ABSTRACT

Measurements and traceable measurements have been performed for thousands of years. Among the oldest references we know today is the Egyptian Cubit. Cubits were used to measure buildings, lands and water levels. Natural objects, like seeds or body parts, remained the common way to establish measurement references for thousands of years. However, as body parts vary in size from person to person, it is also needed to select a reference person. When trading food and fuel, price is set by mass or volume. Therefore, weighing scales and measuring glasses are often used in shops and markets. In most countries, today governmental offices are established to monitor the use of weighing and measurement equipment in use. The measurement itself can be called a fiscal measurement or, without having any governmental bodies included for inspection, custody transfer measurement. In Europe, common regulations are stated in the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID).