That seems a strange description of them, and not all like their own description which is to provide a basis for global harmonization of legal metrology. They certainly place the SI above "other units." Nonetheless, they do provide a basis for the definition of other units. Many of their publications seem to cover rather arcane topics in legal metrology, but the following document on legal units of measure may be of interest:
http://www.oiml.org/publications/D/D002-e07.pdf Their wording with regard to "old units" in Annexes A and B sounds like it may be the basis for the EEC Directive on units of measure. They appear to provide a framework for model laws across member countries regarding legal metrology just as the NCWM does for states in the US (example: UPLR) ________________________________ From: Pat Naughtin <[email protected]> To: U.S. Metric Association <[email protected]> Sent: Mon, June 21, 2010 8:02:10 PM Subject: [USMA:47901] Re: The metric system or what? Dear John, Thanks for your criticism, and especially thanks for the reference to OIML. What a strange organisation it is! They seem to be dedicated to the idea of protecting all old measuring words from incursion by the International System of Units (SI) by providing a home for all of the old pre-metricwords to live in legally. They seem to operate as though they are in direct competition with the CGPM and the BIPM. Is the destruction of the metric system part of the OIML Vision and/or their goals – I couldn't find any statement of why they exist on their web site. What, if any, plans does the OIML have to dissolve themselves? Cheers, Pat Naughtin ________________________________
