amount-of-substance concentration. An example of an individual concept under quantity
could be 'Plasma (Blood)  Sodium ion; amount-of-substance concentration equal to 143
mmol/l in a given person at a given time.

A vector or a tensor can also be a quantity if all its components are quantities.

1.2
(Note 2 to 1.1)
quantities of the same kind
quantities that can be placed in order of magnitude relative to one another
NOTES
1 Quantities of the same kind within a given system of quantities have the same dimension.
2

The subdivision of quantities into quantities of the same kind is to some extent arbitrary. For
example, moment of force and energy are, by convention, not regarded as being of the same
kind, although they have the same dimension, nor are heat capacity and entropy.

EXAMPLES

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a) All lengths, such as diameters, circumferences and wavelengths, are generally considered as
quantities of the same kind.
b) All energies, such as work, heat, kinetic energy and potential energy, are generally
considered as quantities of the same kind.

1.3
(1.2)
system of quantities
set of quantities together with a set of non-contradictory equations relating those quantities
NOTE
Ordinal quantities, such as Rockwell C hardness, are usually not considered to be part of a
system of quantities because they are related to other quantities through empirical relations
only.

1.4
International System of Quantities
ISQ
system of quantities, together with the equations relating the quantities, on which the SI is
based
NOTE

At present the ISQ is published in the International Standard ISO 31:1992, Quantities
and units.
1.5
(1.3)
base quantity
quantity, chosen by convention, used in a system of quantities to define other quantities
NOTES
1 There exist no equations relating the base quantities of a system of quantities.
2

Number of entities can be regarded as a base quantity in any system of quantities.

EXAMPLE
The base quantities corresponding to the base units of the International System of Units
(SI) are given in the note to 1.16.

1.6
(1.4)
derived quantity
quantity, in a system of quantities, defined as a function of base quantities
EXAMPLE
In a system of quantities having the base quantities length and mass, mass density is a
derived quantity defined as the quotient of mass and volume (length to the third power).

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1.7
(1.5)
quantity dimension
dimension of a quantity
dimension
dependence of a given quantity on the base quantities of a system of quantities,
represented by the product of powers of factors corresponding to the base quantities
NOTES
1 The conventional symbolic representation of the dimension of a base quantity is a single
upper case letter in roman (upright) sans-serif type. The conventional symbolic representation
of the dimension of a derived quantity is the product of powers of the dimensions of the base
quantities according to the definition of the derived quantity.
2

Quantities having the same dimension are not necessarily quantities of the same kind.

In deriving the dimension of a quantity, no account is taken of any numerical factor, nor of its
scalar, vector or tensor character.

The dimension of a base quantity is generally referred to as base dimension, and similarly for
a derived dimension.

EXAMPLES
a) In the ISQ, where L, M and T denote the dimensions of the base quantities length, mass, and
time, the dimension of force is LMT 2.
b) In the same system of quantities ML3 is the dimension of mass concentration and also of
volumic mass (mass density).

1.8
(1.6)
quantity of dimension one
dimensionless quantity
quantity for which all the exponents of the factors corresponding to the base quantities in the
representation of its dimension are zero
NOTES
1
The values of quantities of dimension one are simply numbers.
2

The term dimensionless quantity is for historical reasons commonly used. It stems from the
fact that all exponents are zero in the symbolic representation of the dimension for such
quantities. However, the term quantity of dimension one reflects the convention in which the
symbolic representation of the dimension for such quantities is the symbol 1 (see ISO 310 :1992, subclause 2.2.6).

EXAMPLES
Plane angle, solid angle, linear strain, friction factor, refractive index, mass fraction,
amount-of-substance fraction, Mach number, Reynolds number, degeneracy in quantum
mechanics, number of turns in a coil, number of molecules.

1.9
(1.7)
unit
measurement unit

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unit of measurement
scalar quantity, defined and adopted by convention, with which other quantities of the
same kind are compared in order to express their magnitudes
NOTES
1

Units are designated by conventionally assigned names and symbols.

Units of quantities of the same dimension may be designated by the same name and
symbol even when the quantities are not of the same kind. For example the joule per
kelvin, J/K, is the name and symbol of both a unit of heat capacity and a unit of entropy,
which are generally not considered to be quantities of the same kind.

Units of quantities of dimension one are simply numbers. In some cases these
numbers are given special names, e.g. radian and steradian, or are expressed by
quotients such as millimole per mole.

1.10
(1.18)
quantity value
value of a quantity
value
magnitude of a quantity represented by a number and a reference
NOTES
1

A quantity value can be expressed as:

x a product of a number and a unit, or
x a number for a quantity of dimension one (the unit one is generally not written out),
or
x a reference to a measurement procedure and an ordinal number.
A quantity value can be expressed in more than one way.

EXAMPLES
a) Length of a given rod:

5.34 m

or

b) Mass of a given body:

0.152 kg

c) Celsius temperature of a given sample:

5 qC

d) Electric impedance of a given circuit element

at a given frequency:

(7 + 3j) :

e) Refractive index of a given sample of glass:

1.52

f)

HRC(150 kg) 43.5

Rockwell C hardness of a given sample (150 kg load):

or

534 cm
152 g

g) Mass fraction of cadmium in copper:

3 g/kg or 310 9

h) Amount-of-substance content of Pb++ in water:

1.76 mmol/kg

1.11
(1.13)
base unit
base measurement unit

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unit that is conventionally and uniquely adopted for a base quantity in a given system of
quantities
NOTE
A base unit may also serve for a derived quantity of the same dimension.
Example
Rain fall, defined as areic volume (volume per area), has the metre as a coherent derived
unit.
EXAMPLE
In the ISQ length is a base quantity, and in the SI the metre is the base unit of length. The
centimetre and the kilometre are also units of length, but they are not base units in the SI.

1.12
(1.14)
derived unit
unit for a derived quantity
EXAMPLES
In a system of quantities where length and time are base quantities, the metre per
second, symbol m/s, the kilometre per hour, km/h, and the knot, equal to one nautical mile
per hour, are derived units of velocity.

1.13
(1.10)
coherent derived unit
derived unit that, for a given system of quantities and for a chosen set of base units, is a
product of powers of base units with the proportionality factor one
NOTES
1 Coherence can be determined only with respect to a particular system of quantities and a
given set of base units.
Examples
If the metre, the second, and the mole are base units, the metre per second is the coherent
derived unit of velocity when velocity is defined by the quantity equation v = dr/dt, and the mole
per cubic metre is the coherent derived unit of amount-of-substance concentration when
amount-of-substance concentration is defined by the quantity equation c = n/V. The kilometre
per hour and the knot, given as examples of derived units in 1.12, are not coherent derived units
in such a system.

A derived unit can be coherent with respect to one system of quantities, but not to another.

The coherent derived unit for every quantity of dimension one in any system of quantities
is the number one, symbol 1.

1.14
(1.9)
system of units
conventionally selected set of base units and derived units, and also their multiples and
submultiples, together with a set of rules for their use

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1.15
(1.11)
coherent system of units
system of units, based on a given system of quantities, in which the unit for each derived
quantity is a coherent derived unit
NOTE
A system of units can be coherent only with respect to the base units and the system of
equations that define the quantities involved.
EXAMPLES
a) The CGS system (based on the centimetre, gram, and second) in classical mechanics.
b) The International System of Units.

