1. Sistema Inter-Americano de Metrología (SIM): Opportunities for Cooperation
Claire Saundry, Ph.D.
Director, International and Academic Affairs
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Eighth Regular meeting of the Inter-American Committee on Science and Technology
Washington DC. November 14-15, 2013

2. Information about SIM
Membership: National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) located in the 34 member nations of the OAS
Mission: To promote and support an integrated measurement infrastructure in the Americas that ensures equity in the marketplace, improves the quality of life and facilitates international trade.
International Role: Regional Metrology Organization (RMO) for the Western Hemisphere, one of 5 RMOs currently recognized within the framework of the International Committee on Weights and Measures Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
1994 Summit of the Americas: Declaration emphasized promoting prosperity through economic integration and free trade.
1995 Coordinating meeting in Rio de Janeiro; Revitalized SIM and Produced an Inter-American metrology project with 34 participant countries.
1995 Visit to NIST of Ambassadors to the Organization of American States

3. Recent Regional Efforts
OAS/FEMCIDI - Metrology and National Measurement Standards to support Environmental Sustainability and the Enhancement of Human Health, Safety and Prosperity in the Americas ( )
US Mission to the OAS - Enhancing National Measurement Infrastructure in the Americas ( )
NIST - Advanced Internships ( )
OAS/FEMCIDI - Strengthening National Metrology Institutes in the Hemisphere: an essential element in the development of National Quality Infrastructure (September 1, August 31, 2016)
US Mission to the OAS - Renewable Energy and Climate Science: Metrology and Technology Challenges in the Americas (October September 2015)
NIST - SIM Metrology School (2013)
Capacity building and training
Improve measurement capabilities
Facilitate harmonization of measurements
Increase exchange of information
Raise awareness of the implications of metrology

4. Renewable Energy and Climate Science for the Americas:
Workshop on
Renewable Energy and Climate Science for the Americas:
Metrology and Technology Challenges
CENAM, Queretaro, Mexico
October 8-9, 2013
Implementation of renewable energy and climate change related policies around the globe will require access to accurate, internationally recognized measurements and standards.
These will be critical for both policy-making purposes as well as evaluating the impact of mitigation efforts.
Such capabilities will be equally important for assessing the impact of energy and climate change policies on the economic development of each country.
National Metrology Institutes (NMI) in each country need to be aware of the measurement and standards capabilities necessary for implementation of such policies.

5. SIM Metrology School 28 October – 1 November
Familiarize students with measurement activities in all the SI units (beyond their areas of expertise);
Provide skills that enable SIM NMIs to effectively review measurement capabilities, assess the quality systems, and perform regional key comparisons;
Enhance the ability of the NMIs in the Western Hemisphere to achieve international acceptance of measurements; and
Create a network of “new” metrologists and build the next generation of SIM leaders.

6. Up-Coming Events Planning underway for four workshops:
Training - "Calibration of Oscillation Densimeters“ (Bogota, Colombia December)
Training - Biomedical equipment in CAMET (early 2014)
Training - Statistics for Chemistry (early 2014)
Training Workshop - Anti-Venom production - Sao Paulo, Brazil, February 24-26, 2014.
Internships/Advanced Metrology Training

7. Partners Argentina - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial
Ecuador - Instituto Ecuatoriano de Normalizacion
Peru Instituto Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia y de la Proteccion de la Propiedad Intelectual
Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards
Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards
El Salvador - Consejo Nacional de Ciencia
y Tecnología
St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards
Bahamas Ministry of Lands and Local Government
St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Government of Saint Vincent
Grenada Bureau of Standards
Barbados National Standards Institution
Guatemala Centro Nacional de Metrología
Suriname Metrology Unit
Belize Bureau of Standards
Guyana Bureau of Standards
Trindidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards
Bolivia - Instituto Boliviano de Metrología
Haiti - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
USA - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Brazil - Instituto Nactional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia
Honduras - Centro Hondureño de Metrologia
Venezuela Servicio Autonomo de Normalizacion Calidad y Metrologia #
Jamaica Bureau of Standards
Canada – National Research Council
Mexico - Centro Nacional de Metrologia
Laboratorio Tecnologico del Uruguay
Chile - Instituto Nacional de Normalización
Nicaragua - Laboratorio Nacional de Metrologia
Colombia - Instituto Nacional de Metrología de Colombia
El Centro Nacional de Metrología
Costa Rica Laboratorio Costarricense de Metrología
de Panamá  
Paraguay Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia y Normalizacion
Dominica Bureau of Standards
Dominican Republic Dirección General de Normas y Sistemas de Calidad
# Inactive