12-15 November 2008
Cavtat, Dubrovnik, Croatia

IMEKO TC 11 "Metrological Infrastructure" is organizing an International Symposium in November 2008. The aim is to bring together International Organizations including the BIPM, OIML, and ILAC, and Regional Metrology Organizations (RMO's). Representatives of these international organizations and the chairpersons of the RMOs will describe the functioning of their organizations. Representatives of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) will be invited to present their work and to discuss key topics and challenges.

International Technical Sessions:
- Mass and related quantities (including force, pressure, air density, torque, viscosity and hardness)
- Electricity and magnetism (including RF and microwave)
- Length, form measurements, complex geometry, angular measurements
- Laser measurements, nanometrology, surface texture
- Time and frequency
- Thermometry (including thermophysical properties and humidity)
- Ionizing radiation (including radiometry and dosimetry)
- Photometry and radiometry (including fiber optics)
- Flow (including fluid properties)
- Acoustics, ultrasound and vibration (including accelerometry)
- Amount of substance

For further information, please visit: www.rmo2008.org

29 October 2008
Geneva, Switzerland

On 29 October 2008, ISO CASCO will organize a workshop on market surveillance before the ISO CASCO 24th Plenary Session to be held on 30-31 October 2008 in Geneva.

As the world becomes increasingly global and trade of significant value and volume regularly crosses boundaries, market surveillance becomes an imperative for safeguarding stakeholders’ interests and ensuring the correct implementation of ISO standards.

Liberalization and globalization of trade have brought market surveillance into the international context. Regulators want to ensure that their population's health or safety is not endangered. "Business to business" relations need to happen in a climate of trust and confidence. And consumers want to be sure that what they are buying responds to their expectations in terms of quality or environmental impact for instance. Regulatory provisions, conformity assessment and market surveillance are important elements that need to be combined to ensure a fair and trustful climate for world trade.

Market surveillance can increase confidence in certification, accreditation and conformity assessment oversight processes, as well as protect the interests of Governments, business communities and consumers.

The workshop on Market Surveillance thus aims to:

* identify the areas of MS which could be addressed by ISO at the international level;
* determine if there is sufficient consensus on the potential need for international level of work on MS and if so what it should include as its scope;
* determine if there is a need for generic standardized base document for MS processes or other ISO deliverables; and
* determine how ISO can contribute to MS activities in the future.

22-24 October 2008
Queretaro, Mexico

The National Centre of Metrology (CENAM) is organizing the Simposio de Metrología 2008 as a means to exchange knowledge and to share experiences on measurement science and technology.

During three days, representatives of public and private calibration and testing laboratories, industry, research centers and academic institutions, and national metrology institutes from various countries will discuss and share their problems and solutions to the constant challenge of accurate measurement, as a key support for technological innovation and to assure the quality of products and services.

Participants from national metrology institutes, inspection authorities, government agencies, universities, research centres, commercial laboratories and other interested parties will take part in this Symposium.

Nationally and internationally recognized specialists in various measurement fields will participate in plenary sessions and there will be contributions from those involved in the daily task of measuring: they will present results and discuss their difficulties with the aim of obtaining proposals for improvement. In addition, specialized work meetings will be held where topical issues will be discussed.

A specialized industrial exhibition of measuring instruments, analytical equipment and related products, will show attendees the current technology in this field, with the help of manufacturers' representatives and suppliers of calibration and testing services.

Three additional activities will add value to this Symposium: Plenary sessions, two poster sessions to provide networking between specialists and colleagues from different fields in metrology, and a program of short courses / workshops, prior to the Symposium, on important current metrological issues.

We look forward to welcoming you and your colleagues at the Simposio de Metrología 2008.

For more information, please refer to www.cenam.mx/simposio2008/eng/descripcion.aspx

23-24 October 2008,
San Anton, Malta

A Market Surveillance Conference will be held in Malta in October 2008 (Note: venue changed from London to Malta).

This two-day event will give delegates the opportunity to:

- Meet other people in Europe who are involved in metrological market surveillance
- Gain a full understanding of the current priorities in this field
- Develop an approach to tackle cross-border market surveillance issues, over and above their national strategies

The event will take place at the Corinthia Palace Hotel ***** in San Anton, Malta, on 23-24 October 2008.

For further information and more details including costs and accommodation arrangements, please download the Agenda and Registration Form, and visit the WELMEC web site.