QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN A RESEARCH AND NATIONAL METROLOGY INSTITUTE: THE INRIM CASE

This paper describes the Quality Management System (QMS) at the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), Italy. The QMS encompasses calibration and measurement activities (ISO 17025) in accordance with the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), to ensure the acceptance of national standards and calibration certificates among signatory countries. The system also covers testing activities for the Association for the Certification of Electrical Equipment (ACAE) and the Low Voltage Agreement Group (LOVAG), production of certified reference materials (ISO 17034), interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs, ISO 17043), and the provision of documentation using both standardized and in-house methods. The INRiM QMS does not cover research activities. In 2024, INRiM maintained 448 Calibration and Measurement Capabilities (CMCs) and, between 2022 and 2024, issued 5336 certificates, 173 test reports, and 337 ILC reports. The paper shows that the INRiM organization, where a QMS coexists within a research environment, has a positive impact on all INRiM activities.