The document was signed by Lazizbek Saidoripov, COOMET President, and Aybek Musayev, EASC Chairperson.
The updated Protocol is intended to enhance the effectiveness of interaction between COOMET and EASC and strengthen coordination in addressing issues of mutual interest in the field of metrology.
The document provides for relevant COOMET documents and recommendations to be taken into account when developing interstate regulatory and technical documents in metrology, with a view to harmonizing metrological rules and regulations with international ones. Joint activities will also take account of the provisions of the CIPM MRA and other international metrology documents.
The Parties also intend to make the necessary efforts to keep the list of national measurement standards up to date and to support National Metrology Institutes in signing the CIPM MRA, evaluating management systems in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, and submitting their Calibration and Measurement Capabilities — CMCs — to the BIPM Key Comparison Database through COOMET. The Protocol also covers cooperation with the BIPM, OIML and other international metrology organizations.
Separate attention is given to encouraging the National Metrology Institutes of EASC member countries that are not members of COOMET to participate in COOMET activities, including comparisons of national measurement standards with COOMET member institutes, including on a bilateral basis.
Under the Protocol, the Parties will coordinate the implementation of joint projects in the following areas:
- development of regulatory and technical documents governing the establishment and application of reference measurement procedures;
- implementation of the CIPM MRA, including the evaluation of management systems in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and the maintenance of international recognition of CMCs;
- production and use of reference materials meeting the requirements of ISO 17034;
- implementation of calibration and measurement uncertainty evaluation;
- comparisons of national measurement standards;
- development of a regional policy on metrological traceability;
- professional training of metrology specialists and the organization of conferences, seminars, training placements and competitions;
- development of initiatives related to the creation of a unified international competition platform to support talented young professionals in metrology.
Technical cooperation will be carried out through the working bodies of COOMET and EASC, in particular the COOMET Technical Committees and the Scientific and Technical Commission on Metrology under EASC. The COOMET Secretariat and the EASC Bureau of Standards will ensure that cooperation matters are included in the agendas of the relevant bodies of the two organizations.
The signing of the updated Protocol reflects the shared commitment of COOMET and EASC to further strengthening their partnership, expanding practical cooperation and implementing joint initiatives for the benefit of the regional and international metrology community.