1.16
(1.12)
International System of Units
SI
coherent system of units based on the ISQ, their names and symbols, and a series of
prefixes and their names and symbols, together with rules for their use, adopted by the
General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM)
NOTE
The SI is founded on the following seven base quantities and base units:
_______________________________________________________
Base quantity
Base unit
Name
Name
Symbol
_______________________________________________________
length

metre

mass

kilogram

kg

time

second

electric current

ampere

thermodynamic temperature

kelvin

amount of substance

mole

mol

luminous intensity

candela

cd

_______________________________________________________

1.17
(1.16)
multiple of a unit
unit formed from a given unit by multiplying by an integer greater than one
EXAMPLES
a) The kilometre is a decimal multiple of the metre.
b) The hour is a non-decimal multiple of the second.

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1.18
(1.17)
submultiple of a unit
unit formed from a given unit by dividing by an integer greater than one
EXAMPLES
a) The millimetre is a decimal submultiple of the metre.
b) The arc second is a non-decimal submultiple of the arc minute.

1.19
(1.20)
conventional quantity value
conventional value of a quantity
conventional value
value attributed by formal agreement to a quantity for a given purpose
EXAMPLES
a) Standard acceleration of free fall, gn = 9.806 65 m s2.
NOTE
Standard acceleration of free fall was formerly called standard acceleration due to gravity.

b) The conventional value for the Josephson constant, KJ-90 = 483 597.9 GHz V1.

1.20
(1.21)
numerical quantity value
numerical value of a quantity
numerical value
number in the representation of a quantity value
NOTE
For quantities that have a unit, the numerical value is frequently denoted { Q} =Q/[Q],
where Q is the symbol for the quantity and [Q] is the symbol for the unit.

1.21
quantity equation
equation relating quantities
EXAMPLES
a) Q = ] Q1 Q2, or {Q} [Q] = ] {Q1} [Q1] {Q2} [Q2], or {Q} [Q] = ] {Q1} {Q2} [Q1] [Q2], where {Q},
{Q1},and {Q2} denote the numerical values of the quantities Q, Q1, and Q2 expressed in terms
of units [Q], [Q1], and [Q2], respectively, and where ] is a numerical factor.
b) T = (1/2) mv2, where T is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, v the speed of a specified particle.
c) n = I.t / F where n is the amount of substance, I the electric current, t the duration, and F the
Faraday constant.

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Draft April 2004

1.22
unit equation
equation relating units
EXAMPLES
a) [Q] = [Q1] [Q2] for the quantity equation given in the first example of 1.21 under the condition
that the units [Q], [Q1], and [Q2] are coherent.
b) J = kg m2 s2 , where J, kg, m, and s are the symbols for the joule, kilogram, metre, and
second, respectively.
c) [U%@ g/l, where [U%@is a symbol for a unit of mass concentration of substance B, and g and l
are the symbols for the gram and litre.

1.23
numerical value equation
numerical quantity value equation
equation relating numerical quantity values
EXAMPLES
a) {Q} = ] {Q1} {Q2} for the quantity equation given in the first example of 1.21 under the condition
that the units [Q], [Q1], and [Q2] are coherent.
b) In the equation for kinetic energy of a particle, T = (1/2) mv2 , if m = 2 kg and v = 3 m/s, so that
T = 9 J, then 9 = (1/2) u 2 u 32 is a numerical value equation.

1.24
quantity calculus
formalism for algebraic manipulation of symbols representing quantities
NOTE
In this formalism, equations between quantities have the advantage over equations between
numerical values of being independent of the choice of units (see ISO 31-0:1992, subclause
2.2.2).

1.25
conversion factor between units
ratio of two units for quantities of the same kind
EXAMPLES
a) km/m = 1000 and thus 1 km = 1000 m
b) h/s = 3600 and thus 1 h = 3600 s
c) (km/h)/(m/s) = (1/3.6) and thus 1 km/h = (1/3.6) m/s

1.26
ordinal quantity

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Draft April 2004

quantity, defined by a conventional measurement procedure, for which a total ordering

relation with other quantities of the same kind is defined, but for which no algebraic
operations among those quantities are defined
NOTES
1
2

Ordinal quantities can enter into empirical relations only and have no dimension.
Ordinal quantities are arranged according to conventional reference measurement
scales (see 2.34).

EXAMPLES
a) Rockwell C hardness
b) Octane number for petroleum fuel
c) Earthquake strength on the Richter scale

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Chapter 2: MEASUREMENT
2.1
(2.1)
measurement
process of experimentally obtaining information about the magnitude of a quantity
NOTES
1 Measurement implies a measurement procedure, based on a theoretical model.
2

In practice, measurement presupposes a calibrated measuring system, possibly

subsequently verified.

2.2
(2.2)
metrology
field of knowledge concerned with measurement
NOTE
Metrology includes all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement, whichever the
measurement uncertainty and field of application.

2.3
(2.6)
measurand
quantity intended to be measured
NOTES
1 The measurement can change the phenomenon, body, or substance under study such that
the quantity that is actually measured differs from the measurand.
Example
The potential difference between the terminals of a battery may decrease when
using a voltmeter with a significant internal conductance to perform the
measurement. The open-circuit potential difference can be calculated from the
internal resistances of the battery and the voltmeter.
2

Observe that this definition differs from that in VIM, 2nd Edition, Item 2.6, and some other
vocabularies, that define the measurand as the quantity subject to measurement.

The description of a measurand requires specification of the state of the phenomenon, body,
or substance under study.

2.4
(2.3)
measurement principle
principle of measurement
phenomenon serving as the basis of a measurement

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Draft April 2004

NOTE
The measurement principle can be a physical, chemical, or biological phenomenon.
EXAMPLES
a) Thermoelectric effect applied to the measurement of temperature.
b) Energy absorption applied to the measurement of amount-of-substance concentration.
c) Lowering of the concentration of glucose in blood in a fasting rabbit applied to the measurement of
insulin concentration in a preparation.

2.5
(2.4)
measurement method
method of measurement
generic description of a logical sequence of operations used in a measurement
NOTES
1. Measurement methods may be qualified in various ways such as:
x substitution measurement method
x differential measurement method
x null measurement method
x direct measurement method
x indirect measurement method
See IEC 60050-300:2001
2. A measurement often requires the sequential or parallel use of several pieces of equipment or
reagents or both. Then the measurement method consists of a short presentation of the
procedural structure.

2.6
(2.5)
measurement procedure
detailed description of a measurement according to one or more measurement principles
and to a given measurement method
NOTE
The measurement procedure is usually documented in sufficient detail to enable an operator
to perform a measurement.

2.7
primary measurement procedure
primary procedure
measurement procedure used to realize the definition of a measurement unit and obtain
the quantity value and measurement uncertainty of a primary measurement standard
NOTES
1

CCQM uses the term direct primary method of measurement for this concept.

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2

Definitions of two subordinate concepts, which could be termed direct primary reference
measurement procedure and ratio primary reference measurement procedure, are given
by CCQM (5th Meeting, 1999).

2.8
measurement scale
ordered set of values of quantities of a given kind, continuous or discrete, used in arranging
quantities of the same kind by magnitude
2.9
(1.22)
conventional reference measurement scale
conventional reference scale
measurement scale, defined by general agreement
NOTES
1

A conventional reference scale may be established by measurements according to a

measurement procedure.
Ordinal quantities are arranged according to conventional reference scales (see 1.26).

EXAMPLES
a) Rockwell C hardness scale;
b) pH scale in chemistry;
c) scale of octane numbers for petroleum fuel;
d) International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90).

2.10
(3.1)
measurement result
result of measurement
information about the magnitude of a quantity, obtained experimentally
NOTES
1 The information consists of a set of quantity values reasonably being attributed to the
measurand, usually summarized as a single quantity value and a measurement
uncertainty. The single quantity value is an estimate, often an average or the median of the
set.
2

If the measurand is considered to be sufficiently well described by a single quantity value (see
GUM, 1993, 1.2), it is common practice to have the term measurement result comprise the
estimated value only. The measurement uncertainty associated with this measurement result
is then stated separately.

