測量支撐全球貿易

你是否設想過在全球范圍內交易的產品和服務共有多少？或考慮過跨境傳輸的電、氣等能源有多少？你或許不知道確切的數量，并把測量當作理所當然，相信制造商、運輸商和政府的所作所為會確保商品交易和運輸的公平與安全。

令人欣慰的是，目前國際上已建立起一整套為精準測量提供必要保證和信心的體系，成為全球貿易的堅實基礎。

根據世界貿易組織（WTO）提供的數據，2018年，全球產品貿易額達到了創紀錄的19.67萬億美元。鑒于其中很大一部分產品的價格是使用法定計量單位來確定的，計量在全球貿易中所發揮的巨大，而且非常關鍵的作用，是顯而易見的。

在國家和國際層面，政府采用技術法規和標準來保護生產者和消費者。據經濟合作與發展組織（OECD）估計，約80%的全球貿易受到標準或法規的影響。為確保標準和法規的使用不會成為技術性貿易壁壘（TBT），從而導致成本增加、妨礙貨物自由流通或要求重復檢測，完善的測量體系一定是不可或缺的。

對產品要求的符合性評價的信任可以降低成本，增強企業和消費者的信心，而這也得益于強大而有效的全球計量體系。

我們每一個人的生活都依賴于從附近的某個商店或地處世界另一端的某個國家運輸而來的物品，準確的測量可確保我們所需的產品和服務安全可靠地送達。

作為國際法制計量局（BIML）和國際計量局（BIPM）局長，我們將積極致力于提升計量在全球貿易中發揮重要作用，以保障公平和信心，保護生產者和消費者的權益。

“Measurements for global trade”

Have you ever wondered how many products and services are traded across the world, or considered how much energy crosses borders as either electricity or gas? You may not be aware of the exact amounts and take measurements for granted, putting trust in what manufacturers, transporters and governments do to ensure fairness and safety in the trade and transport of commodities.

Fortunately, international systems have been established to provide the necessary assurance and confidence that these measurements are accurate, and that they are a sound basis for global trade.

According to the World Trade Organization (WTO)1, the global trade of products was a record US$ 19.67 trillion in 2018. Considering that the price of a significant proportion of the global trade of products is determined using legal units of measurement, it becomes clear that metrology plays a huge – and indeed critical – role in global trade.

Technical regulations and standards are adopted by governments to protect both producers and consumers at national and international levels. The Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) estimates that about 80 % of global trade is affected by standards or regulations. A sound measurement system must be in place, so that the application of standards and regulations does not become a technical barrier to trade (TBT) which would lead to increased costs, inhibit the free flow of goods, or require repeated testing.

Trust in the assessment of conformity against specifications reduces costs and increases confidence for businesses and consumers; this is underpinned by the strong and effective worldwide metrology system.

We all depend on items that are transported to us, either from a store nearby or from a country on the other side of the world. Accurate measurements ensure that the goods and services we need are delivered safely and reliably.

As Directors of the International Bureau of Legal Metrology (BIML) and the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), we work actively to elevate the importance of the role that measurement plays in global trade to ensure fairness, confidence, and protection of both the producer and consumer.