PCSIR Islamabad

National Physical and Standards Laboratory (NPSL), Islamabad

National Physical and Standards Laboratory (NPSL), established in 1974 under a development project of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), started functioning practically at its present premises at Islamabad in 1983, as a unit of PCSIR.

Since establishment NPSL has been operating as the apex body in the field of “Metrology” and is the sole custodian of National Standards of Measurement in the country. It is the first accredited laboratory in the country against ISO 17025 International Standard and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for measurement, calibration, testing and analysis. Being, the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of Pakistan, it has been mandated to acquire, realize, establish, maintain and disseminate coherent national measurement system of base and derived SI units for physical and chemical metrology.

Besides, providing test and calibration services in different fields of metrology, NPSL maintains linkages with International Bureau of Weights & Measures (BIPM), Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP), Regional Metrology Organizations (RMOs) and National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) of the Asia Pacific region. To maintain International Traceability of its national measurement standards. It regularly participates in inter laboratory comparisons (ILC) / proficiency testing (PT) programmes and bilateral arrangements with member countries of Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP).

In July 2011, NPSL has signed the CIPM MRA with BIPM, France. This mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) enables NPSL to play a vital role for sound foundation of country’s technical / metrology infrastructure.

Function / mandate of NPSL

The mandate of NPSL includes the following functions

To realize the Primary Standards of measurement
To maintain and disseminate the Transfer, Secondary and Working Standards of measurements
To render the test, calibration and measurement services, related to the Physical and Chemical metrology.
To establish, maintain & deliver unbroken chain of international traceability of measurements to SI units
To support Industry and R&D institutions
To develop strong coordination and linkages with the regional and international metrology organizations
To provide tailored courses & to take part in various activities, for the promotion of metrology to facilitate the trade

Metrology/Testing/Analytical Divisions:

Chemical Metrology Division (CMD)
Dimensional Metrology Division (DMD)
Environmental Analytical Laboratory (EAL)
Mass Metrology Division (MMD)
Electrical Metrology Division (EMD)
Pressure Metrology Division (PMD)
Time & Frequency Metrology Division (T&FMD)
Thermal Metrology Division (TMD)