If the measurement uncertainty is considered to be negligible for some purpose, the

information may be reduced to a single quantity value. In many fields this is the most common
way of expressing a measurement result.

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2.11
(3.9)
measurement uncertainty
uncertainty of measurement
uncertainty
parameter that characterizes the dispersion of the quantity values that are being attributed
to a measurand, based on the information used
NOTES
1 Measurement uncertainty quantitatively characterizes the knowledge about the measurand,
based on the information used.
2

Measurement uncertainty characterizes the dispersion of a set or distribution of quantity

values for the measurand, obtained by available information. The dispersion is due to
definitional uncertainty of the measurand and random and systematic effects in the
measurement.

If a single quantity value as an estimate of the measurand is changed, the associated

measurement uncertainty may also change.

The parameter may be, for example, a standard deviation called standard measurement
uncertainty (or a given multiple of it), or the half-width of an interval, having a stated
coverage probability.

Measurement uncertainty comprises, in general, many components. Some of these

components may be evaluated by Type A evaluation of measurement uncertainty from the
statistical distribution of the quantity values from series of measurements and can be
characterized by experimental standard deviations. The other components, which may be
evaluated by Type B evaluation of measurement uncertainty, can also be characterized by
standard deviations, evaluated from assumed probability distributions based on experience or
other information.

It is understood that the quantity value of a measurement result is the best estimate of the
value of the measurand (see Note 2 of 2.10), and that all components of measurement
uncertainty, including those arising from systematic effects, such as components associated
with corrections and the assigned values of measurement standards, contribute to the
dispersion.

Depending upon its intended use, an expanded measurement uncertainty of a

measurement result may be given with a stated coverage factor, giving a coverage interval
intended to contain the value of the measurand with high probability, or encompass a stated
large fraction of the dispersed quantity values that are being attributed to the measurand.

2.12
definitional measurement uncertainty
definitional uncertainty
component of measurement uncertainty resulting from the inherently finite amount of detail
in the definition of a measurand
NOTES
1

Any change in the descriptive detail of a measurand, through the corresponding change in
the measurement function, produces a new measurand having a new definitional
measurement uncertainty.

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2

Defining the measurand is the first step of any measurement procedure. The ensuing
definitional uncertainty can therefore be considered as a part of the measurement
uncertainty.

The definitional uncertainty is a lower limit for the measurement uncertainty (see GUM).

2.13
Type A evaluation of measurement uncertainty
Type A evaluation
method of evaluation of a component of measurement uncertainty by a statistical analysis
of quantity values obtained by measurements under repeatability conditions
NOTE
For information about statistical analysis, see the GUM.

2.14
Type B evaluation of measurement uncertainty
Type B evaluation
method of evaluation of a component of measurement uncertainty by means other than a
statistical analysis of quantity values obtained by measurement
EXAMPLES
The component of measurement uncertainty may be:
x
x
x
x
x

associated with published quantity values;

associated with the quantity value of a certified reference material;
obtained from a calibration certificate and incorporation of drift;
obtained from the accuracy class of a verified measuring instrument;
obtained from limits deduced through personal experience.

2.15
standard measurement uncertainty
standard uncertainty of measurement
standard uncertainty
measurement uncertainty expressed as a standard deviation
NOTE
Sometimes the standard measurement uncertainty characterizing a measurement result is
obtained by taking into account standard measurement uncertainties and covariances of the
input quantities to the measurement function. This standard measurement uncertainty is
termed combined standard uncertainty in the GUM.

2.16
combined standard measurement uncertainty
combined standard uncertainty
standard measurement uncertainty of the measurement result when that result is
obtained from the values of a number of other quantities, equal to the positive square root
of a sum of terms, the terms being the variances and/or covariances of the values of these

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other quantities weighted according to how the measurement result varies with changes in
these quantities

2.17
coverage factor
number by which a standard measurement uncertainty of a measurement result is
multiplied to obtain an expanded measurement uncertainty
2.18
expanded measurement uncertainty
expanded uncertainty
half-width of a symmetric coverage interval, centered around the estimate of a quantity,
with a specified coverage probability
NOTES
1 Expanded measurement uncertainty is defined only for unimodal, symmetric probability
density functions.
2

Expanded measurement uncertainty is termed overall uncertainty in paragraph 5 of

Recommendation INC-1 (1980).

In practice, expanded measurement uncertainty is usually a stated multiple of the standard

measurement uncertainty of a measurement result.

2.19
coverage interval
interval of values which can be attributed to a quantity and, based on the available
information, is associated with a stated high probability
2.20
coverage probability
probability associated with a coverage interval
NOTE
The coverage probability is sometimes termed level of confidence (see GUM).

2.21
target measurement uncertainty
target uncertainty
measurement uncertainty formulated as a goal and decided on the basis of a specified
intended use of measurement results
2.22
(6.11)
calibration of a measuring system

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calibration
definition (a)
operation establishing the relation between quantity values provided by measurement
standards and the corresponding indications of a measuring system, carried out under
specified conditions and including evaluation of measurement uncertainty
definition (b)
operation that establishes the relation, obtained by reference to one or more measurement
standards, that exists under specified conditions, between the indication of a measuring
system and the measurement result that would be obtained using the measuring system
NOTES
1 The relations referred to in definitions (a) and (b) can be expressed by calibration diagrams,
calibration functions, or calibration tables.
2

Definition (b) is consistent with the definition of calibration in IEC 60050-300, item 311-01-09.

See NOTE to 2.28 concerning verification.

2.23
calibration hierarchy
sequence of calibrations of measuring systems between a stated metrological reference
and the final measuring system
NOTES
1

The elements of a calibration hierarchy are one or more measurement standards

(calibrators) and measuring systems operated according to measurement
procedures.

For this definition, the stated metrological reference can be a definition of a

measurement unit through its practical realization, or a measurement procedure, or a
measurement standard.

If the metrological reference of a calibration hierarchy is a measurement standard, it is

always a primary measurement standard.

2.24
(6.10)
metrological traceability
property of a measurement result relating the result to a stated metrological reference
through an unbroken chain of calibrations of a measuring system or comparisons, each
contributing to the stated measurement uncertainty
NOTES
1 For this definition, a stated metrological reference can be a definition of a measurement unit
through its practical realization, or a measurement procedure, or a measurement standard.
2

A prerequisite to metrological traceability is a previously established calibration hierarchy.

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3

Specification of the stated metrological reference must include the time at which the stated
metrological reference was used when establishing the calibration hierarchy.

The abbreviated term traceability is sometimes used for metrological traceability as well as
for other concepts, such as sample traceability or document traceability or instrument
traceability, where the history (trace) of an item is meant. Therefore, the full term should be
preferred.

For measurements with more than one input quantity to the measurement function, each
of the input quantities should itself be metrologically traceable.

2.25
metrological traceability chain
traceability chain
chain of alternating measuring systems with associated measurement procedures and
measurement standards, from a measurement result to a stated metrological reference
NOTE
A metrological traceability chain is defined through a calibration hierarchy from the
measurement result to the stated metrological reference.

2.26
metrological traceability to a measurement unit
metrological traceability to a unit
metrological traceability of a measurement result to the definition of a measurement unit
through a stated metrological traceability chain
NOTE
The phrase traceability to the SI is sometimes used; it means metrological traceability to a
unit of the International System of Units.

