Annual Review: Supplement Activities of the BIPM …...2 publications in peer reviewed journals on the application of qNMR for purity analysis including Development and cross validation

Annual Review: Supplement

Activities of the BIPM Departments

Work Programme (2016 – 2019)

07/07/2020 2

Contents

I. Physical Metrology ................................................................................................................................................................................10

II. Time MetrologyTime Metrology ..........................................................................................................................................................18

III. Chemical Metrology ..........................................................................................................................................................................23

IV. Ionizing Radiation Metrology ...........................................................................................................................................................29

V. International Liaison and Coordination .............................................................................................................................................37

This supplement reports activities on the projects detailed under the BIPM Work Programme (2016 – 2019).

https://www.bipm.org/utils/en/pdf/BIPM-Work-Programme_2016-2019_final.pdf

07/07/2020 3

Key developments (2016 – 2019)

The Work Programme for 2016 – 2019 contains 37 projects and 80 tasks to the BIPM. Some of the key activities that took place

during the work programme period are highlighted below:

Physical Metrology

– In 2016 the BIPM organized the CCM pilot comparison of future kilogram realizations, to test the agreement between

independent realizations made by five NMIs using Kibble balances and the XRCD method. This study also served as a trial for a

key comparison of kilogram realizations which is now also organized by the BIPM;

– During 2017 and 2018 the BIPM organized the CCEM key comparison of realizations of the farad, CCEM-K4.2017. The first use of

the star-scheme for a CCEM comparison was a great success. The comparison has been completed within a period of only one

year and the results are excellent. The CCEM community will consider if this model can be applied to comparisons of other

quantities;

– The year 2019 marked a crucial step towards the completion of the BIPM Kibble balance for realizing the new kilogram

definition. The relative standard uncertainty has been reduced to about 5 x 10-8. This allows the BIPM to participate in the first

CCM key comparison of realizations of the new definition of the kilogram;

– The programme of on-site comparisons of electrical quantum standards has been very active throughout the period 2016-2019

with seven on-site key comparisons of quantum Hall resistance standards, two key comparisons of Josephson voltage standards

and four pilot studies of a future comparison of Josephson voltage standards used for ac signals.

Time Metrology

– Several studies and experimental tests on the Software Defined Radio (SDR) Receiver in the TWSTFT techniques in collaboration

with the leading NMIs and the CCTF TWSTFT WG were carried out. To support the further development of the SDR technique,

the BIPM with the CCTF WG has created a platform running GITLab for a collaborative open source code development. The

characterization of the techniques on long term including accuracy, stability, and reliability was achieved to prepare the use of

SDR in UTC;

07/07/2020 4

– In collaboration with OP-SYRTE, the design and development of a new BIPM GNSS calibrating travelling box aiming at ns

accuracy to be used for TWSTFT and GNSS calibration was carried out;

– Secondary Frequency standards (Sr standard from OP-SYRTE and NICT, Rb from OP-SYRTE, and Yb one from NIST and INRIM) in

the steering of TAI are now actively used since end 2018.

Chemical Metrology

– 14 comparison exercises coordinated by the BIPM with 298 NMI participations covering NMI standards/ reference capabilities

for Greenhouse Gases; Air Quality Gases; Organics; Proteins/Peptides;

– 19 peer reviewed publications supported by 16 seconded visiting scientists, including papers on reference methods for

Greenhouse Gases and isotope ratios; accurate surface ozone measurements; application of quantitative NMR; protein/peptide

clinical analytes;

– A knowledge transfer programme on Mycotoxin standards for Food Safety Analysis developed with support from 7 visiting NMI

scientists with training secondments by 11 NMI visiting scientists;

– A knowledge transfer programme on Application of FTIR for gas standard analysis as part of Metrology for Clean Air programme

with training secondments completed by 13 NMI visiting scientists;

– 7 measurement guidelines on the application of internal standards for qNMR characterization of organic standards published.

Ionizing Radiation Metrology

– The service for comparisons of standards for high energy photon dosimetry for radiotherapy was developed using, for the first

time, an off-site facility (the DOSEO Platform in Saclay) characterized by the BIPM;

– A new absorbed-dose-to-water standard was developed for medium-energy x-rays; the clinical impact of the new standard is

that measurement uncertainties are reduced from about 3 % to 0.7 % improving the effectiveness and safety of cancer therapy;

– A new service was launched for comparing primary standards of pure beta-emitting radionuclides for applications in the nuclear

industry and nuclear medicine. The instrumentation and analysis techniques were developed in collaboration with the

LNHB(France), PTB(Germany), POLATOM(Poland), NPL(UK) and NIM(China);

– The first comparison exercise for 11C was completed using the transportable international reference system (SIRTI); a challenging

measurement as 11C has a short half life (20 minutes). The radionuclide is used for positron emission tomography;

07/07/2020 5

– BIPM staff contributed to the publication of ICRU Report 90 on key data for ionizing radiation dosimetry; these data are used by

all metrology institutes in the field and impact primary standards and measurement uncertainties.

Liaison, Coordination, Communication and Promotion

– 5 new Member States (4 of them were previously Associate States), 6 new Associates;

– 5 new signatories of the CIPM MRA;

– The CIPM MRA recognized within ISO/IEC 17025:2017;

– The KCDB 2.0, a new web-platform (embodies all the CMC review and comparison registration processes) was developed and

launched on 29 October 2019;

– The CBKT programme was launched in 2016, and over 75 % of Member States and Associates have participated in the

programme initiatives (as trainees, lecturers and sponsors);

– Metrologia’s position as the leading international journal in pure and applied metrology has been reinforced, with the last four

years recording the journal’s four highest Impact Factors. The Impact Factor for 2018 (the most recent result) is its highest ever:

3.447;

– A major project is in progress to transfer the BIPM website to a new content management system (CMS);

– Publication of the UNIDO-BIPM-OIML joint brochure on “The role of metrology in the context of the 2030 Sustainable

Development Goals” in May 2017.

07/07/2020 6

Key figures (2016 – 2019)

Technical Services

492 Calibrations certificates and

Study notes issued by the BIPM

560 Participation in comparisons

coordinated by the BIPM

80/59 Participation in the TIME

comparisons (Circular T/ UTCr)

427 Participation in Workshop- based

CBKT activities of the BIPM

51 Participation in Laboratory-based

CBKT (25 placements at the BIPM)

58 WP Secondees assisted to deliver

the Work Programme projects

07/07/2020 7


Scientific publications

Publications in 2019:

1. Amount of substance and the mole in the SI

Metrologia, 2019, 56(4)

Güttler B., Bettin H., Brown R.J.C., Davis R.S., Mester Z., Milton M.J.T., Pramann A., Rienitz O., Vocke R.D., Wielgosz R.I.

2. Advances in reference materials and measurement techniques for greenhouse gas atmospheric observations


Brewer P.J., Kim J.S., Lee S., Tarasova O.A., Viallon J., Flores E., Wielgosz R.I., Shimosaka T., Assonov S., Allison C.E., van der Veen A.M.H., Hall B.,

Crotwell A.M., Rhoderick G.C., Hodges J.T., Mohn J., Zellweger C., Moossen H., Ebert V., Griffith D.W.T.

3. Development and validation of a suite of standards for the purity assignment of organic compounds by quantitative NMR spectroscopy


Westwood S., Yamazaki T., Huang T., Garrido B., Ün I., Zhang W., Martos G., Stoppacher N., Saito T., Wielgosz R.I.

4. The first official measurement of 11C in the SIRTI

Appl. Radiat. Isotop., 2019, 154

Galea R., Michotte C., Nonis M., Moore K., El Gamal I., Keightley J., Fenwick A.

5. The Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)


Panfilo G., Arias F.

136 Scientific articles/papers/reports published by

the BIPM staff in the open scientific literature

92 comparison reports published in the Technical

supplement of Metrologia

A full list of recent publications is available here:

https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/open-

literature/

https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/open-literature/

https://www.bipm.org/en/publications/open-literature/

07/07/2020 8


Source of Finance

EURAMET

APMP

SIM

COOMET

AFRIMETS GU

LFM

ET

07/07/2020 9


Member States and Associates

KCDB data

− 61 Member States* and

− 41 Associates of the CGPM (States and Economies)

*The official term is "States Parties to the Metre

Convention"; the term "Member States" is its

synonym and used for easy reference.

262 Institutes

− 102 National Metrology Institutes

• 61 Member States

• 41 Associates

− 4 International organizations

(ESA, IAEA, JRC, WMO)

− plus 156 Designated Institutes

1,613 comparisons

1039 KCs, 574 SCs

25 242 CMCs Peer-reviewed declarations

Report on the BIPM Work Programme for 2016-2019

I Physical Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project

Code Deliverables Achievements/results/comments

07/07/2020 10

I. Physical Metrology

1.

International

reference

standard for

voltage

E-A1.1

1) Maintenance of the transportable

dc Josephson voltage standard,

supporting also A1.3 and A1.4

2) Bilateral on-site comparisons at

1 V and 10 V as part of BIPM.EM-

K10.a/b (4 NMIs) with relative

uncertainty of 1 × 10−10.

Two on-site comparisons BIPM.EM-K10 were carried out with JV (Norway) and MIKES

(Finland). No publishable result could be obtained from the first, because the

Josephson voltage standard of JV did not behave as expected. The number of

Josephson voltage comparisons at dc was smaller than initially planned to allow

concentration on the development of the future comparison programme for ac

Josephson voltage standards (E-A1.2).

Investigations on the effect of leakage resistance in applications of programmable

JVSs were presented at CPEM 2016 and found a large resonance.

E-A1.2

1) Development and maintenance of

an ac JVS standard

2) Development and characteri-

zation of an ac voltage secondary

standard for on-site comparisons

3) Pilot studies to establish the new

protocol for BIPM ongoing on-site

ac JVS key comparison (2 NMIs)

with a target uncertainty < 1 ×

10−6.

Four on-site trial comparisons have been carried out using the transportable BIPM ac

Josephson voltage standard: with CENAM (2016), PTB (2017, 2019) and NPL (2018).

The key parameters influencing the result of such comparisons have been studied,

with support of a secondee from KRISS (Rep. of Korea). Progress has been made in

developing a new comparison protocol to extend the on-site comparisons from dc to

ac voltages for frequencies below 1 kHz. Uncertainties at the level of a few parts in

107 seem to be achievable.

A number of secondary ac voltage standards, necessary for the new ac comparisons,

have been investigated and one promising instrument has been identified.

E-A1.3

1) Maintenance of the BIPM

secondary dc voltage standards

(Zeners), also for E-A1.4

2) Bilateral comparisons of Zener

diode transfer standards as part

of BIPM.EM-K11.a/b (4 NMIs)

with relative uncertainty of 5 ×

10−8.

Four bilateral comparisons of Zener voltage standards, BIPM.EM-K11, have been

carried out with DEFNAT (Tunesia), NMISA (South Africa), KEBS (Kenia) and BIM

(Bulgaria).

