International Bureau of Weights and Measures facts for kids
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Metre Convention signatories
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| Abbreviation | BIPM (from French name) |
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| Formation | 20 May 1875 |
| Type | Intergovernmental |
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Region served
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Worldwide |
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Official language
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French and English |
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Director
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Martin Milton |
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) is a special group that helps countries around the world agree on how we measure things. Think of it like a referee for measurements! Its main goal is to make sure everyone uses the same system for weights and measures. This helps with things like science, trade, and even telling time. The BIPM works with 59 member countries. It is located in Saint-Cloud, a town near Paris, France.
Contents
How the BIPM Works
The BIPM is part of a larger system that makes sure measurements are the same everywhere. Two main groups help run the BIPM.
The International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM)
The International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) helps guide the BIPM. This committee has eighteen members. They usually meet twice a year to discuss measurement topics.
The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM)
The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) is like the main boss. It includes representatives from all the member countries. The CGPM meets in Paris, usually once every four years. They make the big decisions about how measurements should work worldwide.
History of the BIPM
The BIPM was created a long time ago, on May 20, 1875. This happened after 17 countries signed a special agreement called the Metre Convention. This treaty was about making sure everyone used the same measurement system. Today, 59 countries are part of this agreement.
The BIPM is based at the Pavillon de Breteuil in Saint-Cloud, France. The French government gave this land to the BIPM in 1876. It's a pretty big area, about 4.35 hectares (that's about 10.7 acres). Since 1969, this site has been considered international territory. This means the BIPM has special rights, like an independent country.
What the BIPM Does
The main job of the BIPM is to create a single, clear system of measurements for the whole world. This system is called the International System of Units (SI). The SI is what we use for things like meters, kilograms, and seconds.
The BIPM helps in many ways:
- They directly share information about measurement units.
- They compare national measurement standards from different countries. This makes sure everyone's measurements match up.
- They also help create the official worldwide time, called Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
BIPM's Main Activities
The BIPM has several important tasks it works on:
- Science and Technology: They do scientific work in four areas. These include chemistry, radiation, physical measurements, and time.
- Working Together: They help connect different groups that work on measurements. They also help organize meetings and share information.
- Helping Others Learn: They have programs to help countries that are still developing their measurement systems. This helps everyone get better at measuring things.
- Information Hub: They keep a huge database and publish information about international measurements. This makes it easy for people to find what they need.
The BIPM is also part of a group called the International Network on Quality Infrastructure (INetQI). This group works to improve quality in areas like measurements, testing, and standards.
Directors of the BIPM
Since it started, the BIPM has had several directors. These are the people who lead the organization:
| Name | Country | Years in Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Govi | Italy | 1875–1877 | |
| J. Pernet | Switzerland | 1877–1879 | Acting director |
| Ole Jacob Broch | Norway | 1879–1889 | |
| J.-René Benoît | France | 1889–1915 | |
| Charles Édouard Guillaume | Switzerland | 1915–1936 | |
| Albert Pérard | France | 1936–1951 | |
| Charles Volet | Switzerland | 1951–1961 | |
| Jean Terrien | France | 1962–1977 | |
| Pierre Giacomo | France | 1978–1988 | |
| Terry J. Quinn | United Kingdom | 1988–2003 | Honorary director |
| Andrew J. Wallard | United Kingdom | 2004–2010 | Honorary director |
| Michael Kühne | Germany | 2011–2012 | |
| Martin J. T. Milton | United Kingdom | 2013–present |
See also
In Spanish: Oficina Internacional de Pesas y Medidas para niños
- History of the metre
- Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements
- International Organization for Standardization
- Metrologia
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Seconds pendulum
- World Metrology Day
- Versailles project on advanced materials and standards
