National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2004 (No. 1)
The National Standards Commission makes these Guidelines under section 7B of the National Measurement Act 1960.
Dated 9 June 2004
J. M. BENNETT
Executive Director
National Standards Commission
1 Name of Guidelines
These Guidelines are the National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2004 (No. 1).
2 Commencement
These Guidelines commence on 1 July 2004.
3 Amendment of National Measurement Guidelines 1999
Schedule 1 amends the National Measurement Guidelines 1999.
Schedule 1 Amendments
(section 3)
[1] Reader’s guide, Australian legal units of measurement, second paragraph, paragraphs (b), (c) and (d)
substitute
(b) a unit of measurement derived by the application of guidelines issued by the Chief Metrologist under subsection 7B (1), or 2 or more successive applications of those guidelines.
[2] Paragraph 3 (b)
omit
an Australian legal unit
insert
Australian legal units
[3] Section 5, including the note
substitute
5 Physical quantities
Australian legal units of measurement may be formed only for the following physical quantities:
absorbed dose, absorbed dose index, kerma and specific energy imparted (ionising radiation)
absorbed dose rate (ionising radiation)
acceleration
activity of radioactive nuclides
amount of substance
apparent energy
apparent power
area
catalytic activity
concentration of protein in grains (weight/weight)
current density
density
dose equivalent and dose equivalent index (ionising radiation)
electric capacitance
electric charge
electric conductance
electric current
electric field strength
electric inductance
electric resistance
energy
exposure to ionising radiation
exposure rate
flow rate
force
frequency
illuminance
kinematic viscosity
length
luminance
luminous flux
luminous intensity
magnetic field strength
magnetic flux
magnetic flux density
magnetic permeability
mass
permittivity
plane angle
position
potential difference (and electromotive force)
power
power density
pressure
reactive energy
reactive power
sound intensity level
sound power level
sound pressure level
specific energy absorption
specific energy absorption rate
temperature
time
velocity and speed
viscosity
volume
work.
Note Position is defined in terms of a group of 3 coordinates. The Australian Fiducial Network has been determined under subsection 8A (1) of the Act as a recognised-value standard of position by the Commission at the request of the Inter-Government Committee on Surveying Measurements.
[4] Section 10, example
omit
para (d).
insert
paragraph (b).
[5] Subsection 11 (10), example 1
omit
insert
[6] After subsection 11 (10)
insert
(11) A space must be left after the numerical value of an Australian legal unit of measurement and before the name or symbol of the unit of measurement.
Examples
1 22 m, but not 22m.
2 27 volts, but not 27volts.
3 15 ºC, but not 15ºC.
Note 1 When expressing temperature in degrees Celsius, a space must not be left between the symbol for degrees and the symbol for Celsius. See example 3.
Note 2 When expressing a percentage in relation to an Australian legal unit of measurement, a space must not be left between the number and the symbol for percentage: eg 25%, but not 25 %.
Overview
The National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2004 (No. 1) were introduced to amend the National Measurement Guidelines 1999, ensuring consistency and accuracy in the use of Australian legal units of measurement. These guidelines were made under section 7B of the National Measurement Act 1960 by the National Standards Commission and commenced on 1 July 2004. They were designed to address the need for updated and clarified standards in the application and expression of units of measurement. The primary policy objective of these amendments is to enhance the precision and uniformity in the use of legal units of measurement across various fields, thereby facilitating trade, commerce, and the protection of consumers. The guidelines particularly focus on the proper formatting of units, including the insertion of spaces between numerical values and unit symbols, and specific exceptions for the expression of temperature and percentages.
Scope and Application
The National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2004 (No. 1) apply to all entities and individuals operating within Australia that use or specify measurements. These Guidelines serve to amend the National Measurement Guidelines 1999, establishing a comprehensive framework for the use of Australian legal units of measurement across various industries. The amendments pertain to the definition and application of these units, ensuring uniformity and accuracy in measurement standards. This includes specific physical quantities for which Australian legal units are applicable, such as ionising radiation, length, and temperature, among others. Notably, the Guidelines also address the formatting and presentation of these units, specifying, for instance, the necessity of a space between a numerical value and the unit symbol. The geographic reach of these Guidelines is national, applying uniformly across all states and territories within Australia. The Guidelines do not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, implying that they cover all sectors unless otherwise specified by subordinate instruments. The Guidelines may extend their application through further legislative instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2004 (No. 1) are designed to update and refine the existing National Measurement Guidelines 1999. The Guidelines, which commence on 1 July 2004, introduce specific amendments to the former guidelines to enhance the clarity and precision of Australian legal units of measurement (sections 1 and 2). These amendments include the substitution of certain terms and the addition of new requirements for the formatting of units of measurement.
The main provisions of these Guidelines (section 3) involve amending the definitions and applications of Australian legal units of measurement. Notably, they allow for units derived from the application of guidelines issued by the Chief Metrologist, either directly or through successive applications of those guidelines (Schedule 1, item 1). Furthermore, the Guidelines specify that Australian legal units of measurement can only be formed for a comprehensive list of physical quantities, which includes various types of radiation, energy, force, and more (Schedule 1, item 5). Additionally, there is a specific requirement for a space to be left between the numerical value and the name or symbol of the unit of measurement (Schedule 1, item 6).
These Guidelines impose specific obligations on parties governed by the National Measurement Act 1960. They require adherence to the newly defined Australian legal units of measurement, ensuring that these units are accurately and consistently applied in all relevant contexts (section 3). The obligation extends to the precise formatting of these units, including the mandatory inclusion of a space between the numerical value and the unit symbol or name, with exceptions for temperature and percentage notations (Schedule 1, items 4 and 5). Furthermore, the Guidelines mandate that Australian legal units of measurement must be used in the context of the specified physical quantities, ensuring that measurements align with the updated standards (Schedule 1, item 5).
Failure to comply with the National Measurement Amendment Guidelines 2004 (No. 1) can result in various civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the Guidelines themselves, breaches of the National Measurement Act 1960 generally attract penalties as outlined in the Act. These can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The precise penalties would be determined by the courts based on the specific circumstances of each case, but they serve to enforce the importance of adhering to the national standards of measurement.