The BIPM was a participant and a member of the support group for

GULFMET.EM.BIPM-K11. The comparison coordinator from SCL (Hong Kong, China)

spent two months in the BIPM laboratories for training. The BIPM contributed to the

characterization of the travelling standards and measured the standards twice.

The pressure and temperature coefficients of the BIPM Zener voltage standards have

been re-evaluated after 15 years to underpin the uncertainty budget of the

comparisons. To our knowledge the BIPM is the only laboratory which systematically

investigates these coefficients.

E-A1.4

Calibration of Zener diode secondary

standards for NMIs without a

primary realization (six certificates

for four NMIs) and for internal

19 Zener voltage standards were calibrated for 9 NMIs: INM (Colombia), SMD

(Belgium), SASO (Saudi Arabia), SIQ (Slovenia), SIRIM (Malaysia), BIM (Bulgaria), EMI

(UAE), BSN (Indonesia) and INRIM (Italy). Two Zeners were calibrated for the BIPM

Ionizing Radiation Department.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 11

customers (Ionizing Radiation and

the watt balance).

2.

International

reference

standard for

resistance

E-A2.1

1) Development of a new

transportable QHR standard

based on graphene for simplified

operation and cost reduction

2) Bilateral on-site comparisons of

quantum Hall standards

(including new graphene samples)

as part of BIPM.EM-K12 (4-6

NMIs) with relative uncertainty 1 ×

10−9

3) Providing the basis for the

realization of the farad, E-A3.

7 on-site comparisons of quantum Hall standards, BIPM.EM-K12, have been

organized with CMI (Czech Republic), METAS (Switzerland), NRC (Canada), NMIJ

(Japan), A*STAR (Singapore), NIM (China) and KRISS (Rep. of Korea).

A series of measurements have been made in 2016 on a commercial sample of

graphene. Quantization could be achieved, but required the application of a high

magnetic field, which is too high for a transportable standard. Recently contacts have

been made with another supplier of graphene QHR samples.

A major renovation of the four terminal-pair coaxial bridge for ac-resistance

measurements has been completed in collaboration with a secondee from NMIJ

(Japan). This bridge plays an important role in linking the 10 pF reference capacitors

of the BIPM to its dc-QHR standard.

E-A2.2

1) Maintenance of BIPM secondary

resistance standards, also for E-

A2.3

2) Bilateral comparisons of

resistance transfer standards as

part of BIPM.EM-K13.a/b (4-6

NMIs) with relative uncertainty of

5 × 10−8.

Bilateral comparisons of resistance calibrations, BIPM.EM-K13, have been made with

6 NMIs: SMD (Belgium), NSAI (Ireland), INMETRO (Brazil), A*STAR (Singapore), NMISA

(South Africa) and NIM (China).

A new laboratory with a new and better screened Faraday cage has been created for

resistance metrology.

E-A2.3

Calibration of resistance secondary

standards for NMIs without primary

realizations (100 certificates for 20

NMIs) and for internal customers

(Mass, Ionizing Radiation, watt

balance).

140 resistance standards were calibrated for 23 NMIs: GUM (Poland), IPQ (Portugal),

INM (Colombia), NIS (Egypt), DMDM (Serbia), MKEH (Hungary), SIRIM (Malaysia), DFM

(Denmark), A*STAR (Singapore), SIQ (Slovenia), SMD (Belgium), MSL (New Zealand),

NMCI (Iran), EIM (Greece), BEV (Austria), BIM (Bulgaria), INMETRO (Brazil), NIMT

(Thailand), EMI (UAE), INRIM (Italy), NMISA (South Africa), SMU (Slovakia) and NMIA

(Australia). 17 calibrations were provided for other BIPM departments.

3.

International

reference

standard for

capacitance

E-A3.1

1) Maintenance of the measurement

systems to derive the capacitance

unit from the quantum Hall effect

and/or the calculable capacitor,

also supporting E-A3.2 and A3.3

Bilateral comparisons of calibrations of capacitance standards, BIPM.EM-K14, have

been carried out with 4 NMIs: NMISA (South Africa), NIS (Egypt), NSAI (Ireland) and

SMD (Belgium).

The BIPM had participated during several years in the EURAMET comparison

EURAMET.EM-S31 of capacitance and capacitance ratio. This work was finished at the

end of 2016.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 12

2) Bilateral comparisons of

capacitance transfer standards as

part of BIPM.EM-K14.a/b (4-6

NMIs) with relative uncertainty of

5 × 10−8.

A strategy for the alignment of the electrode bars of the calculable capacitor has

been developed which leads to an uncertainty contribution of 3 parts in 109. The

calculable capacitor and all measurement systems for capacitance metrology have

been moved to a new laboratory.

A new set of improved resistors with calculable frequency dependence, needed for

the link of the farad to the ohm, has been fabricated and characterized with the help

of a secondee from NIM (China). Two resistors were sold to NIM and LNE (France).

E-A3.2

Organization of a CCEM key

comparison (15-20 NMIs), following

the protocol of BIPM.EM-K14 (E-A3.1)

and coordinated by the BIPM.

The CCEM key comparison of capacitance, CCEM-K4.2017, with participation from 7

NMIs and the BIPM has been completed successfully. The BIPM result agreed with

the KCRV well within the uncertainty. The effective comparison scheme allowed to

issue the first Draft A report just one year after the start of the comparison. The

scheme will serve as a model for future CCEM comparisons.

E-A3.3

Calibrations of capacitance

secondary standards for NMIs

without primary realizations (100

certificates for 20 NMIs).

94 capacitance standards were calibrated for 22 NMIs: IPQ (Portugal), SIRIM

(Malaysia), INMETRO (Brazil), EIM (Greece), BIM (Bulgaria), MIKES (Finland), A*STAR

(Singapore), SIQ (Slovenia), SMD (Belgium), CENAM (Mexico), CEM (Spain), NIMT

(Thailand), GUM (Poland), NPLI (India), BEV (Austria), VSL (Netherlands), CMI (Czech

Rep.), NIS (Egypt), NMIJ (Japan), INTI (Argentina), NMISA (South Africa), SMU (Slovakia).

E-A3.4

Continued metrological

characterization of the ac quantum

Hall effect for improved

measurement of the von Klitzing

constant with a target uncertainty of

5 x 10-9 and to establish a primary ac

impedance standard.

An expert on the ac quantum Hall effect from PTB stayed for one week at the BIPM in

2018 for information exchange. Two staff members of BIPM visited the PTB during

two weeks in 2019 to learn about the implementation of the ac-QHR effect.

A sample holder has been fabricated to test the suitability of BIPM’s QHR samples

for measurements at ac.

4.

Mass

dissemination

based on IPK

M-A1.1

1) Fabrication of 1 kg

Platinum/Iridium prototypes for

Member States (workshop)

2) Calibration of new 1 kg Pt/Ir

prototypes.

New Pt-Ir prototypes have been fabricated and calibrated for NIM (China), KRISS(Rep.

of Korea), NPSL(Pakistan) and SNSU(Indonesia).

Three more prototypes, nos. 113-115, are in the final stages of fabrication.

M-A1.2

1) Re-calibration of 1 kg Pt/Ir

prototypes

2) Calibration of 1 kg stainless steel

mass standards.

Pt-Ir prototypes were re-calibrated for PTB (Germany), SCL (Hong Kong, China), KRISS

(Rep. of Korea), UME (Turkey), BFKH (Hungary), INMETRO (Brazil), NPL (UK), SMU

(Slovakia), SMD (Belgium), BEV (Austria) and NIST (USA). In total 12 calibration

certificates were issued.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 13

Stainless steel 1 kg standards were calibrated for CESMEC (Chile), NMCI (Iran), LATU

(Uruguay), KIM-LIPI (Indonesia), EIM (Greece), EMI (UAE), HMI (Croatia), DMDM

(Serbia), VSL (Netherlands), INMETRO (Brazil), INTI (Argentina), MIRS (Slovenia), NMIM

(Malaysia), SMU (Slovakia), NSC (Ukraine), SMD (Belgium) and BEV (Austria). In total

29 calibration certificates were issued.

Since 2015 we follow a new strategy for the use of the Pt-Ir working standards,

limiting their use a much as possible, and setting up a clear hierarchy in the use of

the standards. This has led to a better understanding of mass changes of our

references and has opened the possibility to correct for them.

The BIPM participated in the comparison EURAMET.M.M-K4.2015, on the mass of 1

kg stainless steel standards. The result agreed with the KCRV within 1 µg.

M-A1.3 Traceability of the working standards

to the BIPM ensemble of reference

mass standards (M-A2).

As a consequence of the good results obtained from the new strategy for the use of

our Pt-Ir working standards (see M-A1.2), it has been decided that they will remain

our principal reference. No traceability has been established to the ensemble of

reference mass standards.

M-A1.4 Improved, highly-reproducible

cleaning technique in air.

No work done, no longer considered a priority after the redefinition of the kilogram.

M-A6.1

Calibration of mass standards,

including Si spheres, under vacuum,

for the calibration service and for the

BIPM key comparison of primary

realizations (M-A4).

A series of weighings under vacuum were made during the CCM Pilot Study in 2016.

A series of weighings under vacuum were made during the CCM key comparison of

kg realizations, CCM-K8.2019, which started in late 2019.

M-A6.2 Provision of water sorption artefacts

in Pt/Ir to NMIs.

A stack of 8 Pt-Ir disks and 21 spacers, to be used as a sorption artefact, was

manufactured for NPL.

M-A7.1

1) Volume determination of newly

fabricated prototypes (M-A1.1)

2) Volume determination of

stainless steel standards as part

of the mass calibration service (M-

A1.2).

The density of the new 1 kg prototypes for NIM (China), KRISS (Rep. of Korea), SNSU

(Indonesia) was determined.

The density of three new 1 kg prototypes under fabrication, nos. 113-115 was

determined.

M-A7.2 Centre of gravity determination of

stainless steel standards with a knob,

Two determinations of the centre of gravity of national stainless steel standards

were carried out, for NMIM (Malaysia) and KIM-LIPI (Indonesia).



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 14

as part of the mass calibration

service (M-A1.2).

M-A7.3 Calibration of small masses for the

determination of the sensitivity of

the mass comparators.

The masses of the sensitivity weights for the M_one and the Metrotec mass

comparators have been re-calibrated in 2019.

M-A8.1

Calibration of mass standards for the

watt balance, the Chemistry

Department and the Ionizing

Radiation Department.

Mass calibrations have been provided to the watt balance (3) and the Chemistry

Department (2).

M-A8.2 Calibration of pressure gauges for

several BIPM departments (incl.

Mass).

42 calibration certificates have been issued for the Physical Metrology Department,

the Chemistry Department and the Ionizing Radiation Department.

5. I

Ensemble of

reference mass

standards

M-A2.1

1) Characterization of the

performance of the storage

system

2) Improvement of the storage

conditions, based on results of M-

A2.2 and M-A2.3.