2.27
verification
confirmation through examination of a given item and provision of objective evidence that it
fulfils specified requirements
[modified from ISO 9000:2000, item 3.8.4]
NOTE
Verification should not be confused with calibration of a measuring system, or vice versa.
EXAMPLES
a) Demonstration that a given reference material as claimed is homogeneous down to samples
having a mass of 10 mg for the quantity and measurement procedure concerned.
b) Demonstration that stated performance properties of a measuring system are achieved.

2.28
validation

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confirmation through examination of a given item and provision of objective evidence that it
fulfils the requirements for a stated intended use
[modified from ISO 9000:2000, item 3.8.5]
EXAMPLE
A measurement procedure, ordinarily used for the measurement of nitrogen concentration
in water, may be validated also for the measurement of nitrogen concentration in human
serum.

2.29
comparability of measurement results
comparability
property of measurement results enabling them to be compared because they are
metrologically traceable to the same stated metrological reference
NOTE
Comparability does not necessitate that the quantity values compared are of the same order
of magnitude.
EXAMPLES
a) Measurement results, for the distances from Earth to Moon and from Paris to London, are
comparable when (which is often the case) they are both metrologically traceable to the same
unit, for instance the metre.
b) Measurement results for amount-of-substance concentrations of a normal and a dangerous
level of cholesterol in human serum are comparable when they are both metrologically
traceable to the same unit, for instance mole per litre.

2.30
compatibility of measurement results
compatibility
property satisfied by all the measurement results of the same quantity, characterized by an
adequate overlap of their corresponding sets of quantity values
NOTE
See IEC 60050-300:2001, item 311-01-14.

2.31
(2.7)
influence quantity
quantity which, in a direct measurement, is neither the measurand nor the quantity being
measured, but whose change affects the relation between the indication of the measuring
system and the measurement result
NOTES
1

Definition of direct measurement can be found in IEC 60050-300:2001.

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2

In the GUM, the term influence quantity covers both the sense given in the above
definition and a quantity that is not the measurand but that affects the measurement
result.

An indirect measurement involves a combination of direct measurements, each of which

may be affected by influence quantities.

EXAMPLES
a) frequency in the measurement of the amplitude of an alternating current;
b) bilirubin amount-of-substance concentration in the measurement of haemoglobin concentration in
human blood plasma;
c) temperature of a micrometer used for measurement of length of a rod, but not the temperature of
the rod itself;
d) temperature in the measurement of pH;
e) background pressure in the ion source of a mass spectrometer during a measurement of amountof-substance fraction.

2.32
(3.14)
correction
modification applied to a quantity value obtained from measurement, to compensate for a
systematic effect
NOTES
1
2

See GUM 3.2.3 (1995) for explanation of systematic effect.

The correction can take different forms, such as an addend or a multiplicative factor.

2.33
measurement function
function expressing the mathematical relation between one or more measurands and the
quantity or quantities that must be measured, or whose values can be otherwise obtained,
to calculate a value of each measurand
NOTE
The general measurement function, f, for a single measurand, Y, can be expressed as Y =
f(X1, X2, , Xn), where X1, X2, , Xn are the input quantities to the measurement
function, as explained in the GUM (4.1).

2.34
input quantity to a measurement function
quantity that must be measured, or whose value can be otherwise obtained, to calculate a
value of a measurand as an output of the measurement function

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NOTE
Indications of a measuring system, corrections, and influence quantities are input
quantities to a measurement function.
EXAMPLES
a) Temperature of a rod the length of which is being measured, and its thermal expansion
coefficient.
b) Mass and volume, when measuring volumic mass (mass density) by indirect measurement.

2.35
measurement precision
precision
closeness of agreement between quantity values obtained by replicate measurements of a
quantity, under specified conditions
NOTE
Measurement precision is usually expressed numerically by measures of imprecision, such as
standard deviation, variance, or coefficient of variation under the specified conditions of
measurement.

2.36
(3.6 NOTE 2)
repeatability condition of measurement
repeatability condition
condition of measurement in a set of conditions including the same measurement
procedure, same operator, same measuring system, same operating conditions and same
location, and replicated measurements over a short period of time
2.37
(3.6)
measurement repeatability
repeatability
measurement precision under repeatability conditions of measurement

2.38
intermediate precision condition of measurement
intermediate precision condition
condition of measurement in a set of conditions including the same measurement
procedure, same location, and replicated measurements over an extended period of time
NOTES
1 Changes within a given type of calibration, operator, and measuring system are allowed.
2

A specification should contain the conditions changed and unchanged, to the extent practical.

2.39

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intermediate measurement precision
intermediate precision
measurement precision under intermediate precision conditions of measurement
2.40
(3.7 NOTE 2)
reproducibility condition of measurement
reproducibility condition
condition of measurement in a set of conditions including different locations, operators, and
measuring systems
NOTES
1
2

The different measuring systems may use different measurement procedures.

A specification should give the conditions changed and unchanged, to the extent practical.

2.41
(3.7)
measurement reproducibility
reproducibility
measurement precision under reproducibility conditions of measurement

2.42 (preliminary definition)

selectivity of a measuring system
selectivity
<chemistry> capability of a measuring system, using a specified measurement procedure,
to provide measurement results for two or more quantities of the same kind involving
different components in a system undergoing measurement, without interference from each
other or from other quantities in the same system
EXAMPLE
Capability of a mass spectrometer to measure two specified ion currents in a mass spectrum
without each being disturbed by the presence of other quantities.

<physics> capability of a measuring system to provide a measurement result for a given

quantity in the presence of other quantities of the same kind in the system undergoing
measurement
EXAMPLES
a) Capability of a measuring system to measure the power of a signal component at a given
frequency without being disturbed by signal components or other signals at other frequencies.
b) Capability of a receiver to discriminate between a wanted signal and unwanted signals, often
having frequencies slightly different from the frequency of the wanted signal.
c) Capability of a detector of ionizing radiation to respond to a radiation to be measured in the
presence of concomitant radiation.

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NOTE
Selectivity used in physics is a concept close to specificity used in chemistry.

2.43 (preliminary definition)

specificity of a measuring system
specificity
<chemistry> capability of a measuring system, using a specified measurement procedure,
to provide a measurement result for a quantity involving a specified component in a
system undergoing measurement, without interference from other components in the same
system
EXAMPLES
a) Capability of a mass spectrometer to measure the electric current generated by a specified
substance in a mass spectrum, without being disturbed by any other source of electric current.
b) Capability of a measuring system to measure the amount-of-substance concentration of
creatininium in blood plasma by a Jaff-procedure without interference from the glucose,
urate, ketone, and protein concentrations.
c) Capability of a mass spectrometer to measure the amount-of-substance abundance of the 28Si
isotope.
NOTE
A concept close to specificity used in chemistry is selectivity used in physics.

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Chapter 3: DEVICES FOR MEASUREMENT
This Chapter defines only a selection of important concepts. Further concepts are
found in IEC 60050.

3.1
(4.1)
measuring instrument
device or combination of devices designed for measurement of quantities
3.2
(4.2)
material measure
device reproducing or supplying, in a permanent manner during its use, quantities of given
kinds, each with an assigned value
EXAMPLES
a) A weight.
b) A volume measure (supplying one or several quantity values, with or without a measurement
scale).
c) A standard electric resistor.
d) A line scale (ruler).
e) A gauge block.
f)

A standard signal generator.

g) A reference material.

3.3
(4.3)
measuring transducer
device that provides at its output a quantity having a determined relation to the quantity at its
input
EXAMPLES
a)
Thermocouple.
b)

Current transformer.

c)

Strain gauge.

d)

pH electrode.

e)

Bourdon tube.

f)

Bimetal strip.

