Resolution 3 of the 21st CGPM (1999)

Associates of the Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures

The 21st Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures,

considering that

• the worldwide measurement infrastructure, based on the International System of Units (SI) used in almost every aspect of modern society, rests on the universal application of the decisions of the General Conference,
• all States, not only those that are Member States of the Metre Convention, engage in measurements which are related to trade and need to be traceable to the SI,
• States which are not Member States of the Metre Convention are at present excluded from the activities of the Convention,
• Member States of the Metre Convention support the world's measurement system by devoting considerable financial resources to the BIPM and to their own national measurement systems,
• many smaller States would have difficulty in allocating funds sufficient to meet the cost of membership of the Metre Convention,

decides

• to assume a responsibility for providing those States and Economies not yet members of the Metre Convention with the means to establish links to the world's measurement system so as to provide recognition of the traceability of their measurements to the SI,
• that an important link can be through participation in the mutual recognition arrangement related to national measurement standards now operated by the International Committee,
• that participation in the arrangement for such a State or Economy should be by the association of their national metrology institutes with a regional metrology organization that is a member of the Joint Committee of the Regional Metrology Organizations and the BIPM,

and consequently decides

• to invite such States and Economies to take part in the General Conference as Associates, thereby establishing the connection with the Member States of the Metre Convention necessary for them to participate in the mutual recognition arrangement,
• that Associate States and Economies of the General Conference participate in the Conference through the appointment of non-voting observers,
• that Associate States and Economies shall pay an annual subscription to the BIPM to meet the cost of providing the services that the International Committee may make available to them; the annual subscription of each Associate State or Economy will be determined from its UN contribution, as for Member States but with a minimum equal to 0.05 % of the annual dotation of the BIPM,
• that a State or Economy wishing to become an Associate may do so by application to the Director of the BIPM, either directly or through its Embassy in Paris, and by the payment of the first annual subscription,
• that an Associate State or Economy three years in arrears with its subscription cease to be an Associate; it may be reinstated on payment of these arrears.

DOI : 10.59161/CGPM1999RES3E