At the end of 2018 it was decided to stop the storage of the mass standards of the

ensemble under gas flow and to bring them all into air. This was a consequence of

the outcome of the Extraordinary Calibrations using the IPK in 2014-2015, which led

to the conclusion that at the BIPM the main cause for changes of the mass of the

working standards is alteration due to use, and not contamination from the

environment.

M-A2.2

1) Mass comparison of standards

within the ensemble

2) Linking the average mass of the

ensemble to values deduced from

primary realizations

3) Modelling of mass changes in-

between calibrations against

primary realizations.

See comment on M-A2.1

The standards of the ensemble will be linked to the primary realizations of the

kilogram during the CCM key comparisons of kg realizations and will contribute to

linking the reference value from one comparison to the next.

M-A2.3 Characterization of surface

contamination of standards.

Has not been pursued, see comment on M-A2.1

M-A2.4 Provide a model to deduce mass

change from surface analysis, in

particular for Si spheres.




# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 15

M-A2.5

Understanding of the sensitivity of

the mass of the standards of the

ensemble to cleaning techniques.

Development of cleaning procedures

for the standards of the ensemble,

adapted to the storage environments


M-A5.1

Absolute realization of the kg after

the redefinition, within about 20 μg,

based on surface characterization by

ellipsometry of previously

characterized Si-spheres (M-A2.4).

Since the volume properties are

assumed to be stable in time, this is

equivalent to a repeated XRCD

project.

Priority is now given to the development of our Kibble balance (M-A3)

6.

Watt balance M-A3.1

Fully operational watt balance at the

level of several parts in 108. This

requires:

1) Analysis of alignment

uncertainties and reduction at the

level of about 1 × 10−8

2) Study of the performance of the

new interferometer

3) Measurement series to

characterize the performance of

the apparatus as a whole

4) Comparison of the conventional

two-phase operation and the

BIPM specific simultaneous

operation to identify systematic

errors

5) Study of vacuum operation

At the end of 2019 a standard uncertainty of 4.9 parts in 108 for the calibration of a 1

kg mass standard has been achieved. This allows the BIPM to participate in the CCM

key comparison of kg realizations (M-A4.2). A paper has been submitted to

Metrologia.

A new interferometer has been introduced which is firmly mounted on the magnetic

circuit. It led to a significant reduction of the type B uncertainty. A publication is

under preparation.

The alignment uncertainties have been carefully studied and are now at a level of 3.3

parts in 108.

Three different modes of operation have been compared and the one-mode two-

phases scheme has been chosen as the most appropriate.

Several series of measurements under vacuum, lasting at least one month, have

been carried out during 2019 to characterize the performance of the apparatus. The

results are consistent and have allowed to improve several aspects of the

experiment.

A number of studies on effects related to the magnetic circuit have been carried out

and published.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 16

6) Continued improvement of the

apparatus as a result of (2) to (5)

with the objective to reach a

target uncertainty of several parts

in 108.

M-A3.2

1) Calibration of the angle of the

mirrors on the watt balance coil

to within about 100 μ rad

2) Improvement of the setup to

reduce uncertainty to about 50 μ

rad.

This activity is no longer required since a novel procedure has been developed to

directly align the magnetic circuit to within 25 μrad.

M-A3.3

Determination of the value of local

gravitational acceleration (also

included in the Time programme as

T-A5.2).

METAS had kindly proposed to carry out a new measurement of the gravitational

acceleration in the Kibble balance laboratory using their absolute gravimeter in

September 2019.

M-A3.4 Maintenance and improvement of

two Josephson voltage standards.

Two Josephson voltage standards have been developed.

The recently chosen one-mode two-phases operation scheme requires only one of

them.

M-A3.5 Support for the watt balance in all

issues related to electrical

measurements.

Calibration of standard resistors

Fabrication of several electronic boards

Study of the stability of the gain of three voltmeters

7.

Comparisons of

primary

realizations of

the new kilogram

definition

M-A4.1

1) Pilot comparison of primary

realizations of the new definition

2) Transfer to and maintenance of

the reference value by the BIPM

ensemble of mass reference

standards.

The CCM pilot comparison of kg realizations was successfully organized in 2016 with

five NMI participants.

The reference value has been linked with the as-maintained BIPM mass unit and is

conserved on the BIPM working standards.

M-A4.2

1) Ongoing BIPM key comparison of

primary realizations composed of

bilateral exercises between

individual primary realisations

The first CCM key comparison of kg realizations, CCM-K8.2019, has been organized.

Six NMIs and the BIPM are participating. The first round of weighings has been

completed in December 2019. The second round will be finished in February 2020.

The key comparison reference value will be linked with the as-maintained BIPM mass

unit and conserved on the BIPM working standards.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 17

and the BIPM ensemble of mass

reference standards

2) Update of the average mass value

attributed to the BIPM ensemble.

8.

International

Liaison and

Coordination

Activities

CM-A1

Provision of the CCM Executive

Secretary, general support to the CC

and WGs plus specifically support for:

1) Two CCM meetings:

2) Four annual meetings of CCM

working groups

3) Coordinate review of CC and RMO

comparison reports before

publication

4) Related liaisons with RMOs.

Organization of two CCM meetings in 2017 and 2019.

Organization of annual meetings of CCM working groups.

Participation in the CCM WG on the phases of the dissemination of the kg.

Coordination of the review of more than 70 CCM and RMO comparison reports.

Participation in four EURAMET TC-M meetings and in an APMP mass and force

conference.

Publication of CCM e-News.

CE-A1.1

Provision of the CCEM Executive

Secretary, general support to the CC

and WGs plus specifically support for:

1) Two CCEM meetings

2) Four annual meetings of CCEM

working groups (12 meetings)



publication


Organization of two CCEM meetings in 2017 and 2019.

Organization of annual meetings of CCEM working groups.

Coordination of the review of CCEM and RMO comparison reports.

Participation in two EURAMET TCEM meetings and support for APMP TCEM meetings.

CU-A1.1

Provision of the CCU Executive

Secretary, general support to the

CCU. Participation in the elaboration

of the 9th edition of the SI Brochure.

Organization of three CCU meetings.

Support for the CCU strategy working group.

Participation in the elaboration of the 9th edition of the SI brochure.

Significant number of press contacts about the revised SI before the 2018 CGPM.


II Time Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 18

II. Time Metrolog yTime Metrology

1.

Computation of

UTC-KC

Time and

frequency

transfer

T-A1.1

1) New and refined methods for

clock comparison for application

on existing and new techniques

for the full exploitation of the

time transfer systems.

Benefits - redundancy of data,

impacting on:

(a) the reliability of the time links

system;

(b) improvement of the

uncertainty and better

traceability of UTC(k) to UTC

and the SI second;

(c) the characterization of clocks;

(d) the ultimate impact is on the

stability of the time scales.

2) Distribution of data, results,

comparisons to UTC participants

and other relevant users.

3) CCTF-K001.UTC, Circular T (70

participants in 2013, 10 % increase

expected).

Regular delivery of UTC, rapid UTC, Circular T, and CCTF-K001.UTC.

Handling of 4 retirements of senior staff and introduction of 3 new staff members

ensuring continuity on the critical expertise and department heritage.

Concerning GNSS time transfer, tests on the use of the European GNSS Galileo and

the Chinese Beidou for clock comparison in UTC, also in collaboration with NIM. First

development and testing of the extension of Section 4 of Circular T to report the

data of UTC disseminated by BeiDou and Galileo systems.

Study and test on GNSS interoperability for time transfer and positioning in

collaboration with ORB and INRIM.

Studies and tests on the Software Defined Radio (SDR) Receiver in the TWSTFT

techniques in collaboration with the leading NMIs and the CCTF TWSTFT WG. To

support the further development of the SDR technique, the BIPM with the CCTF WG

has created a platform running GITLab for a collaborative open source code

development. The characterization of the techniques on long term including

accuracy, stability, and reliability was carried out to prepare the use of SDR in UTC.

Participation by invitation to the performance tests of the new TWSTFT modem

developed by NICT, Japan.

A refined algorithm for the computation of uncertainties of UTC-UTC(k) has been

developed and tested to take into account correlation and biases in the UTC

equipment.

A project and initial development for a new IT structure in the Time dept for the

computation of UTC has started based on virtual machines.

Data distribution has been enhanced by the implementation of the Time

Department Data Base and its open access to external users.

The number of participants to UTC increased to 80.

8 Secondee from 8 different countries at Time Dept.

9 journal papers and 14 communications to international congresses related to this

activity.


II Time Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 19

2. ;

Algorithms T-A1.2

1) Improved frequency stability and

accuracy. Target is improving

both the present frequency

stability (3 × 10−16) and frequency

accuracy (few parts in 1016) by a

factor of two.

2) Larger data and results

distribution.

3) Generation of a time scale for

scientific applications requiring

long-term stability and higher

accuracy (yearly TT(BIPM)).

TT(BIPM20XX) has been computed and published in the FTP server every year.

The Time dept annual report has also been produced and published in

https://www.bipm.org/en/bipm/tai/annual-report.html with some novelties and

most of the data are available on the Time Dept data base and FTP.

A change in the drift estimation observation window for UTC clock allowing a better

stability of EAL has been introduced.

A study on the stability of UTC and UTC(k) and the observed periodic fluctuations

has been carried out with PTB, and OP-SYRTE.

A study on the optimization of the algorithm parameters in UTC and UTCr has been

carried out identifying an improvement in UTC and UTCr, also in collaboration with a

NICT secondee.

Accuracy of TAI has been maintained within -0.5 and 1.5 * 10-16 corresponding to the

best achieved accuracy of primary frequency standards.

Stability on long term is maintained at the level of a few 10-16 .

1 journal paper and 3 communications to international congresses related to this

activity.

3.

Rapid UTC T-A1.3

1) Publication of UTCr, rapid UTC

providing weekly access to a UTC

Rapid solution for better

synchronization of local

realizations of UTC(k) in

contributing laboratories. (40

participants in 2013, 100 %

increase expected over the

programme).

UTCr has been published without interruption every Wednesday (with one exception

due to BIPM black out).

The algorithm of computation of UTCr has been updated and modifications have

been introduced (clock weighting procedure, for ex.), for correcting the increasing

offset wrt UTC. Since July 2017 the offset remains in average smaller than 3 ns.

Offset to UTC within +/- 2 ns since July 2017.

A number of laboratories steer the UTC(k) using UTCr as reference.

The number of laboratories participating to UTCr is 59.

4.

Calibration

campaigns for

UTC

T-A2.1

1) Characterization of equipment

compatible with those operated

in NMIs.

2) Reliable/redundant travelling and

fixed-reference standards.

3) Guidance documents and support

for contributing NMIs.

A new measurement set up has been installed in the lab generating the BIPM Time

and Frequency reference (BTFR) signal. This reference signal is continuously

monitored in stability and accuracy and it is distributed to the other BIPM labs.

The set of BIPM GNSS receivers is continuously operated and monitored to get

confidence on the behavior and the calibration capacity.

