Technical Assistance II
In 2019, the management of the National Measurement Standard (SNSU) was transferred from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) to the National Standardization Agency (BSN). This shift was a result of Law No. 20 of 2014 on Standardization and Conformity Assessment and the implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 4 of 2018 regarding BSN. With these new responsibilities, BSN underwent reorganization to incorporate SNSU management, establishing a new deputy role, namely the Deputy of SNSU. This reorganization necessitated a strengthening of human resource capacities within the Deputy of SNSU.
In support of this endeavor, ARISE+ Indonesia, a cooperation program between the Government of Indonesia and the European Union designed to enhance Indonesia's trade competitiveness, has been collaborating with BSN. This partnership focuses on enhancing the capacities of BSN's human resources.
We recently had the opportunity to discuss with Y. Kristianto Widiwardono, the Deputy of SNSU, about the progress of metrology in Indonesia and the collaboration with ARISE+ Indonesia.
Here is an excerpt from that interview.
Q: How does metrology play a role in supporting international trade?
KW: Metrology, or the science of measurement, has a huge and critical role in supporting fair international trade. Metrology is a fundamental pillar of the national quality infrastructure, alongside standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment. Metrology ensures that measurements are standardized and consistent across different countries, which is vital for the trade of goods and services. This standardization ensures that products meet the specified dimensions, volumes, and weights, regardless of where they are produced or sold. For example, a liter of gasoline in one country needs to be exactly the same as a liter in another country for fair trade. Without standardized measurements, countries might have different measurement systems, leading to technical barriers in trade. Metrology helps in reducing these barriers by providing universally accepted measurement standards, facilitating smoother and more efficient trade transactions.
Therefore, it's essential for measurements to have traceability, meaning that their results can be linked to national or international standards through a documented, unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the overall measurement uncertainty. In each country, the National Metrology Institute (NMI) holds the role and responsibility of ensuring the traceability of measurements to the International System of Units (SI). In Indonesia, this function is managed by the National Standardization Agency, specifically through the Deputy of National Measurement Standards (SNSU-BSN). The international recognition of Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) that are traceable to the SI is documented and published on the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) website.
Metrology also plays an important role in protecting consumers. It ensures that products sold internationally adhere to safety and quality standards, thereby protecting consumers from substandard or unsafe products. Furthermore, accurate measurements lead to cost efficiency in production, a key factor in competitive international markets. So, metrology is not just a scientific discipline, but it's also a crucial foundation for global trade, consumer protection, and economic efficiency.
Q: How would you describe the current state of metrology in Indonesia? What are some recent advancements or significant developments in metrology that Indonesia has achieved?
KW: According to a 2022 survey conducted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index, Indonesia's metrology is currently ranked 48th out of 137 countries. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia holds the third position, following Singapore (30th) and Thailand (33rd). To date, the SNSU-BSN, as Indonesia's National Metrology Institute responsible for managing primary standards, has gained international recognition for its Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) in 148 types of measurements. In comparison, Singapore has approximately 300 CMCs, and Thailand around 200 CMCs.
From the information above, it appears that our metrology sector is not significantly lagging behind but is evolving in alignment with the growth of our industry. Typically, the development of metrology tends to match with the demands of the industry. However, it's crucial that we continually strive to progress, staying abreast of both the times and global developments. Take, for instance, the digital revolution that has transformed our society; it compels us to constantly advance the science of measurement. This involves developing and validating new measurement techniques at the requisite level of sophistication to meet these emerging needs.
The SNSU-BSN has signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM) to ensure international acceptance for its calibration and measurement results. To obtain CMCs, SNSU-BSN is required to be accredited to ISO 17025 and to participate in an Inter-Laboratory Comparison (ILC), followed by the CMCs submission stages. The first stage is an intra-regional review conducted by experts from its Regional Metrology Organization (RMO), the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP), with which Indonesia is regionally associated. The second stage involves an inter-regional review by a different RMO. Acknowledgements of successful CMCs are published on the BIPM website.
However, to acquire the CMCs, the challenge we're facing is that peer reviews are only conducted in a certain period of time. This necessitates close monitoring to ensure we don't miss these critical review opportunities. Additionally, active participation in the APMP is essential for us to advocate effectively for peer reviews in the specific CMCs categories that we require.
Since 2019, SNSU-BSN has been mandated to manage all aspects of metrology, including the management of reference materials. Currently, SNSU-BSN already has seven physical measurement laboratories. Last year, our biology laboratory successfully conducted three proficiency testing schemes to support the expanding halal industry in Indonesia. Our chemistry laboratory also succeeded in conducting several proficiency testing schemes and developing CRMs to support food and environmental safety. The chemistry laboratory also succeeded in conducting proficiency testing schemes and developing CRMs of Carbon dioxide (CO2) in Nitrogen (N2) matrices to bolster the advancement of the carbon economy.