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3.4
(4.4)
measuring chain
series of elements of a measuring system constituting one single path of the measurement
signal
EXAMPLE
An electro-acoustic measuring chain comprising a microphone, attenuator, filter, amplifier, and
voltmeter.

3.5
(4.5)
measuring system
measurement system
set of measuring instruments and other devices or substances assembled and adapted to
the measurement of quantities of specified kinds within specified intervals of values
NOTE
The substance can be a chemical reagent.

3.6
(4.6)
indicating measuring instrument
measuring instrument providing an output signal carrying information about the value of
the quantity to be measured
NOTES
1

See Notes to 4.1.

An indicating measuring instrument may provide a record of the indication it provides.

The indication may be supplied in visual form or transmitted to another device.

3.7
(4.12)
displaying device
device providing the indication of a measuring system in visual form
NOTE
A displaying device may be the device by which the quantity value supplied by a material
measure is displayed or set.

3.8
(4.14)
sensor
element of a measuring system that is directly affected by the phenomenon, body, or
substance carrying the quantity to be measured

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NOTE
In some fields the term detector is used for this concept.
EXAMPLES
a) Measuring junction of a thermoelectric thermometer.
b) Rotor of a turbine flow meter.
c) Bourdon tube of a pressure gauge.
d) Float of a level-measuring instrument.
e) Photocell of a spectrophotometer.
f)

Thermotropic liquid crystal which changes colour as a function of temperature.

3.9
(4.15)
detector
device or substance that indicates the presence of a phenomenon, body, or substance when
a threshold value of an associated quantity is exceeded
NOTES
1
2

In some fields the term detector is used for the concept of sensor.
In chemistry the term indicator is frequently used for this concept.

EXAMPLES
a) Halogen leak detector.
b) Litmus paper.

3.10
(4.17)
scale of a displaying device
scale
part of a displaying device consisting of an ordered set of marks, together with any
associated numbers or quantity values
NOTE
Related terms and definitions can be found in IEC 60050-300, Part 314.

3.11
(4.30)
adjustment of a measuring system
adjustment
set of operations carried out on a measuring system in order that it provide prescribed
indications corresponding to given values of the quantity to be measured
NOTE

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Adjustment of a measuring system should not be confused with calibration of a measuring
system.

3.12
zero adjustment of a measuring system
zero adjustment
adjustment of a measuring system providing a null indication corresponding to a null
value of the quantity to be measured

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Chapter 4: CHARACTERISTICS OF MEASURING SYSTEMS
4.1
(3.2)
indication of a measuring system
indication
quantity value provided as the output of a measuring system
NOTES
1 The indication is given by the position on the display for analogue outputs, the displayed number
for digital outputs, the code pattern for code outputs, the nominal or stated value for material
measures.
2

The indication and the value of the quantity being measured are not necessarily values of
quantities of the same kind.

4.2
(4.19)
indication interval
set of quantity values bounded by the extreme possible indications of a measuring
system
NOTES
1 An indication interval is usually stated in terms of its smallest and greatest quantity values, for
example, 99 V to 201 V.
2

In some fields the term is range of indications.

4.3
(5.1)
nominal indication interval
nominal interval
set of quantity values, bounded by rounded or approximate extreme indications obtainable
with a particular setting of the controls of a measuring system and used to designate this
setting
NOTES
1 A nominal interval is usually stated as its smallest and greatest quantity values, for example, 100
V to 200 V". Where one of the extreme quantity values is zero, the nominal interval is sometimes
stated solely as the greatest quantity value, for example a nominal interval of 0 V to 100 V is
expressed as 100 V.
2

In some fields the term is nominal range

4.4
(5.2)
span of a nominal interval
span

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absolute value of the difference between the extreme quantity values of a nominal
indication interval
EXAMPLE
For a nominal interval of 10 V to +10 V, the span is 20 V.

4.5
(5.3)
nominal quantity value
nominal value
rounded or approximate quantity value of a characteristic of a measuring system that
provides a guide to its use
EXAMPLES
a) 100 : as the quantity value marked on a standard resistor.
b) 100 cl as the value marked on a single-mark volumetric flask.
c) 0.1 mol/l as the value for amount-of-substance concentration of a solution of hydrogen
chloride, HCl.
d) 25 C as the set point of a thermostatically controlled bath.
e) 40 C as a maximum temperature for storage.

4.6
(5.4)
measuring interval
working interval
set of values of the quantities of the same kind that can be measured by a given
measuring system, with specified measurement uncertainty under defined conditions
NOTE
In some fields the term is measuring range

4.7
steady state condition for a measuring system
steady state condition
operating condition of a measuring system in which the possible variation with time of the
quantity being measured is such that a calibration of the measuring system carried out
with a measurand constant with time remains valid
4.8
(5.5)
rated operating condition for a measuring system
rated operating condition
condition that must be fulfilled during measurement in order that a measuring system
perform as designed

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NOTE
The rated operating condition generally specifies intervals of values for the quantity being
measured and for any influence quantity.

4.9
(5.6)
limiting condition for a measuring system
limiting condition
extreme condition that a measuring system is required to withstand without damage, and
without degradation of specified metrological characteristics when it is subsequently
operated under its rated operating conditions
NOTES
1
2

Limiting conditions for storage, transport or operation can differ.

Limiting conditions can include limiting values of the quantity being measured and of any
influence quantity.

4.10
(5.7 )
reference condition for a measuring system
reference condition
condition of use prescribed for evaluating the performance of a measuring system or for
comparison of measurement results
NOTES
1 Reference conditions generally specify intervals of values for any influence quantity.
2

In IEC 60050-300, item 311-06-02, this term is used for a concept related to optimum
condition.

4.11
optimum condition for a measuring system
optimum condition
condition of use for a measuring system, under which its contribution to measurement
uncertainty is minimum
NOTE
In IEC 60050-300, item 311-06-02, a related concept is termed reference conditions.

4.12
(5.10)
sensitivity of a measuring system
sensitivity
quotient of the change in the indication of a measuring system and the corresponding
change in the value of the quantity being measured
NOTES
1 The sensitivity can depend on the value of the quantity being measured.

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2

The change considered in the value of the quantity being measured must be large compared with
the resolution of the measuring system.

4.13
resolution of a measuring system
smallest change, in the value of a quantity being measured by a measuring system, that
causes a perceptible change in the corresponding indication
NOTE
The resolution of a measuring system may depend on, for example, noise (internal or
external) or friction. It may also depend on the value of the quantity being measured.

4.14
(5.12)
resolution of a displaying device
smallest difference between indications of a displaying device that can be meaningfully
distinguished
4.15
(5.11)
discrimination threshold
largest change in the value of a quantity being measured by a measuring system that
causes no detectable change in the corresponding indication
NOTE
The discrimination threshold may depend on, for example, noise (internal or external) or
friction. It may also depend on the value of the quantity being measured.

4.16
(5.13)
dead band of a measuring system
dead band
maximum interval through which the value of a quantity being measured by a measuring
system can be changed in both directions without producing a detectable change in the
corresponding indication
NOTE
The dead band can depend on the rate of change.

4.17
(5.14)
stability of a measuring system
stability
ability of a measuring system to maintain its metrological characteristics constant with time

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4.18
(5.16)
drift of a measuring system
drift
change in the indication of a measuring system, generally slow and continuous, related
neither to a change in the quantity being measured nor to a change of an influence
quantity
NOTE
For a material measure the drift is a change of the value of the supplied quantity that is not
due to a change of an influence quantity.

4.19
variation due to an influence quantity
difference between the indications of a measuring system for the same value of the
quantity being measured when an influence quantity assumes, successively, two different
values
NOTE
For a material measure, the variation due to an influence quantity is the difference between
the values of the supplied quantity when the influence quantity assumes two different values.