Three new model of GNSS receivers have been acquired and installed (Novatel,

GTR55, and Polar X5). They are under study and will be used for the future

https://www.bipm.org/en/bipm/tai/annual-report.html


II Time Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 20

4) Technical protocols for

calibration.

5) Methods of calibration aimed at

improving the time link

uncertainty. The target is

improving the present 5 ns value

of the Type B uncertainty by a

factor of at least 2.

calibration campaigns. Those receivers are in fact in use of most of the UTC

laboratories.

NIM has provided a self-made GNSS receiver for collaborative experimentation on

Beidou time transfer.

In collaboration with OP-SYRTE, the design and development of a new GNSS

calibrating travelling box aiming at ns accuracy to be used for TWSTFT and GNSS

calibration was carried out. The calibrating box is under test in collaboration with OP-

SYRTE, INRIM, OCA.

Absolute calibration of BIPM and NIST GNSS receivers by European Space Agency in

the frame of a collaboration agreement.

5.

Calibration

campaigns for

UTC

T-A2.2

Typically, two characterization

campaigns (requiring the sending of

BIPM travelling system without staff)

to each of approximately 15

contributing laboratories (G1 labs)

during the programme.

1) Provision of Guidelines for the

calibrations organized by the

RMOs.

2) Regular assessment of the the

calibrations by the RMOs and

their link to the UTC system for

for approximately 60 contributing

laboratories.

3) Generating Input data for time

links used in CCTF-K001.UTC,

BIPM Circular T and rapid UTC.

Updated version of Guidelines for GPS equipment calibration in 2016.

Calibration of the TWSTFT link TL-NICT by GNSS G1 calibration trip in collaboration

with OP and TL.

The G1 calibration campaign organized by the BIPM in G1 laboratories started in

February 2016 with three laboratories in APMP (NIM, NICT, TL), in the G1 EURAMET

laboratories (PTB, OP, ROA), in October 2016; in SIM (NIST, USNO) at the end of 2017;

at COOMET (SU) in spring 2018.

A second G1 campaign visited 3 Group 1 labs in Asia in summer 2018, EURAMET (OP,

PTB, ROA), and SIM (USNO, NIST) in summer 2019.

The BIPM calibrated a receiver of the AFRIMETS G1 laboratory (NMISA) in 2016.

RMOs calibrations campaigns have been reported by APMP, EURAMET and SIM and

linked to Circular T covering 13 laboratories.

As the result of the calibration campaigns, all the values of uB of the calibrated

equipment have been updated in Circular T.

Complete information is available at

http://www.bipm.org/jsp/en/TimeCalibrations.jsp

http://www.bipm.org/jsp/en/TimeCalibrations.jsp


II Time Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 21

6.

Very accurate

standards and

transfer

techniques

T-A3

1) Comparison of optical standards

with ~10−18 relative uncertainty

over short and long baselines

2) Contributing to the discussion on

the redefinition of the second

(2018 onwards).

Development of a method based on Graph Theory for evaluating optical frequency

ratios and uncertainties to be applied to the list of frequencies recommended for

secondary representations of the second. Method successfully applied to validate

the uncertainties in the last frequency list updates in 2016.

Study, development, and implementation of a tool to use IPPP for time transfer

based on a post-doc activity, in cooperation with the CNRS and OP. The IPPP tool

provides the time transfer computation and interface for the use of the CNES IPPP

algorithm and integer products. This method is used, a posteriori, for the UTC links

and also to validate other techniques as optical fiber, VLBI, other optical links, also in

collaboration with EURAMET and APMP colleagues.

Use of Secondary Frequency standards (Sr standard from OP-SYRTE and NICT, Rb

from OP-SYRTE, and Yb one from NIST and INRIM) in the steering of TAI starting since

end 2018.

Different methods to compare optical frequency standards to the SI unit, also for not

NMI labs have been studied and presented to the scientific community in 2018.

The BIPM has started working in the Working Group for the exploitation of the ACES

experiment on the ISS with the aim of studying high accuracy microwave link.

15 journal papers and 6 communications to international congresses related to this

activity

1) Evaluation of the use of

microwave links as a possible

candidate for future high level

optical clock comparisons based

on a comparison of Space-Earth

and Earth-Earth Comparison of

atomic clocks.

2) Comparison of optical standards

with ~10−18 fractional uncertainty

over short and long baselines.

3) Improved time link accuracy.

7.

International

Liaison and

Coordination

Activities

CT-A1.1

1) TAI/UTC/TT(BIPM)/ maintenance

2) GNSS/TW/other time transfer

systems and coordination

3) Support to GNSS system times

4) Provision of the Executive


CC and WGs and liaison with

RMOs for:

‐ CCTF

‐ CCL

‐ CCAUV

Contribution annually to the International GNSS Committee of the United Nation.

Contribution to the URSI annual meetings and general assembly.

Participation to the annual EURAMET TCTF meeting.

Participation to the work of the ITU-R WP7A on issues relating to the standard time

and frequency dissemination signals.

Contribution to the celebration of new SI on May 20, 2019 in China, and to the China

Navigation Conference as keynote speaker on time and navigation.

Participation to the International Summer school in Metrology, 2016, Varenna, Italy.

In the frame of CCTF activities:

Organization and participation to the 21st meeting of the CCTF and its Working

Groups (2017).


II Time Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 22

Interaction with the IAU, IUGG and URSI for the preparation of the 2018 CGPM

resolution 2 on time scales.

Publication of Guidelines of the CCTF WG on MRA.

Organization of GNSS and ATFT WG workshops in 2019 and several meetings of the

CCTF WGs.

Organization of the CCL and related working group meetings in June 2018.

Organization of the CCAUV meeting in September 2017, along with the associated

Working and Task Group meetings, update and publications of CCAUV strategic plan,

revised List of Services, CCs’ and RMOs’ comparison reports.

Organization of a CBKT course on “Effective participation in UTC” for 24 new time

laboratories in collaboration with GNSS Receiver manufacturers, METAS (sponsor),

and PTB in Feb 2018. About 48 applications received.

Initial, development of a new CBKT interactive course on Time scale and Algorithm in

collaboration with a secondee.


III Chemical Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 23

III. Chemical Metrology

1.

International

equivalence of

gas standards for

air quality and

climate change

monitoring

C-A1.1

1) Bilateral comparisons as part of

BIPM.QM-K1 coordination (2016-

2019).

NMI participations: 20

2) Comparison with independent

methods for system stability

verification and accuracy

improvement. Improvement of

global system performance.

3) Coordination of CCQM-K137 (NO

in Nitrogen).


21 Bilateral comparisons of Ozone Standards as part of BIPM.QM-K1 completed with

1 as a calibration;

4 papers published in peer reviewed journals on Ozone standards and

measurements, including ‘Recommendation of a consensus value of the ozone

absorption cross-section at 253.65 nm based on a literature review, 2019, Metrologia, 56,

034001’

Established Steering Committee for 2020 Workshop on Implementing an Ozone Cross

Section change for worldwide surface ozone monitoring;

Prototype new electronic module for Ozone SRP designed, built and tested;

24 NMI participations in CCQM-K137 comparison on NO in N2 standards with the final

report completed and published in Metrologia.

2.

C-A1.2

1) Coordination of CCQM-K74-

repeat on Nitrogen Dioxide

standards (2017) and PS on

Spectroscopy.


2) Maintenance and development of

a HCHO facility for future CCQM-

K90-Repeats.

28 NMI participations in CCQM-K74.2018 (NO2 in nitrogen), with all measurements

completed and Draft A in preparation;

6 NMI participations in CCQM-P172 (HNO3 by spectroscopy), measurements on 4

standards completed, 2 on-going;

8 NMI participation in CCQM-K90 (HCHO in nitrogen) with the final report completed

and published, Metrologia, 2017, 54, Tech. Suppl., 08029;

1 paper published in a peer reviewed journal on reactive gas standard stability;

13 visiting scientists trained on FTIR for gas standard analysis including B-FOS

software operation, with 5 scientists funded by the NPL and 1 by the PTB as part of

BIPM’s Metrology for Clean Air CBKT project

3.

C-A1.3

1) Key comparison on Carbon

dioxide and maintenance of

Methane facility (CCQM-K120).


2) Developed methods with reduced

uncertainties for greenhouse gas

comparisons.

3) Coordination of CCQM-K68.2018

Nitrous Oxide, development of

44 NMI participations in CCQM-K120.a and.b (CO2 in air) with final report published:

Metrologia, 56, 08001

2 participations in CCQM-P188 (CO2 in air) with final report published: Metrologia,

2019, 56, Tech. Supp., 08012

BIPM CO2-PVT primary facility: Mark II developed and performance validated in

CCQM-P188, with support of visiting scientists from NIST (3) and RISE (1);

4 papers (1 with CITAC Best Paper award for 2019) published in peer reviewed journals

on CO2 standards and measurements including, Calibration strategies for FT-IR and

other isotope ratio infrared spectrometer instruments for accurate δ13C and δ18O

measurements of CO2 in air, Anal. Chem., 2017, 89(6), 3648-3655;



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 24

facility and comparison on air

greenhouse gas standards.


CO2 isotope ratio standard generation and characterization facility developed, in

collaborative project with IAEA, with support of visiting scientists from NIM, INIRIM,

VNIIM and NPL, in preparation for CCQM-P204;

18 NMI participations in CCQM-K68.2019 (N2O in air) with measurements on-going,

with facilities developed an validated with visiting scientist from KRISS;

2 participations in CCQM-P131 run in parallel with CCQM-K68.2019.

4.

International

equivalence of

organic primary

calibrators for

Clinical

Chemistry and

Laboratory

Medicine, Food

Analysis,

Environmental

analysis,

Forensics and

Pharma

C-A2.1

1) Method for characterization

coordination of CCQM-K55.c.1

repeat (polar organic (300 Da to

500 Da) (2019).


2) Coordination CCQM-K55.a.1

repeat (non-polar organic (100

Da to 300 Da) (2017) and CCQM-

K55.d


3) Developed and published

spectroscopic methods for purity

comparisons.

CCQM-K55.d (Folic acid purity) and CCQM-P117.d (Folic acid purity), with key

comparison report published in Metrologia;

21 NMI participations in CCQM-K148.a (Bisphenol A purity) and CCQM-P187.a

measurements complete, Draft B in preparation;

7 reference documents on application of qNMR internal standards published, with

support of visiting scientists from NMIJ, NIM (2), INMETRO, UME, INTI;

2 publications in peer reviewed journals on the application of qNMR for purity analysis

including Development and cross validation of a suite of standards for the purity

assignment of organic compounds by quantitative NMR spectroscopy, Metrologia, 2019,

56;

IUPAC Technical Report on Methods for SI-Traceable Value Assignment of the Purity

of Organic Compounds drafted and under final review.

C-A2.2

1) Key Comparison on calibration

solution solutions CCQM-K78.a

(multi-component polar).


2) Preparation for repeat calibration

solution key comparison CCQM-

K78.b (multi-component non-

polar) (2020).

