Taiwan's The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has joined the international community to celebrate "World Metrology Day" on May 20, 2021.

The theme for World Metrology Day 2021 is Measurement for Health. The BSMI has released a short film on the important role that measurement plays in fighting against COVID-19 and safeguarding health. The film is also produced to honor people and organizations that have dedicated themselves in this field and continuously added strength to Taiwan's metrology infrastructure.

May 20 is World Metrology Day, which celebrates the anniversary of the signature of the Metre Convention on May 20, 1875. The Metre Convention provides the basis for a worldwide coherent measurement system that underpins scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, as well as the improvement of the quality of life and the protection of the global environment.

The BSMI indicated that Taiwan has developed advanced measurement technology in the areas of health and epidemic prevention, such as the portable clinical thermometer calibrator, technology of measuring the flow and pressure of ventilators, key parameters measuring system for ultraviolet sterilization products and the precise dose of ionizing radiation.

The event of World Metrology Day is meant to both introduce to the general public the achievements we have accomplished in our measurement technology to address health issues and to create awareness of the critical role measurement plays in our daily lives. 

The BSMI is in charge of the development and maintenance of primary measurement standards. "Health" has been prioritized as one of the areas in the measurement technology development projects. In the past year during the fight against the pandemic, portable clinical thermometer calibrators were used to calibrate the infrared thermal imagers and ear thermometers deployed at airports, train stations and hospitals to ensure the accuracy of measured body temperatures, an important tool to screen infectious cases of COVID-19. In addition, the standard of ionizing radiation doses adopted by the BSMI helps achieve the objectives of medical examination and treatment without jeopardizing the health of persons as a result of overexposures.