After all, what is Metrology?

Last week, we discussed the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) and provided insights into consumer relations. Today, we'll address the topic of Metrology, a science that intertwines with consumer and commercial relations and is closely associated with the regulatory and normative controls of both. Today, we won't delve into the environmental aspect, but we will address how Metrology intertwines with our personal and, in some cases, professional routines. We'll also attempt to demonstrate how it is linked to the organizational and corporate performance of a wide range of businesses, influencing the quality of services and products.

But, after all, what is Metrology?

According to the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM), metrology is the "science of measurement, encompassing the practical and theoretical aspects related to any and all branches of science and technology." A complex definition, but one that truly reflects the purpose of this science. Before we move forward, it's important to understand what "measure" means and how measurement impacts different industrial and civil sectors.

Medir, segundo o VIM, é o “processo de obtenção experimental de um ou mais valores que podem ser atribuídos a uma grandeza”. Trocando em miúdos, medir é um processo que envolve determinar a proximidade entre algo que se mede e o quanto de fato se tem deste mensurando. Trazendo este conceito para nossa realidade ficará mais fácil de compreender.

Consider that you need to measure 100ml of milk for a recipe. You use a measuring cup with pre-defined markings to measure this volume. You trust these markings because they're already there; but what if these markings are incorrect and you're measuring 110ml instead of 100ml? This can affect the outcome of your recipe, and this idea illustrates what measuring is.

Therefore, measuring is establishing the similarity between the measured value and the true value — that is, the amount of milk indicated by the cup and the amount poured into the cup (the amount determined for the recipe). This example may seem simplistic but apply it to the world of consumer relations. If every product you consume is measured incorrectly, two situations can arise.

In the first case, the packaging contains a quantity indication (weight, volume, etc.), but when measured, the quantity inside the package is greater than that indicated on the label. An illustrative example would be a box of cereal with a stated weight of 500g, but which contains 650g of cereal. In this example, by weighing (measuring) the quantity incorrectly, the producer is negatively affected because they sold more for less, while the consumer is positively affected because they bought more and paid less.

In the second situation, the opposite of the first occurs. Imagine you purchased the same cereal, with the 500g indication on the package, but you only purchased 400g of cereal. In this scenario, the consumer suffers a loss, paying more for a smaller quantity (weight) of product, while the producer has an advantage over the consumer, since they delivered a smaller quantity of product and received the price corresponding to the larger quantity.

The two contexts presented demonstrate the importance of the measurement process being performed correctly and calibrated. According to the VIM, calibration is understood as "an operation that, under specified conditions, establishes the relationship between the values ​​indicated by an instrument and the reference values ​​provided by standards." In other words, the calibration of measurement methods, applied to various quantities (weight, volume, concentration, among others), is closely linked to the synergy between the actual quantity and the expected quantity. Returning to the example of milk in a measuring cup, the aim would be to find a measuring cup with indications that accurately approximate the expected volume of milk measured. A "calibrated" cup would be one with markings that, when poured into a certain quantity of milk, would yield a value very close to the expected value, which in this example would be 100ml.

But where do we see Metrology?

Another example, which was reported in several media outlets this week, is anti-fraud fuel pumps. When you fill up a vehicle, you pay for fuel added to the tank. The pumps currently found at gas stations are calibrated, meaning they are tested to ensure that the amount placed in the tank matches the amount displayed on the pump's display. After passing calibration, the pumps receive a seal issued by the National Institute of Metrology and Quality (INMETRO), which guarantees that the pump measures within the standards established by the regulatory agency for measurement standards (INMETRO).

With the development of new ways to control measurement processes, anti-fraud fuel pumps use encryption and digital signatures that prevent tampering with the pumps. The system integrated into the anti-fraud pumps indicates on the display of these instruments any error or change in the fuel pump's measurement process. This makes it easier to identify fraud at gas stations, both by inspection bodies, such as the Weights and Measures Institute (IPEM), and by consumers themselves who can visually monitor the process during refueling.

Keep an eye out, it's your right and your duty!

It's worth highlighting that the examples presented here, both those related to packaging and those related to fuel pumps, are highly relevant to understanding our consumer relationships. When consumers identify erroneous measurements that harm one of the parties involved in the commercial relationship, they can assert their rights, as guaranteed by the Consumer Protection Code. According to this legal framework, if they feel harmed in commercial relationships involving measurements, they can initiate legal action (civil or criminal, depending on how the measurement relates to the problem).

Considering everything we've covered in this article, we've attempted to demonstrate the essential role of the measurement process in commercial and consumer relationships. We've illustrated how metrology is embedded in our daily lives and its relevance in ensuring the quality of the services and products we use routinely. Furthermore, we've seen that metrology is also an integral part of the national legal system, strongly intertwined with consumer relationships.