63 NMI participations in CCQM-K78.a and CCQM-P121.a (Multicomponent Amino

acid solutions), with key comparison report published in Metrologia;

1 review article published on calibrant material characterization.

5.

C-A2.3

1) Developed and published

methods for the characterization

of large molecule primary

calibrators.

5 papers published in peer reviewed journals on peptide primary reference material

characterization, including Implementing a reference measurement system for C-

peptide: Successes and lessons learned, Clin. Chem., 2017, 63(10), 1447-1456;

Reference methods for the characterization of peptide calibrators developed with

support of visiting scientists from LNE (2), HSA, NIM, LGC, NIBSC, NIMT, NPL;



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 25

2) Completion of purity key

comparison CCQM-K115 (2015) C-

peptide purity (1 kDa to 5 kDa).


3) Coordination of CCQM-115.b

Primary organic calibrator (5

kDa to 10 kDa) large organic

molecule primary calibrator

comparison.


24 NMI participations in CCQM-K115 (peptide purity–synthetic human C-peptide)

published in Metrologia, 2017, 54, Tech. Suppl., 08007 together with associated pilot

study CCQM-P55.2 published in Metrologia, 2017, 54, Tech. Suppl., 08011;

20 NMI participations in CCQM-K115.b/P55.2.b (peptide purity–Oxytocin) with

measurements complete and the Draft B report in finalization;

26 NMI registrations in CCQM-K115.c/P55.2.c (HbA1c hexapeptide (GE) purity)

material characterization completed and samples distributed by the BIPM with

comparison measurements on-going;

28 NMI registrations in CCQM-K115.2018/P55.2.2018 (HbA0 hexapeptide (VE) purity)

material characterization completed and samples distributed by the BIPM with

comparison measurements on-going.

6.

International

Liaison and

Coordination

Activities

CQM-A1.1

Provision of the CCQM Executive

Secretary. Support for:

1) Four CCQM Plenary Meetings

2) Nine CCQM working groups (36

Meetings)

3) Participate in the pool of experts

reviewing CC and RMO

comparison and pilot study

reports before publication

4) Development of strategic plans


Provision of the CCPR Executive


CC and WGs plus specifically

support for:

1) Two CCPR meetings

2) Four annual meetings of CCPR

working groups (12 meetings)

CCQM and CCPR updated Strategy document published in 2018, with support from

BIPM;

Organized/supported 4 CCQM plenary session; 44 CCQM WG meetings; 3 CCQM

Workshops;

Special issue for Metrologia organized on advances in Metrology in Chemistry and

Biology with 20 published papers from related CCQM Workshop;

Organized/supported 2 CCPR plenary session; 9 CCPR WG meetings;

Invited reports and liaison provided to EURAMET (4), APMP(2) and SIM MC-TC (1)

groups.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 26

3) Related liaison with International

Commission on Illumination (CIE)

and RMOs.



publication.


CQM-A1.2

Support for:

1) JCTLM Executive and WGs (eight

meetings)

2) JCTLM Database entry/nomination

review process

Maintenance of JCTLM Database.

Organized/supported 4 Executive meetings; and 8 working group meetings;

Organized 4 call and review cycles for JCTLM Database entries/nominations;

4 newsletter designed, published and distributed;

Meeting organized with ICSH;

Updated JCTLM Declaration of cooperation document which was approved, with ICSH

appointed as new Executive Member;

2 JCTLM Stakeholder workshops organized;

46 JCTLM procedures updated;

Participation in 2 JCTLM Review Teams.

CQM-A1.3

Liaison activities with:

IUPAC; ISO TC 212, IFCC, WMO, WHO,

WADA, Codex, ISO TC 146.

Co-organized 2 workshops with NMI China (2016 and 2018) on Protein and Peptide

Diagnostics and Therapeutics 450 participants both meetings;

Organized WADA-BIPM Workshop (28-29 September 2016) on ‘Standards and

Metrology for Anti-Doping Analysis’ with 100 participants;

1 paper published: Metrological challenges for measurements of key climatological

observables: oceanic salinity and pH, and atmospheric humidity. Part 1: overview,

Metrologia, 2016, 53(1), R1-R11;

Provided liaison to WADA’s laboratory expert group providing expert review of EQAS

results;

Publication of ISO 15195 and redrafting of ISO 17511, through liaison to ISO TC 212

WG2 (Reference Measurement Systems for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine);

Publication of ISO 17034 through liaison to ISO REMCO and joint WG with CASCO JWG

43;

Lectures and publications for Varenna Summer School on Metrology 2016 and 2019.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 27

Provided support to “Regional Fund Quality Infrastructure for Biodiversity & Climate

Protection in Latin America and the Caribbean” programme with lectures on

Metrology for GHG Measurement and Review of programme plans;

Provided liaison to WADA’s laboratory expert group (4 meetings) providing expert

review of EQAS results;

Technical input into IAEA and WMO meetings on VOCs (WMO Expert Group) and

Greenhouse gases and isotope ratio standards for CO2 (IAEA technical meeting and

GGMT-2017 and 2019), including promoting results of CCQM-K120 comparison to

underpin update in WMO-CO2 scale;

Provide liaison to the Meeting of International Organizations working in the field of

Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Inter Agency Meeting) prior to Codex CCMAS (4

meetings), including contribution to electronic WG on measurement uncertainty;

3 invited lectures at international meetings on qNMR (Baveno, 2017; Tokyo, 2018;

Washington 2019);

Liaison with IUPAC ICTNS on redefinition of the mole activities;

1 paper published following the mole redefinition, Amount of substance and the mole

in the SI, Metrologia, 2019, 56(4), 044002.

7.

CBKT C-A2.4

1) Mycotoxin CBKT Phase 1 (AFB1

and ZON)

2) Mycotoxin CBKT Phase 2 (PAT and

DON)

4 Mycotoxin Metrology CBKT meetings organized involving cumulatively 18

organizations;

Established MoU and LoI with NIM to support project and supply and characterization

of 4 mycotoxin materials;

MoUs and LoIs signed with 8 institutes (INTI, NIMT, NMISA, KEBS, UME, LATU, INM,

INRAP) to enable their participation in the Mycotoxin Metrology CB&KT programme;

Concluded collaborative agreement with NRC (Canada) to extend MMCBKT

programme to include Ochratoxin A;

Secured Financial support from PTB for training secondments of visiting scientists

from 7 NMIs.

7 visiting scientist secondments completed and 4 mycoxtoxin pure material, stock and

calibrant solution standards characterized.

11 visiting scientist training secondments (from INTI (2), INMETRO, NMISA (2), NMIT,

KEBS LATU, INM, UME, INRAP) completed on Mycotoxin Calibrator Characterization;



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 28

CCQM-K154.a (ZEN in acetonitrile calibration solution comparison): measurement

completed with 18 NMIs participations and Draft B in preparation;

CCQM-K154.a.1 (ZEN in acetonitrile calibration solution comparison) with 2 NMI

participations registered and Draft B in preparation;

CCQM-K154.b (AfB1 in acetonitrile calibration solution comparison): protocol

prepared and stock solutions distributed for measurements in 2020;

2 Papers published: Mycotoxin metrology: Gravimetric production of zearalenone

calibration solution, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 975 (2018) 012014, and Accurate Characterization

of a Pure Aflatoxin B1 Material to Avoid Calibration Errors, J. AOAC Int. (2019);

2 measurement guidelines published on mycotoxin primary reference material and

calibrant characterization;

The BIPM Mycotoxin Metrology Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer Three-day

Knowledge Transfer Workshop for GULFMET organized and delivered on ‘Metrology

for Safe Food and Feed - Organic Analysis and Standards’, Saudi Arabia on 4-6

November 2019. on request from GULFMET.


IV Ionizing Radiation Metrology

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 29

IV. Ionizing Radiation Metrology

1.

X-ray standards

dosimetry IR-A1.1

1) Maintaining the BIPM primary

standards for:

- air kerma in low- and medium-

energy x-rays (9 beams),

- absorbed-dose to water in

medium-energy x-rays

developed in 2013-2015 (4

beams),

- air kerma for mammography

(11 beams).

2) Providing bilateral key comparisons

BIPM.RI(I)-K2, -K3, -K7 and –K9, on

request.

3) Calibration and characterization of

national standards in these beams

(), on request.

4) Replacement of an HV generator

for low- or medium-energy x-rays.

The comparison and calibration services continued to be fully booked throughout

the period. They were used by the following laboratories:

− 2016: VSL(Netherlands), NIST(USA), NMISA(South Africa), STUK(Finland) and

the IAEA

− 2017: KRISS(Korea), NIM(China), NPL(UK), IST(Portugal), NIS(Egypt) and

SSI(Sweden) and the IAEA

− 2018: NRC(Canada), NIM(China), LNHB(France), CRRD(Argentina),

NRPA(Norway) and the IAEA

− 2019: CMI(Czech Republic), IRCL(Greece), LNMRI(Brazil), , STUK(Finland) and

the IAEA

A new absorbed dose to water standard was developed for medium-energy x-rays –

the standard is easier to implement than calorimetry.

The low-energy x-ray laboratory and control room have been refurbished.

A project was completed in collaboration with secondee from the VNIIM(Russia) to

improve the characterization of reference qualities for low-energy x-rays.

Measurements of backscatter corrections for x-ray dosimetry were also carried out

in collaboration with the IAEA, for data needed for an update of a dosimetry code of

practice.

The medium-energy x-ray generator continued to give excellent service throughout

most of the period but developed a fault at the end of 2019. A replacement x-ray

generator has been ordered for commissioning and validation in 2020.

2.

-ray standards

dosimetry IR-A1.2

1) Maintaining the BIPM primary

standards for:

- air kerma in 60Co and 137Cs beams

for radiotherapy and

radioprotection, respectively,

- absorbed dose to water in 60Co

beam for radiotherapy,

- absorbed dose to water in high-

energy beams, reference

measurements using the graphite

calorimeter in 60Co.

The comparison and calibration services for gamma standards were also fully

booked:

− 2016: MKEH(Hungary), SCK.CEN(Belgium), VSL(Netherlands), KRISS(Korea),

CIEMAT(Spain), NMISA(South Africa), SMU(Slovakia), SSM(Sweden),

GUM(Poland) and the IAEA;

− 2017: SMU(Slovakia), NPL(UK), VSL(Netherlands), IST(Portugal), NIS(Egypt),

SSI(Sweden) and the IAEA;

− 2018: NRPA(Norway);

− 2019: VNIIFTRI(Russia), VSL(Netherlands), IRCL(Greece), SMU(Slovakia),

LNMRI(Brazil), GUM(Poland), METAS(Switzerland), CMI(Czech Republic),

STUK(Finland) and the IAEA.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 30

2) Providing bilateral key

comparisons BIPM.RI(I)-K1, -K4, -

K5 and –K6, on request.

3) Characterization and calibration

of national standards in these

beams (), on request.

4) Replacement of the 60Co source

in 2017.

60Co air kerma services were successfully transferred from the older CIS-BIO

irradiator to the Theratron, with no interruption to the service or loss in accuracy.