Q: Could you elaborate on the role and policy of SNSU in the field of metrology to support the industrial sector and SMEs, particularly in facilitating the global acceptance of Indonesian export products?
KW: As Indonesia's NMI, SNSU-BSN has a more strategic role in providing support to SMEs and the industrial sector in the field of metrology by serving as the primary reference for measurement standards in Indonesia. The dissemination of measurement traceability is carried out by SNSU-BSN through calibration services provided to calibration labs in the fields of mechanics, radiation, biology, thermoelectricity, and chemistry, as well as the provision of Certified Reference Materials (CRM). While we occasionally serve industry, it is typically large industries that require highly accurate measurements or whose services are not yet available in local calibration labs. Thus, we do not compete directly with calibration labs.
In fulfilling our NMI role, SNSU-BSN also formulates policies, including measurement and calibration guidelines in various fields. These guidelines aim to enhance the competence of calibration laboratories within the national metrology infrastructure in providing calibration services to SMEs.
As an NMI at the top of the measurement traceability pyramid, we must ensure that we have competent and qualified resources. Not only that, but SNSU-BSN also supports the resource development of metrology stakeholders to provide the best service for SMEs and industries.
SNSU contributes to training through the BSN HR Development Center, which often conducts training for SMEs. In a related effort, BSN has a program for Micro and Small-Enterprise (MSE) facilitation called 'Bina UMK,' which focuses on the implementation of SNI (Indonesian National Standards) among MSEs. Additionally, we have recently collaborated with the Indonesian Metrology Society (MMI) to provide training aimed at enhancing MMI's human resources capacity.
Additionally, SNSU-BSN frequently engages in the socialization and education of metrology to stakeholders. These activities are now held online and streamed via BSN's social media channels to reach a broader audience, including those in the industry sector. To further enhance understanding, SNSU produces educational videos shared on BSN's social media platforms.
SNSU-BSN also coordinates and collaborates with various institutions and agencies responsible for legal metrology, such as the Directorate of Metrology under the Ministry of Trade, which ensures that trade measuring instruments comply with standards and regulations, the Ministry of Health, which manages a network of medical device calibration laboratories, and the Ministry of Industry, to prevent overlap in carrying out metrological tasks. In this case, the Directorate of Metrology handles legal metrology, while SNSU ensures traceability to the International System of Units (SI).
SNSU also encourages relevant parties to establish more calibration labs in the regions to meet the needs of SMEs and industry, given the vast territory of Indonesia and its many islands. This is one of the challenges that we must address as well.
Q: What are SNSU's future development policies based on the surveys conducted in collaboration with ARISE+ Indonesia on calibration institutions and SMEs?
KW: Based on the survey results facilitated by ARISE+ Indonesia, it has been identified that several areas of measurement services are yet to be fulfilled by SNSU. As a service-providing institution, the development of SNSU should cater to the needs of the community it serves. However, being a part of a government institution, SNSU's development must also align with the targets set by BSN, as well as the broader government objectives. To enhance effectiveness, the development should focus on priority sectors targeted by the government, such as the food and health sectors. From these sectors, we will then identify the metrological needs, whether they involve length, electricity, mass, temperature, or other measurements, and assess which areas are already fulfilled and which are not.
As a state institution, we face challenges related to limited budgets and human resources. Therefore, among all the SNSU's development needs, we should prioritize those that align between government targets and the most significant demand for calibration services from the community.
We, as an NMI, also plan to present the results of the ARISE+ Indonesia survey to stakeholders at both the national and regional levels, with the aim of fostering synergy and collaboration. Our goal is to encourage the establishment of more calibration laboratories in the regions. Additionally, we will advocate for these laboratories to continuously enhance and expand their measurement competencies.
Furthermore, we will soon reactivate the radiation laboratory that was previously managed by BATAN, as the management mandate has now been transferred to SNSU-BSN. There have already been numerous requests for radiation metrology, particularly from the food and health sectors.
We will also focus on developing the biology lab, which is required by the food sector, one of the main sectors in Indonesia. Moreover, with the halal product law in place, we need to support the traceability of equipment used in the halal industry and provide comparative testing of laboratories for the halal industry.
Furthermore, the chemistry lab holds enormous potential for development due to the vast number of substances and compounds it handles. This is particularly relevant as we transition to a carbon economy, which will increasingly require the traceability of measuring instruments to the International System of Units (SI).
Q: Regarding the collaboration with ARISE+ Indonesia, in what ways do you believe ARISE+ Indonesia can assist SNSU-BSN in accomplishing its objective of improving the capabilities of its staff?
KW: We greatly appreciate our collaboration with ARISE+ Indonesia. I believe that the survey and training activities facilitated by ARISE+ Indonesia are highly beneficial and add significant value to the process of accelerating the capacity building of BSN resources, especially SNSU. The opportunity to discuss and exchange experiences with experts from the highly regarded National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) has been invaluable. Thanks to the training, our new personnel are now equipped to prepare for the reopening of some SNSU services.