4.20
(5.17)
step-change response time of a measuring system
step-change response time
duration between the instant when a quantity value at the input of a measuring system is
subjected to a step change between two specified steady states and the instant when the
corresponding indication settles within specified limits around its final steady value
4.21
(5.27)
repeatability of a measuring system
repeatability
property of a measuring system to provide closely similar indications for replicated
measurements of the same quantity under repeatability conditions
NOTE
Repeatability can be expressed quantitatively in terms of the dispersion parameters of the
indications of the measuring system.

4.22
instrumental uncertainty
component of measurement uncertainty attributed to a measuring instrument and
determined by its calibration
NOTES

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1

The instrumental uncertainty is used as a component of measurement uncertainty in a

subsequent Type B evaluation.

This definition is consistent with the IEC terminology, for instance IEC 60050-300, item 31103-09.

Instrumental uncertainty is useful when the measuring instrument is used to perform a single
measurement, however, caution must be taken not to overestimate or underestimate the
measurement uncertainty when repeated measurements are performed.

4.23
accuracy class
<uncertainty approach> class of measuring instruments that meet stated metrological
requirements which are intended to keep instrumental uncertainty within specified limits
under specified operating conditions
NOTE
Related concepts are accuracy class <classical approach> and accuracy of measurement.

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Chapter 5:

MEASUREMENT STANDARDS, ETALONS

In science and technology, the English word standard is used with two different
meanings: as a widely adopted written standard, specification, technical
recommendation or similar document (in French norme) and as a measurement
standard (in French talon). This Vocabulary is concerned solely with the second
meaning.

5.1
(6.1)
measurement standard
standard
etalon
realization of the definition of a given quantity, with stated value and measurement
uncertainty, used as a reference
NOTES
1 The realization of the definition of a given quantity can consist of a measuring system, a
material measure, or a reference material.
2

A measurement standard is frequently used as a reference to assign measurement results

to other quantities of the same kind.

In many cases, measurement standards are realizations of the definition of a unit.

The stated measurement uncertainty of a measurement standard can be given as either a

standard measurement uncertainty or an expanded measurement uncertainty with a
coverage factor.

The standard measurement uncertainty of a measurement standard is always a component of

the combined standard uncertainty (see Note to 2.15) associated with a measurement
result obtained using the measurement standard. Frequently, this component is small
compared to other components of the combined standard uncertainty.

Several quantities of the same kind or of different kinds may be realized in one device which
is commonly also called a measurement standard.

The word embodiment is sometimes used in the English language instead of realization.

EXAMPLES
a) 1 kg mass standard.
b) 100 standard resistor.
c) Standard ammeter.
d) Caesium frequency standard.
e) Standard hydrogen electrode.
f)

Set of reference solutions of cortisol in human serum having certified concentrations.

g) Reference material providing certified values with measurement uncertainties for the mass
concentration of each of ten different proteins.

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5.2
(6.3)
national measurement standard
national standard
measurement standard designated as a national stated metrological reference
5.3
(6.4)
primary measurement standard
primary standard
measurement standard whose quantity value and measurement uncertainty are
established without relation to another measurement standard for a quantity of the same
kind
NOTES
1

This definition implies that the establishment of a primary measurement standard has to
refer to the definition of any unit concerned, particularly an SI unit.

The first measurement standard of a calibration hierarchy is always a primary

measurement standard.

See Note 6 in 5.1 (measurement standard).

EXAMPLES
a) Primary measurement standard of amount-of-substance concentration prepared by
dissolving a known amount of substance of a chemical component to a known volume
of solution.
b) Primary measurement standard for pressure based on separate measurements of
force and area.
c) Primary measurement standard for isotope amount-of-substance ratio
measurements, prepared by mixing known amounts of substance of specified
isotopes.

5.4
(6.5)
secondary measurement standard
secondary standard
measurement standard whose quantity value and measurement uncertainty are
assigned through calibration against, or comparison with, a primary measurement
standard for a quantity of the same kind
NOTES
1

The relation may be obtained directly between the primary measurement standard and
the secondary measurement standard, or involve an intermediate measuring system
calibrated by the primary standard and assigning a measurement result to the secondary
standard.
A measurement standard having its quantity value assigned by a ratio primary
measurement procedure is a secondary measurement standard.

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5.5
(6.6)
reference measurement standard
reference standard
measurement standard used for the calibration of working measurement standards in a
given organization or at a given location
5.6
(6.7)
working measurement standard
working standard
measurement standard that is used routinely to calibrate, verify, or check measuring
systems, material measures, or reference materials
NOTE
A working measurement standard is usually calibrated with a reference measurement standard.

5.7
(6.9)
travelling measurement standard
travelling standard
measurement standard, sometimes of special construction, intended for transport between
different locations
EXAMPLE
A portable battery-operated caesium 133 frequency standard

5.8
(6.8)
transfer measurement device
transfer device
measurement device used as an intermediary to compare measurement standards

5.9
intrinsic measurement standard
intrinsic standard
measurement standard based on a sufficiently stable and reproducible property of a
phenomenon or substance
NOTES
1
The quantity value of an intrinsic standard is assigned by consensus and does not need to
be established by relating it to another measurement standard of the same type. Its
measurement uncertainty is determined by considering two components: (A) that
associated with its consensus quantity value and (B) that associated with its construction,
implementation and maintenance.

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2

An intrinsic standard usually consists of a system produced according to the requirements of a

consensus procedure and subject to periodic verification. The consensus procedure may
include corrections necessitated by the implementation.

The quantity value of an intrinsic standard may depend on the consensus value of a
fundamental constant.

The stability and measurement reproducibility of some intrinsic standards come from the
fact that the phenomenon used is a quantum phenomenon.

The adjective intrinsic does not mean that this standard may be used without special care or
that this standard is immune to spurious effects.

EXAMPLES
a)
Triple-point-of-water cell as an intrinsic standard of thermodynamic temperature.
b)

Intrinsic standard of electric potential difference based on the Josephson effect.

c)

Sample of copper as an intrinsic standard of electric conductivity.

5.10
(6.7 NOTE)
check measurement device
check device
measurement device used routinely for verifying the functioning of a measuring system
5.11
(6.12)
conservation of a measurement standard
operation or set of operations necessary to preserve the metrological properties of a
measurement standard within stated limits
NOTE
Conservation commonly includes periodic verification or calibration, storage under
suitable conditions, and specified care in use.
5.12
calibrator
measurement standard used in the calibration of a measuring system
5.13
(6.13)
reference material
RM
material, sufficiently homogeneous and stable with respect to one or more specified
quantities, used for the calibration of a measuring system, or for the assessment of a
measurement procedure, or for assigning values and measurement uncertainties to
quantities of the same kind for other materials

39

Draft April 2004

NOTES
1 The term reference material designates a family of materials without necessarily implying a
hierarchy according to the magnitude of the measurement uncertainty.
2

Reference material comprises both precision control material, which needs not have an
assigned quantity value, and measurement standard functioning as trueness control
material or calibrator.

A reference material can be in the form of, e.g. a pure or mixed gas, liquid, solid or
suspension.

The term reference material is also used for materials realizing nominal properties, such as
colour.

EXAMPLES
a)
Water for the calibration of viscometers.
b)

Sapphire as a heat-capacity calibrator in calorimetry.

c)

Human serum containing cholesterol without assigned quantity value, used only as a
precision control material.

5.14
(6.14)
certified reference material
CRM
reference material, accompanied by an authenticated certificate, having for each specified
quantity a value, measurement uncertainty, and stated metrological traceability chain
NOTES
1

A certificate should refer to a protocol describing the certification process.