The CIS-BIO irradiator itself was decommissioned. The purchase of a new 60Co

irradiator will be considered during the new programme.

The 137Cs irradiator was decommissioned in 2018 as the source reached the end of

its working life. Agreement was reached with the IAEA for BIPM staff to use the new

irradiator at the IAEA laboratory as soon as it is available (2020/2021).

3.

High-energy

dosimetry

(accelerator

dosimetry)

IR-A1.3

1) Maintaining the transportable

photon calorimeter standard to

provide robust traceability for

absorbed dose through on-site

comparisons and

characterizations of national

standards.

2) Providing the BIPM.RI(I)-K6

comparisons on-site at the NMIs.

3) Continued study of long-term

optimal scenario for a sustainable

maintenance of BIPM.RI(I)-K6

comparisons, using the BIPM

graphite calorimeter standard.

An agreement was reached in 2017 with the DOSEO platform (close to the BIPM) to

use the Elekta LINAC as a BIPM reference. The comparison and calibration service

was successfully transferred to this facility.

New software and hardware were installed to enable real-time monitoring, the

quality system was established and a member of staff was trained and qualified to

operate the LINAC.

A new comparison service has been established and has been used by METAS

(Switzerland) LNHB (France) and KRISS (Korea)

A detailed study was carried out during 2019 to investigate the possible impact of

using different models of LINAC on calibrations. Measurements were carried out

using two LINACs at DOSEO and a LINAC at the DTU (Denmark). The work was

carried out in collaboration with LNHB (France) and DTU (Denmark) with support

from a secondee from the NRC (Canada). A publication is in preparation.

4.

Brachytherapy IR-A1.4

1) Maintaining the BIPM transfer

standards (thimble and well-type

chambers) for 192Ir brachytherapy

comparisons.

2) Providing BIPM.RI(I)-K8 on-site

comparisons for reference air

kerma rate for HDR 192Ir sources,

as adopted by the CCRI, on

request of NMIs.

3) Study of the convenience and

feasibility of future development

The brachytherapy facility was refurbished including the installation of a robot to

position the radioactive source for the quality control of the well-type transfer

standard (reducing staff dose).

The x-ray imaging system set up for the brachytherapy facility was also used to

provide information on the construction of various devices, including ion chambers

for calibration and the BIPM calorimeter core.

Periodic quality control tests have continued.

One comparison exercise was carried out with the VSL (Netherlands).

Although there have been few participations in this service during this period, there

are indications that interest will increase in the future with EURAMET and the IAEA

both active in the field.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 31

of a primary standard.

Proposal/discussion at CCRI-2017.

5.

International

Reference

System

for γ emitters

(SIR)

Meas. of γ

emitters

IR-A2.1


SIR facility for core comparisons

of γ emitters.

2) Providing on demand the

BIPM.RI(II)-K1 comparisons

covering (at least):

3) 11C, 18F, 22Na, 22Na, 46Sc, 47Sc, 51Cr, 54Mn, 56Mn, 56Co, 57Co, 58Co, 60Co, 59Fe, 64Cu, 65Zn, 67Ga, 75Se, 85Kr, 85Sr, 88Y, 95Nb, 99Mo, 99mTc, 103Ru, 106Ru, 109Cd, 110mAg, 111Ag, 111In, 113Sn, 123I, 124Sb, 125Sb, 125I, 131I, 133Ba, 133Xe, 134Cs, 137Cs, 139Ce, 140Ba, 141Ce, 144Ce, 152Eu, 153Gd, 153Sm, 154Eu, 155Eu, 166mHo, 169Yb, 177Lu, 182Ta, 186Re, 192Ir, 195Au, 201Tl, 203Hg, 203Pb, 207Bi, 222Rn, 228Th, 237Np, 241Am, 243Am.

4) Contribution to the development

of the Measurement Method

Matrix (MMM, CCRI(II)) to reduce

the total number of comparisons

for γ emitters.

The following comparisons were carried out during this period:

− 2016: 133Ba(NRC(Canada)), 88Y(LNHB(France), 88Y(BEV(Austria)), 134Cs(PTB(Germany));

− 2017: 60Co and 54Mn(PTB(Germany)), 231Pa (NPL(UK)), 113Sn(LNHB(France)), 131I

and 166mHo(NMISA(South Africa), 166Ho(CMI(Czech Republic)), 152Eu, 133Ba, 60Co, 68Ge and 137Cs (TAEK(Turkey));

− 2018: 223Ra and 65Zn (LNHB(France)), 85Sr (PTB) (Note: there were restrictions for

regulatory reasons on shipping radioactive products to the BIPM in 2017/8);

− 2019: 139Ce and 133Ba (NMISA (South Africa)), 152Eu (NMI (Japan)), 133Ba (NIST

(USA)), 88Y (BEV (Austria)), 225Ac (PTB (Germany)), 60Co (VNIIM (Russia)).

The SIR Laboratory was refurbished in 2019 to ensure continued compliance with the

ionizing radiations regulations.

A high resolution gamma spectrometer was set up and calibrated, to check SIR

sources for possible cross-contamination.

The long-term stability measurements of the SIR were contributed to a paper on

‘Evidence against solar influence on nuclear decay constants’, a controversial theory

that half lives could depend on the distance between the Earth and the sun.

New hardware and software were developed to run the SIR.

Physical

backup to

SIR 226Ra

sources

IR-A2.7

1) Feasibility and eventual

construction and operation of an

electronic current source of high

stability and reproducibility for

gradual elimination of 226Ra

sources used in the SIR.

2) In case of negative answer to

point 1), study of an alternative to

A BIPM-NIST workshop was held in 2018 at the NIST(USA) to discuss options for

measuring low electrical current from ionization chambers or using current sources.

There was general interest in this topic and a joint CCEM/CCRI Task Group was set up

to oversee the project. A project was agreed in the 2020-2023 programme to validate

the use of the PTB Ultra-stable Low noise Current Amplifier (ULCA) which may enable

a reduction in the number of sealed sources needed for the SIR.

A study to identify options to replace the 226Ra sources was completed. The only

viable alternative to 226Ra was found to be 166mHo and this radionuclide is not

available commercially. The production of the raw material is underway in



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 32

226Ra sources for the long-term

operation of the SIR.

3) Measurements of natural 222Rn

emanation in room S11 and study

of its possible contribution to the

background current measured in

the SIR ionization Chambers (SIR

IC).

4) Study of the design of a new

metallic gas container to improve

the measurements of radioactive

noble gas in the SIR IC.

collaboration with the IRA (Switzerland) and LNHB (France), a method to construct

the sources has been agreed, and validation will start as soon as the material is

available (expected mid-2020).

The issue of the possible impact of radon on measurements on the SIR was reviewed

in more detail. The background current is negligible in comparison to the current

from a source, so any changes in the background have no impact on the results.

Other effects of radon on the current measurement system are cancelled as all

measurements are relative to sealed radium sources. This topic was therefore not

pursued further.

The design of a metal gas container developed by the IRA(Switzerland) was reviewed.

Modifications are needed to ensure that the gas container can be placed in an

accurately reproducible position on the SIR. The containers are expensive to

construct and few metrology institutes produce gas standards, so this project will be

continued if there is sufficient demand.

6.

International

reference facility

for short-lived γ

emitters

SIR Transfer

Instr. (SIRTI)

IR-A2.4


the SIR Transfer Instrument for

on-site comparisons and

extension to new short-lived

radionuclides.

2) Providing the BIPM.RI(II)-K4

bilateral comparisons covering on

demand 99mTc, 18F, 64Cu, and, for

example, 11C, 68Ga, 211At, 56Mn, or

other radionuclides requested by

the NMIs.

3) Contribution to the development




for short-lived γ emitters.

The SIRTI has been used for the following off-site comparison exercises (for

radionuclides used for medical imaging):

− 2016: 18F and 64Cu (NIST(USA)).

− 2017: 99mTc, 18F, 64Cu and 11C (NRC(Canada)).

− 2018: 99mTc, 18F and 64Cu (ANSTO(Australia)).

The measurements of 11C at the NRC were the first comparison of this radionuclide,

which is used for positron emission tomography.

The CCRI conducted a review of the strategy for the SIRTI in 2018. To make best use

of the instrument, it was agreed that on-site work should cover as many

radionuclides as possible during one visit; this necessitated first characterizing the

SIRTI for additional radionuclides identified as a priority. In 2019, studies were

completed for 123I and 153Sm (with the help of a secondee from LNMRI (Brazil)) and

missions will restart in 2020.

7.

Extensions of SIR

Meas. of

pure β

emitters

IR-A2.2

1) Implementation, operation and

maintenance of SIR facility for β

emitters future core comparisons

for reduction of the heavy

Detailed investigations were carried out in 2016 and 2017 (with the support of

secondees from the NIST (USA) and NIM (China)) of a proposed method to realize a

high precision comparator using commercial liquid scintillation counters. It was



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 33

logistics of CCRI(II)-K2

comparisons.

2) Establishing the BIPM.RI(II)-K1

bilateral comparisons covering on

demand 3H, 14C, 55Fe, 63Ni, and,

for example, 32P, 89Sr, 90Sr/90Y, 99Tc, 147Pm, 204Tl, or other

radionuclides requested by the

NMIs.

3) Contributions to the development




for β emitters.

found that the reproducibility of the measurements did not meet the required

specification.

The project was therefore restarted in 2019 in collaboration with POLATOM, PTB,

LNHB, NPL and NIM using an alternative technique based on the triple-to-double

coincidence counting method (TDCR). New electronics and software were installed

on the BIPM’s TDCR counter. The studies showed much improved reproducibility, so

additional work was carried out to test the effect of ageing of components.

Secondees from NPL and NIM participated in the testing. This work was also

successful and an article has been accepted for publication in Metrologia.

Improvements have been made to source preparation facilities, including a new

ampoule sealer and better temperature control in the laboratory, to ensure sources

are dispensed accurately.

The first comparison exercise (a pilot study) has been organized and scheduled for

2020.

Meas. of α

emitters

IR-A2.3

1) Development and

implementation of SIR facility

(LSC or defined solid angle) for α

emitter future core comparisons

for reduction of the heavy

logistics of CCRI(II)-K2

comparisons.

2) This will allow to complete (with

IR-A2.1, IR-A2.2) the frame for the

core comparisons of most

common α- , β- and γ-emitters.

3) BIPM.RI(II)-K1 bilateral

comparisons, covering on

request for example 241Am, 223Ra, 211At, 238Pu, 210Po or other

radionuclides demanded by the

NMIs.

4) Contributions to the development


Matrix (MMM, CCRI(II) ) to reduce

The work has focused on establishing the TDCR method for pure beta emitters,

which proved to be more challenging and time consuming than anticipated. The

same technique can be used for alpha emitters so the project will be taken up in the

new programme as a natural continuation.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 34


for α emitters.

8.

Reference

instruments for

primary

measurements

Coincidenc

e counting

IR-A2.5

1) Maintenance and further

development of 4πβ-γ

coincidence counting and TDCR

LSC systems.

