national measurement act 1960
determination by the national standards commission
Recognized-Value Standard of Measurement
of Acceleration due to Gravity
In pursuance of paragraph 8A(1) (a) of the National Measurement Act 1960, the National Standards Commission hereby determines that the magnitude of the acceleration in vacuum of a body due to the gravitational attraction of the earth as designated in the Schedule shall be a recognized-value standard of measurement.
The Schedule
Place Acceleration
At any point on the floor of
room B245 of the National 9.796 376 m.s -2
Measurement Laboratory,
Lindfield, New South Wales.
For the purposes of this determination the above value is exact.
Dated this 21st day of March 1985
The common seal of the national T.J. PETRY
standards commission was herto
affixed by authority of the
Commission in the presence of
Overview
The National Measurement Act 1960 was enacted to provide a framework for the regulation and standardisation of measurements in Australia, addressing the need for a unified approach to ensure accuracy and consistency in measurements across various industries and applications. The Act empowers the National Standards Commission to establish recognised-value standards of measurement, which are critical for maintaining the integrity and reliability of measurements used in commerce, science, and engineering. This legislative instrument, enacted by the National Standards Commission under the authority of the Act, serves to formalise the recognised-value standard for the acceleration due to gravity at a specific location in Australia, ensuring that this standard is exact and universally applicable in relevant fields. The policy objective of this determination is to provide a precise and reliable reference point for measurements of gravitational acceleration, thereby supporting the accuracy and consistency required in scientific research, industrial processes, and various other applications.
Scope and Application
The National Measurement Act 1960 applies to the recognition and regulation of measurement standards across Australia. Pursuant to this Act, the National Standards Commission has designated a specific recognised-value standard for the acceleration due to gravity, measured at a particular location in room B245 of the National Measurement Laboratory in Lindfield, New South Wales. This determination establishes that the acceleration due to gravity at this specific location is exactly 9.796 376 m.s-2, and this value is to be used as a recognised standard for measurement purposes within Australia. The legislation applies to all entities and individuals involved in measurement activities, ensuring consistency and accuracy in measurements across various industries. The determination extends nationally, affecting all states and territories within Australia, as it is a recognised standard under the National Measurement Act 1960. There are no specified exclusions or exemptions in this determination, and the application is not restricted or extended through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The National Measurement Act 1960, through a determination by the National Standards Commission, establishes a recognized-value standard of measurement for the acceleration due to gravity (sections 8A(1)(a)). Specifically, this determination recognises the value of 9.796 376 m/s² as the exact acceleration due to gravity at a designated point on the floor of room B245 in the National Measurement Laboratory in Lindfield, New South Wales. This recognised-value standard is intended to provide a precise reference for measurement purposes in Australia.
The Act imposes certain obligations on entities that rely on measurements of acceleration due to gravity. These entities must adhere to the recognised-value standard as specified in the determination, ensuring that their measurement practices are consistent with the value of 9.796 376 m/s² for the designated location. This requirement is crucial for maintaining uniformity and accuracy in scientific and industrial applications that depend on precise gravitational measurements.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences detailed within the text of this determination itself. However, non-compliance with the recognised-value standard as established by the National Standards Commission could potentially lead to legal issues under broader provisions of the National Measurement Act 1960. For instance, if entities fail to adhere to the recognised-value standard, they could face scrutiny, fines, or other legal actions under sections of the Act that address non-compliance with measurement standards. The penalties for such breaches would be consistent with those outlined in the Act for similar infractions, which could include significant fines or other regulatory actions to enforce compliance.