A definition of reference material certificate is given in ISO Guide 30:1992.

Certified reference materials are generally prepared in batches. For a given batch, quantity
values and measurement uncertainties are obtained by measurements on samples
representative of the batch.

The quantity values assigned to a certified reference material are sometimes conveniently and
reliably obtained when the material is incorporated into a specially fabricated device. The
quantity value is sometimes the output of a device. Such devices may also be considered as
CRMs.

EXAMPLES
a)
b)
c)
d)

A substance of known triple-point in a triple-point cell.

A glass of known optical density in a transmission filter holder.
Spheres of uniform particle size mounted on a microscope slide.
An array of Josephson junctions.

Procedures for the production and certification of certified reference materials are given in ISO
Guides 34 and 35.

A certified reference material lies within the definition of a measurement standard.

40

Draft April 2004

7

Some reference materials and certified reference materials have quantities which, because
they cannot be correlated with an established chemical structure or for other reasons, cannot
be measured according to measurement procedures giving measurement results that are
metrologically traceable to measurement units of the International System of Units (SI) or
another system of units. Such materials include certain biological materials such as
vaccines to which International Units (IU) have been assigned by the World Health
Organization.

5.15
commutability of a reference material
property of a given reference material demonstrated by the closeness of agreement
between the relation among the measurement results, for a stated quantity in this material,
obtained according to two given measurement procedures, and the relation obtained
among the measurement results for other specified materials
NOTES
1
2

The material in question is usually a calibrator.

At least one of the two given measurement procedures is usually a high-level
measurement procedure.

5.16
reference data
data that is critically evaluated and verified, obtained from an identified source, and related to
a property of a phenomenon, body, or substance, or a system of components of known
composition or structure
NOTE
Here the word data is used in the singular sense, instead of using the word datum.

5.17
standard reference data
reference data issued by a stated recognized authority
EXAMPLE
CODATA (1998) recommended values of the fundamental physical constants.

5.18
reference quantity value
reference value
quantity value, generally accepted as having a suitably small measurement uncertainty, to
be used as a basis for comparison with values of quantities of the same kind
NOTES
1 A reference quantity value with associated measurement uncertainty is usually referred to
x a material, e.g. a certified reference material,
x a device, e.g. a stabilized laser,
x a reference measurement procedure.

41

Draft April 2004

A reference quantity value must be metrologically traceable.

42

Draft April 2004

Annex A:
CONCEPTS USED IN THE CLASSICAL APPROACH (CA) TO MEASUREMENT

A1
(1.19)
true value of a quantity
true value
quantity value consistent with the definition of a quantity
NOTES
1

Within the Classical Approach a unique quantity value is thought to describe the
measurand. The true value would be obtainable by a perfect measurement, that is a
measurement without measurement error. The true value is by nature unobtainable.
Due to definitional measurement uncertainty, there is a distribution of true values
consistent with the definition of a measurand. This distribution is by nature unknowable.
The concept of true value is avoided in the Uncertainty Approach (D.3.5 in the GUM).

A2
(3.5)
accuracy of measurement
accuracy
closeness of agreement between a quantity value obtained by measurement and the true
value of the measurand
NOTES
1

Accuracy cannot be expressed as a numerical value.

Accuracy is inversely related to both systematic error and random error.

The term accuracy of measurement should not be used for trueness of measurement
and the term measurement precision should not be used for accuracy of measurement.

A3
(5.18)
accuracy of a measuring system
accuracy
ability of a measuring system to provide a quantity value close to the true value of a
measurand
NOTES
1

Accuracy is greater when the quantity value is closer to the true value.

The term precision should not be used for accuracy.

This concept is related to accuracy of measurement.

A4
trueness of measurement

43

Draft April 2004

trueness
closeness of agreement between the average that would ensue from an infinite number of
quantity values obtained under specified measurement conditions and the true value of
the measurand
NOTES
1

Trueness cannot be expressed as a numerical value.

Trueness is inversely related to systematic error only.

The term trueness of measurement should not be used for accuracy of measurement.

A5
(3.10)
error of measurement
error
difference of quantity value obtained by measurement and true value of the measurand
NOTE
It is necessary to distinguish error of measurement from relative error of measurement.

A6
(5.20)
error of indication
difference of indication of a measuring system and true value of the measurand
NOTE
In the Classical Approach, indication of a measuring system and the value of the measurand
are assumed to be values of quantities of the same kind.

A7
(3.13)
random error of measurement
random error
difference of quantity value obtained by measurement and average that would ensue from
an infinite number of replicated measurements of the same measurand carried out under
repeatability conditions
NOTES
1

Random errors of a set of replicated measurements form a distribution that can be

described by a variance, and has an expectation of zero.
Random error equals the difference of error of measurement and systematic error of
measurement.

A.8
(3.14)
systematic error of measurement

44

Draft April 2004

systematic error
difference of average that would ensue from an infinite number of replicated measurements
of the same measurand carried out under repeatability conditions and true value of the
measurand
NOTES
1

Systematic error, and its causes, can be known or unknown. Correction should be applied
for systematic error, as far as it is known.
Systematic error equals the difference of error of measurement and random error of
measurement.

A9
(5.19)
accuracy class
<classical approach> class of measuring instruments that meet stated metrological
requirements which are intended to keep errors of indication within specified limits under
specified operating conditions
NOTES
1
2

An accuracy class is usually denoted by a number or symbol adopted by convention.

Related concepts are accuracy class <uncertainty approach> and accuracy of
measurement.

A10
(5.21)
maximum permissible error
limit of error
one of the two extreme values of the error of indication permitted by specifications or
regulations for a given measuring system

A11
(5.22)
datum error of a measuring system
datum error
error of indication of a measuring system at a specified indication or a specified value of
the measurand
A12
(5.23)
zero error of a measuring system
zero error
datum error for zero value of the measurand
A13
(5.24)

45

Draft April 2004

intrinsic error of a measuring system
intrinsic error
error of indication when determined under reference conditions
A14
(5.25)
bias of a measuring system
bias
systematic error of indication of a measuring system
NOTE
The bias of a measuring system is the average of the errors of indication that would ensue
from an infinite number of measurements of the same measurand carried out under
repeatability conditions.

46

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]

BIPM: The International System of Units, SI (7th edition 1998, amended 2000).
ISO 31:1992, amended 1998, Quantities and Units Parts 0 to 13.
ISO 1000: 1992, amended 1998, SI units and recommendations for the use of
their multiples and of certain other units.
ISO Guide 30: 1992, Terms and definitions used in connection with reference
materials.
ISO 35341: 1993, Statistics Vocabulary and symbols Part 1: Probability
and general statistical terms.
IEC Publication 60050: International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Chapters
300, Parts 311 and 314 (2001)
OIML V1: 2000, International Vocabulary of Terms in Legal Metrology (VIML).
IUPAP25: Booklet on Symbols, Units, Nomenclature and Fundamental
Constants. Document IUPAP25, E.R. Cohen and P. Giacomo, Physica 146A
(1987) 168. (to be revised and published on the web)
IUPAC: Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry (1993).
Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (1993, amended 1995).
(published by ISO in the name of BIPM, IEC, IFCC, IUPAC, IUPAP and OIML)
IFCC/IUPAC: Approved Recommendation (1978). Quantities and Units in
Clinical Chemistry, Clin. Chim. Acta, 1979:96:157F:83F.
ISO Guide 34: 2000, General requirements for the competence of reference
material producers.
ISO Guide 35: 1989, Certification of reference materials General and
statistical principles.
ISO 704:2000, Terminology work Principles and methods.
ISO 10871: 2000, Terminology work Vocabulary Part 1: Theory and
application.
ISO 9000:2000, Quality management systems Fundamentals and vocabulary.
ISO 10241: 1992, International terminology standards Preparation and layout.
CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 1998,
P.J. Mohr and B.N. Taylor, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 1999, 28(6), 1713-1852.
BIPM, Report of the 5th CCQM meeting (1999).

