Jordan National Metrology Institute celebrates 15 years of excellence on World Metrology Day

AMMAN — The Jordan National Metrology Institute (JNMI) celebrated its 15th anniversary on Thursday, appropriately coinciding with World Metrology Day 2021.

The JNMI was established in 2006 in cooperation with the Government of Japan as a centre of excellence at the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), under an agreement between the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation, which oversees Jordan’s national measurement systems, and the RSS, according to a RSS statement. 

National reference measurement standards were provided through collaboration with the Government of Japan.

“The JNMI is an embodiment of His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision to make science and technology a key component in improving the lives of all Jordanians,” said Tareq Hasan, vice president for Technical Affairs at the RSS. 

The work of the centre was central to the holistic response envisioned by the Chairman of RSS, HRH Prince Hassan, to the COVID crisis, the statement said. 

JNMI’s vital work was key to ensuring food, pharmaceutical and medical products were safe and secure to support the national economy during the pandemic.

The RSS’ “unmatched expertise and capacity for testing, calibration and conformity, including the work of the JNMI, ensured that vital consultations and services were provided to the government and private sector throughout the pandemic”. 

From manufacturing specifications to product testing, the RSS ensured accurate conformity of technical standards to uphold the nation’s effort to combat the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19.

Hasan added that under the leadership of HRH Princess Sumaya, president of the RSS, new and responsive tests were developed at the RSS, including those for face masks and protective suits; medical, pharmaceutical, food and sanitation products; inspection and calibration of medical ventilators; and testing, conformity and calibration services for medical products and consumables. 

Fawaz Al Labadi, director of the JNMI, said that the centre had provided vital calibration services to the medical, pharmaceutical, food and sanitation sectors and laboratories to ensure the maintenance of Jordan’s supply chains throughout the pandemic. 

The JNMI also issued crucial calibration certifications for sanitisation gates to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

“The JNMI is a largely unknown national hero that works to uphold national standards of measurement, ensure traceability to international standards, and provide highly accurate nationally and internationally recognised metrology and calibration services to the scientific, economic, industrial, health and legal sectors, contributing to the national economy and preserving the rights, health, safety and environment of citizens,” read the statement.

"To achieve its goals, the JNMI builds and implements modern systems consistent with international practices in the field of metrology by providing, developing and stimulating human resources and using highly specialised expertise and know-how," added Labadi.

JNMI is nationally and internationally accredited, and provides services to thousands of companies, institutions and laboratories in the public and private sector, both in Jordan and regionally. 

It currently issues more than 7,000 calibration certificates every year through 14 specialised laboratories. Many of these are “uniquely ranked as national laboratories”. 

Plans for future expansion include a new state-of-the-art laboratory to measure and calibrate water flow for standardised calibration of all water meter testing devices.  

JNMI will also provide training courses and consultations in the metrology field for regional institutes through its partnership with the German Metrology Institute.