Importancia de la trazabilidad en la ciencia de las mediciones

Importance of Traceability in the Science of Measurements

Abstract

No measurement is completely exact. Any type of instrument or equipment can only record a measurement with limited accuracy and precision. Consequently, every measurement carries a degree of uncertainty. The objective of this study is to highlight the importance of traceability in metrology. In any given measurement, traceability serves as an indicator of the quality of the result; any error can lead to significant economic losses. In the healthcare sector, an inaccurate measurement of a chemical or biological component can have serious consequences for human health—or even life itself. The purpose of traceability is to ensure a specific level of accuracy in a measurement. The International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM), in its 3rd edition, defines the concept of “metrological traceability” as: “a property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a reference through a documented, unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement uncertainty.” The methodology for this study involved a review of literature on traceability, as well as a practical example using a Mitutoyo-brand vernier caliper as the measuring instrument. The study concludes that, in the science of measurement, traceability is the ability to link the results of an individual measurement to national or international standards through an unbroken chain of comparisons—known as a “traceability chain.” It is concluded that traceability is a fundamental pillar that allows measurement results to be compared with one another, regardless of when or where they were obtained, thereby facilitating their universal acceptance and reducing potential technical barriers to trade.