Strengthening the Compliance of the OIC Member States
to International Standards
41
approach to measurement. As is the case for the BIPM, the OIML is part of the underlying infrastructure
of international standardization, and plays a key role in facilitating the development and
implementation of international standards.
Table 2 sets out the current state of play with respect to the participation of OIC member states in these
two main international metrology bodies. In relation to the BIPM, only 11 OIC member states are full
members, with a further seven enjoying more limited benefits (but lower costs) as Associate Members.
For the OIML, participation is somewhat stronger, but focused on the corresponding member category
(21, compared with 12 full members). In both cases, there is some risk of marginalization for those OIC
member states that do not have a full relationship with these two important organizations. Metrology
forms the basis for much standardization activities, so it is important to find ways for OIC member states
to have a more significant voice in both organizations. Although corresponding or associate membership
is beneficial in terms of keeping abreast of an organization’s work, it does not come with full voting
rights, so such members are limited in their ability to influence the deliberations of the international
metrology organizations. Indeed, a number of OIC member states have no relationship with either
organization, so they are completely cut off from their work. The contrast with the standardization
organizations is striking, as there is typically a higher level of OIC involvement (albeit in a limited
number of Technical Committees, in most cases, for the ISO). Clearly, there is room for OIC member
states to develop a more active presence in the global metrology community.
Table 2: OIC member states' participation in selected international metrology organizations
Country BIPM OIML Country BIPM OIML
Afghanistan Guyana
Albania Associate Member Indonesia Member Member
Algeria Member Iran Member Member
Azerbaijan Associate
Corresponding
Member
Iraq Member
Corresponding
Member
Bahrain
Corresponding
Member
Jordan
Corresponding
Member
Bangladesh Associate Kazakhstan Member Member
Benin
Corresponding
Member
Kuwait
Corresponding
Member