OIML-CS report on 2025

Abstract

Since the OIML-CS was launched on 1 January 2018, replacing the OIML Basic Certificate System and the OIML Mutual Acceptance Arrangement, the OIML-CS has continued to develop. Most of these developments are taking place without the public noticing them, but they always aim to further develop the OIML-CS by increasing usage and trust by Utilizers in the OIML Certificates issued by Issuing Authorities. In this overview we highlight some of the changes in 2025.

Key statistics

One of the measures to evaluate the success of the system is looking at the number of Utilizers, Issuing Authorities and Certificates.

• In the last years, there has been an increase in the number of OIML Issuing Authorities, from 12 in 2021 to 14 in 2025 . Unfortunately also several Issuing Authorities have been withdrawn, but overall the number is still increasing.
• The number of Utilizers and Associates has also increased, from 33 in 2021 to 38 in 2025 . Although the number is increasing, it is not increasing fast enough. We have therefore discussed this in the Management Committee and we are focusing to see if we can increase the participation by for instance making it easier for Utilizers to show their participation without too much pressure to commit to all aspects of the OIML-CS.
• There has been an increase in the number of OIML-CS certificates issued per year, from 249 in 2020 to 292 in 2024. This number is highly depending on the number of new and revised OIML Recommendations.
• There has been an increase in the number of measuring instrument categories, from 39 categories in 2021 to 41 categories in 2025 (with 39 categories in Scheme A and two categories (R 80:2017 and R 111:2004 ) in Scheme B).
• Membership of the Management Committee now stands at 24 voting members (an increase of two from 2021). The Management Committee discusses the operation of the OIML-CS. After several years of remote meetings with decreased participation, we have seen that the in-person meetings have so much value that the participation has increased. Not only through their physical presence, but also the real participation of all members during the meeting has been very valuable.
• In 2022, a proposal was implemented to allow OIML Issuing Authorities to use ISO/IEC 17020 (with additional requirements) as an alternative to ISO/IEC 17065 for demonstrating competence.
• A new OIML Document D 37:2022 was developed, providing guidance and interpretation on the application of ISO/IEC 17020.
• OIML-CS Operational and Procedural Documents have been revised during the period to implement changes and improvements to the operation of the OIML-CS.
• Working Groups have been established to address modular approvals under the OIML-CS, and to explore the possible implementation of Conformity to Type (CTT) in the OIML-CS.

Developments within the OIML-CS

Following the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the OIML-CS Management Committee has returned to holding in-person Management Committee meetings, with meetings held in Bern, Switzerland in 2023, New Delhi, India in 2024 and Prague, Czech Republic in 2025.

The OIML-CS has continued to develop, with increased participation (now 38 OIML Member States and Corresponding Members) and an increased number of OIML-CS certificates being issued each year.

The number of OIML Issuing Authorities has increased during the period. In addition, the OIML Issuing Authorities have extended their scopes throughout the period to include additional Recommendations, or new editions of existing Recommendations. In addition, a number of new Test Laboratories have been approved since 2022.

Looking towards the future

Efforts continue to promote the OIML-CS, especially within the Regional Legal Metrology Organizations, in order to increase participation. Increasing the number of Utilizers and Associates will increase demand from manufacturers for OIML-CS certificates which, in turn, will lead to an increase in the number of OIML Issuing Authorities and associated Test Laboratories.