Update from the OIML Digitalization Task Group (DTG)

1 Introduction

The OIML Digitalization Task Group (DTG) was founded in May 2022 and confirmed by the 57th CIML (2022). It has 57 Members from 21 different countries and economies, and two organizations in liaison. Sascha Eichstädt (Germany) serves as Chairperson and Yang Ping (China) as Deputy Chairperson; both were reelected by the CIML in 2025.

In 2024, the OIML DTG conducted an online survey to gather more details on the DTG roadmap items, their prioritization and implementation. A detailed synthesis of the survey was published in the July 2025 issue of the OIML Bulletin. In brief, the survey showed that there is a huge variety of digital readiness across the OIML, and also across the stakeholders. Furthermore, the survey asked for technical barriers, challenges and expected risks in the implementation of the DTG roadmap. The Bulletin article provides detailed conclusions from the survey outcomes. In particular, conclusions were drawn from the survey on how to prioritize the activities in the sub-committees on Smart OIML Recommendations and e-Learning.

2 DTG Sub-Committees

Aligned with the DTG roadmap, two Sub-Committees were established in 2022:

• “e-Learning”, Convener Catharina Kulka-Peschke (Germany)
• “Smart Standards”, Convener Katya Delak (USA)

The work of these Sub-Committees is summarized in sections 3 and 4 below.

At the 60th CIML Meeting, the creation of a third DTG sub-committee was approved, to develop online guidance on AI in legal metrology. This new Sub-Committee will address AI in measurement as well as AI in processes and services related to legal metrology, and  cover topics such as terminology, regulation, standardization, examples, risks and challenges.

Developing the guidance will benefit from interaction and involvement beyond the members of the Sub-Committee. The group therefore seeks close collaboration with existing groups and projects, including OIML D 31 (TG5/SC2), OIML G 18 (TC1), the CIPM Forum “Metrology and Digitalization” ad hoc Task Group on Building Safe and Trustworthy AI (FORUM-MD-TG-AI), the AI Consortium (AIQI), ISO/IEC, and UNECE.

It is expected that an initial version of the guidance will be published in September 2026, in the DTG area of the OIML website.

3 Training and education

The DTG Sub-committee “e-Learning” has compiled general requirements and concepts for an initial, high-level course on digital transformation in legal metrology and the quality infrastructure. This project was approved by the 59th CIML and a budget was allocated by the OIML Presidential Council (PC) to support its implementation. An expert company was hired to develop the concept and outline of this course based on material provided by the SC. The course will be organized in seven modules: an introductory module to contextualize digitalization in the legal metrology landscape; five modules on digital solutions available for improving legal metrology core functions; a final module on first steps for implementing digital transformation in legal metrology organizations. The material collated will be amended with interviews in March 2026.

The final course will present

• Digital tools and technologies available for improvement and innovation
• An explanation of key terminology
• Real-world examples of “in-use” and/or “in-development” digital transformation initiatives, and vision
• Interactive activities and quizzes, to reinforce learning, self-assess understanding and monitor progress
• Graphic visual aids (videos, diagrams, pictures)
• Links for further learning (readings/videos)
• Downloadable resources.

The course should enable the learner to understand the definition of key terms and principles in digital transformation; understand the OIML’s goals of digitalization; gain familiarity with best practices and use cases; better distinguish between visionary topics and state-of-the-art technology; prepare for in-depth courses on specific topics (in-depth knowledge and implementation examples).

4 Machine-readable OIML documents

The core task of the SC on Smart OIML Documents is the development of machine-readable information in legal metrology. The SC has established contact with the ISO/IEC SMART initiative, with a view to adapting their approach to the needs of the OIML. With the approval of the 59th CIML and a budget allocated by the OIML PC, a recent request for tenders has led to the selection of a supplier to develop a prototype "smart" version of OIML R 60 in collaboration with the Sub-Committee.

The collaborative project is scheduled to begin in March 2026, covering:

• Creation of an appropriate XML schema in line with developments of other international standards-setting organizations
• Translation of the four parts of R 60:2021 into XML, with priority to part 1 “Metrological and technical requirements”
• Incorporation of relevant references from the SI Digital Framework and from the ISO/IEC Framework
• Provision of a guidance document on the necessary steps to develop similar XML standards from existing OIML Recommendations, with attention to gaps to be addressed specific to the technology under issue
• Provision of an outline of the next steps required to improve the machine-readability of the document
• Provision of an outline of the future steps that would be required to provide a machine actionable version of the document

The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) plans to transition all its services and “products” to become digital and machine-readable. The Seminar attendees in 2023 saw a similar plan for the OIML and expected the OIML to provide corresponding infrastructures and digital processes. In particular the provision of information, e.g., about approved instruments, test results and the authenticity of certificates for automated verification and testing was considered of great benefit to foster digitalization in legal metrology.