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

CCQM

Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance/Comit Consultatif

pour la Quantit de Matire
CGPM
General Conference on Weights and Measures/ Confrence Gnrale
des Poids et Mesures
CODATA
Committee on Data for Science and Technology
GUM
Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
IUPAP
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
IFCC
International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
IUPAC
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
JCGM
Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology
JCGM-WG2 Working Group 2 of Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology
OIML
International Organization for Legal Metrology
VIM
International Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in metrology

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ALPHABETIC INDEX

A
Accuracy A2
Accuracy A3
Accuracy class 4.23
Accuracy class A9
Accuracy of a measuring system A3
Accuracy of measurement A2
Adjustment 3.11
Adjustment of a measuring system 3.11
B
Base measurement unit 1.11
Base quantity 1.5
Base unit 1.11
Bias A14
Bias of a measuring system A14
C
Calibration 2.22
Calibration hierarchy 2.23
Calibration of a measuring system 2.22
Calibrator 5.12
Certified reference material 5.14
Check device 5.10
Check measurement device 5.10
Coherent derived unit 1.13
Coherent system of units 1.15
Combined standard measurement uncertainty 2.16
Combined standard uncertainty 2.16
Commutability of a reference material 5.15
Comparability 2.29
Comparability of measurement results 2.29
Compatibility 2.30
Compatibility of measurement results 2.30
Conservation of a measurement standard 5.11
Conventional quantity value 1.19
Conventional reference measurement scale 2.9
Conventional reference scale 2.9
Conventional value 1.19
Conventional value of a quantity 1.19
Conversion factor between units 1.25
Correction 2.32
Coverage factor 2.17
Coverage interval 2.19
Coverage probability 2.10
CRM 5.14
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D
Datum error A11
Datum error of a measuring system A11
Dead band 4.16
Dead band of a measuring system 4.16
Definitional measurement uncertainty 2.12
Definitional uncertainty 2.12
Derived quantity 1.6
Derived unit 1.12
Detector 3.9
Dimension 1.7
Dimension of a quantity 1.7
Dimensionless quantity 1.8
Discrimination threshold 4.15
Displaying device 3.7
Drift 4.18
Drift of a measuring system 4.18
E
Error A5
Error of indication A6
Error of measurement A5
Etalon 5.1
Expanded measurement uncertainty 2.18
Expanded uncertainty 2.18
I
Indicating measuring instrument 3.6
Indication 4.1
Indication interval 4.2
Indication of a measuring system 4.1
Influence quantity 2.31
Input quantity to a measurement function 2.34
Instrument uncertainty 4.22
Intermediate measurement precision 2.39
Intermediate precision 2.39
Intermediate precision condition 2.38
Intermediate precision condition of measurement 2.38
International System of Units 1.16
International systems of quantities 1.4
Intrinsic error A13
Intrinsic error of a measuring system A13
Intrinsic measurement standard 5.9
Intrinsic standard 5.9
ISQ 1.4
L
Limit of error A10
Limiting condition 4.9
Limiting condition for a measuring system 4.9
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M
Material measure 3.2
Maximum permissible error A10
Measurand 2.3
Measurement 2.1
Measurement error
Measurement function 2.33
Measurement method 2.5
Measurement precision 2.35
Measurement principle 2.4
Measurement procedure 2.6
Measurement repeatability 2.37
Measurement reproducibility 2.41
Measurement result 2.10
Measurement scale 2.8
Measurement standard 5.1
Measurement system 3.5
Measurement uncertainty 2.11
Measurement unit 1.9
Measuring chain 3.4
Measuring instrument 3.1
Measuring interval 4.6
Measuring system 3.5
Measuring transducer 3.3
Method of measurement 2.5
Metrological traceability 2.24
Metrological traceability chain 2.25
Metrological traceability to a measurement unit 2.26
Metrological traceability to a unit 2.26
Metrology 2.2
Multiple of a unit 1.17
N
National measurement standard 5.2
National standard 5.2
Nominal indication interval 4.3
Nominal interval 4.3
Nominal quantity value 4.5
Nominal value 4.5
Numerical quantity value 1.20
Numerical quantity value equation 1.23
Numerical value 1.20
Numerical value equation 1.23
Numerical value of a quantity 1.20
O
Optimum condition 4.11
Optimum condition for a measuring system 4.11
Ordinal quantity 1.26
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P
Precision 2.35
Primary measurement procedure 2.7
Primary measurement standard 5.3
Primary procedure 2.7
Primary standard 5.3
Principle of measurement 2.4
Q
Quantities of the same kind 1.2
Quantity 1.1
Quantity calculus 1.24
Quantity dimension 1.7
Quantity equation 1.21
Quantity of a dimension one 1.8
Quantity value 1.10
R
Random error A7
Random error of measurement A7
Rated operating condition 4.8
Rated operating condition for a measuring system 4.8
Reference condition 4.10
Reference condition for a measuring system 4.10
Reference data 5.16
Reference material 5.13
Reference measurement standard 5.5
Reference quantity value 5.18
Reference standard 5.5
Reference value 5.18
Relative error of measurement
Repeatability 2.37
Repeatability 4.21
Repeatability condition 2.36
Repeatability condition of measurement 2.36
Repeatability of a measuring system 4.21
Reproducibility 2.41
Reproducibility condition 2.40
Reproducibility condition of measurement 2.40
Resolution of a displaying device 4.14
Resolution of a measuring system 4.13
Result of measurement 2.10
RM 5.13
S
Scale 3.10
Scale of a displaying device 3.10
Secondary measurement standard 5.4
Secondary standard 5.4
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Selectivity 2.42
Selectivity of a measuring system 2.42
Sensitivity 4.12
Sensitivity of a measuring system 4.12
Sensor 3.8
Span 4.4
Span of a nominal interval 4.4
Specificity 2.43
Specificity of a measuring system 2.43
Stability 4.17
Stability of a measuring system 4.17
Standard 5.1
Standard measurement uncertainty
Standard reference data 5.17
Steady state condition 4.7
Steady state condition for a measuring system 4.7
Step-change response time 4.20
Step-change response time of a measuring system 4.20
Submultiple of a unit 1.18
System of units 1.14
Systematic error A8
Systematic error of measurement A8
Systems of quantities 1.3
T
Target measurement uncertainty 2.21
Target uncertainty 2.21
Traceability chain 2.25
Transfer device 5.8
Transfer measurement device 5.8
Travelling measurement standard 5.7
Travelling standard 5.7
True value A1
True value of a quantity A1
Trueness A4
Trueness of measurement A4
Type A evaluation 2.13
Type A evaluation of measurement uncertainty 2.13
Type B evaluation 2.14
Type B evaluation of measurement uncertainty 2.14
U
Uncertainty 2.11
Uncertainty of measurement 2.11
Unit 1.9
Unit equation 1.22
Unit of measurement 1.9
V
Validation 2.28
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Value 1.10
Value of a quantity 1.10
Variation due to an influence quantity 4.19
Verification 2.27
W
Working interval 4.6
Working measurement standard 5.6
Working standard 5.6
Z
Zero adjustment 3.12
Zero adjustment of a measuring system 3.12
Zero error A12
Zero error of a measuring system A12

55