2) Organization of one CCRI

comparison for 109Cd and

participation in two CCRI

comparisons according to the

Rolling Plan and the MMM table.

3) Establish missing KCRVs for:

47Sc, 68Ge, 111Ag, 140Ba, 155Eu, 195Au

and improve KCRVs for:

24Na, 56Co, 123I, 124Sb, 125Sb, 153Sm, 154Eu, 166mHo, 177Lu as priorities.

This task was combined with project A2.2 with the TDCR being developed for the

comparison of primary standards of pure beta emitters, rather than as a primary

standardization technique.

The 109Cd comparison was delayed at the request of some of the participants and is

planned for 2020/2021.

Low-level

meas.

of γ and β

emitters

IR-A2.6

1) Acquisition, Monte Carlo

simulation and setup of a 4π-γ

NaI(Tl) well-type detector for γ

emitters.

2) Operational use of the Quantulus

1220-LSC spectrometer for low-

level measurements of β and α

emitters.

3) Coordination/participation in

one CCRI comparison on low-

level measurements of

contaminated materials.

The work during the period was prioritized to focus on the development of the ESIR.

Priority also had to be given to the replacement of the 226Ra sources for the SIR to

ensure that this service can be maintained.

9.

International

Liaison and

Coordination

Activities

CCRI

CIR-A.1.1

Provision of the CCRI Executive

Secretary, general support to CCRI

and CCRI-WGs including:

1) Biennial CCRI and sections I, II

and III meetings

The consultation arrangements for ionizing radiation were changed during this

period, membership of the CCRI was expanded and the specialist topics were

discussed in three section meetings.

Executive Secretary support to the CCRI continued, with the co-ordination of

meetings of the CCRI, Sections and Working Groups.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 35

2) Regular meetings of five working

groups

3) Review of CCRI and RMO-TC-IR


publication

4) Development of strategic plans

5) Publication of BIPM Monographies


A new CCRI strategy was developed and published.

BIPM staff attended meetings of the EURAMET TC-IR and the APMP TC-IR (a

workshop to review trends in the field was also organized before the APMP TC-IR

committee meeting).

Comparison reports were reviewed before publication and a new streamlined

process was implemented following approval by the CCRI to reduce the time taken to

publish reports.

CCT

CIR-A1.3

Provision of the CCT Executive

Secretary: support and advice to CCT

and CT-WGs including:

1) Biennial CCT and ten WG

meetings

2) Pro-active interaction on strategy

and communication


CCT meeting in June 2017

First update of CCT strategy made in 2017

The revision of “Guide to the Realization of the ITS-90” was completed.

A large part of the activity was dedicated to the redefinition of the kelvin.

Collaboration on solving fundamental issues for the redefinition were made via the

working group on contact thermometry (CCT-WG-CTh) and the CCT ad hoc working

group on the SI. A substantial revision of the Mise en Pratique was made and issued

in May 2019. The CCT interacted with CCU on the determination of the Boltzmann

constant.

Support to

JCGM-WG1

CIR-A1.4

Provision of the Scientific Secretary

and support including:

1) Rapporteur

2) Two annual meetings.

Provision of JCGM-WG1 (two annual meetings) Executive Secretary and rapporteur.

Communication with JCGM member organizations (MOs) and NMIs on the

Committee Drafts JCGM 100:201X, Guide to the expression of uncertainty in

measurement, and JCGM 110:201X, Examples of uncertainty evaluation

Circulation of the Committee Draft of the JCGM document Guide to the expression of

uncertainty in measurement— Developing and using measurement models and the

collation of the comments received from JCGM MOs and NMIs

a workshop on "Type A evaluation of measurement uncertainty for a small set of

observations" at the BIPM.

CIR-A1.5

Support to/from (inter)national

bodies:

1) International Commission on

Radiation Units and Measurements

(ICRU) (Commissioner and sponsor

of Report Committees),

1) The BIPM contributed to writing a major report ICRU Report 90 on key data for

radiation dosimetry (these data underpin measurement standards for dosimetry at

all metrology institutes and for the calibration of clinical instruments. The BIPM’s

Commissioner on the ICRU also provided data and editorial support for ICRU

reports on small field dosimetry and operational quantities.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 36

2) International Atomic Energy Agency

(IAEA)

(SSDL Scientific Committee),

3) International Committee for

Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM)

(Scientific Committee and technical

refereeing).

4) LNE-LNHB

(Scientific Committee Ionizing

Radiations)

5) Autorité de Sécurité Nucléaire

(ASN, France)

2) The close links between the IAEA and the BIPM were maintained throughout the

period. BIPM staff contributed to the ongoing revision of the IAEA code of practice

for radiotherapy dosimetry (TRS-398), participated in the IAEA SSDL scientific

committee, worked on the organizing committee for the IDOS Conference 2019, and

participated in training workshops for secondary standards laboratories.

3) Contributions to the ICRM continued, with BIPM staff active on the scientific

committee, selecting, editing and reviewing publications, chairing sessions at the

conference and giving presentations and writing papers. Two ICRM conferences

were held during this period, in 2017 and 2019.

4) The BIPM is no longer represented on the LNE-LNHB Scientific Committee as the

person concerned has retired.

5) Significant effort was devoted to ensuring continued compliance with the ionizing

radiations regulations. Inspectors from the ASN visited the BIPM for the first time in

2019 and the operating license was renewed. The removal from the site of older

sealed sources was arranged and there is a continuing programme to update

laboratories and to dispose of radioactive waste.

6) In addition, a new liaison was established with the technical committee at ISO

concerned with radiological measurements (TC85 SC2). BIPM staff contributed to

the development of new standards, including ISO20042 (gamma spectrometry)

which was published in 2019.

7) The topic of ionizing radiation metrology was covered for the first time at the

Varenna Metrology Summer School. A paper has been written for inclusion in the

proceedings.

8) BIPM staff were also invited to carry out technical audits.


V International Liaison and Coordination

# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 37

V. Internat ional Liaison and Coordination

1.

CIPM MRA ILC-1.2

JCRB Executive Secretary and CMC

review website

KCDB Office and databases

entry/nomination review process

Maintenance and upgrade of the

KCDB

5 new signatories of the CIPM MRA:

- Qatar signed the CIPM MRA on 16 March 2016;

- Ethiopia signed the CIPM MRA on 8 January 2018;

- Tanzania signed the CIPM MRA on 16 April 2018;

- Kuwait signed the CIPM MRA on 12 July 2018;

- Uzbekistan signed the CIPM MRA on 13 July 2018.

Three JCRB Executive Secretaries were seconded to the BIPM from NIST (US), VNIIM

(RU) and RISE (SE).

In the period 199 CMC batches were submitted for the review through the JCRB, and

150 CMC batches were successfully published.

Individual CMCs in KCDB kept around 25 000 with an annual revision rate around 7%.

CIPM MRA participation:

- Participating institutes increased from 100 to 106.

- Further designated institutes increased from 153 to 154.

- International organizations maintained at 4

The CIPM MRA document suite was reviewed during a three month secondment

from NIST in 2018. In the follow-up, 27 documents were collated and reduced to 9

while representing the same content in a more coherent format. First update sent

for review in December 2019.

KCDB 2.0 was developed and launched on 29 October 2019.

6500 CMCs were edited for the KCDB.

Published 320 comparisons in the KCDB.

Revision and implementation of the KCDB:

- Migration of data

- Realization of an electronic web platform for CMC submission and review, and

comparison registration

- Improved search facilities and access to numerical data

- Customized generation of statistical data.

Continuous support at CC meetings and WGs, and support to users of the KCDB.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 38

2.

Liaison and

Coordination

work

ILC-1.1

Support for and representation to:

‐ RMOs - (AFRIMETS, APMP,

COOMET, EURAMERT, SIM and

GULFMET).

‐ International/intergovernmental:

OIML, ILAC, ISO, WMO, WTO,

IUPAC, IUPAP, IEC, IFCC, CODATA

TGFC.

BIPM-WTO cooperation:

- Deliverance of the BIPM statement at the WTO TBT informal (thematic sessions)

and regular meetings held three times a year

- Deliverance of presentations on the role of metrology within Quality

Infrastructure at the WTO courses, roundtable and thematic session

BIPM-OECD cooperation:

- Contribution to analytical work through the IO Partnership for effective

international rule-making (involving more than 50 IOs, country delegates and

academics) in its five core focus areas (the BIPM is represented in WG2

(implementation), WG4 (evaluation) and WG5 (IO coordination);

BIPM-UNESCO cooperation

- Invigoration of the BIPM-UNESCO cooperation existing since 1949 (Agreement,

revised in 1952) interrupted since 80s and exploring (together with the OIML)

possibilities with UNESCO Secretariat for a proclamation of 20 May as World

Metrology Day by UNESCO (possibility to celebrate 20 May 2022 as a World Day

of UNESCO).

Publication of the UNIDO-BIPM-OIML joint brochure on “The role of metrology in the

context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals” in May 2017.

Bilateral and multilateral agreements with liaisons:

- Re-signing of the revised Joint BIPM, OIML, ILAC and ISO declaration on

metrological traceability (November 2018);

- Signing of the BIPM-IUPAC MoU (October 2019);

- Re-signing of the revised BIPM-IFCC-ILAC Declaration of Cooperation (December

2019);

- Drafting BIPM-ITU, BIPM-CTBTO, BIPM-CODATA MoUs.

Attended all RMOs General Assembles and contributed to their meetings.

Participated and contributed to ILAC GA, ILAC AIC and WG Metrology. Contributed to

the revision of ILAC P10 and ILAC P14.

Participated in ISO-CASCO-WG44 and contributed to the revision of ISO-IEC 17025.

Annual meetings with OIML, ISO and ILAC were organized.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 39

ILC-1.3

Support to the BIPM Director, CIPM,

Member States and Associates

Promotion of the Metre Convention

and support to potential Member

States and Associates

As of December 2019 there are 61 Member States, and 41 Associate States of the

CGPM:

5 new Member States (4 of them were previously Associate States encouraged to

accede to the Metre Convention)*:

- Slovenia* became a Member State as from 23 March 2016;

- Montenegro became a Member State as from 24 January 2018;

- Ukraine* became a Member State as from 7 August 2018;

- Morocco became a Member State as from 24 May 2019;

- Ecuador* became a Member State as from 6 August 2019;

6 new Associate States:

- Qatar became an Associate State as from 10 March 2016;

- Sri-Lanka became an Associate State as from 17 August 2016 (re-joining);

- Ethiopia became an Associate State as from 1 January 2018;

- Tanzania became an Associate State as from 1 January 2018;

- Kuwait became an Associate State as from 23 March 2018;

- Uzbekistan became an Associate State as from 13 July 2018.

