The following terms and phrases, wherever mentioned in this Law, shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law: Law of Measurement and Calibration.
Regulations: Implementing Regulations of this Law.
SASO: Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.
Metrology: Science of measurement.
Measurement: A set of processes designed to determine the value of a certain quantity.
Calibration: A set of processes designed to determine, under certain conditions, the relation between the output of a measuring instrument or system and known values corresponding to the measured quantity.
Calibration Certificate: A document stating calibration results.
Statutory Calibration: The part of metrology concerned with measurement units, methods and instruments, in relation to mandatory technical and statutory requirements to ensure overall protection in terms of safety and proper measurement accuracy.
Measurement Standard: A material measure or measuring instrument or system intended to define, produce or preserve a unit or one or more values of a quantity to be transferred to other measuring instruments.
Weights and Measurements: All measurement standards and processes relating to statutory calibration.
Measuring Instrument: A device used for measurement, alone or in conjunction with other devices in a regular manner.
International System of Units (SI): A coherent system of units adopted and recommended by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM).
Primary Standard: A standard of quantity with the highest metrological qualities in a given area.
National Standard: A standard acknowledged pursuant to an official national resolution as a reference for all other standards of a given quantity in a certain country, based on the relevant international standard.
International Standard: A standard acknowledged pursuant to an international agreement used worldwide as a reference for all other standards of a given quantity.
Reference Standard: A standard with the highest metrological qualities in a given location.
Effective Standard: A standard calibrated against a reference standard and used regularly to calibrate or check material measures or measuring instruments.
Traceability: A property of a certain measurement result whereby said result can be related to international or national standards through unbroken chain of comparisons.
Verification: A set of processes conducted by approved laboratories to ensure that a measuring device or instrument meets all verification requirements. Verification includes both testing and marking.
Primary Verification: The first verification of a new measuring instrument not previously verified.
Inspection: A set of processes to verify that a measuring instrument meets statutory verification requirements or recommendations provided for in technical specifications.
Marking: Attaching marks to a measuring instrument as an indication of meeting verification requirements.
Testing: A set of processes to verify the performance of a sample in order to determine its quality under certain conditions.
Measurement or Testing Report: A document stating the measurement or testing results and any other information related thereto
Uncertainty of Values: An assessment indicating the range of values within which the actual value of a measured quantity falls.
Prototype: The final design of a measuring instrument in which all elements affecting its metrological properties are properly determined.
Quality Mark: A mark given by SASO to a national product upon verification of its conformity with relevant Saudi standard specifications.
Certificate of Conformity: A certificate granted by SASO or an approved international body to certain set of products, which have been tested for conformity, in accordance with Saudi standards or approved international standards.
NMCC: National Measurement and Calibration Center.
Approved Laboratories: Laboratories to which the organization grants a certificate of approval indicating their capacity to perform some or all testing or calibration services.
This Law shall aim to achieve the following:
- Consolidate measurement and calibration authorities in the Kingdom.
- Conform to the international measurement and calibration system.
- Facilitate trading in commodities between the Kingdom and other countries,in terms of measurement and calibration.
- Provide measurements and standards for commercial, industrial and scientific areas.
All measurements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shall adopt the International System of units (SI) and all laboratories shall use SI Units which are:
1. Length: Meter;
2. Mass: Kilogram;
3. Time: Second;
4. Temperature: Kelvin;
5. Electric current: Ampere;
6. Amount of Substance: Mole; and
7. Luminous intensity: Candela.
SI units and their symbols and derivatives used in every area shall be specified by means of standard specifications adopted by SASO.
Measurements and calibrations of quantum properties of imported and domestic goods shall be visibly displayed on goods, using SI units.
Measurement and calibration laboratories shall be categorized as follows:
1. NMCC.
2. Approved laboratories
In order for measurement standards to be traceable, the following requirements shall be met:
1. National standards calibration certificates kept at NMCC shall be valid and shall include uncertainty of values and be issued by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) or any internationally accredited calibration laboratory; in order to confirm traceability to international standards.
2. Reference and working standards of NMCC shall be calibrated in the Center with uncertainty of values, in order to verify their traceability to national standards.
3. Working standards of approved laboratories shall be calibrated in said laboratories along with uncertainty of values, in order to verify their traceability to national standards.
4. Calibration certificates relating to reference standards of measurement and calibration laboratories approved by SASO shall include uncertainty of values and be issued by NMCC, in order to verify their traceability to national standards.