Test, Measurement, and Inspection: Compare Before You Choose
A practical starting point for comparing test, measurement, and inspection resources, with public metrology databases and standards browsers to help you evaluate traceability, measurement capability, and applicable methods before making a choice.
Cover: Advanced Measurement Laboratory; Nanotribology · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Task: Choose a test, measurement, or inspection service or method by first comparing publicly available calibration and measurement capabilities, standards, and reference information.
Resources
BIPM KCDB (CIPM MRA Key Comparison Database)
Searchable database of calibration and measurement capabilities declared by national metrology institutes, plus key comparison results used to establish equivalence.
NIST Calibration Services
Official NIST catalog of calibration services and measurement assurance resources for comparing laboratory capabilities across physical quantities.
ISO Online Browsing Platform (OBP)
Public platform for browsing International Standards covering test methods, measurement procedures, and inspection criteria to compare requirements before selection.
NIST Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI)
Authoritative reference for SI units, uncertainty, and unit conversions needed when comparing measurement results and specifications.