Adoption of Decisions CIPM/106-20, CIPM/106-21 and CIPM/106-22 in October 2017:

- Revision of the criteria (adding a percentage higher than 0.02 on the UN Scale)

for encouragement of Associate States to become Member States considering

the status of ‘smaller’ states (so called ‘micro-CEEMS’);

- Starting from 2018 reduction of the increased subscriptions of already

encouraged Associate States (i.e. Albania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Georgia,

Paraguay, Jamaica) to the minimum for an Associate;

- Rescheduling agreement was established with Jamaica to pay its arrears for

2016 and 2017 and to avoid exclusion as an Associate State.

Adoption of Resolution 5 On the financial arrears of Member States and the process of

exclusion by the CGPM at its 26th meeting in November 2018 and follow up Decisions

CIPM/108-33 and CIPM/108-34 in October 2019:



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 40

- Informing States that have previously been notified of accumulated arrears

exceeding the six-year period that the amounts due are those equal to the first

six years of default and that any amounts paid by such States that constitute

accumulated arrears exceeding the six-year period, may be considered when

calculating their contribution, and entry contribution, following their re-

engagement;

- Options to address the advances associated with the accumulated arrears in a

way that will be acceptable to the Member States that made the advances and

to the external auditors, will be explored by the CIPM Sub-Committee on

Finance.

Adoption of Decision CIPM/108-35 in October 2019:

- Taking into account the difficulties of some States (e.g. Zimbabwe and Cuba)

which have been unable to transfer their contributions or subscriptions

successfully to the BIPM bank accounts in France due to the risk-averse policies

of the French banks in the context of international sanction policies it was

decided not to have their advantages and prerogatives suspended or be

excluded, provided that genuine efforts have been made to pay their

contributions or subscriptions, confirmed by refusal of acceptance by the banks

holding the BIPM accounts.

ILC-1.5

Provision of JCGM (one annual

meeting) and JCGM WG2 (two annual

meetings) Executive Secretary and

rapporteur, general support to JCGM,

representation in JCGM WG2.

Two meetings of the JCGM (May 2017 and December 2018). Executive Secretary

provided for both meetings and reports drafted, edited and published.

Eight meetings of JCGM WG2. Executive Secretary provided for each meeting and

reports drafted, edited and published.

Support to JCGM WG2 for the preparation of the VIM4 CD.

3.

Publications and

the BIPM website

ILC-2.1

Drafting/Minuting reports, including

editing, translation into French,

typesetting and publication of CIPM

and BIPM reports, publications and

posters.

Drafting/Minuting reports

Proceedings of the 25th and 26th meetings of the CGPM drafted, translated, typeset

and published.

Documents to support the 26th meeting of the CGPM (Draft BIPM Work Programme

2020-2023; BIPM strategic plan; Convocation; Draft Resolutions; BIPM highlights of ILC-2.2 Editing and publication of Metrologia.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 41

ILC-3.0 Journal subscriptions (on-line or hard

copy), buy-per-view scientific articles

and books for BIPM staff

progress made, and notes supporting the dotation 2020-2023, CIPM President’s Report),

edited, translated, typeset and published.

Twenty-two CC, Joint Committee and departmental posters produced for the 26th

meeting of the CGPM. CGPM roll-ups, banners and posters produced for the

conference venue.

Ten CC President’s reports and presentations to the 26th meeting of the CGPM

edited.

Ninth edition of the SI Brochure (2019) edited, translated, typeset and published on

the website.

Twenty-one CC reports edited, typeset and published online.

Four Proceedings of the CIPM (105th to 108th) meetings drafted, translated, typeset

and published.

Four issues of the Annual Review (2015 to 2018) designed, drafted and published.

Four Financial Reports (Rapport Financier) for 2015 to 2018 edited, translated, typeset

and published.

News from the BIPM laboratories for 2015 to 2018 edited and published in Metrologia.

Fourteen “Rapports BIPM” edited and published, including seven qNMR Internal

Standard Reference documents.

Four JCTLM Newsletters designed, typeset, edited and published online. Programmes

and flyers designed, edited, typeset and published for JCTLM Stakeholder meetings

in 2017 and 2019.

BIPM Annual Report on Time Activities edited and published for 2015 to 2018.

237 news stories drafted and published.

At least three issues of BIPM e-News published annually.

Editorial services and advice provided to colleagues throughout the BIPM.

Translation services provided to BIPM Departments (WMD documents,

BIPM Compendium, Notes verbales, etc.).

Metrologia

Metrologia’s position as the leading international journal in pure and applied

metrology has been reinforced, with the last four years recording the journal’s four

ILC-4.0 Provision of BIPM internet.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 42

highest Impact Factors. The Impact Factor for 2018 (the most recent result) is its

highest ever: 3.447.

Metrologia played an important support role in the joint CCM/CCU roadmap for the

revision of the SI, publishing in particular key papers in preparation for the new mise

en pratique of the definition of the kilogram, input data for the CODATA-2017

adjustment, and publication of the CODATA-2017 results

Six issues of Metrologia have been published each year. The most downloaded

paper during the last four years:

o The CODATA 2017 values of h, e, k, and NA for the revision of the SI (Newell et al.

2018 L13), downloaded more than 27 000 times to date

Other selected highlight:

o Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) (Panfilo and Arias 2019 042001)

o Applying principles of metrology to historical Earth observations from satellites

(Mittaz et al. 2019 032002)

o Quantum imaging with sub-Poissonian light: Challenges and perspectives in

optical metrology (Berchera and Degiovanni 2019 024001)

o The revision of the SI – The result of three decades of progress in metrology

(Stock et al. 2019 022001)

o The CIPM list of recommended frequency standard values: guidelines and

procedures (Riehle et al. 2018 188)

o Data and analysis for the CODATA 2017 special fundamental constants

adjustment (Mohr et al., 2018 125)

o SI traceability and scales for underpinning atmospheric monitoring of

greenhouse gases (Brewer et al. 2018 S174)

o Perspectives for a new realization of the pascal by optical methods (Jousten et

al. 2017 S146)

o Robustness of single-electron pumps at sub-ppm current accuracy level (Stein

et al. 2017 S1)

o Amount of substance and the mole in the SI (Güttler et al. 2019 044002)

o The Boltzmann project (Fischer et al. 2018 R1)



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 43

Focus issues published in support of the revision of the SI: Focus on the Revision of

the SI; Focus on Realization, Maintenance and Dissemination of the New Kilogram;

Focus on Quantum Metrology

Focus issues complied in collaboration with the Consultative Committees: Focus on

Advances in Metrology in Chemistry and Biology; Focus on Metrology in Electricity

and Magnetism; Focus on Metrology for Dynamic Measurements

Focus Issues highlighting selected papers from international metrology conferences:

Focus on Pressure and Vacuum Metrology; Focus on Optical Radiometry (NEWRAD

2017), Focus on Mathematics and Statistics for Metrology; Focus on Time Scale

Algorithms; Focus on Metrology for Meteorology and Climate; Focus on

Measurement Uncertainty

Introduction of “Accelerated Manuscripts” means that papers can be made available

the day they are accepted

Deputy Editors: Richard Davis (January 2018 to May 2019), Giovanni Mana (INRIM,

from April 2018), Sten Bergstrand (BIPM/RISE, from May 2019) Rod White (MSL, from

October 2019)

Journal subscriptions

Journals: rationalization of the subscriptions from 24 journals in 2016 to 11 in 2019.

Purchasing of 160 articles, 30 books and 13 standards.

BIPM website

The BIPM website www.bipm.org continues to be the BIPM’s primary means of

communication. During the meeting of the CGPM in 2018 there were over 80 visits

per minute.

Documents for the CGPM, and for the CIPM, its Consultative Committees and

Working Groups, are all distributed via the BIPM website. At the time of writing the

website hosts dedicated content for over 220 special-interest groups.

A YouTube channel was launched in 2018, initially for material related to the

revision of the SI.

The 9th edition of the SI Brochure (2019) was published uniquely on the BIPM

website. Material related to the redefinition of the SI, produced both by the BIPM

http://www.bipm.org/



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 44

and by the CIPM Task Group for Promotion of the SI, was distributed through the

website.

A major project is in progress to transfer the BIPM website to a new content

management system (CMS):

o The new website will have the advantage of being fully responsive, and will

allow login connections at the level of the individual user.

o The new CMS has been installed and interfaced with the BIPM’s central

database, maintained by the Meetings Office.

o The structure has been agreed, and a new graphic charter developed. The new

graphic style has already been implemented on the KCDB2.0. New banner

images for the BIPM website have been contributed by a number of NMIs.

o Transfer of the structured content from the old to the new website is under

way.

The new website will be released in 2020 as soon as the construction and testing phases

have been completed.

4.

Workshops on

key topics

identified by the

CIPM and

support to a

combined

metrology school

- “X Grand challenge CIPM workshops

plus Metrology school delivered

collaboratively with Verona”

BIPM Symposium: The Fundamental Constants of Physics organized at BIPM

(September 2017).

BIPM Workshop: The Quantum Revolution in Metrology held at BIPM (September

2017).

CC Presidents meeting hosted at BIPM (June, 2017).

Two Metrology Summer Schools were organized by the BIPM with the Italian

Physical Society was held in Varenna (Italy) in July 2016 and 2019. METAS through

the BIPM CBKT programme supported 6 young metrologists’ participation in the

Summer School and placement at METAS laboratories from two-to six-weeks.

5.

CBKT -

Agreed BIPM CBKT courses:

‐ NIST funded: "Leaders of

Tomorrow", 2016.

‐ "Metrology: from physics

fundamentals to quality of life"

METAS sponsorship and

placement.

The BIPM in early 2016 launched a sponsor-based initiative. This was the first step in

what has evolved into the BIPM CBKT. As of today, over 75 % of Member States and

Associates have participated in the CBKT Programme (as trainees, lecturers and

sponsors). The programme remains flexible and accommodates various ideas/topics

covering the needs of the NMI community, provided that they align with the aims of the

programme.



# Name of the

project

Project


07/07/2020 45

‐ "Metrology for Safe Food and

Feed in Developing Economies"

project.

‐ NIST: Sound beginning in the

CIPM MRA”, 2017.

2016-2019 overview of the CBKT:

23 CBKT initiatives were organized: 20 completed and 3 ongoing. 16 Workshop-

based and 7 Laboratory-based placement projects.

Overall, 478 participants (156 at the BIPM) from 93 countries participated in various

training courses. 427 participants at Workshop-based and 51 placements at

Laboratory-based projects.

14 new RMO TC/WG Chairs were trained and 12 existing RMO TC/WG Chairs

benefited from the 2016-2019 CBKT programme initiatives.

First ever CMC publication within the reporting period: 7 CMCs in mass metrology of

Namibia (joined in 2012); 13 CMCs in thermometry of Zimbabwe (joined in 2012); 1

CMC in Viscosity of Azerbaijan (joined in 2015) and 11 CMCs in Thermometry of

Zambia (joined in 2010) have been published in the KCDB.

-

Courses under development:

‐ "BIPM-EURAMET TC leadership

Course"

‐ GULFMET workshop

"Interlaboratory Comparison

(ILCs)“

07/07/2020 46